Page 86 of Blood of Olympus

His grin fell.

“Not even you, if you’d had the power.”

“But I’d do it anyway, consequences be damned.”

“And that is exactly the attitude I possessed that landed us all here.”

“The difference is that Zeus deserved it.”

“So do I.”

An elongated creak drew our gazes to the foyer. A sheepish storm-wielder stood in the doorway, copper-tinted cheeks stark against his snow-coloured hair.

“I thought you’d feel it when I entered the realm,” Caelus began, clasping hands neatly behind his back. “But then I realised you were too deep in conversation to notice, so, door,” he explained, tipping his head to indicate said door. “Granted, the squeak was a little dramatic.” He shrugged, stepping closer to wrap his arms around my waist, enveloping me in a much-needed reassurance that we were both still very much alive — even if this place was slowly decaying in our absence.

“I heard what you said,” he whispered. “You’ll never set foot in Tartarus, Nightshade. It’s not deserving of you — nor are you as villainous as to deserve it.”

“But—”

“No. Look what you have accomplished today alone!”

I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. Thoughts and feelings conflicted too violently within me.

“I also happen to think it’s a chaotic and brilliant decision to hold court here. Some will push back, but others will see its beauty.”

“Whether they do or do not is irrelevant. This is my domain. My home. It’s where I’m strongest. And if I’m to rule three realms, then I’ll do it on my own terms.”

He smiled, enunciating the lines of serpent blood that he’d failed to wipe clean from his cheeks. Leaning in, his lips brushed against mine for the briefest of kisses before he withdrew, nose crinkled.

“You are in need of a shower, my queen.”

A surprised harrumph burst free, even as my brows rose in indignation. “As are you, sir.”

Caelus’ wicked lips twisted into a roguish grin a heartbeat before he knocked my legs out from under me, only to catch and cradle me in his arms.

“That’s the best idea you’ve had all day,” he rumbled, taking the stairs two at a time.

“I’ll take that as my cue to leave,” Charon called after us, amusement lacing his tone.

It was only later that I realised: I had no idea when the last time I would get to see him would be. The moment would likely pass us both by without either of us ever being aware of it.

Fate was a fickle bitch like that.

CHAPTER 23

Caelus

Excruciating: the only appropriate word to describe the state Nyssa had left my balls in. Watching her shower was so agonisingly sinful, it left me walking that tenuous line between anticipation and torture.

First, she demanded I set her down the second I crossed the bathroom’s threshold.

Second, she ordered me to step back and not lay a hand on her until she said otherwise.

And then? Then she’d dealt me a death blow. Nyssa undressed so slowly, letting her fingers linger on pale skin in places I would have given anything to kiss, until there was nothing separating her skin from mine — had I been allowed to touch her.

She stepped into the running water without taking her eyes off mine. It poured down her perfect body, honed from years of steadfast training. Even her scars were perfect; weaving the tale that was her life.

There, the remnant of a hydra bite marred her right thigh — a souvenir from Artemis’ trial — when I realised just how tenuous the hold I had over myself was when it came to her.