Zotera moved into the hallway with me and closed the door behind her.
“You look upset. Did something happen?” she asked.
“No, it’s fine. You should really get back to Eugene. He might think he did something wrong if you disappear on him.” I paused for a second. “Everything is okay in there, right? You’re not doing anything he doesn’t want to do?”
She smiled widely. “He likes kissing as much as I do. But all over my body. He found a spot between my—”
“Okay, we’re good,” I said quickly, grabbing her shoulders and turning her toward her door. “If he does something you don’t like, just ask him to stop.”
“I know. He already told me. Thank you, Ashlyn.”
She disappeared into her room, and I pressed the back of my hand to my hot face.
“Did not need the details,” I said under my breath.
Rather than listen to their fun time, I returned to my room. I tinkered with the vials on the vanity, cautiously smelling each one. Nothing rancid hid in their gilded curves, only lightly floral and citrus fragrances. I found the scent I liked and dabbed it on my wrists even though I wasn’t going anywhere.
When Hades still didn’t reappear, I went to explore my closet. Either Zotera’s taste in clothes was wide, or she hadn’t known what I would like. Items ranged from formal dresses to yoga pants. Less of the latter and more of the former.
My fingers traced over the Grecian dress, and I thought of Hades.
He rarely left me for long. I could understand initially not visiting me after I came here since we were all under the assumption that he couldn’t. But now that he knew he could, why not return? Even if my hair-pulling had triggered him, it hadn’t been that hard. I had human strength. He hadn’t even noticed my efforts when I’d tried pushing him toward the couch.
Frustrated, I paced out of the closet.
While I wanted to respect his need for a little distance and time to sort through whatever was going on, I couldn’t sort through it until I understood what had happened. And until I could sort through it, I wouldn’t be able to sleep.
“Hades?” I called.
He appeared before me and crushed me to his chest with a hug.
“I didn’t mean to disappear,” he said. “You did nothing wrong.”
His hand stroked over my head repeatedly.
“Forgive me. I beg you.”
I pulled back to look up at him.
“Why did you disappear then?”
“I was reveling in the sounds of your surrender, then you were gone, and I was in Hell. Alone. With only your taste to keep me company. I did not leave willingly.” The almost crazed look in his eyes had me rubbing his back.
“Well, I appreciate that you didn’t make things shake while you were gone. Thank you for that.”
He made a face, which made me grin.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“I don’t want your thanks. I want you on the bed as you were when I was ripped away from your sweet nectar.”
“Would you be disappointed if I wanted to do something else?”
The frustration left his gaze.
“Anything you wish,” he said softly.
I eased out of his arms and took his hand to lead him to the bed.
