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"Put your left foot in this loop and your right foot in the other," he instructed me. I did as he said.
"Now you just have to pull the sides up to your hips to hook the ends with your waistband." He waited patiently until I had completed this step, too. Once I had finished, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Close the front and back clasp, and you've done it!" A wry grin tugged at his lips.
After a bit of pulling and tugging, the fastener at the front of the belt finally closed, but the one at the back wouldn't. It can't be that difficult. After all, I used to fasten the little hooks on my bras without help.
"Shit, it's not working," I moaned as I turned in circles to get a better grip.
Tanael seemed to freeze momentarily, but then he cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"Let me try." His voice sounded rough and throaty, making my blood boil.
I slowly turned my back to him. His body heat lay on me like a soft blanket, and his scent surrounded me. Now, I simply had to close my eyes. His fingers slid over the belt's leather, unintentionally brushing against my thin blouse. My skin glowed where he had touched the fabric.
Heat built up between my thighs, and I wanted to purr like a cat. His breathing also quickened, and I could clearly see him taking his time to fasten the belt.
What was this strong attraction that almost drove us out of our minds whenever we got too close?
"I know that meeting your fiancé means a lot to you, Myrina," he breathed into my ear as he gently stroked my arm with one finger. "Please, let me accompany you."
I immediately opened my eyes. He hadn't really done that now, had he? Was he trying to use this moment to persuade me to go and see Alex with him after all? Was this the charm Hecate had advised him to use?
A mirthless laugh escaped my throat darkly as I turned to face him. "Did you really think a few touches and a stroke on my arm would change my mind?"
I took a few steps backward to put some distance between us. On the one hand, to avoid his scent and his warmth, and, on the other, so I didn't let him feel one of my self-defense strikes.
"Let me tell you something, Tanael Lucifer Baldur, I am not your will-less doll, your plaything. Find someone else to play with, but leave me alone."
I hastily left the room, rushed down the stairs, and stopped in front of Hecate just in time to avoid running into her.
Her silver eyes looked at me knowingly before she lifted her gaze up to the gallery. I knew he was standing there.
She grinned treacherously at me. "Like I said, I like you girl. Now let's get going."
Without another word, she pointed with her long index finger to a spot to my left, where a blinding light as big as a door appeared. A portal? I could see a sandy beach on the other side. Uncertainly, I stood in front of it. Hecate, however, walked through unperturbed.
"Myrina!" called Tanael from the top of the stairs. I turned to him. There was a plea in his gaze, but I shook my head, straightened my shoulders, and took a big step into the light.
My boots sank softly into the white sand. The gentle sound of a river reached my ears. Overwhelmed, I looked around. Colorful forests, green hills, animals of all kinds, and an imposing palace made of glass in the glistening light completely unexpectedly hit me. My image of the world of the dead was filled with darkness, barren landscapes, caves, volcanoes, and monsters. This was the exact opposite. Peace, tranquility, and warmth reigned. I breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Do you hear me? Get your hellhound out of here!" scolded Hecate angrily, waving her hands at a three-headed dog. So much for the monsters.
"If you don't call him off immediately, I'll turn him into a mouse," the goddess now threatened with a grim face.
At that moment, a door of the glass palace opened, and two figures stepped out and approached us.
A man with blond hair and an angular yet handsome face, dressed in light-colored trousers and a matching shirt. He radiated so much power and authority that I involuntarily took a step back and ran my fingers over one of the daggers on my weapon belt.
Next to him, holding his hand, walked a young woman. She was wearing a purple summer dress with blue flowers that reached down to her bare feet. Her blonde hair seemed no less long to me. She was a sight to behold, and her beauty surpassed even Zuri's. While her male companion seemed to be in a bad mood, she smiled brightly at us.
"Kate!" she called from afar, waving excitedly to the Goddess of Magic. Surprisingly, when Hecate saw the new arrivals, she had a gentle smile on her otherwise spiteful lips.
"Phony!" With an energetic movement, she pushed the dog creature aside and walked towards the couple. The latter now turned towards me. A deep growl came from its three throats while six eyes observed me.
"Hecate. Help," I whispered and stood frozen.
"Hades! The dog!" Hecate shouted impatiently. Hades? The Greek God of the Underworld? My gaze slid again to the approaching man, who was just letting out a whistle. There was no denying his power, and the dog trotting towards his master—much to my relief—was clearly Kerberos, his hellhound.
