Chapter Twenty One

His wings, shadows, and body are hovering over me.

Despite doing very little work, my body has turned into putty because of the released tension. I’m quite surprised by Thanatos’ 180-degree turn, from shyness to a ravaging beast, but shit, it was welcome.

I’m not fragile, not in the slightest. Sure, my feelings can be hurt, but I concealed that emotion deep within me. My body? I’m tough, and I’m glad that Thanatos thinks so too. It makes me feel so powerful in other ways.

He finds me attractive, worthy, even for being a human.

No man has touched me quite like Thanatos. His touch was rough yet somehow gentle, sending shivers down my spine. The passion in his grasp was primal, igniting a fire within me. Every sensation was a mixture of pleasure and longing, leaving me craving more. I yearned to tear off my shorts, to feel his touch fully, but deep down we both knew it was too overwhelming for us at that moment.

There was an emotional connection between us I couldn’t explain. It wasn”t just physical—we were somehow tethered, and I couldn”t explain what it was.

Thanatos’ fingers tightened around my hair, turning my head. I closed my eyes before he fully had me face him. “Open your eyes, my treasure. You can look upon me.”

I let out a breath. His voice was commanding, but if I didn’t listen to him, I don’t fear him hurting me. I enjoyed listening to his orders. I enjoyed the feeling of giving up and letting my body give in to him. An action I’ve never known before.

And not seeing his face? Why was that a turn on? He didn’t have a mask, but a hood, but maybe I had some sort of hidden face kink I never knew about. Or I was falling for the man and not just a pretty face.

He could be ugly for all I knew—but in my soul, I doubt that would be the case. He was beautiful to me already.

“Did I hurt you?” His voice grew soft. “I got carried away, I didn’t mean to–”

I closed my eyes and lift my face to his, finding his lips in an instant. I didn’t need my eyes to find where my lips wanted to go–I just knew.

“No,” I lean back. “I rather enjoyed it.” I felt the blush run across my cheeks.

And I knew it: he goes commando under those robes.

He lets out a bark of laughter and nuzzles into my neck.

Dang it.

Thanatos carried me back to the bedroom. He insisted, even though I tried to fight him on it. He left the cinema room in shambles, which I’m sure with the wave of his hand it would all return to its original form once it was all said and done.

He set me on the stone floor. Even after days, knowing the smooth surface would be warm, I still readied myself for the coolness to strike my feet.

“I can bathe you.” His voice grew dark. “But I fear I will do far more than you are ready for.” His breath fanned my messy hair off my shoulder. He dressed me in the purple blanket sweatshirt that reached my knees before we left the room. With the combination of the sweatshirt and him hovering over me, I felt so utterly small.

“I doubt that,” I smiled. “But if you say so.”

Thanatos growled, “don’t test me, my treasure. I have little patience left.”

I turned my back to him, swaying my hips.

“Juni,” he warned.

I laughed. “You know what I liked the most about our evening? And before you say the mind-blowing orgasms you gave me, I’m going to tell you it’s not that.”

Thanatos stepped forward, his wings stretching outward. “Did I not satisfy you enough?”

I grabbed hold of his robe and shook my head. “No, not that, but I really enjoyed your laugh. You can do more of it.” I closed my eyes and stood on my toes to reach his lips. He softly kissed me back, and I faded into the bathroom, leaving the curtain behind me.

Once I washed my body in the pool, I dried and put on another pair of pajamas. These were not as revealing because I didn’t want to punish the poor guy. Once I emerged, he was waiting impatiently on the other side. Both hands were on either side of the door frame and his hood hung low.

“Hi grumpy bones.” I smiled up at him.

He grabbed my wrist and led me to the bed and motioned for me to climb on the tall mattress. I bit my lip to keep myself from smiling anymore, but I couldn’t help it. He wasn’t wearing any underwear, and he obviously had another boner.

“Juni, you will take my soul from my body before I allow it.” He tucked the blankets up to my chin.

“I put on something more conservative,” I said innocently.

He sighed, “not nearly enough. Your peachy ass was hanging out of your shorts.” He reaches under the covers and cups my butt cheek.

I snorted in laughter. “Did you just say peachy ass?”

He cleared his throat and stood. “We need to be serious now. Are you still okay with me looking into your mind?”

My smile fades and I give him a nod. “On one condition.” I held up my finger.

“Anything.” His finger trails down my cheek.

“Will you come cuddle after?”

I longed to catch a glimpse of his face, to witness the emotions that danced upon his features. Would they be a vivid display or simply a handsome smile or adorned with a stoic expression?

My confidence faded when he didn’t answer right away.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want—”

“It would bring me great joy to lie with you afterward,” he said. His hands ran through my hair and I felt myself slowly falling asleep. “You won’t feel a thing.” His voice dips lower, “you won’t relive your past, won’t feel the pain, all you will do is sleep, and wake with me beside you.”

I hum, feeling his fingers run through my hair.

“Hypnos, help her sleep,” he muttered.

And that was the last I heard.

My shadows, like tendrils of silk, gently enveloped her, intertwining and merged with her essence. I pressed my palms against the warmth of her temples, immersing myself in the ethereal depths of her soul. In this intimate connection, I navigate the labyrinth of her experiences, feeling the weight of her journey over the past four years.

As I looked through her eyes, I am engulfed in a world of torment and suffering. The weight on my chest intensifies, aching with each passing moment. I can never truly grasp the depth of her pain, the sorrow that grips her, or the fear she endures. Yet, what I have witnessed leaves an indelible mark on my senses. The scenes I have seen, the cries I have heard, the scent of despair that hangs heavy in the air—they are enough to ignite a desire within me. If given the power, I would willingly set the world ablaze.

Alas, I can only take their souls–

I skimmed through her memories, my anger growing with each day I skim through. She’s so strong and resilient, yet she smiles through all her hardships, here with me.

Is the bond who heals her? Or is it herself?

I tossed the thoughts away, trying to pay attention as I fast forward in time. Nothing is screaming at me, no faces that I can detect in any of the crowds, no strange magic. That is until I come to the end of her stay. The night in which she comes with me.

Seated behind a desk, a woman exudes authority. Her voice, magically muted, barely reaches my ears, while her face remains obscured. Yet, a vibrant pink suit and the rhythmic clicking of her shoes offer the only means of recognition. The air hung heavy with a mysterious aura, likely woven by the warlock of Samael, who gave the possessing demon upon the owner of Fuzzy Bunnies.

My mate hid behind the door. Mumblings and conversations continued, blasts of papers fly off the desks and under the door papers fly. The names Andriel Demon and Simone Angel flitter below Juniper’s feet.

With a menacing growl, my lip curled, contorting my face into a snarl. The air felt heavy with tension as I abruptly departed from her dream. It was too much—I couldn’t bear the anguish of her final moments, nor witness the fear etched into her eyes. But now, with an impending eruption of my fury, I knew it was time to unleash my wrath.

When I opened my eyes, Hypnos stood at the entryway. He was clothed in his traditional white robes, his dark skin shining with sweat. “Did you find anything?”

I kept my hand on my mate’s forehead. She was sleeping peacefully, hopefully dreaming of sweet things.

“Has Azrael found Samael yet?” I didn’t answer his question and walked across the room to keep my voice low to not wake my mate.

Hypnos laced his fingers together. “He found Samael just hours ago. He was in a brothel in Egypt. Would you like Azrael to fetch him for you from your dungeon?”

Once I found out that Samael had transferred the possessing demon to another handler, I immediately called Azrael, my personal demon gifted to me by Hades. He’s a brute with the abilities of an assassin. He’s completely loyal, however. His talents far exceeded that of most demons of the Underworld. Azrael, my personal demon gifted to me by Hades, surprised me completely, and I have only employed his talents for jobs I cannot personally do myself. He can be most persuasive, deadly, and given the ability to break rules when gods cannot.

“Let Azrael have some fun with him tonight. I’ll see the bastard warlock tomorrow. We have another issue, however.”

Hypnos pulled the curtain to lead me to the living room. He strode over to the parlor and pours us both a drink. “So, did you bed her?” he asked.

I snapped my head to the side, my eyes narrowed as I swiftly snatched the drink from his outstretched hand. The room filled with the sound of my sudden movement, the air tinged with the scent of the cold beverage. My fingers curl around the cool, condensation-dampened surface, asserting my control. “That is none of your concern.”

Hypnos shrugged his shoulders. “Just wanted to know. I could smell her all over you, is all.” He took a sip of his glass and smiled.

I rolled my eyes and took back a swig of ambrosia and sat on the couch.

Ignoring him, I said, “I saw the names Andriel Demon and Simone Angel’s names written on a form in Juniper’s mind. They looked like intake forms–they were searching for specific humans.”

Hypnos put his glass down and shook his head. “What? Do you really think an angel and a demon would be that stupid to put Angel and Demon as their last names?” Hypnos scoffed and crossed his arms.

“I don’t know. It’s possible. I’ll need to check the Underworld’s records for any demons with the name of Andriel. We will go from there. We will take Juniper to the palace tomorrow to check on this.”

“Can I come!?” Hypnos asked excitedly.

I sighed, swirling my drink. Hypnos always wanted to accompany me, but I worried about the other gods trying to use him. He got so upset when people asked him to put them to sleep for no other purpose. He only put Juniper to sleep because he didn’t want her to watch her past flash before her.

I guess I will have to get him that wand he wanted from this TikTok.

“I suppose.”

Hypnos fist pumped the air. “And when are you going to go on your rampage for all the people that touched your woman?” Hypnos sat down beside me, nudging me with his arm.

My shadows slithered and coiled around my hands, their icy touch sending a shiver down my arms. With a commanding flex, they erupted into a symphony of tiny explosions, filling the air with faint crackling sounds. As I stand, the faint scent of burnt ozone lingers in the room.

“I promised my mate I would stay with her tonight,” I whispered, determination seeping into my words. “I intend to keep that promise. For now, her enemies will live, but once I have the time to do so...” In an instant, my scythe hurtles through the air, propelled by an unseen force, and lands perfectly in my waiting hand. The blade gleams with a deadly shine.

With a swift and deliberate motion, I drew the sharp tip down my finger, a searing pain shooting through my body. Warm blood welled up, trickling down my hand, staining the blade. I ignored the pain, relishing in the sensation, knowing that it is just a precursor to the agony I will inflict upon those who oppose her.

”I vow,” I said with a chilling determination in my voice, ”they will feel every bit of their soul being purged from their body.” The taste of vengeance hung heavy as I planned every single soul’s demise.