Page 39 of Reaper’s Curse

Who was the goddess I was supposed to save? And was she truly a goddess, or was the title merely an endearing term?

“I know.” My voice cracked and scratched from dryness and countless days of disuse.

“I think, maybe, you may have more than one you must now save,” the soul continued.

I nodded again, knowing the “more” pertained to Raven, now relocated to the palace. And how many days ago had that now been?

“I like her,” young Chace said. “I think you do too.” The shimmer of his soul dimmed and then vanished from the cell doorway. “Good luck.”

And just like that, a piece of myself slipped away. An innocent youth that likely had no place in that gods-forsaken citadel―a fact that did nothing to lessen the pain of the crevice widening through my chest.

I pressed my eyes closed and sucked back a sharp breath, then I exhaled the emotions and diverted my focus to something slightly more manageable.

“I like her… I think you do too.”

A Badden liking a Gunn. I wanted to laugh, and yet I didn’t. Didn’t feel the conviction behind such a response.

“Thanks,” I mumbled. “I’m going to need it.”

I pushed to a full sit with a wince. The blanket slipped to pool at my waist.

Rushed footsteps scuffed across the floor, and Aoes darted into view, clinging to a bar as he swung into the open cell.

“You’re awake!” His eyes blinked wide. “Are you awake for good this time?”

“Awake,” I whispered, the word holding a far deeper meaning than Aoes intended. “Awakening,” I continued, because I wasn’t fully whole yet, but I was on the right path to recapturing the many pieces of myself, my many memories. “And I remember.”

12

What in reaping hell had I been thinking?

Welcoming Winter’s lifesaving efforts into a heated kiss…or several kisses, as it turned out. Kisses that, in the moment, had been nice, rather comforting.

And his explorations―

With a sharp inhale, I slammed the door shut on that thought.

My emotions were now a tangled, messy knot. And the fact that I still lounged at ground zero, the site of my unsound conduct, didn’t help. At. All.

I was losing my way along my predetermined path―the get it done and then get home with regard to the tasked reap. I had promised myself no distractions. But there was no denying Winter was quickly slipping into the distraction zone. Possibly already dancing in the center of that region.

Plus, the kissing was a battering ram to my intentions, the queen’s request to distance myself from the crown prince.

I wanted to blame my actions solely on my disabled state of mind. I had been freezing, after all, and not thinking clearly. But if I were to be honest with myself, I had also been in a state of despondency and homesick for the comforts companionship provided.

Although kissing…kissing Winter had been taking those craved comforts to another stage that I never should have entertained. He was royalty. I was a reaper, and I didn’t feel…

What did I feel?

Gods below, he was a fantastic kisser. And he’d clearly been turned on if the press of his notable size was any indication. I definitely felt that in all kinds of tingly places on my body. But beyond that?

I had fallen asleep hugged to his side, craving the warmth he provided. The ice magic seeped from my body to his, as if magnetically drawn to him. Yet his temperature never appeared to chill with the increased intake. Thankfully, activities between us hadn’t moved to the point of undressing.

I gave silent thanks to Thanatos for that little…or not so little…blessing.

Rolling onto my back, I slipped my tangled limbs from Winter’s body and scooted to the edge of the bed. He stirred, his arm flopping across the distance, reaching for me. His fingers curled, as if summoning my return to his side.

“What are you doing?” His voice sounded hoarse, yet warm.