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“That I can do.” I laugh, grinning right back at her as I pull away. I swear, her joy is damn contagious. I don’t think there could be a time where she’s smiling and I’m not mirroring it.
I shift back higher on the bed and take her with me, maneuvering to lie against the pillows. She snuggles into the bed as I pull the sheets up over our heads, cocooning us away from the rest of the world for tonight at least. We have a hell of a day to face tomorrow, but tonight is ours.
“This is what I want, Olivia, us together like this for the rest of our lives. I don’t want there to ever be another day where I wake up without you lying right next to me.” Just enough light filters in through the sheet to glimpse her, our faces mere inches from each other as I gaze into her eyes. I swear I could get lost in their depths, and I’d gladly sink into the sea for her.
“I think that can be arranged. We’ll just have to make sure to get a bed big enough for us all since I don’t think the others will let you keep me all to yourself.”
“That’s the first thing on my to-do list then, as soon as this war is over, because there’s not a chance I’m going to let one of my brothers sweep you away from me.”
“Thank you for today, not only for what you said earlier but for helping me heal the wounded.” I sweep a piece of hair back from her face as an excuse to touch her. I keep my hand there, cupping her cheek and stroking my thumb over her skin in a soft caress. “I’ve never had anyone other than Osias who’s been able to help me do more than patch them up, and he understandably has a million duties as it is.”
“Of course,” she breathes, placing her hand atop my own. A sigh of relief slips from my lips at the press of her skin against mine. “I couldn’t let you heal them on your own, not when I could help.”
“I know doing what is right is not always easy. It can be overwhelming at first to see the aftermath of war.” My eyes flick between hers, watching for any sign of discomfort, but it doesn’t come.
“It was a lot, to see the bodies of the demigods and guardians who died, to know that their friends and families will have to live with that loss.” A flicker of pain crosses her face, but it’s gone in the next instant.
“If you ever need to talk about it, or need to walk away, or even have me take over, you just let me know, okay?” I hold her gaze, needing her to know it’s okay to protect herself and her mental health too. I can manage on my own, especially with all the medics we have on staff.
“Okay.” She smiles sadly. She places a kiss against my palm, and we sit in a comfortable silence for a few moments.
“I guess you’ll be the interim headmaster,” Olivia says, nestling against my chest. I wrap my arm around her, my heart warming at how natural it feels to have her in my arms. Safe and where she’s always meant to be.
“Oh, don’t go spreading those rumors, sweetheart,” I chuckle, placing a sweet kiss on the tip of her nose. Her face wrinkles, and she teasingly pushes me away, but I don’t miss the pink that rushes to her cheeks.
“Come on, let me have my fun. Besides, it will give you a great opportunity to show Titus how it’s really done. He was a shit headmaster, even when he was pretending to be Mavros.” Olivia chuckles.
“Don’t get any ideas,” I warn, unable to keep the smile off my lips. “You’ve convinced me to lead the students through training, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be the headmaster.”
Would it really be that bad to be headmaster here? At least until we can appoint a new council and demigod to the position ...
“I’m just saying, I think you would be the best headmaster in the history of this school.”
“You don’t even know any other headmasters other than your brother,” I huff out in amusement.
“Yup, and I already know you’d be a million times the headmaster he was.” Olivia yawns softly, her eyes closing as she rests her head against my chest.
“Get some rest, sweetheart. I love you.” I place a chaste kiss on the top of her head.
“I love you too.” I barely catch her words before her breathing evens out and she slips into a restful slumber.
Chapter Five
Kyros
“I’vegatheredyouallhere today to discuss the enhanced training and our next steps,” I say, striding around the other side of my desk. Professor Gabris, Pallas, and Barros are all gathered on the sofa in the small office in the library. Barros shifts uncomfortably between the other two demigods as he tries to adjust his bulky frame between the other two. Gabris’ frizzy, red hair shifts in front of her face as she’s jostled, and she blows the thick strands out of her eyes, pursing her lips as she glares at Barros.
“The students have responded well to the new training techniques, and under the guidance of the other demigods, they’ve made some drastic improvements in the last few days,” Pallas responds, his face serene.
Few days.
The reminder shakes my confidence for a moment before I push the uncertainty away, remembering what Olivia said to me last night. It’s strange to remember that only a few days have passed since the students were first brought into this new training program. Being swept up in the battle has made these lastfew daysseem like months, especially without having Olivia by my side. I adjust my linen suit vest and nod, focusing back on the task at hand.
“What happened with the battle, God of Healing?” professor Gabris asks. “Is the threat over?”
The tinge of hope in her words turns my stomach, but I shake my head, ripping it away like a band-aid.
“Romulus is on the run, but he’ll be coming back with a vengeance,” I say, needing to convey the severity without telling them the secret only a few of us know. “We just received some insider information that confirms the academy will be under attack when he unleashes the rest of his forces.”
