Braxen started to run. As he ran, he shifted into a massive white hound and then that hound went spectral. It was a smart move. In that form, Hermes couldn't touch him, not even with magic. But he couldn't stay a ghost dog forever.
“Now, Hermes!” I growled.
“Not until the humans are on their way. I don't want your puppy dogs following them.”
I looked from him to Braxen. He was closing the distance fast.
“Braxen, stop!” I cried.
Brax didn't stop. His stare was fixed on me and his ghostly expression was carved in stone. Just before he reached us, he slammed into an invisible barrier. With a howl, he fell back and became physical. But he got back to his feet instantly and clawed at the ward. Meanwhile, Merrick got up and dashed in a wide arch, trying to get around the ward. He wound up near the staff who were helping their dazed friends get into the boats. But Hermes had cut the whole beach in half with his ward, and Merrick hit it too.
“I love you,” I said to Braxen. That love burst inside my chest. It felt tangible, so massive that my body couldn't contain it. For a second, I swear I could feel all of them. It was as if ourlove connected us. Their hearts beat in time with mine until it was only one heartbeat. I gasped through the profound feeling and turned to look at Merrick, “I love you.” Then finally, I met Rune's stricken stare. “I love you enough to let you go.”
The boats slid into the water and after a few seconds, the sound of engines started. The humans sped away.
“No!” Rune cried. “Lomasi! Don't do this!”
“We were cursed from the start, Rune. Destined to fail. Maybe the magic will find you someone else.”
Hermes made a low, furious sound, then took us back to the ship.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Hermes carried me to the bathroom and set me in the tub. I sat there in a daze, staring at the water as it poured out of the spigot. Until that moment, I had thought there might be a slim chance that I could get back to them. But that chance was gone now. I had bartered myself for their lives. A fair trade, no doubt, but one that would hurt me forever. They might be able to move on, but I wouldn't. I would never get over the true loves of my life—the men who had searched the world, crossed continents, and fought a god for me. That kind of love never fails. It was selfless, brave, and steady. I knew then that they would have loved me forever. As I would love them.
A tear slid down my cheek. Then another. I was too broken to sob, but I couldn't stop the tears.
Hermes focused on washing my blood away. He removed my bikini and soaped up my body. “Slide down and rinse off, Lomasi.”
I didn't move. Couldn't.
He pushed gently on my shoulders. I still didn't move. With a sigh, Hermes lifted me out of the tub and set me on my feet in the shower. The water came on, and I finally reacted, but only to close my eyes. Oh, that was so much worse. With my eyes closed, all I saw was Rune's horrified face. Then Braxen's.Merrick's. They had stared at me as if I had betrayed them. Maybe I had. Maybe I should have fought harder. But then we'd all be dead.
I'd seen enough slaughters in my time to recognize who was on the losing side.
“Oh, for fuck's sake,” Hermes muttered as he turned off the water. “Stop crying.”
He drew me out of the shower and briskly dried me off.
“Do you hear me, Lomasi?” Hermes shook me. “You promised we'd be like we were. If you're not going to honor your side of the bargain, I can go back—”
Panic shot through me, jerking me out of my daze. “No!”
“There you are. Of course, that's what brings you back,” he muttered.
I took a deep breath. Time to pay up. I dropped to my knees, pulled down his swimming trunks, and took his limp shaft in hand. Hermes sucked in a surprised and pleased breath. My breath shuddered out of me. I opened my mouth and closed my eyes.
“Fuck!” Hermes roared and pushed me away.
Falling to the floor, I stared up at him in shock.
“That's not how we were!” He pointed at me. “I don't want you like this. I wantmyLomasi, my pretty flower. I want you to adore me again. Not close your eyes and bear it.” His chest heaved.
I sat up. “I'll need a little time for that, Hermes. I can't go from a battle to worshiping you.”
“You mean, you can't go from losing the men you truly love to pretending to love me.”
I just stared at him.
