“I will,” I said. “But first, we need to move again.”
I looked at Zotera, who was jogging to catch up, and I winced on her braless behalf.
“Which way?” I asked.
“Left.”
I looked at Hades.
“I’ll give you another kiss when we reach the end of the hall to the left. But no more portalling. It’s not fair to Zotera.”
He lifted his lips in a silent snarl, a gesture I hadn’t seen him use in a long time. Then his gaze shifted to Zotera. He looked truly torn. Annoyance fought with concern in his expression, but concern eventually won.
“So be it,” he said darkly.
Taking my hand, he led me to the end of that hall where we shared another heated kiss. Zotera’s softly spoken “Mother” helped remind me of our purpose so I could pull away. Hades kissed my neck, and I had to hold onto his shoulders as I looked at her for direction.
“To the stairs,” Zotera said.
Hades started shaking.
“No. We should return to the throne room.”
I smoothed my hand down his arm, trying to soothe him.
“It’ll be okay. Would you feel better if you carried me?”
He picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Yes.”
When we reached the opening next to the stairwell, he pressed my back into the wall and kissed his way up one side of my neck and down the other. My thoughts would have scattered if not for the rough texture of the stone digging into my bare shoulder.
“This isn’t that comfortable,” I panted. “The rock hurts.”
The hallway immediately changed to smooth, cool marble. The sensation helped clear my head.
“Very pretty,” I said. “Did you change the stairs too?”
He growled in frustration and lifted his head to look me in the eye.
“Would you like me to?”
“I just want you to be happy. What do you want your home to look like?”
The opening to our right lightened considerably, and when I turned my head, I could see the winding marble staircase spiraling downward.
“I want to see it. I’ll let you keep carrying me if you promise not to drop me,” I said.
“You are safe with me, Ashlyn. Always.”
I hugged him close so he missed seeing the doubt in my eyes.
Zotera saw it though as she followed us down. Pity showed in her gaze as she watched me. I tried giving her a reassuring smile, but I wasn’t at all sure anything would be okay once we reached where we were going.
“Here, Father,” she said softly when he reached the correct landing.
He started shaking again as he paused just inside the opening.
