Song: Not in Love, by Franky Wah, LOWES

Thoughts as Deep as the Aegean (Part 2)

It was only the third day of him being absent from my life and already I was annoyingly frustrated by the forced distance.

I knew I was mostly to blame for my own disappointments, seeing as I was the one enforcing this remoteness between us. To be fair, for his plan to truly hold weight and to work, we did have to appear to be cold towards one another.

However, I could also assume that anyone with eyes would be able to tell the not-so-discreet glances we shared whenever we parted ways in the halls or courtyards.

Earlier this morning, I'd joined Alexus in the inner quad for a quick bite to eat before my afternoon classes began. The patio was drapped with sheer, beige linen and the palm trees threw cool shade over our table. Alexus swallowed the last bit of her meal as I leaned back and glanced up at the lazy afternoon sun. It was mostly blocked by the tall palm tree, but the rays were still so bright and hot. I shaded my eyes from the glare and smiled softly; "Do you think Conrad would let me take the afternoon off?"

"Feeling ill?" Alexus asked with a hint of concern.

I smiled sheepishly and leaned back, stretching like a big cat in the chair. "No... Just suddenly so lazy."

The mages eyed me with a pointed look, but a small smile ran up the corners of her mouth; "How unlike you."

"Hmm... It's one of those days." I sighed and closed my eyes as the sun heated my face. The rays felt good against my skin. To be honest, my nerves were shot. Tomorrow evening the banquet would be held in my honour- to welcome me to the fold. I wanted to escape to my room and mentally prepare, but Alex wouldn't understand that. Especially not after yesterday's confessions.

After she'd shared her life story with me and how she came to be Hades' head mage, I could sense a coldness from her demeanour this morning in class. She was using it as a shield, to keep me away again. She hated herself that she'd broken in front of me- that she's cried.

I didn't blame her. In fact, it was good for her to let go once in a while, but Alexus did not see it that way. Shame was her emotion of choice today.

"I suggest we re-examine the western front as well as the eastern side of the border." A new voice crawled into the courtyard and Alexus and I glanced towards the other opening opposite from where we'd entered. Strolling in came the object of my annoyance himself, along with two unfamiliar faces. The one was a shorter man with dark hair and eyes. He spoke in a low voice; very hushed and secretively. He glanced at us across the large quad, but his words only halted for a split second, before he continued, but this time, softer. I could barely make out the conversation.

The second man, was tall, but young. He seemed to be following, just listening in on the conversation. My eyes barely examined him until they lifted back to the handsome face I'd tried to freeze out of my mind.

Thanatos smirked quickly when he realised that Alexus and I were seated in the courtyard where he'd planned on holding his meeting. His red eyes were fixed on mine, but I averted mine and pretended to ignore his smouldering gaze. Even across a relative distance and with several onlookers, he was trying to seduce me into his arms.

Bastard.

"Let's go." Alexus placed her napkin on the table and shifted a bit to get up from her chair. Clearly, she had no desire to stay seated and watch as Thanatos enjoyed his lunch.

I, however, was curious. "Wait." I said softly and tried not to glance in their direction, scared he might see me watching him. Out of the corner of my eye, I was spying on them. "I still have twenty minutes to relax before my next class. Let's have some coffee."

Alexus hesitated. She shot a look at Thanatos. He had signalled to the servants to bring them a round of wine and some appetizers. Their conversation carried on as if nothing had upset it, but now, their voices were more hushed. "Here? Let's go up to my room rather."

"He can't dictate where we have coffee, Alexus." I said as-a-matter-of-factly.

She shrugged; "Actually, he can. He owns this palace."

Right- not the best argument. "Fair point." I nodded my head and called to the servant. She stepped up to me with a smile. I smiled back; "Two mint teas, please."

The young woman nodded and left. Alexus watched her go, her hazel eyes narrowed. "You are too obvious."

"How so?" I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back in my chair, looking the very image of a relaxed and content maiden. From the corner of my eye, Thanatos did the same. He leaned back in the woven sofa's white cushions and thew his one leg over the other. His arm swung back and rested on the back of the seat.

Alexus spoke, but I was watching him. "You want to spy on him. It's really not worth it."

Thanatos was opening staring at me. His small smirk was knowing and his eyes were screaming at me to look at him directly. The two men seated opposite him were deep in conversation; either not noticing his absence or trying very hard not to call him out on it. Absentmindedly, I toyed with the aquamarine pendant around my neck. His gift.

"Aurora?"

"Hm?" My eyes shot back to Alexus. She lifted a brow. "I'm speaking to you."

"What's the matter?"

Alexus sighed and crossed her arm as well. She leaned back, relaxing into the chair and I saw her guard lower a bit. "Fine. Let me just tell you what you want to know..."

I blinked and frowned. I let her speak before I uttered something I'd regret.

"The man in the dark blue coat and with the dark features is Zaul." I glanced at him, his head moving slowly as he was speaking to Thanatos. "He's Thanatos' head reaper; his right-hand man. The other reaper isn't nearly as important, but a good scout. His name is Eron." She frowned and glanced sideways. "Or is is Elrow? Whatever; doesn't matter, I suppose. He's just joining their weekly meeting because Thanatos needed a full report on the surrounding areas."

"Oh, I see." Well, it saved me some embarrassment I suppose that Alexus assumed I was highly invested in Thanatos' dealings and much less in the man himself. "Interesting."

I snuck a glance at the darkly dressed god. He was watching Zaul's face as he spoke, but then caught my eye. I averted them quickly as the servant girl returned with our freshly brewed tea.

"Thank you; it smells delicious." I grinned as the cup was placed in front of me. Alexus nodded her head in thanks and the woman bowed, leaving us to add our own sugar and milk. Alexus tried to change the subject; "So the class this afternoon; are you ready for the new spells we discussed yesterday? They might pop-up."

I was barely listening to her. Thanatos had received his wine and he was twirling the glass of gold liquid between his agile fingers. He smelled the wine and took a sip. My mouth suddenly felt very dry.

"Milk?" Alexus offered the pitcher. I snapped my focus back. "Uh, no. No, thank you."

She placed it back onto the table. "Are you going to answer me?"

Honestly, I had no idea what she'd asked. I smiled and pretended like it was a joke. "Alexus, let's leave the magic talk for during class. It's our lunch break."

She shook her head, but nodded in agreement. I saw a small smile reach her lips. "Then what do you wish to discuss?"

"How much control does Hades allow Thanatos?"

Her smile disappeared. She took a sip of her tea. "As much as he wants."

I frowned. "Really? That's... generous."

She shrugged. "Thanatos is his right-hand man. He can do as he pleases."

"There must be more to it than that." I said softly and found Thanatos watching me with curious eyes. He held the wine glass in his hand, lazily swaying idly by his side as he was seated angled towards the scout, who was now talking.

"Hades is not someone for the spotlight. He delegates a lot of his tasks to Thanatos to do and handle. He's definitely used to those kinds of dealings..."

That part both confused me and intrigued me. "How so?"

"I suppose you don't know this yet, but Thanatos was once set to rule."

"The Underworld?" I was shocked to hear this.

She smiled at my question. "All of it, Aurora. He was on his way to take the throne before Zeus took it himself."

My breath hitched and the cup stopped in front of my lips. I watched the steam evaporate into the summer air. "What?"

"I thought Conrad had explained the history of the throne to you?" Alexus placed her cup back onto the saucer and folded her hands over her lap.

I shook my head; "I definitely do not remember that part. You're saying he was nearly king? Gods..." I glanced at Thanatos, but now, he was talking; by the looks of it, explaining something. His eyes were slightly slanted and calm- he was so attractive when he looked focused.

"Thanatos' mother and father are Nyx and Erebus- the siblings of Gaia and Uranus. You do know who Cronus is, right?"

I nodded, feeling slightly offended by her question; "Of course I know who Cronus is. He was the king before Zeus- he was a mad tyrant, wasn't he?"

She nodded slowly and her eyes were in deep thought as she spoke. "Hmm, but not always. He had a long, golden rule before the madness took hold. He stole the throne away from his father, Uranus."

"Right, so Thanatos and Cronus are cousins?"

"Yes, but obviously there's quite the age-gap. Nyx is also far younger than her older sister." Alexus pulled her teacup closer an cradled it in her hands. "In any case, very long story very short, Cronus didn't want any one of his three sons to rule, fearing that they would kill him- same as he did with his own father- so his uncle and dear friend, Erebus, presented an alternative. Thanatos."

"Thanatos was raised to be king? After Cronus?"

"Yes." Alexus glanced at the man in question. The servants had brought their lunch on silver and golden trays and were serving the men. "Thanatos was taught every lesson and trick on how to rule the empire. He was drilled into being the perfect heir, but then the Titan war broke out when he was still quite young and his cousin, Cronus, lost the throne to Zeus. Zeus had other plans."

"But..." I watched as Thanatos dismissed the servants. "Why would Zeus and Hades want a usurper so close to them? Aren't they technically enemies? Opposite sides of the same family?"

"Good question." Alexus finished her tea. "Why would they invite someone who was raised as an assassin in the Old family into their own home and give him so much power... Odd, isn't it?" She was playing with me. I could hear it in her voice.

I didn't care. I was too curious too care. "Old Family? Assassin?" My mind was racing. This was all new to me.

"The Old Family is Thanatos' line of the gods. Nyx and Erebus' union had ten children- Thanatos being the eldest. They're more feared than Zeus' line- the royal family. There's quite a bit of bad-blood there. As for assassin... Well, Nyx wasn't going to let her son be deprived of his 'birth right'."

My chest contracted as she said it so nonchalantly. "But he was a child..."

"And?" Alexus said with a shrug. Her eyes caught the time on her watch. "Come; time for class. Let's go."

"Wait- you didn't really give me an answer." I took the last cold sip of my tea and stood up, ready to follow her. "Why is Thanatos here, helping Hades and a part of this family to such a deep extent?"

"It's complicated and frankly, not important right now." She pulled me by the hand and I followed easily. "Come; time to focus. History lessons later."

My mind was swimming with new information. I glanced at Thanatos as we left the courtyard. His eyes followed mine, but he wasn't smiling. He seemed concerned. I pretended the fluttering in my stomach hadn't erupted because of him.

That same evening, I'd found myself staring up at the ceiling; my mind deep in thought.

Of course, my conversation with Alexus lingered still, but now, as the shadows of the night crept up around the bed, I let my mind wander back to him and the way he'd watched me.

There was something in his eyes today. It was eerily similar to when he'd found me in Conrad's study, with his hand clutching the Fury's heart and his breath low and shaky. He was worried about me.

I didn't know why this time.

Was it the banquet? Was it the thought of me meeting all of these gods and entering a space he'd become so used to that it no longer bothered him? Would it bother me? would they like me? Was that something I wanted?

Naturally, I wanted to be liked, but was it a priority? No, probably not, but it would make things easier for me going forward.

Was it a priority that he liked me? No, definitely not. Then why did it bother me more that I wanted Thanatos to like me than the rest?

Gods. You're such a mess, Aurora...

I sighed up at the cool air and rolled my eyes. Maybe I could go for a stroll around the palace? That wouldn't be too bad- it would allow my mind to wander a bit. Maybe, if there was a light burning underneath the North wing door, I could check if Thanatos wanted a nightcap?

Bad idea.

Bad girl!

I got up from the bed and grabbed my white dressing gown. I quickly pulled it around my middle and tied it tightly to shield myself from the chilly night air. Scolding myself clearly did nothing, because as I moved to the lounge and slipped on my golden strapped sandals, my mind was trying to come up with an excuse as to why I was going to knock on his door.

"I didn't know where the kitchen was? That works. I don't know where the kitchen is." I whispered to no one in particular and glanced at my reflection as I passed the mirror. My hair was full of volume and I rain a hand through the mess to neaten it a bit. I caught my flushed cheeks. "You're asking for trouble... Idiot."

And with that final word of encouragement, I left the lounge and made my way towards the front door to my chamber. My hand reached for the doorhandle and I pulled it open with a yank.

Our eyes met with shock.

Thanatos stood with his one hand reaching for something in mid-air- possibly the door's handle that it'd just pulled at. My throat grew dry and the words stilled on the tip of my tongue. They wanted to run past the walls of my mouth and curiously ask him why he was standing in front of my bedroom door at two in the morning, but something held me back. The look in his eyes.

It was... My stomach flipped.

Seems like I'm not asking for trouble- it just likes finding me.

"Funny meeting you here." Lame- my head shouted at me, but I tried to look confident as I said it. I couldn't tell if he was convinced.

Thanatos' grin was small, but it was cute. "Going somewhere?" His voice was husky and soft. He was speaking in a fairly hushed tone, but the large centre of the top floor behind him was empty and dark. There was no need for his whispers. I couldn't help but find them sexy though. His red eyes waited for a snarky explanation.

"I um..." Think. "I wanted a snack. I'm a bit hungry." He didn't look too convinced, so I pulled at the door behind me. "Is that a problem?"

Thanatos smirked; "Not at all. But um..." He smiled with a hint of playfulness. He pointed down with his finger and looked to the side, as if contemplating something. "Do you know where the kitchens are?"

Damn. I leaned against the door and crossed my arms, fixing him with a tight smile. He was smirking at me. He was such a tease. Two can play at that game. "And you?"

His smirk faltered a bit and he shrugged, as if to ask what I meant. I clarified, gesturing to his presence; "What are you doing in front of my bedroom door in the dead of the night- no pun intended."

Thanatos pursed his lips and tried not to laugh. He looked down and back up at me with smouldering eyes. I nearly jumped into his arms, even though he wasn't offering them. "Just making sure you find your way to the kitchen."

"Kind of you, really..." I wasn't buying it, but neither was he.

"Hmm." The god of death's eyes trailed down to examine my thin dressing gown and the satin nighty I wore underneath. While his eyes drank me in, I snuck a peak myself. He was dressed down, dark pants and a black shirt. His top buttons were undone and the chain around his neck was gold and thin. He was not wearing his heavy cloak, nor any armour, but he still looked undeniably regal. "Come."

Thanatos turned to the side and extended his arm for me to take. I hesitated a bit, but quickly gave in when his broody gaze met mine. I pulled the door closed and hooked my hand underneath his bicep. I felt like a spark had sent a chill down my spine.

We avoided each other's eyes, but I could feel the tension grow. It was nearly suffocating.

Thanatos led me towards the stairs. I let him lead and glanced up at him from the side. The moon was a thin crescent shape in the sky, with barely any light emitting to cover him in its glow, but he was still so beautiful from this angle.

"Watch your step." He said softly and I could hear the grin in his voice. He was loving this.

I rolled my eyes and averted my eyes from his side profile. My eyes darted down and I focused on the steps, as he suggested. The last thing I needed was a broken ankle. Thanatos would probably lock me in his room for another week, just like he'd done with the bloody Fury- oh, hang on. Not a bad idea...

I shook my head slightly- shut up.

"Don't you have things to do?" I asked dryly.

Thanatos didn't look at me as he answered, instead he kept his eyes locked to the front as we walked. "At two in the morning?"

"You don't sleep, so yes."

"Point taken..." He nodded and a small smile grew on his face. "I was looking at a few maps and grew bored." Something about the way he said it made me instantly know that he was lying. To what extent he was lying, I wasn't sure yet.

"Maps? Working on something for Hades?" After the new information I'd learned about him and his family, I still found it so fascinating and strange that Thanatos was given so much free-reign and control. Was he just a fantastic charmer? A brilliant spy for the Old Family? Was there more to this than meets the eye? Most definitely...

Thanatos hesitated; "No. I'm doing some research on Hecate and her cults. Seeing if there's something we missed with the initial investigation. A clue that might help us."

I nodded and our eyes met as we began to descend the second set of stairs. That same spark left me hungry, but not for food.

"Did you find anything?"

Those red eyes lit me on fire in ways I was ashamed to admit. "No such luck."

I nodded and my eyes darted to the front as I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. Gods, if he's reading your thoughts now...

I quickly opened my mouth to change the subject, but Thanatos interrupted with a teasing tone. "Did you enjoy your lunch today?"

"I did." I smirked at him. "And you?"

"I thought it was an improvement to my usual."

"How so?" Here it comes...

Thanatos glanced at me from the side and I gripped his bicep tighter. "I don't normally have such a beautiful view with my meal."

"Zaul is a stunningly aesthetic man." I replied without missing a beat, because I knew exactly what he was going to say before it left his mouth.

Thanatos bit his lip to stop the laugh from erupting. "Yes, well, he wasn't really my focus today."

"Oh..." I said with a smirk and glanced to the side, pretending to be interested in the marble statues as we walked down the third staircase. We were nearly at the bottom floor, where the kitchens were- or so I assumed.

"Why don't you and I have lunch tomorrow. I'm sure I'm more fun to talk to than Alexus."

"I doubt that..." I was doing it again- playing hard-to-get. Gods. I shouldn't be leading him on, should I? "She's quite interesting."

"And so is watching cement dry." Thanatos replied dryly. "We'll have lunch on my balcony- away from prying eyes." He said pointedly, knowing I'd have an issue with us being together out in the open when we were purposefully trying to not to do that exact thing.

"And the servants serving us?" We stepped off the last stairs.

Thanatos gently pulled me to the southern side of the palace. "I'll make a plan."

I shook my head. No, no more of this sneaking around- like we currently were. "We said no alone time, Thanatos. The banquet is two days away- we can-"

Suddenly, he stopped walking and my feet automatically did the same. "The kitchen is right through that opening." He pointed to the large archway across from the manicured gardens and turned to leave.

My stomach flipped, but this time it was nowhere near pleasurable. I tried to call him back in a whisper; "Thanatos?"

He turned slowly and fixed me with a suave look. He tilted his head, as if to ask what my problem was. It was the same question I had for him. "Where are you going?"

"Upstairs, back to my room. Clearly, I can't be seen with you." His tone was teasing, but I heard a glimmer of defensiveness. Had I hurt him with my distance? The second he'd moved away, I had wanted nothing more than to pull him back next to me. With him beside me, I felt safe. I felt his heat- a heat I'd gotten so annoyingly accustomed to when I'd spent those few days in his bed. Had that been his strategy too?

Gods, this really was a stupid plan to keep us apart, wasn't it? I mean, in theory, it was smart, but in practise...

Yeah, we weren't going to be able to hold out.

"Right." I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest. I stared at him, but tried very hard not to show how disappointed I was.

Thanatos watched me with dark eyes. We stared at each other. The palace was dead quiet. There was no one awake, expect the two of us. The tension between us was palpable.

So, I gave in slightly; "It's so quiet."

He didn't move; merely stared at me, as if waiting for the moment I'd break.

I cleared my throat. "No one's awake, I guess..."

"No one's awake until at least five." He said, reassuring me of my line of conversation. He was desperate for me to call him back. I was slipping down a steep slope. My eyes darted from his intense gaze and I shrugged softy, "I suppose-"

He didn't even wait for the break. Thanatos walked back towards me and smirked. "Come. What do you feel like eating?"

Involuntarily, I swallowed as his large hand found the small of my back and as I turned around to face the direction we'd originally headed to, Thanatos pushed me forward gently. His fingers spread across my skin and the warmth set me alight. I swallowed again.

"What is there?" I tried to focus on the kitchen as we entered- anything to keep my thoughts away from him, in case he wanted to snoop and listen in on them.

The kitchens were in a very large chamber, with enough room for a team of professional chefs to use however they saw fit. The finishes and marble tops were polished and glistening underneath the little bit of moonlight that shone through the arched doorways, leading into an adjacent corridor along the gardens.

"Anything you want." Thanatos replied, "Sweet or savoury?" He moved his hand across the air and three of the torches lit with a roaring flame along the walls of the kitchen, throwing the chamber under a beautiful, soft and romantic light.

You- Stop it! "Surprise me."

He turned around and his dark, dilated eyes caught mine. I gasped softly against his lips as they lunged for mine and I was pushed back against the marble island in the centre of the kitchen.

After a second or two, I closed my eyes and gave in to the kiss. Thanatos' hands moved up from resting on either side of me on the countertop to my upper arms. He gripped me close and I melted into his touch. When he pulled back, I wanted to follow. "I meant surprise me with food, Thanatos." I remarked dryly, but there was no trace of anger or annoyance in my voice- none at all.

"I did ask what you wanted, angel." He replied calmly and stroked his hands down my arms. His hands landed back on the counter top and he leaned closer as he loomed over me, keeping me locked in against the island. "I can't help your screaming thoughts..."

I blushed deeply. Subtle, Aurora. "I thought I told you to stop prying into my mind." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I didn't exactly need to pry, Aurora." Thanatos leaned in and his lips hovered over my own, his passionate eyes trying their best to seduce me. "You're quite loud."

The blushed deepened and I averted my eyes from his, fixing them on the overhanging lights above the high ceiling's glass dome. The stars were shining brightly, as if watching us closely. "Sweet." It was all I said as I kept my arms crossed and my chin angled away from him.

Thanatos continued to stare at me for a few minutes. I could feel his eyes were searching mine for something familiar, but I avoided returning his stare. Eventually, his grin changed slightly, but this one didn't reach his eyes. He stepped back and leaned against the counter top behind him instead. Thanatos crossed his arms, mirroring my pose; "There are freshly baked cookies and there should be some apple crumble left from yesterday. What do you prefer?"

Finally, I met his eyes again. I cleared my throat as he watched me with curiosity. "Is there chocolate?"

"Probably." He glanced to his left. "Let's check." Thanatos pushed himself forward and turned to inspect the cupboard. As he passed me, a wave of his natural scent engulfed my senses and I had to push back the need to hug him. That's all I wanted; I wanted him to hold me.

The nearer we got to the banquet, the more my nerves began to shake with trepidation. I wanted it all to be over- this foreign experience. I wanted to get it over with, because truly what was awful was the anticipation of the unknown.

Yet, I knew that if he just took me in his arms and held me for a few minutes, I could escape for a bit. I could possibly grow stronger; just like I had when I'd shared his bed after the Fury attack. I felt safe and comfortable. I felt... content.

I watched as Thanatos rummaged through the pantry for chocolate. "Milk, dark or white?" He turned around with three different thin slabs in his hands.

"Let's try white." I smiled as he handed the blue labelled slab, his smile cute. It was a bit odd to think how different he was around me now, compared to how it had been at the start of our unpredictable relationship.

"Do you prefer white chocolate? It's so sweet." He asked as he opened the dark chocolate and broke off a piece for himself.

"I like dark chocolate too- honestly, I'm not too fussed." I slipped a block of the fine chocolate into my mouth and chewed. It was sweet, but the quality was superb.

Thanatos leaned against the space spot, against the counter across from me, and handed me a block of the dark chocolate; "This one is much better."

A thought crossed my mind.

I can always taste it... on his lips?

I wanted to roll my eyes. Didn't he just tell you you're a little too loud? Gods. Keep in your pants. I grabbed the block and took a bite of it; "Hmm... It's good."

Thanatos smiled and his eyes lowered to the floor in thought as I chewed. He seemed off tonight. Unlike his usual self. He was more docile; less talkative. I tried to probe, without coming across nosey. "What are you thinking about?"

My question surprised him. He lifted his eyes and observed me with a wary look. "Nothing. Why? Does it seem like my mind is elsewhere?"

"A bit." I answered honestly. Thanatos didn't say anything; his expression softened and a very small smile ran up his mouth. It was so faint, I might have missed it. "Jealous that I might be thinking of something other than you?"

"I don't need you to think about me at all." I countered with a glare.

"And if I did?" My heart jumped and the fluttering in my stomach was back tenfold. I rolled my eyes. "Not my problem."

"Yes," He whispered, but as if to himself and not to me, his eyes cast down again. "Clearly my problem..."

My throat grew dry and I opened my mouth to reply, but decided against it. He hadn't really said it to me so there was no need for a response. However, his words left a strange tension between us that I was not used it- neither him. Thanatos moved to grab another piece, but I held out the white chocolate slab to him. "Wait, just try it. It's really not that sweet."

He looked at it and then up at me. His red eyes were dark in the dim flames and it looked like they held a world of secrets. I wanted to know all of them.

Gently, he took the slab from my hand, our fingers not touching. He placed his one leg in front of the other and leaned back against the counter as he broke off a piece to eat. Thanatos placed it into his mouth and chewed. Even eating chocolate, he looked like he was trying to seduce me, but in all honesty, it was most likely just my own sexual frustrations pulling my mind down into the gutters.

Everything he did looked good.

"Not bad, but not my favourite." He smiled at me and I knew my willpower was snapping off sooner than I'd hoped. He was seducing me quicker than when he wasn't trying to seduce me.

Like when he'd read to me about Hecate's spells in bed the one morning. Gods, I just couldn't win, could I?

Thanatos handed me a block of white chocolate too, knowing I liked it more than the dark. His kind gesture snapped the last piece of control I had. I placed the block into my mouth and bit into it.

"Should I make us some tea-"

Before he had time to react, my starved lips were on his and I'd wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him onto me. Thanatos' muffled grunt was blocked by my force, but quickly he recovered from the shock. His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me tightly against him. I darted my tongue into his mouth and he didn't waste any time doing the same. The taste of him and the white chocolate still in my mouth mixed together and I moaned softly as my hands mouth his face. I cupped the sides of his face between my hands and wriggled myself in between his legs. Thanatos whimpered with desire.

"Rora..." He knew exactly what that nickname did to me whenever he used it. I bit onto his bottom lip. Seductively, I asked; "Do you still prefer the dark chocolate?"

"No." He slightly shook his head and his one hand found the nape of my neck. He pushed my mouth harder against his. Through hard kisses, he muttered; "I could taste you all night."

Nothing I would find in these cupboards could sate the hunger I suddenly felt raging inside me. "You shouldn't tease me like this."

"You're one to talk." He scoffed and his other hand trailed a hot path up towards my breast. My nightgown was thick and woolly, but I could feel every movement of his hand on my chest. "You're testing my patience every day."

"Someone has to." I countered with a smile, my eyes still closed and my nose pressed against his. Thanatos laughed softly, the sound so magnetic. "At this point, it's just torture, Aurora."

"You mentioned something about tea?" I pulled back, giving him an innocent smile, even though a few seconds earlier, I was ready to ravage him in his own kitchen like a tigress. Thanatos shook his head at me, his hands now resting on either side of the counter behind him, as if to steady himself against the ferociousness of my attack.

"Unbelievable." He stood up straight and made a point of it to tower over me with his grin so wide and his eyes alight with new vigour. "You really do have me wrapped around your finger, don't you?"

I was shocked he'd said it and from my face, I suppose it was rather clear. My lips parted with surprise by his bluntness. Thanatos tilted his head and smiled tenderly down at me. His hand lifted and found the side of my face, gently cradling it in his large, warm palm. "Be honest; why did you want to come to my room tonight?"

I swallowed, my throat feeling full and thick. I searched his eyes for some snide comment or witty joke, but he was genuinely waiting for an answer. "I..." My eyes darted sideways, leaving his powerful gaze. "I wanted company."

"Alexus' room is closer to yours than mine." He pressed. Thanatos' eyes tried to draw mine back to them. I ignored the attempt. "And the servants would not bat an eye if you'd spent the night with a friend, instead of with me."

The silence that followed his words was too heavy for my liking.

I didn't like being exposed like this- so out in the open and so vulnerable; showcasing feelings that I didn't yet have time to delve into or explore by myself. So I did the same to him; I threw the question back; "Why did you come to my room, hmm? To check-up on me?"

"I don't think you need checking up on." He said softly and his smile faded slightly. "From what I've seen, you're more than capable of taking care of yourself, or am I wrong?"

"A question on top of another question..." I sighed and stepped back from him. I moved to the side of the island to create distance between us. I needed space to think. "Why don't you ever say what you want to say? Do all gods love riddles?"

"In that case," He countered my statement; "Why not speak the truth yourself?"

"What do you mean?" I stopped and turned to him with a glower.

He glared back, and yet, that tension still lingered. "You wanted my company. Just admit it."

"No, I didn't."

He rolled his eyes and pushed himself off the counter. Thanatos walked towards the entrance of the kitchens, seemingly ready to leave me alone in the dark of the night. I scoffed at his behaviour and crossed my arms. "Whatever." I muttered.

At the sound of my whisper, he turned on his heel and pointed his finger at me accusingly; "Aurora, you're hot and then you're cold. You kiss me senseless one moment and the next, you push me away. What do you expect me to do? Hmm?"

"I expect you to-" I paused- I didn't really have an answer. I just felt like he needed to be put back into his place, but then again... Who was I to put the god of death and apparently the favoured heir to the throne back into 'his place'? Gods, was I really being this naïve? "Nevermind."

"Go on."

"Drop it, Thanatos."

He didn't. He stepped closer and fixed me with a pointed look. Thanatos raised one eyebrow in question. "Well?"

I ignored the fact that he'd just tripled the flips going around in my stomach and replied; "I expect you to be my guardian. I... I'm scared. I don't know what to expect tomorrow. I have no idea what's in store for me and the banquet just opens up a whole new world of... of..." I sighed and turned away from him. "Nevermind. It's fine."

His hand found my shoulder and he slowly turned me back around to face him. "I know you're scared. I am too."

His confession was unexpected. I frowned; "Why are you scared?"

"Because for once, I don't know how I'll react. I can plan ahead for everything and yet, with this... I have no idea how to prepare. All I can do is try to keep you safe and to keep you calm."

I stared up at him. "That's... really thoughtful of you."

"Well, don't make it sound like it's a miracle." He muttered with dry sarcasm.

"You didn't always act this way around me." I tested the waters.

Thanatos hesitated a bit. "Maybe I did. Maybe you didn't notice it. Or maybe I have different ways of showing it."

I nodded. Coyly, I smiled at his words. They made me feel shy and once again, I noticed how different I acted around him than I'd ever acted around other guys.

"It's late." Thanatos glanced up a the glass ceiling of the dome. The moon was halfway across the sky. "You have an early class and I have an important meeting. Let's head back upstairs." He extended his arm for me to take and I realised our time together was coming to an end.

Then it was back to ignoring each other in the hallways and stealing sly glances when no one was looking.

Eventually though, perhaps after my ascension, we could do this again, in daylight, without anyone's gaze threatening our peace.

I curled my arm around his bicep and followed him out to the quad and up the stairs. We moved up towards the top floors in a slow pace; clearly, neither of us wanting to leave the other's side, or for this night to end just yet.

The silence was comforting and I embraced it. It was easy.

Eventually, we reached the door of my chamber, the west wing. I glanced across the large courtyard at his door. It was so far away.

Thanatos noticed my eyes. He closed my hand under his and leaned down a bit to whisper into my ear; "Do you want me to admit it?"

I frowned and searched his eyes; "Admit what?"

"Why I came to your door. Would that make this better?"

I gulped. My head nodded mechanically and my hand involuntarily moved up to fidget with his pendant around my neck.

Thanatos glanced down at my neck, noticing how I unconsciously toyed with his gift, and quickly back up into my eyes. His stare was filled with an unspoken mess of emotions. "I missed you."

When he said it, my own confession flowed like water- swiftly and freely; "I missed you too."

His lips ducked down and ensnared mine with fervour. I returned the passion with my own and entangled my fingers in his dark, midnight-coloured hair. Thanatos whispered against my lips, his eyes boring into mine; "There are a few hours left- I can hold you while you sleep. I'll be out before the servants notice either of us are missing."

It sounded more like a plea than an offer. Either way, I nodded quickly and pulled him inside before he could change his mind. I doubted that it was physically possible.

Thanatos closed the door behind him and moved to pick me up. I gasped from the sudden lift- my back having been turned to him- but didn't protest as he carried me to the alcove where the bed was tucked away. The chamber was dark and quiet.

He laid me down on the mattress and proceeded to take off his shoes and socks. I removed my nightgown and dropped it beside the bed. It felt so odd- we were so excited by the mere fact of being beside each other, the thought of perhaps being intimate hadn't even crossed my mind. Perhaps it had his, but if so, he didn't even attempt to seduce me. Thanatos pulled me close and threw the duvet over our bodies. He tucked me into his side, my back against his chest, and I rested my head on his arm.

His other arm curled around me and he pulled me tightly against him. I fit so well- perfectly. By now, it felt familiar, but still new. There was electricity in the air.

Thanatos whispered into my ear; "Wake me up if you have a nightmare."

I doubted it would happen. Whenever he was beside me, Hecate left me alone. She didn't dare come near me. I couldn't fathom as to why, but he was the perfect deterrent. "Okay." I muttered in any case and snuggled into his embrace. "Goodnight." I whispered back, shyly.

Thanatos' smile was evident in his voice. "Goodnight, angel. I'll wake you up before I leave- or if you prefer, I'll sneak-"

"No." I turned slightly to meet his eyes. "Wake me up." I didn't want him sneaking out, like I was some one-night stand. I wanted him to kiss me goodbye.

Thanatos grinned knowingly. He pressed his lips onto mine and mumbled against them; "So domineering... Fine. I suppose as guardian, I don't have a choice."

"Hmm... You don't."

This chapter was originally not added to book 2, but I've decided to include it as it provides quite a bit of necessary hints to Thanatos' backstory. 

Xx