Apollyon

Exhausted and soaked to the bone, we stopped as the tu

“Let me see what we got first, okay?” he asked.

I checked my urge to push him aside and help out. “Be my guest. If there’s an Underworld bear inside, let him gnaw on you first.”

Shooting me a wry grin, he shook his head and crept forward, dagger in hand. The tiny ball of flame he sent out was swallowed by the dark. Staying outside the cavern literally took all my self-control.

I leaned against the unseen but probably slimy rock, numb in my soaked clothing. I wasn’t even sure I still had all my fingers. It was a good thing that Aiden loved me and could look past my appearance. I didn’t doubt I looked like last week’s prom queen after a hellish night.

Aiden returned, his daggers sheathed for now. “All clear. We should be good for the night.”

Pushing off the rock, I followed him inside. It was a narrow fit for a few steps, and then it opened into a circular chamber—definitely drier inside, so that was a plus. Rain pelted the rock bed from a few relatively small holes in one part of the ceiling, but the rest was dry and suitable.

There was also something else inside…

Toward the left of the chamber was some kind of natural spring. Well, down here, I wasn’t sure what it was. For all we knew, it could be a vat of acid, but it smelled like…

“Jasmine,” I said.

“I know.” Aiden appeared at my side. He eased the hood back on my cloak and gently smoothed his thumb under my lip that no longer throbbed. “Strange, huh?”

“Everything is strange down here.” Moving closer to the pool of scented water, I held my hand out. Warmth tickled my palm. “It’s heated, but doesn’t seem too hot.”

Aiden had removed his hood. “I doubt we’d get lucky enough for a bath—Alex, don’t!”

Too late. I’d already knelt down and gingerly placed a finger into the water, figuring I could spare one. Water fizzled.

Air stirred around me as Aiden shot forward, grasping my shoulders.

“It’s okay.” I told him. Other than the sudden frothy bubbling, the water actually felt pleasant. It was so clear I could see the floor of the rock pool.

“Gods, Alex, you don’t just stick your finger into things.”

I arched a brow.

He rolled his eyes. “Your mind scares me.”

I gri

Instant heat darkened his eyes to silver. “Most of the time, yes.” He relaxed, letting go of my shoulders. “I’m not sure if we should start a fire.”

Straightening, I glared at my itchy, wet clothing. Damn.

His lips twitched. “It may draw unwanted attention.”

“Spiders,” I whispered.

Aiden nodded.

I shuddered.

“You’re so fierce.” He came to stand before me, cocking his head to the side as he placed the tips of his fingers on my chin. “And so brave, but spiders send you into a fit.”

“Those spiders were twice the size of Rottweilers, Aiden. They were not normal spiders.”

“Still, spiders,” he murmured, lowering his head. His lips brushed mine. The gentle sweep was all too quick, but powerful. “But if you take off your clothes, I’m sure I can get them dry.”

My eyes went wide. “Wow. Are you trying to get me naked?”

His silvery gaze met mine. “Do you really need me to answer that?”

A hot, sweet flush stole across my cheeks. When he was like this—open, flirty, and downright sexy—I was at my lamest. I wasn’t used to this side of him. I don’t think I ever would be, and there was something thrilling in that. But I stared at him, caught between the images playing out in my head and the very real manstanding before me.

Aiden chuckled. “You should see yourself right now.”

Snapping out of it, I hoped my expression now looked like Alex the Sex Goddess and not Alex the Spaz. “What do I look like?”

His grin was small and secretive. “Cute.”

“Cute?”

“Mmm hmm.” He prowled toward the edges of the cavern, searching the shadows for gods know what. “But seriously, if you get out of those clothes, I can dry them.”

But I’d be totally naked. There was no need for me to be shy around him, but something about that, here…

He took off the cloak and shrugged off the backpack. As if he read my mind, he raised his brow. “I packed two blankets. They’re not much, but they’re big enough to cover you.”

My lips spread into a smile. Yep, Aiden thought of everything. “You’re awesome.”

The look he cast over his shoulder said he knew. “I know the clothes are bothering you.”

“Are not.” The last thing I wanted was to be whiny and weak in front of Aiden.

His gaze dropped. “They’re not?”

“Yeah…” My gaze followed his to where I was scratching at my hip. I stilled. “Okay. They are bothering me.”

“Delicate skin?” He stalked over, then knelt and unzipped the bag.

I stared at his wet, dark curls as he rummaged through the bag. “Yep, I have sensitive skin. Did you pack any lotion?”

“No,” he laughed. “But we have some trail mix.”

“Yum.”

“Also some mixed nuts…”

“Double yum.”

“And some water.” He tipped his chin up, eyes dancing. “Sorry. I couldn’t pack a McDonald’s for you.”

“Well, no one’s perfect.”

Aiden laughed again. Gods, I loved that deep, husky sound, and I’d never grow tired of hearing it. Not too long ago, Aiden hadn’t laughed enough. So every time he did, I cherished it like a most prized possession.

He placed the blanket on a dry spot and then stood. “I’ll go check the entrance just to make sure we’re okay for the night.”

I nodded, and he turned without a word, disappearing back into the crack in the wall.

Feeling oddly giddy, considering where I was, I turned to the pool. Just thinking about slipping into the warm water had my chilled, dirty skin begging.

But Aiden so wouldn’t approve.

Tugging off the cloak, I kicked off my boots, eyeing the water like it was a slab of filet. If the water was dangerous, it surely would’ve peeled the skin off my finger by now or have me ru

In the middle of the spring, the water reached just below my chest, but my presence stirred the water and the white-tipped foam reached my collarbone, bubbling around the talisman.

Closing my eyes, I let out a low breath. The water felt too good. I could stay in here all night, feeling the little bubbles teasing my toes, sliding up my legs.

It was heaven in the Underworld.

I smiled, thinking Hades had the good stuff when it came to spas and relaxation.

“Alex…”

Aiden’s voice pulled me out of my musings. I glanced over my shoulder, smiling sheepishly. “I couldn’t resist. Sorry.”

He didn’t look angry. Surprisingly, he didn’t look exasperated either. I couldn’t say he looked thrilled either, but…

Oh…

Aiden looked hungry.

My breath hitched in my throat, and it took me a few tries to find my voice. “Is everything clear outside the cave?”

Eyes hooded, he nodded.

I bit my lip. Of course it was fine. We were safe for the night, but resting wasn’t on my mind. What waswas wholly inappropriate and I seriously had my priorities mixed up, but we were facing the unknown. This trip was dangerous and both of us could be hurt. Worse yet, Aiden could die.

Raw panic punched through my chest at the thought of losing him. I simply could not bear his loss. And because of that, I wanted to press pause. I wanted to live, to really live in the moment, and with Aiden, that was always possible. It was magical, actually.