The Light Within Her - Book Nine

Ch. 22- The Games We Play

"There is something grotesque in having my own evils save my life." –Sophocles

By the time I entered Erebus's bedroom, my belongings were already gently placed in my own walk-in closet on the far end of the king-sized bed. The size of his room was large enough to fit at least fifty people including the furniture. My eyes widened the silky black comforter with pillows the same color–making my eyes droop down from sudden tiredness. As though my body was using all its energy to survive. Looking around, I realized it was similar to the one I woke up in, with its oak bookshelves on one side and doors to the balcony on the other. There was a maroon loveseat in the corner with a mini-bar next to it. Panic stirred in my blood at the sudden realization that I was going to have to sleep next to Erebus now. I knew that is what he wanted–to keep me close to him so I wouldn't hurt myself. Still, I was paralyzed with fear now more than ever.

I should get a goddamn medal by the time I escape this cage.

My breath caught in my throat as I caught Erebus staring at me, waiting. It was as if I was his only focus. Even at dinner, all he did was keep his attention on me only and I wanted to know what he was thinking about. I sighed, clasping my hands behind my back to not let him see them shaking uncontrollably. "If you think I am going to do something, Erebus, you are wrong."

"I was wrong earlier with the poker, Lianna," he said quietly. Erebus, the God of Darkness, just admitted to me that was wrong. What the fuck? He licked his lips and turned his gaze to my closet. "You should change into something more comfortable. As I have said, we have a big day tomorrow and you need all the rest you can get." He was acting chivalrous–as though he was fucking hero in the story and not the villain. It boiled my blood every time. He was deluding himself for ever thinking I would ever trust what he says.

I nodded, heading to the closet and shutting the door behind me. Here, I could manage to exhale a short breath. But it was gone within seconds when I realized how many pieces of clothing hung in this room–all in my size. Every kind of fabric was specifically made for me to wear and I didn't know whether it was creepy or enduring. In Erebus's case, it was both. I quickly picked out a pair of black leggings and a tank top the same color, thinking that was a safe bet for sleeping next to the man that took everything from me. As soon as I was done, I pulled open the closet door and my eyes widened again. This time, it was because Erebus was laying in bed shirtless while his bottom half was covered by the blankets. No, I did not keep my gaze on his chiseled muscles or what lay beneath those blankets. Nope. Not at all. He was focused on the book in his hand but once I took a step toward our shared bed, his eyes landed on mine again as he trailed down my body quickly. I was not sure how I could manage to make it through the night next to him, let alone tomorrow night. Or the next. Not when Erebus stared at me as though he wanted to ravage me–to consume me whole. I didn't like it one bit.

If I was a mortal, I would be screaming for my life. I would be unable to walk or do anything because of the terrifying God in front of me. But I was no mortal. My blood runs deep with Fae magic and Vampire fangs hold steady in my mouth. My strength would never let me back down from a fight. So, I took one step after another and sat my ass down on the bed, pulling my legs under the covers, and laid my head on the pillow. My back was turned toward him but Erebus did not dare touch me. In fact, he was as far away as he could possibly be in the bed we shared. I wished Amias was with me right now, wished he could hold me as I fall asleep. But he wasn't and that fact alone made a tear slide down my cheek. "Can I ask you a question, Lianna?" Erebus asked.

"You just did," I whispered.

He let out a slight laugh but continued. "What do you see in that Vampire? Do you think he will offer you everything you want?" From Erebus's rough voice, I could almost notice a little bit of jealousy in it. But he had no right to feel that way. Not when he stole me away from the one man I would let open my heart.