Even when I’d raged in our early years, hurling accusations of kidnapping and imprisonment, he’d never answered with anger. He’d only kissed my tears away. Then loved me until the pleasure was so consuming, I forgot what had upset me in the first place.
I sank into the heated water with a sigh that seemed to rise from my tired bones. The herbs began their work at once, seeping into sore muscles, drawing out the fatigue.
The temperature was perfect, just as I liked it.
Because he knew. He had always paid attention.
Nero knelt beside the tub, not caring that water splashed and darkened the expensive silk of his shirt.
“Your shirt is ruined,” I said.
“I don’t give a damn about the shirt.” His winter-green eyes held mine, and the intensity there stole my breath. “Only you.”
He began washing my hair, his fingers working soap into my scalp with slow, circling pressure. My eyes drifted shut. Pleasure tingled down my spine, and my body softened into his touch, tension I hadn’t even recognized finally letting go.
“You’re good at this,” I said.
“I was afraid,” he said quietly. “When I realized you were in danger and I couldn’t reach you.” His hands stilled in my hair. “When I tracked you to the abandoned Fae realm and didn’t see you at first.”
I turned in the water, rose petals swirling around me. I reached up and cupped his face, feeling the rasp of stubble against my palms.
“I’m not going anywhere, Nero.”
“You better not.” He tried for lightness, but fear bled into his eyes. “I can’t lose you. I won’t survive it.” His hands came up to cover mine, pressing my palms harder against his face to anchor himself. His eyes closed. “There’s not much left to break, love. If you’re gone, nothing will remain.”
My heart clenched. I wanted to tell him. Wanted to end the fear eating him alive.
But I couldn’t. Not yet.
Instead, I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to his.
“I’m here,” I repeated. “Right here.”
I guided his hand to my throat, where my pulse jumped beneath his fingers, then to my chest, where my heart beat for him.
“I won’t leave you.”
“Don’t leave me,” he whispered. “Ever again.”
I brushed a kiss against his lips—how I loved the feel of them—to soothe him before pulling back.
“Where is Morrigan?” I asked carefully. The question had to be asked, no matter how it hurt. “I haven’t seen her around. She didn’t come with you to rescue me.” I paused, my pulse quickening. “It’s hard to say this, but you need to know something about her.”
His body went rigid. His eyes turned to ice.
“I already know Morrigan betrayed us,” he said. “She’s been working with our enemies. She gave them the key to breach thewards at the lake house. That’s how Kingsley found us.” His tone grew colder. “She drugged Dante and Orren. She led you into a trap.”
“I convinced her to go with me,” I said softly. “I had to try when I learned Mortis Bloom was the only thing that could counter Hera’s Whip. I’m not going to apologize for drawing that venom from your veins.” Over his outraged expression, I lifted my chin. “Others may fear you. I don’t.”
He let out a low chuckle, his knuckles grazing my cheek. “You have nothing to fear from me. Never, love.”
“I knew France was a trap after we ran into those creatures,” I said, leaning into his touch. “That’s when I knew she wasn’t on my side. But I also knew she’d get the cure to you. That was all that mattered, and mission accomplished.”
On the ride back, I’d told him what happened. I skipped the encounter with the Fates, lied about being unconscious, said Sebastian pulled me from the water. The lie sat bitter on my tongue, but he didn’t press, as he didn’t want me reliving the ordeal.
“You’re too good for me, Bloom,” he said. “I don’t deserve you.”
He still couldn’t call me Persephone. His mate. His queen. He had no idea I’d truly awoken.
