Ares

Chapter Ten: Loml

Elara

The morning light filtered through my curtains, casting warm golden rays across my room. As I stirred awake, I stretched and blinked a few times, still groggy from sleep. It took a moment for my surroundings to come into focus, but when they did, I felt a rush of surprise and joy-Ares was there.

He sat in my desk chair, his legs crossed casually, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips as he read yet another book about the gods. This one was about Hades and Persephone, and from the way he leaned back, completely absorbed, I could tell he was lost in the pages.

For a brief moment, I simply watched him. His blonde hair fell slightly over his forehead, and the way the sunlight caught the angles of his jaw made him look almost ethereal. He looked relaxed, completely at ease despite the weight of his divine identity. I couldn't help but admire him-his tan skin, the way his amber eyes glowed as he focused on the text in front of him. How could something so majestic exist in my ordinary life?

I noticed the way his lips twitched slightly, revealing the slightest hint of amusement as he read. It was captivating. I felt a smile tugging at my own lips, a sense of warmth flooding my chest as I took in the sight before me.

After a few moments, Ares finally seemed to sense my gaze. He looked up from the book, his expression shifting from concentration to surprise. Our eyes locked, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me. There was something vulnerable in his gaze, something that told me he hadn't expected to be caught.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he said, his voice low and smooth, a playful edge dancing beneath the surface.

"Morning," I replied, trying to suppress the giddiness bubbling up inside me. I pushed myself up into a sitting position, my heart racing at the sudden realization of how close he was. "What are you doing here?"

"Reading," he said matter-of-factly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to be sitting in my room at the break of dawn. "You know, these stories are quite interesting when you actually take the time to understand them."

I raised an eyebrow, unable to hold back a teasing smile. "For someone who hates those books, you sure read a lot of them."

He paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he broke into a smile-the first genuine smile I'd seen from him, one that lit up his whole face and sent butterflies dancing in my stomach. It was intoxicating, making my heart skip a beat as I admired the way his features softened, transforming him from the god of war to just Ares, a guy I was getting to know.

"Touché," he replied, leaning back in the chair with a cocky grin. "Maybe I'm just trying to get better at my job. You know, impress you with my extensive knowledge of Greek mythology."

"Is that your plan? To win me over with fun facts about Hades?" I challenged, crossing my arms playfully.

"Maybe," he said with a smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or maybe I just like knowing how to make death sound romantic."

I laughed, the sound bubbling up uncontrollably, and the tension in the room began to dissolve. Ares's presence, once so overwhelming, felt oddly comforting, like a blanket wrapped around me. It was strange to think that only a few days ago, he was just a figure of myth-a god I'd prayed to for love. Now, he was here, lounging in my room, making me laugh.

"Whatever your plan is, it's working," I said softly, my heart racing. "I'm intrigued."

His gaze softened as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Just remember, Elara, this isn't just some game. It's complicated."

"I know," I replied, my smile fading slightly. "But I'm willing to figure it out. If you are."

For a moment, the air between us felt charged with unspoken words, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty swirling around us. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a soft chirping from my phone on the nightstand interrupted the moment.

With a sigh, I glanced at the screen, noticing a message from Zoe. Ares chuckled, leaning back in his chair as I read the message.

"What does your mortal friend want?" he asked, his voice teasing yet curious.

"Just checking in," I replied, unable to hide my smile. "She's probably worried I've been kidnapped by a god."

"Don't worry," he said with mock seriousness. "I have no intention of turning you into my captive. You're free to go whenever you want."

The lightheartedness in his tone made me laugh, but the underlying truth of his words hung heavy in the air. He was a god, and I was just a mortal girl. As much as I craved his presence, I knew there were limits to our connection.

"Good to know," I said, my tone light, though my heart ached with the awareness of our realities. "I wouldn't want to be trapped in a world of gods forever."

"Neither would I," he replied, his voice suddenly serious. "But for now, let's just enjoy this."

And in that moment, with the morning sun streaming in and Ares sitting in my room, I felt a spark of hope. Maybe we could navigate this unusual bond together-find a way to bridge the gap between our worlds, no matter how complicated it might be.