Soul Kissed (10 page)

“Inaction doesn’t accomplish anything, though,” he said solemnly. And I knew he was right. 

“I know,” I admitted.  “I know.  I promise you.  I’ll seek my mother tonight in her dreams.  I won’t wait for her to come to me.  I’ll go to her instead.  I’ll try to sort this out and do the right thing.  If I do that, can you forgive me?”

He looked at me, his expression both tender and hesitant.  “I already forgave you,” he said quietly.  “But I can’t help being angry with you.  I’ll work through it.”

My heart dropped into my toes.  The idea that he was upset with me chilled me to the bone- even as I knew that he couldn’t help what he felt.  But he was being so strong about everything that I felt more drawn to him than ever.

“You’re really amazing,” I whispered.  “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said curtly.  “Seriously- let’s stop talking about it.  Let’s just get some rest and hopefully you can talk to you mother.”

He turned his back and began pulling the covers down on the bed.  “You can have the bed,” he said quietly.  “I’ll take the floor.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I answered. “We can share the bed. I’m not going to attack you in your sleep.”

“I wasn’t worried about that,” he replied, turning back to me.  “We have this attraction between us.  And I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t act on it right now.  Sleeping together might not be the best idea.”

“Oh, for Heaven’s sake,” I muttered, brushing past him to drop onto the bed and take my shoes off.  “We’re adults.  We can restrain ourselves, right?”

He didn’t answer.

Glancing up at him, I raised an eyebrow.  “Right?”

“I suppose,” he replied, although he didn’t appear convinced.  He sighed. “Honestly, I can hardly keep my hands off of you right now and we’re not even in bed yet.  What have you done to me?”

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, Brennan did.

“Let me guess.  It’s part of your curse?”

I nodded.  “I have characteristics of a Siren.  People are drawn to me.  You would think it would be a blessing, but it’s not.  I can’t become close to anyone because I might kill them. I’ve been very alone for a long time.”

He stared at me for a long moment.  I could practically hear the seconds ticking away before he finally sighed raggedly and opened his arms.

“Come here,” he commanded softly.

I didn’t even realize that my feet were moving before I found myself in his embrace.  Burying my head against his chest, I inhaled his scent and closed my eyes.  If I could, I would stay right here forever. But I couldn’t and I knew that.

Pulling away, I looked up at him and was surprised to find that my eyelashes were wet. 

“I know that we haven’t known each other for every long, but I honestly feel like I’ve known you forever- like I’ve always been waiting for you.  I promise you right now that I will do whatever I can to fix this. If you can just be patient…” My voice caught in my throat.

He nodded and lowered his lips to mine.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Chapter Eight

It was very hard to fall asleep when the son of Apollo was sharing your bed, that much was certain.  Because Brennan was gigantic, he took up the majority of our sleeping space.  On top of that, his muscled arms and legs were pressed against me, causing me to grit my teeth with pent-up frustration.

Every cell in my body longed to reach out for him, to draw him near.  But he was right.  We shouldn’t act on that attraction yet… not at this juncture.  There were so many things unanswered and convoluted. I sighed and flipped over onto my other side, which of course didn’t make anything better.  It only served to press his muscles against my back rather than my side.  He was also very, very warm.  I wondered if it had anything to do with his father being the god of the sun.

I could tell from his even, slow breathing that he was asleep already, so I tossed a few silent names his way.  It was so unfair that men could sleep at anytime, anywhere. I jammed a pillow over my head to block out all semblance of light. If I wasn’t able to sleep, then I couldn’t speak with my mother.

In order to enter someone’s dreams, you had to be asleep yourself.  You had to enter sleep with a purpose of transporting yourself into their dream the second that you drifted into sleep.  It was an art. And it was an art that was impossible if you weren’t able to sleep in the first place.

I groaned.

“Just relax.” Brennan’s deep voice resonated through the quiet room.  “You’re never going to fall asleep if you get frustrated.”

“I thought you were sleeping,” I answered tiredly, rolling back to my other side to look at him.

His eyes were open and he was staring at me, his topaz gaze liquid in the night. He appraised me quietly and even though he didn’t touch me, his stare brushed over my skin as potently as his fingers ever could. The tension between us was palpable, I could practically breathe it in and taste it.

“I was,” he replied huskily.  “And now I’m not.  You’re restless.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized.  “I really don’t mean to keep you up.  You need your rest too.”

He opened his arms.  “Come here,” he instructed.  I stared at him hesitantly. 

“I’m not sure that’s a great idea,” I admitted, still eyeing him.  He had taken his shirt off and the muscles rippled across his broad chest as he moved. He was Apollo’s son through and through. 

He smiled and I felt warmed from head to toe.  “I promise I’ll behave,” he said solemnly.  I paused a scant second longer before I folded into his arms, leaning my forehead against the warm skin of his chest.

He smelled like heaven and his warmth enveloped me like a blanket.  I sighed contentedly. 

“Okay.  Now relax,” he instructed me again.  “Nothing will disturb you.  I promise you that.”

He sounded so sure of himself, so brave.  He had absolutely no idea of what kind of monsters actually existed out in the world.  His mortal mind had never seen true evil.  But I had.  And I knew that in his current, untrained state, Brennan was no match for any of it.  But regardless, I did feel comforted and safe in his strong arms.  I would worry about training him tomorrow.  Tonight, I would let him hold me. 

My eyelids closed and I felt his lips softly graze my temple. 

“Sleep well,” he said gently.  I snuggled closer to him, absorbing his radiant warmth.  Picturing my mother in my mind, I ran her through my consciousness on a loop.  Before I knew it, I was drifting off and I found myself standing in a cold, hazy place. 

I looked around in confusion. 

This wasn’t my mother’s dream.  It looked like eternal stark winter here.  White fog swirled in cold funnels, while gray sky closed in all around me.  Dead, blackened trees dotted the horizon and the wind howled.  I shivered, rubbing my arms to warm them. My body heat was being sucked out more and more by the second.

This had to be the Wastelands.  I’d heard of it before.  It was a place that existed between reality and the subconscious.  The Fates, the three sisters who used to control destiny, had used this place as a punishment for those who dared go against them.  The Fates took their emotions and their souls…and left them here. 

I looked around at the vast expanse surrounding me.  That didn’t explain why I was here now.  The Fates had been imprisoned in the Underworld. They couldn’t do a thing to anyone.

As I pondered it, I couldn’t help but notice the horrifyingly sad atmosphere.  Every moment that I was here, I felt more and more forlorn and sad.  It was quickly becoming overwhelming.  I closed my eyes, anxious to leave.  If a person spent much time here, they would rapidly grow suicidal.

“Wait,” a deep voice said. “Don’t leave yet.”

My eyes flew open to find a man standing in front of me, almost consumed by the swirling fog. His long black robes seemed to swirl with the mist, all the way down to his bare toes.  His head was shaved and inky black Egyptian script was tattooed on his hands.  His eyes were onyx black and glittered as he stared at me.  It was impossible to guess his age.  But if I had to hazard one, I would say he was ancient.

“Yes?” I answered, as bravely as I could.  I forced my feet to remain still and not step away.

“I was sent here by your mother,” the man said.  “I brought you to this neutral place because it is safer.”

“My mother?” I asked.  “Where is she?”

He ignored my question.  “Hecate knows that you seek her,” he said quietly, his voice hoarse with years and wisdom.  “It is not safe for you to find her just now.  You must stay away.”

My eyes narrowed on their own accord.  “How do I know that you aren’t lying? Perhaps you have done something with her yourself.”

The man threw his head back and laughed, a creepy, unsettling sound, and in that instant, I realized that I knew him.

“I’ve seen you before,” I whispered.  “Somewhere.  But I cannot remember where. Do I know you?”

He shook his head.  “No, you don’t.   But I know you.”

As he moved, I caught a whiff of his scent and recognition dawned on me.  “You were with Harmonia in the Underworld,” I said cautiously.  “Your name is Ahmose, correct?”

He nodded.  “Yes, that is my name.  And yes, I’ve been with Harmonia in many places throughout the years.  But I am here now, to help you. Your mother and Harmonia both wished it so.”

Harmonia was the goddess of peace and contentment.  In the not so distant past, she had battled the Fates in order to secure the freedom of the Olympians.  During the struggles, the Fates had sent Harmonia’s daughter, Raquel, to the Underworld.  I had accidentally come across her and had taken care of her until Harmonia could find us.  I knew that she would be forever grateful to me because of that.  If her right-hand man was here now, it was because Harmonia wished to help me.  Knowing this, I chose to believe Ahmose and nodded.

“Fine.  My mother sent you.  Is she alright?”

He studied me, his black eyes gleaming.  “Your mother is the most powerful witch in the world.  She is fine.  But it is not safe for you to seek her currently, yet it is not safe for you to linger in the mortal world unprotected, either.”

“I’m not going to Hades,” I cried determinedly.  “Can’t you see that we cannot trust him?”

Ahmose held up a calm hand.  “Hush now, young one. I was not speaking of going to Hades or even Zeus.  Before your curse is lifted, much will come to pass.  You must seek out the third brother, Poseidon.  You draw strength from water- so what better place for you to seek refuge than an underwater world?  Your mother wishes it so and Poseidon is expecting you.  You must trade your bracelet for safe refuge in Poseidon’s world.  Your mother has arranged it.” 

Confusion swirled around me.

“My mother no longer wishes for me to return to the Underworld?  Why not?  What has happened? What changed her mind? And my bracelet?  I cannot!  It is enchanted to save my life.  She would never ask me to give it away.”

Ahmose shook his head.  “There is no time to discuss it. You must leave here.  It is only safe to linger here for a few minutes.  The despair will overwhelm you otherwise.  Your mother had to barter your bracelet- it is a sign to Poseidon that you trust him, a sign of respect.  You must give it to him in exchange for safe refuge.  I imagine that he will return it to you when you leave his world.  Leave here now, Empusa- but don’t remain too long in the mortal world before you go to Poseidon.  Your safety depends upon it.”

He waved his hand and I was suddenly waking up, still curled in the safety of Brennan’s strong arms. 

My brow was damp from anxious sweat and I impatiently pushed my hair out of my eyes.  That was a strange and intriguing experience at the same time.  Why had my mother sent a message through Ahmose rather than just coming herself? Something was going on- and I was sure that I wouldn’t like it if I knew what it was.

I glanced at my watch.  The luminous hands said that it was just after 3:00 am.  Dreamwalking always took up more time than it seemed.  Brennan breathed deeply and evenly, his arms still wrapped securely around me even in sleep.  I smiled and brushed his hair back with my fingers.  He was boyish as he slept and I couldn’t help but stare at him.

His cheekbones were chiseled, his lashes long. He had a very Roman nose, proud and aqualine.  It gave just the right amount of character to his face.  His lips were soft and pink and I ached to bend and kiss them.

“So, do it then.”

I startled as he read my mind, then laughed. “You faker.  I thought you were sleeping.”

He tightened his embrace around me before he answered. “I was.  But I’m a very light sleeper.  When you woke up, you woke me up. If you want to kiss me, just do it.”

I pulled away from him so that I was able to freely move.  Running my hand along his cheek, I bent my head and kissed him lightly on the mouth.  He tasted like youth and sunshine.  I couldn’t help but moan into the kiss and he grabbed me again, flattening me against his chest. 

“I think I’ve been waiting for you,” I murmured, stroking his collar bone. 

“Really?”  He eyed me.  “For how long?”

“Forever,” I answered quietly.  “You were made for me. I know it.”

His breathing quickened and I could hear his heart race.  Cautiously, I moved backward a little bit.  We couldn’t get carried away. 

“No,” he growled, pulling me back to him. “I never want to be away from you again.  I’ve only been alive for eighteen years, but when I am with you, I feel ageless… and I start regretting all of the years that you’ve lived without me. I’m jealous of time itself, because it was with you when I wasn’t.”

“Silly mortal,” I laughed.  “You’re jealous of time?  Don’t be.  Time is nothing.  We can bend it to our will, laugh at it, stomp on it.  You’ll see- once this is over and we ask Zeus for your immortality… you’ll see.  Time will fall away.”

“What will happen,” Brennan began, “If something happens to me before that?  Will I die like a mortal?”

It felt like my stomach was wrapped in a vise grip at his words and I gasped. “Don’t even say that.  Nothing will happen to you. I won’t allow it.  And besides, demi’s are harder to injure or kill than a mortal.  It would take a lot to hurt you.”