Awakening (Book One of the Eklektos Series)

Chapter Thirty Three

The end of the day couldn't come quickly enough. By the time she arrived at the Colosseum for the extra class, she was anxious to be away. The first time she hit the floor, she remembered why she was there. She managed to regain her focus, though she still spent more time on the ground than not.

It was a comfort to her that Hades hadn't tried to talk her out of going. She knew that he could protect her. He could probably move mountains. But she wanted to be able to fix some of her own problems. And she wanted to be of use to him too. She was relieved that he didn't expect her to sit idly by, like some ornament left on the shelf.

There was really no marked improvement that she could see from the previous session overall. But she had to trust that would come with time. She couldn't afford to lose hope or give up. She just kept reminding herself that It wasn't about them; it was about her. It was about taking control of herself and being the best she could be. Even as she brushed the dirt off her clothes, wincing when she caught a tender bruise, she smiled. She was adamant the extra training would have an impact soon.

Kali practically fled the Colosseum at the end, ignoring her injuries and sprinting back to her rooms. She spared time for a quick shower, but the extra minutes were agony. She rushed to grab some clothes, but paused when she caught sight of herself in the mirror.

Her hair was still wet and wild, tumbling down her back, and it had grown so much. She had tried for a long time to grow it out, and it was finally past her waist. She grinned, imagining Hades' hands tangling in her gentle curls. With that in mind, she haphazardly threw on a knitted jumper that could pass for a dress. She didn't bother with socks; she just slipped into her boots and rushed outside.

Kali didn't have to go far; Hades was leaning casually against the side of her building, waiting for her. His face lifted into a shameless smile and he lifted her in a hug the moment she was in reach. She laughed and met his lips with a breathless kiss.

"I thought we were meeting at the fountain." She murmured, snuggling against him.

"Patience isn't one of my virtues either, Kali." Hades chuckled quietly, almost mockingly, at the weaknesses she revealed in him. "I couldn't have waited another second to see you."

"Did you want to come upstairs?" She asked nervously, moving her hands onto his chest. The blush on her cheeks was obvious as she rambled "I don't exactly have any special dinner or...anything really. But I was thinking it would be nice to just stay in and talk?"

His heart felt lighter with her in his arms, and his smile was free and honest. She could feel his voice rumbling through her at his reply. "That sounds wonderful to me. But you'll need to eat something, or you'll get grouchy."

She thumped lightly against his chest, feigning outrage. "I don't get grouchy!"

He laughed, kissing her again. "Proving my point, there." He seemed to think, though Kali wondered if that was an excuse to hold her a little longer. Not that he needed one. Eventually, he asked "What's your favourite takeaway?"

"Pizza." She replied immediately, hope clear in her eyes. If not for the grin spreading across Hades' face, she would have been embarrassed. As it was, she was too distracted to focus on anything but the curve of his lips.

He noticed; Kali didn't try to hide it, and his grin took on a smug edge. But instead of gloating, he said "Pizza it is." When Hades pulled a phone out of his pocket, Kali blinked blankly. The idea that he even owned a mobile phone was too strange. He asked what she wanted as he dialled, and she leant into him to trail a kiss across his jaw. She could have sworn that his voice faltered slightly on the phone and her eyes glinted impishly.