Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore, #2)(99)
“Shut up, princess,” Kharon said softly. “We know—you don’t have to explain. We’re just going to sleep.”
I nodded, the lump in my throat relaxing.
“Can we … cuddle?” Augustus asked quietly as he stared down at me. His lips quirked up—he had a dimple in his right cheek.
It was such a small observation, but something seismic shifted inside of me.
“Alexis?” Augustus’s smile dropped. The dimple disappeared and suddenly I wanted nothing more in my life than to see it again. “What’s wrong, my carus?” He frowned. “Are you okay?”
I reached my fingers up and brushed them across the side of his face.
He closed his eyes, lashes fluttering as he tilted his head.
“You have a … dimple.”
“Do I?” He smiled wide, showcasing the little indent. “I had no idea—no one’s ever said anything.”
He glanced away like he was embarrassed by the admission.
How was I ever afraid of him?
My heart cracked as I realized what he’d just admitted. What did Ares do to you?
Augustus looked anywhere but at me. “So—can we cuddle?” he repeated.
My fingers pulled away from his face. “Of course,” I said.
Kharon climbed in first and pulled the covers back, opening his arms for me. I tentatively lay down, leaving a little space between us, but he pulled me back, so we were pressed snugly together.
Augustus joined us.
I expected him to back in, but he crawled forward, facing my front. He wrapped his arms around me and Kharon so I was sandwiched between them.
“Are you okay?” Augustus whispered, tucking his chin over my head as he draped his thigh over my leg.
“Yes.”
Pinned between them, I’d never felt so safe.
Augustus made a deep sound of contentment, his chest vibrating against my heart. Adam’s apple bobbing near my face, bronze skin close enough to kiss, I gently nuzzled his neck.
Augustus groaned hoarsely, like I’d done something scandalous, and held me tighter.
Kharon sighed with contentment into my curls, his stomach flexing against my back.
Poco chittered, the covers moving as little paws climbed over the three of us. He paused to sniff Augustus’s face and mine, then he wiggled his butt and settled into the space between our hearts.
Immediately, he purred.
“Good night, carissima,” Kharon said. “I can’t believe … this is real.”
I knew what he meant.
“Night.” Augustus yawned and shifted closer.
“Sleep tight,” I said, like I always did for Charlie and Helen.
Augustus pressed a kiss to my forehead.
Kharon’s chest vibrated against my back. “I don’t sleep, princess. But I’ll watch over you … I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
A gentle zap fired through our marriage bond and it felt … tender.
Darkness softly pulled me under.
For the first time, there were no nightmares, only warmth and a fragile sense of peace.
SGC DAY 7
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
“It’s time to wake up!”
I cracked open sleep-crusted eyes as guards pounded on the door and shouted.
Heat surrounded me.
Still sandwiched between my husbands, I tried to move, but arms tightened around me from behind. Kharon snored, fast asleep against my back, blissfully undisturbed by the commotion happening outside.
Augustus stared at him with a look of awe, then glanced down at me and grinned—flashing his tiny dimple.
The guards banged louder, and his expression fell.
“Kharon, we have to get up.” Augustus reached over and tapped him.
Kharon shifted and Poco popped his head up from where he’d burrowed deep under the covers.
I climbed out of bed.
Kharon sat up with a start, rubbing tattooed fingers into his eyes, black hair sticking out in every direction.
He blushed and avoided our gazes like he was embarrassed to be caught sleeping, and instead patted Poco’s fluffy head.
My heart skipped a beat. I’m in grave danger.
Sleepy Kharon was adorable in the morning, which was a devastating realization.
The door shuddered. “We’re leaving now!” an Olympian shouted.
We got ready quickly.
My husbands flanked me as the guards escorted us out of the room. This time, neither of them complained when I sat next to Charlie. However, they did massage my shoulders and rub my back.
It was nice.
The June day was warm and sunny.
Zeus can’t use his scepter. I sighed with relief.
The Dolomites towered majestically around the coliseum. They were covered in lush greenery and dotted with Moretti’s bellflowers.
Down below, Hermos stalked into the arena with a fifteen-foot-long spear that tapered into a sharp end.
Boos chorused.
Our section cheered.
The gate was lifted and four male Gorgons stalked out—each had a single snake protruding from their bald skulls like hair, but Hermos’s was by far the largest—they wielded swords.
The number of snakes and their length symbolize how powerful a Gorgon is. Augustus’s crucible lesson on Gorgons came back to me. Having more than one snake is extremely rare. Their paralyzing bite does not work on their own species.