Chapter 36

Selene and Sam walked for hours in dreary weather until lightning started. Sam led them to a cluster of caves and ducked into a few seeking refuge. Selene waited for him under a shallow rock ledge, getting soaked by sideways-falling rain. Finally, Sam emerged, beckoning her to follow him to shelter.

"It's a steep hike down, but it's protected," he said, shouting to be heard over the rain.

Selene followed him through an opening in the rock then pulled out a lantern from her pack. When she switched it on, the light revealed a narrow passageway in the rock.

They set off with Sam in front and Selene behind. It wasn't a pleasant trek; a few bats were startled by their presence, and the slippery floor required close attention. Eventually, they heard the sound of rushing water. Sam pointed to a dark opening ahead. "It's here. There's even a waterfall."

He led Selene over a ledge that stretched above a vast cavern. Lifting the lantern, Selene looked around, surprised to see how big it was, almost like a ballroom. Rock columns shot up from the earthen floor, and the stone formations draped across the high ceiling looked like huge swathes of lace. It was chilly within her rain-soaked clothes, but not unbearable. Through a crescent-shaped opening on the far side of the space, Selene could glimpse a pounding waterfall.

"It's perfect," she said as Sam helped her climb down.

"Someone must have used it for shelter years ago. There's still a fire pit and bits of wood."

"How long do you think the storm will last?"

"Could be days. I'll send for some more lanterns in the switch pouch. We can use the waterfall for drinking and bathing. The only thing I'm not certain of is bedding."

Selene eyed the dirt floor. "We could use what's left of the tent. The padded floor is still good, like a giant mattress."

Sam's eyes darkened as he met hers. The unspoken tension of being alone together for days, with nothing to do, crackled. "As you wish."

Sam was pleased with the shelter he had found for them, but he wished there was a warm spring nearby instead of a freezing waterfall. They both took turns standing near its spray to wash their bodies of the dirt and dust. When Sam helped Selene wash her hair, he considered how much more pleasurable the activity would be if they were both nude, but such delights would have to come when it wasn't so cold. When they finished bathing, Sam built a fire and they changed into fresh clothes.

Selene emptied the switch pouch of all the food Brunie had packed, while Sam dashed off a note to Queen Thema requesting more lanterns. When he finished, Selene was chewing happily, a thick slice of bread in her hand.

"Good?" he asked.

"Mmm-hmm," she answered. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."

Eagerly, he said, "In the Underworld, the demons of Gluttony specialize in cravings. If someone wants a specific food, they only have to imagine it as they recite an incantation. No matter where they are, the demons of Gluttony will hear you and prepare it."

"Really?"

"Yes. Even if they have never prepared the dish before, they use your memories as a recipe."

"That's wonderful! Did you do that much as a child? I'd be summoning cake and ice cream every hour."

Sam explained that he was not allowed to command other demons until he became of age. However, if he were able to, he would have asked for an endless supply of his favorite cinnamon sweet buns, which made her laugh. As they ate, Sam told her stories about imps, hellhounds, and the Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude. She asked about the landscape, and he explained that it wasn't all fire and brimstone. There were places of great beauty within the subterranean realm, as long as you weren't expecting sparkling beaches or sunny pastures. Her surprise at this made him pause. What else had her kind gotten wrong about his?

"What were you taught about demons?" he asked.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, seemingly reluctant to speak.

"I'm curious," he urged.

"Most humans think they're pure evil. Possessing people, stealing souls for Satan, causing chaos, that sort of thing."

"Hmm," Sam replied, intrigued by her assessment. "Only the ones summoned by ritual stay in your world. And nothing is pure evil, as nothing is pure good."

He explained how even though demons cared little for convention, there were certain rules that they were strident about. This made the Underworld quite an orderly place, free from the violence her kind believed was rampant there.

Yet there was one thing she had said that made him pause. "Who did you say we steal souls for?" he asked.

"Satan." When he gave her a puzzled look, she prompted, "The devil, ruler of hell, prince of darkness, fallen angel and all that? Father of Lies? Isn't he, like, the boss?"

"Father of Lies? Ah, you must mean my uncle Lucifer. Does he tell humans that he rules the Underworld? Typical of him."

"So it's not true?"

"Lucifer is a minor demon who governs lies and falsehoods. My father rules the Underworld. King Asmodeus, the Venomous One, alongside my mother, Lamia, Queen of the Night, and Maiden of Desolation."

"Wow, so that makes you a prince," Selene said. "The prince of darkness!"

He shrugged, trying to appear unbothered though her words brought on an emotion he couldn't name. He had meant to impress her with tales of his world, but the reality of his impending homecoming brought up new insecurities. Was he still considered a prince? Or had he been gone so long no one even remembered him? Would his family accept him and his human mate once they returned? Or would they want to punish him for all the lives he took in the blood wagons?

Before he could further dwell on his thoughts, the switch pouch expanded with one of the lanterns he had requested. Selene pulled it out, and another followed. Then another, until they had ten lanterns, enchanted by Arkaya to glow with the flip of a switch.

While Selene covered their remaining food, Sam spent a considerable amount of time making their bed. He knew he should spend the night resting, yet even after such a physically grueling day, he did not feel tired. Not when his mate remained unclaimed. Once he pulled the bedding from his pack, he carefully spread it out over the tent floor and adjusted it repeatedly. Then he moved the lanterns so that they surrounded the bed, illuminating it like an altar.

When he finished, he said, "It's probably quite late. I guess we should go to sleep." He swallowed thickly. "Unless you're not tired… "

"I'm not tired," she replied, meeting his eyes. She began to twine her fingers in her hair then rose to her feet. Reaching out, she took him by the hand and pulled him toward her. "Let's just lie down for a moment."

She tugged him down to the makeshift bed. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, and she pressed to his side. Though he had found great comfort in this position previously, he did not feel that now. Only desire. Instinct. Thick with urgency. They laid together quietly until, at last, Selene's voice echoed through the cavern. "Sam… "

"Yes?" he answered quickly.

"It seems like we're going to be here for a few days."

"I know."

"I was wondering if… " she trailed off.

"What?"

"I liked what we did in the tent this morning. Would you like to do… more?"

"I want to do everything," he blurted out.

"You mean you want us to—"

"Yes. Yes, all of it. Tonight," he interrupted. Right now. He didn't mean to sound so impatient, but he wanted to make his intentions clear.

The look she was giving him caused his already pounding heart to quicken, even as the trust shining in her eyes made him uneasy. She was expecting that he would take care of her. He needed to tell her the truth.

Staring up at the black abyss of the cavern ceiling, he said, "Selene, I need you to know something."

"What?"

"I-I've never been… with a female… "

She leaned over to kiss him briefly, which was a surprise. He kissed her back until she whispered against his mouth. "I know, Sam."

He stiffened, hating how his inexperience must have been painfully obvious to her. She placed her hand on his chest. "I only knew because Eldridge hinted at it. And of course, there wouldn't have been time for such things when you were in the wagons."

"Being with me could be… different from other males. I don't know if I can be gentle."

"Who said I wanted gentle?"

"Females like gentle," he explained. "And slow."

She arched a brow at him. "Not always."

"But my size. You're so small. I fear hurting you."

"I'm tougher than I look," she said. He opened his mouth to air his worries further, but she cut him off. "Sam, tell me this—if I say that something hurts or ask you to stop, will you do it?"

He gave her an incredulous look. "Of course, I will."

"Then, it will be fine." He felt humbled and terrified by the amount of faith she had in him. She must have sensed his unease because she added, "I just want to be with you. It doesn't have to be perfect. We'll figure it out together."