Page 147 of The Games Gods Play
Perhaps a poor choice of words. “Go.” I give him a little push toward the stairs, not that he budges. “I’ll be fine.”
“No—”
A rope of smoke whips around Boone’s chest, and suddenly he’s dragged across the room—or flung, more like, his body sailing through the air to hit a wall, then drop to the floor. The thud of impact hits at the same time as the metallic clunk of the helm on the marble.
Faster than a blink, Hades is across the room, his hand curling around the back of my neck, eyes ablaze.
“Lyra!” Boone shouts, and out of the corner of my eye, I see him jump to his feet.
Another otherworldly growl comes out of Hades, his eyes turning as dark as thunderclouds. “Don’t hurt him,” I say in a rush.
Hades blinks at me just as Boone sprints toward us. A wall of fire as tall as the ceiling ignites between us and him. The blast of heat against the side of my face, the immediate roar and crackle of the flames nearby—they’re nothing compared to the god staring me down.
But Hades didn’t hurt Boone. I can hear him through the flames, though it’s impossible to see him.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” Hades demands, and the growl of his voice is so low, so feral, I shiver.
Fires of hells, I was right. He did know we were at Hephaestus’ home. I lift my chin. “I was thinking that a thief should use the skills they have.”
“To steal gifts and spy on gods. Damn it, Lyra. They could have killed you tonight.”
“That would be interfering. The Daemones wouldn’t let them.”
“Not if they deemed you to be breaking the rules, and trespassing in a god’s home is breaking the fucking rules.”
My own anger rises, matching his, and I curl my fingers around his wrist, though I don’t pull his hand away. “Boone is damned good at what he does, and tonight he wanted to get information to help me. And another thing—weren’t you the one who first suggested I use my boon”—I gesture to the menagerie hidden along my forearm—“to spy on the other champions and their patrons, the gods?”
He huffs an unamused laugh but doesn’t respond to anything I actually said. Jackass. “Does he know about your curse?”
I give him a flat look. “Yes.”
Hades’ gaze narrows, glittering at me in silvery slits. “I would always tell you any important information that might help you survive the Crucible, Lyra.”
He almost sounds…hurt…that I’d think otherwise. “I know. That’s why I had to do this. You’ve already been punished for me once.”
He pulls back a smidge like that answer surprised him. Then his fingers spread out from where he’s still cupping my neck, spearing through my hair, and my body reacts instantly to a touch that’s now familiar. Something behind his eyes changes, the heat morphing from anger to…oh wow. “You took a risk to protect me?” he demands.
I’m not ready to admit that. “I used the opportunity available. That’s all.”
He stares at me, still anchoring me to him with that one hand, as if he can plumb the depths of my mind and heart with a look.
Then his gaze slowly lowers to my lips, and I swear silver fire flares in his eyes. “He kissed you.”
72
What Scares Me The Most
Oh…my…gods… Can he see Boone’s kiss? In the mark Hades left on me with his gift? Feel it somehow, maybe?
What I want to say is that it was a kiss between friends. But there’s still enough pride inside me to stay the words. It’s none of Hades’ business who I kiss, the same way it’s none of Boone’s. Yes, I was just kissing Hades this morning, but we both know that’s all it can be.
All I am to him is a champion he hopes will win him the Crucible. That’s it.
So why am I not moving out of his grasp? Putting some distance between us? Insisting he not touch me? He would listen to me if I asked. I know he would.
Gaze never leaving mine, Hades slowly lowers his head, and everything about me, every single piece of me, focuses solely on him. On him and the swirl of desire inside me, the wanting.
I want this. Again.
