Chapter 32
Night settled over the ocean. A faint breeze stirred the sail, propelling us onward through calm waters.
Exhausted, I trudged below deck, glancing at Whisper and Athena, who were curled up in the corner. Checking the roughly patched hole, I shoved the soaked rags deeper into the gap. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I found a quiet spot and slid down with a groan, resting my head against the hull, listening to the sea outside.
The poor animals still looked distressed from our brush with death. Whisper had been hiding beneath Athena for hours.
Eleos joined me, sitting in the darkness beside me. Grateful for his presence, I leaned against his shoulder. A smile spread across my lips. “I can’t believeIsavedyoufrom the dungeons.”
He chuckled. “I’m not exactly a knight in shining armor. Scholars and priests play damsels all the time.” His happiness faded. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. Suffering a psyche’s control is. . . horrible.”
Remembering his confession, I glanced down. “Have you controlled someone? Since. . . since him?”
“Yes,” Eleos admitted. “Many people. But that was long ago, and I haven’t used that foul magic in years.”
Nodding, I pulled my cloak around my arms. “I trust you, El. Whoever you were back then, you’re not anymore.”
“I. . .” He sighed. “I hope not.”
“Chin up.” I nudged him. “We’re going to save the world. It’s only an ocean away now.”
Running a hand down my arm, he found my hand, knitting his fingers through mine. “I still have hope that we will.”
Tilting my head, I studied his face. “Your past isn’t why you think you’re broken. I still don’t understand.”
“Haven’t you noticed?” He looked away. “I don’t feel what men are supposed to. I don’t look at you the way Seth does.” He glanced down at our intertwined hands. “For me, this is enough.”
“You prefer men?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Lust consumes every man I’ve met. But not me. Not for any woman I’ve seen, not for any woman I’ve courted.”
Oh. “I’m sorry if I made things awkward for you,” I said. “When I-”
“Don’t misunderstand,” Eleos interrupted. “I don’t see you the way I see the others. What I feel for you is. . . much deeper than that. But I’ll never be able to give you what you deserve. Never love you the way you want to be loved.”
Lowering my head, I reflected on our journey. Eleos hadn’t known how to compliment my breasts, had never ogled me, never made a move. Not once had his hand wandered during the night we’d shared.
He loved me for who I was.
“I don’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable,” I said. “But I don’t know how to. . . where do we go from here?”
Eleos studied me for a moment. “To see your smiling face every day would be a blessing I don’t deserve. And it would be enough. More than enough.”
“Eleos.” My mouth warbled.
He leaned his head against mine. “Did you see Seraphim and Percy when we passed the sirens?”
“No. What did they look like?”
“Pathetic. Percy, in particular.”
A laugh burst from my lungs. “You really don’t care about sex?”
“It repulses me, actually.” His head snapped up. “Not to sayyourepulse me.”
“Don’t dig a hole, El.”
“Right.” He chuckled. “Were you mad? That Seth was tempted?”
