Awakening (Book One of the Eklektos Series)

Chapter Thirty One

Kali had always loved Autumn sunsets. The soothing, dazzling colours setting the horizon ablaze filled her with wonder, no matter how many times she saw them. But Camelot was teaching her to love the ever advancing Winter nights.

The late November air was brisk and bracing. But, as Kali looked upwards, she forgot about the cold. She knew that she would never tire of that sight. Of millions of stars filling every corner of the sky, as far as the eye could see. Endless eternity, stretching out beyond any concept of space or time. The sky over Camelot was humbling. Miraculous, even.

Outside Camelot, the night sky had been black and white. Beautiful, but simple. Tiny specks of light in an all encompassing void. But Kali didn't have names for all the colours she could see above her. It was no wonder people didn't believe in magic anymore, Kali thought. If they could see a sky so full of majesty, they might just rethink their views. Anything seemed possible, looking up at those stars.

As that thought crossed her mind, her senses awoke to a familiar presence. Her eyes found him immediately, drinking in every aspect of the smile he wore. When she realised he had been watching her, that the tender smile on his face was for her, Kali's heart swelled to bursting. His smile widened at the blush colouring her cheeks and he moved fluidly to her side.

Hades tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear, sending shivers across her skin. She looked at their hands as he linked his fingers with hers. How something so simple could mean so much, she would never know. A smug smile teased the corners of Hades' mouth again as he murmured "Shall we?"

Kali squeezed his hand in response; she couldn't trust her voice when her heart was in her throat. As they walked, she realised that the demigods were giving them a wide berth. Curious, Kali looked up at Hades and managed to ask "Are we hidden?"

"Not this time."

Their eyes met and he held her gaze for an eternity before moving slowly closer. She knew he was giving her a chance to stop him. Instead, she rushed to close the gap. Surprise flashed across his face for a heartbeat before he laughed into the kiss. His hands left a trail of fire across her back as he pulled her closer. His lips were gentle but hungry, making her tremble. She thought she had imagined the way it had made her feel. That in the time apart she had exaggerated. But she knew she could never get enough of him.

In the back of her mind, Kali registered a familiar tug in the pit of her stomach. Hades' hand tangling in her hair distracted her, but he slowly drew back. She grazed his bottom lip with her teeth, a soft protest, and drew a ragged laugh from him. He brushed her lips once more, muttering "Watch your step."

Puzzled, Kali glanced behind her and instinctively pressed herself closer to him. He laughed warmly as her hands gripped the light material of his shirt. "Surprise."

When the initial shock faded, Kali found herself laughing. "You did that on purpose."

"Perhaps." He replied with a low, satisfied chuckle. She giggled, loosening her grip as he took a small step back. She turned, sighing contentedly as he put his arms on her waist, and leaned back against him. When she stole a glance back over her shoulder, a curious smile was playing on his lips.

In front of them was the edge of a cliff Kali had never seen, overlooking a thick forest. At the edge of the woods, she could make out a gleaming white stone path. A bridge crossed a large winding river, the water shimmering and sparkling under the starlight. The path continued to a building, a temple perhaps, of glittering pink crystal. As Kali breathed in the sight, a strange echo reverberated around her. A memory?

Hades drew her hair off her neck slowly and let his lips brush her skin as he murmured "I thought you would appreciate a better spot to see the stars."