His gaze raked over me as he studied me, his expression inscrutable. My fingers trembled with the terror of facing him, but I dug my nails into my palms and forced myself to not look away. Instead, I took a step forward, even as frightful flutters twisted my insides into knots.
“What do you mean? You find it unusual that I can see you?”
“What I mean is…” Thanatos paused, his eyes narrowing. He folded his arms and tilted his head to the side. “Why did you call me beautiful?” he asked abruptly.
My throat tightened. “What?”
“Whydid you—? No. Here, look at me,” he instructed. “What do you see? Describe me.”
I swallowed hard, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. With no choice but to obey, I scrutinized him, avoiding his face for as long as possible so as to delay the extent of my blushing. My emotions careened as I attempted to reconcile his undeniable allure with the agonizing possibility of my impending demise.
He would certainly look out of place in my city. Unlike the gathered tunics and robes that most people wore, his clothes were tailored: long pants, boots, and a short-sleeved shirt with fastenings that looked specially designed to accommodate his intimidating inky wings. All of his attire was black, with hems decorated with intricate silver detailing. The darkness of the fabric made his fair skin and hair stand out even more.
Unable to postpone it any longer, I reluctantly peered up at his face.Gods, that gorgeous face, all angles and intensity. His smooth jaw opposed the traditional bearded style with anachronistic elegance. His eyes, framed by long lashes, conveyed icy reticence, but a hint of warmth hid in the expression of his slightly parted lips. He was even more striking than I remembered, now that I could properly examine him. But what was I meant to say? Surely Thanatos didn’t require a mortal’s compliments.
“You have wings,” I squeaked out.
He shook his head impatiently. “No. Describe therestof me.”
“Fine,” I snapped, then promptly realized I’d just snapped at Deathhimself. “Ah! I’m sorry. Alright, uh…you’re pale,” I tried. “You have blue eyes and perfect cheekbones and longblond hair. Really gorgeous hair, actually, with just the tiniest bit of wave to it, which makes me incredibly jealous, because it’s probably very good for braiding—”
“What are youtalkingabout?” Thanatos interjected, now gaping at me.
“No, what areyoutalking about?” I retorted angrily, my entire body heating with fear and shame. “Why would you ask me to describe you? Are you trying to kill me with embarrassment?” I gasped. “That’s not funny!”
Death stared at me in seeming incomprehension. Then a subtle flash of color lit his face and the tiniest smile curved his lips upward. “Cyrie,” he said calmly, and the sound of my name through an immortal voice shocked me to my core. “I told you already that I am not here to take your soul. Given your unexpected ability to perceive me, I intended only to discern whether you are seeing me as I truly am.”
“Oh.” I sighed. “Well, then…am I?”
“Yes, I do believe you are. Though I have never given much thought to the shape of my cheekbones.” The hint of humor in his low voice clashed with the chill in his eyes.
The heat in my face intensified. “Please forget I said any of that!” I begged. “Just…please. What’s going on? Why have you returned, if not to take me?”
“Curiosity,” Thanatos answered. “This situation is difficult to explain.”
“Please try. Come, sit with me and tell me.” I motioned toward one of the garden’s stone benches.
He hesitated, and for a moment I feared I’d pushed too far. But then, with a short nod, he started toward where I had indicated and waited for me to walk with him. I appreciated that he took the long way instead of just appearing there. It would have been awkward to walk alone on my pitiful mortal legs.
When we arrived at the bench, he sat gracefully, his every motion fluid. Despite being trained from youth to exude elegance in my movement, I found my stride shaky, and I struggled to plop down beside him without tripping over myself. Luckily, I made it without incident—but when I settled at his side, timidity overtook me. I crossed my legs neatly and tossed my hair over my shoulder, trying to look presentable in front of winged divinity. Ugh, my face was probably awful after my sleepless night. Did I have bags under my eyes? I should have asked Zoe. Should have had the foresight. What a terrible oracle I was!
I tried to push the thoughts away as we regarded each other. There was a stillness to him that took the edge off my anxiety, and for once, I didn’t feel like I was burning up. Maybe because for the first time since we’d met I was fairly sure I wasn’t about to be dragged into the afterlife.
“Alright,” I said, my voice quiet in the garden air. “Please tell me. What happened last night?”
“Last night, I was startled to find you aware of my presence,” Thanatos said, “given that it was not your time to go.And I do not decide when that time comes, either,” he added with irritation. “This is a common misconception.”
I nodded eagerly when he stopped to judge my response. Satisfied, he continued. “The Fates decide the time for every life. I simply know when the moment has arrived. So I go to the souls, and I speak to them if I wish. And I bear them to the Underworld.”
“And the living see none of this?”
“They see nothing unless I enter their reality of my own volition. Mortals exist and perceive in one plane, and I walk another which drapes over it. It is an avenue for Death, in the in-between, where souls emerge for me to take below. Last night, I came to reap the old man in this plane between, where only thedead should have witnessed me. But…somehow you were there as well. Seeing me and touching me. Walking two realms at once. Did you see the man’s soul, as well?”
“It looked like you were talking to someone, but I couldn’t see or hear them,” I said, brow furrowed. “And then I saw a light. I saw you take it away.”
“Interesting,” Thanatos considered. “Your perception is limited, but it is true. I did not quite believe it last night. I thought perhaps I fell into the mortal realm by mistake and revealed myself to you. But I am sure of it now. You saw what happened with your friends, how they were blind to me in every sense. And even now…”
Thanatos lifted his hand, watching me carefully. He reached toward me slowly, giving me the chance to recoil if I wanted to. I didn’t. I remained still until he rested his hand lightly on my shoulder. His touch was warm.
