Free Daughter of the Earth and Sky by Kaitlin Bevis

time, I tried to turn my thoughts to Thanatos. My mind threw up a wall to block the thoughts. I felt Hades respond to it. He was curious, and a little hurt, but he respected me too much to ask. I gave up and discretely searched Hades’ mind for the slightest indication he’d thought anything about sitting so close to me, on a bed, at night, cloaked from view from anyone else in the room.
    Not a single passing thought. Damn. That was almost insulting.
    I bet he would think about her.
    Hades snorted, breaking contact with me as the last of my headache receded. “Not likely.” He paused. “You shouldn’t feel guilty about charming all those humans,” he said, incorrectly guessing what was bothering me. The humans he referred to included pretty much anyone I’d met between my sixteenth birthday and my time in the Underworld. Before I had control of my charm, I’d caused all kinds of problems. “Or Boreas. You didn’t know what you were doing to the humans. I promise, they weren’t as bad off as you were today. Boreas deserved it.”
    I frowned at Hades to show him I didn’t appreciate him poking around in my mind. His raised eyebrow reminded me that I’d been poking in his mind first. I shrugged in apology. “I don’t feel guilty about Boreas.” Hades gave me a look. “I don’t!” I protested. “I should, but I don’t. I feel guilty that I don’t feel guilty. Does that make sense?”
    “No.”
    “What kind of a person kills someone and doesn’t feel bad about it?”
    “The kind who met his last victim, narrowly avoided her fate, and watched her best friend die at his hands. He doesn’t deserve your pity.”
    “I know. He deserved worse than what I did to him, but not feeling even the slightest bit of guilt? That makes me a monster.”
    “You can’t keep comparing yourself to humans. Gods have a stronger sense of justice. We see a wrong and we fix it. There are not as many shades of grey for us.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “You’re the furthest thing from a monster I’ve ever met.” He yawned and I turned around, shifting until I was lying down. “I can sleep on the floor,” he said with another yawn.
    “Don’t be ridiculous.”
    He hesitated, putting his book on the nightstand. “I don’t think—”
    “I dream about that day all the time,” I said, voice so soft he had to lean closer to hear me. “I see her die, over and over again, and sometimes I don’t get away.” I felt his reassuring arm wrap around me and leaned into him. “It’s better…when I know you’re here.” I met his gaze, “I’m not afraid to sleep. I know when I’m with you, I’m safe.”
    His arm tightened around me, and he turned off the light without a word. I felt the shield drop away from us and fell asleep to the soothing sound of his beating heart.

Chapter VII
    The next morning I woke to the sound of a shower running. Hades was still sleeping, one arm draped possessively over my middle. I smiled and let myself enjoy the feeling of his arm around me for just a minute before I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and began packing. The water shut off, and I grabbed the extra outfit out of the unicorn bag for Aphrodite.
    The door opened, and Aphrodite stepped into the room wearing a towel. I glanced over at Hades, glad he was still asleep, and handed her the outfit, motioning for her to keep quiet. The tank top and short skirt looked amazing on her, and I realized I’d need to have a talk with Cassandra later. The clothes fit her too well to be coincidence.
    I ducked into the bathroom and slipped into a blue sundress and clipped on my necklace. I smiled and touched one of the pointed green leaves. I’d have to get Hades something. But what could I possibly get for the god who had everything?
    By the time I was ready, Hades was awake. We ate breakfast before settling our bill and leaving the island. I made a quick phone call to the ferry company and left a glowing review for the captain