South of Surrender (Hearts of the Anemoi) (16 page)

“But it is possible,” Boreas said. “And worth exploring. Anything else? I fear we must part now.”

Chrys hesitated, then dropped Laney’s hand. “Just this.”

“What is that?” Boreas asked.

Laney struggled to figure out what they were talking about. The others came closer, and she realized they’d come to examine something in Chrys’s possession.

“Cool blade, but what about it?” Zeph asked.

Tracing her vision to Chrys’s hands, she gathered small glimpses of the vicious-looking knife he held.

“I paid Hephaestus a visit. Seems this dagger possesses some useful anti-god mojo of the Underworld type.”

That strange sense of déjà vu came over Laney again, but she couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Good Gods,” Boreas muttered.

“That is the best fucking news I’ve heard all day,” Zeph said. “What’d you have to do to get his help?”

“Let’s just say I caught him in a generous mood.”

“Well, thank the gods for minor miracles,” Zeph said.

“Yeah,” Chrys said, his tone serious and intense. “And Eurus isn’t going to have a clue what hit him.”

Despite Chrys’s confidence, Laney couldn’t help but worry about him and the risk he was about to undertake. If anything happened to him, well, she didn’t know what she’d be able to do. But she’d give anything to help keep him safe.

Chapter Sixteen

As the weather continued to deteriorate, the gods exchanged rushed good-byes and departed, Boreas first, then Zeph and Ella. Within minutes, the storm ratcheted down in intensity, making it somewhat easier for Laney to breathe.

Chrys’s light appeared right in front of her. “Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked, longing for his touch again.

“For being here. And for supporting me.”

She gave a small shrug. “I didn’t like the way they were talking to you.” Thunder rumbled and she hugged herself. “And I didn’t like the idea that you felt that no one would care if you were gone.” More words, scarier words, lodged in her throat. She forced them out. “I’d care.”

“Laney, I can’t—”

“Don’t. Okay? I get it. Just…don’t.”

He sighed. “We should go. The storm won’t dissipate until I leave.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“The weather is part of what I am, part of what all of my brothers are. We control and influence it with our energy. But when we all get together, it becomes bigger than any of us individually. So the best remedy is our departure.”

For a moment, she felt like he spoke a foreign language. “So, wait. This horrible storm…are you saying
you
caused it?” Her scalp prickled.

“To an extent. This one was so bad because three of the four Anemoi were together at once, something we generally avoid because the concentration of our energies causes…well, this.”

Laney tried to wrap her mind around the idea that this man possessed the power to create something that absolutely terrified her. “Why not meet…wherever you’re from, then?”

“Humans aren’t permitted in the Realm of the Gods. Which would’ve meant you and Megan couldn’t come with us.”

“Oh. What would happen if all four of you were in one place?”

“Nothing good,” he said. And though she was curious, maybe she didn’t really want to know. This storm had already been enough to scare her out of her mind. At least she didn’t have to go out in it. Except… Her stomach plummeted. “To go home, we have to go out into this storm, don’t we?”

“Yeah, but since we’ll be—”

“Oh, God,” she said, hugging herself again.

His heat moved closer. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, not wanting to admit it. But, given what they had to do, how could she not? “You’re going to laugh.”

“I won’t.”

She chuffed out half a laugh. “You will, trust me.”

His knuckles dragged down her cheek. She leaned into the touch and let the words fly. “I’m scared of storms.”

“You’re…”

“Yeah.” It was quiet, but some kind of tension rolled off him. She arched an eyebrow. “You’re laughing, aren’t you?”

“No,” he choked out, voice filled with humor. “It is rather ironic, though.”

“Shut up. Stupid god. It’s not funny.” She pressed her lips together to hold back the smile that threatened and whipped out her hand. She managed to smack him in the stomach.
Holy crap!
He was a freaking wall of muscle.

Laughter spilled out of him and he grabbed her hand, held it. “Don’t worry, Laney. You’ll be safe. I promise. You’ll be a part of the elements, so they won’t hurt you.”

She sighed. “I just…I don’t know. I have a weird feeling.” Suddenly, she didn’t want to go home. Blackness filled her vision, like she was standing in the dark. She blinked and the light returned.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She was being silly. What choice did she have? It wasn’t like she could walk back to the Eastern Shore. The night’s weirdness was just getting to her. “Okay.”

“Ready to blow this popsicle stand?”

She chuckled. “They have popsicles stands in…wherever you’re from?”

“The Realm of the Gods.”

“The Realm… Right.”

He grabbed her hand. “No, but they totally should. Popsicles are awesome.”

Light and color filled her vision, telling her he’d pulled them into the elements again. The shift hadn’t seemed as jarring, as explosive, this time. Thank God.

They went up into the sky, and though the rain and wind were all around them,
were them
, it was just as Chrys had said. The wind didn’t buffet her, because she was the wind. The rain didn’t batter her, because she was the rain. The thunder and lightning didn’t scare her, because she knew exactly when they’d occur. A tremendous thrill roared through her. That she got to experience this, that he’d made her see the beauty in something that had long terrified her, that he’d shared it with her at all.

This is amazing, Chrys, being a part of this, being a part of something bigger than yourself. Thank you for bringing me with you tonight. Thank you for…getting involved.
Even if he’d only done it out of obligation or duty, this moment, this night, this whole time since she’d first laid eyes on him was something to be cherished forever.

Warmth surrounded her, like he was hugging her. Words came to her, in that odd language she’d sometimes heard him speak, but not in the way they normally communicated. It was like the words were on the wind. Something about the sound of them flooded longing through her being. And heat.

Overwhelmed with everything she was feeling, everything she’d experienced this night, Laney didn’t speak again. Instead, she just soaked in every bit of the splendor of the nighttime world. After all, this was the world she’d been without the longest. Her night vision had been the first to go. Normally, she was completely blind in the dark. Now, she could see that the night wasn’t black, but was painted with a palette of blues and greys and purples that possessed its own beauty.

And Chrys had made it all possible. Gratitude joined the wonder flooding through her.

Who knew when she’d get to do this again? If ever. She didn’t want to miss a minute of their trip.

By the time they passed over the Chesapeake Bay, the storm was gone. The moon rose high in the sky, gifting Laney with a whole other vision of night. One that was as romantic as it was mysterious. For a long moment, she reveled in the sight, in the warm caress of the winds blowing through and over her. She imagined the sensation was Chrys’s fingers. Heat streaked over her, as if answering her yearning.

At the edge of her consciousness, intense sadness slinked back and forth and threatened to swamp her. How she missed seeing the world around her. What she wouldn’t give to have her sight returned to her. She’d said she didn’t wish for the return of her vision. But in a moment like this, how could she not? These experiences with Chrys were amazing, yes, but also a special form of torment because, when they got home, she’d be mostly blind again. And she’d feel the loss more acutely than she had in a long, long time.

Enough. The joy and opportunity of the moment were far worth whatever pain might follow.

The landscape below them turned familiar.
We’re almost there
, she said.

Yes
.

They came in over the cottage construction site, then the pastures, and the barn and house came into view. It was a beautiful setting. She’d always loved it here. It was the only place she’d ever thought of as home.

Now, Chrys was going to be there with her. At least for a while. How was that going to work? Did he sleep as a human did? Would he want to sleep with her?

And would she let him if he did?

A warm gust surrounded and caressed her. And Laney knew the answer to that question.

You might feel disoriented again. I’ll help you through it
.

She knew he would. And, anyway, last time she’d felt less disoriented—although that was there, too—than overwhelmed with gratitude. And lust for him. Now, she knew it was more than lust. As much as she wanted this man, this god, she also cared for him. Just how much? The night had been such a jumble of emotions, she couldn’t really define what she was feeling. But there was no question that Chrys appealed to more than just her body.

The house came closer, closer, and then they were inside. The open living room surrounded them, and suddenly she was in her body again. She gasped and swayed.
Okay, definitely disoriented
, she thought. Hands caught her and held her steady.

“Breathe through it. I’ve got you.”

She concentrated on her breathing, on matching hers to his. Except…his was fast, shallow…ragged? His golden light filled her vision, but she forced herself to focus. Finally, part of his face came into view, but the darkness threw too many shadows.

“Can we turn on some lights?” Somewhere, Finn shook, then he grunted as if stretching after a nap.

“Yes.”

Every light in the room illuminated.

Laney flinched, her gaze cutting from one lamp to the next as her vision adjusted. “Well, that’s…handy.”

“It’s all just energy.” Heat rolled off Chrys’s big body. His voice was tight, gravelly.

Maybe so, but it was a magnificent display of power, too. Arousal flowed through her veins, concentrating in the full weight of her breasts, the tingle of her puckered nipples, and the ache of her center. She leaned in, wanting to kiss him. Needing to.

He slipped her necklace back under her shirt. “Since we’re done traveling for the evening, you can wear this against your skin again.” His fingers lingered on her skin.

“Okay,” she said, his touch heating her blood. Did he realize what he was doing to her? “You know, I never thanked you for Rolly. In person, that is. I know it’s silly, but I care about those horses like they’re my kids.”

He dragged his fingers along the collar of her shirt. “It’s not silly. And you’re welcome. It was the least I could do.”

She released a shaky breath. “Animals never judge, you know? They love unconditionally. I don’t know. I’ve just always had a soft spot for them…” And seeing him treat an injured animal so kindly? It wasn’t just that Chrys was hot and sexy and powerful, she
liked
who he was, as a person. God. Whatever.

“Laney?” he said in a raspy voice.

“Yes?” she whispered.

“You’re incredibly sexy when you talk about the things you love.”

The room did a little spinny thing around her. “I am?”

His heat moved around her, until she felt him along the length of her back. He pushed her hair over one shoulder. “Yes,” he said, his breath ghosting over her skin. “Sharing the wind with you was…” His lips dragged over the sensitive spot behind her ear and he exhaled roughly. “It was an honor.”

She tilted her head, opening to him and nearly dizzy with anticipation. She’d been wanting him for days. Dreaming of what that might be like.

Strong arms surrounded her. Large hands splayed across her stomach. Slowly, Chrys moved his hands upward, dragging her shirt with the movement. He cupped her breasts.

Breathing hard, Laney fell back against his chest. His erection pressed into her lower back. The evidence that he was as affected as she was momentarily stole her breath. A hot thrill shuddered through her. She arched, grinding against his firm flesh behind her and pushing her breasts into his massaging grip.

A tingle ran down her scalp and neck. Uncomfortable. Alarming. She pulled herself upright and waded through the haze of lust.

A shadow shifted. No. A light. A black light that deadened everything around it. “Chrys?”

Maniacal laughter sounded out of the darkness. “Did the three of you really think you could gather unnoticed?” A man’s voice tsked. “I must say, I’m so glad I left her alone before. Because now you get to see each other die.”

“Get down!” Chrys grabbed Laney just as the black light flared. Suddenly, a light as brilliant as the sun flashed, stealing her remaining sight.

“No!” she screamed, jumping in front of Chrys. Electricity like a thousand pins and needles slammed into her, surrounded her, sought to penetrate and lay her heart to rest. Paralyzed, she gasped and fought to drag in oxygen. But she couldn’t…she couldn’t…

And then the world went utterly black.

…

“Laney!” Chrys yelled.
Oh, no. No! Gods, have mercy
.

For the space of a breath, the whip of lightning engulfed Laney’s whole being, holding her body stiffly aloft, arms strapped at her sides.

Chrys lunged for her, and the blaze disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. Laney’s unconscious body fell into Chrys’s outstretched arms. He crumpled with her to the floor. The attack of energy had knocked all the lights out, and now the dark appeared pitch black in the wake of the brilliant illumination.

“Oh, gods. Laney? Can you hear me?” Chest filled with crushing, icy dread, Chrys gently rolled her off him and cradled her too-still, too-hot form in his arms. Muscles lifeless. Mouth lax. He tilted his face toward the heavens. “Eurus! Hear me! My word! My vow! I will fucking kill you if it takes my last breath!” he roared, thunder crashing overhead. But there was no reply. Eurus had gone as quickly as he’d come, a hit and run of pure, malicious evil.

“Please,” he rasped, pressing his hand over her heart.

The rapid-fire rhythm revealed the stress of the attack, but it was proof of life that would’ve brought him to his knees if he hadn’t already been on the floor. At her throat, Hephaestus’s amulet glowed. Chrys would never be able to repay that god for the life-saving gift.

“Laney. Wake up. Come back to me.” He stroked his hand over her feverish forehead.

Every particle of his being screamed for vengeance, demanded he pursue his brother to the ends of the earth. Further. He had the infernal dagger. By the gods, he would have his revenge. For Laney, for Ella, for all the others Eurus had hurt.

But not tonight. No matter how his psyche screamed its outrage, his soul was tethered to the woman lying in his arms. Everything else be damned, his duty lay right here.

What those feelings truly meant, he didn’t allow himself to explore.

Heaving a deep, shaky breath, Chrys pressed kisses to her cheek. She’d cared for him. She’d stood by him. She’d
protected
him. One moment, the lightning whipped toward Chrys’s chest. The next, Laney flew in front of the conflagration. Why had she sacrificed herself for him? What had she been thinking? And, now, she fought for her life.