The Daughter of Zeus novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: Hers

His room was at the end of a stone corridor, behind a door with no lock.

I didn't knock.

He was standing at the window with his tunic off and a cup of water in his hand.

The black ring on his wrist caught the lamplight.

He turned, and he saw my face.

"I'm not here to forgive you," I said.

"I haven't asked."

"Good, because I won't."

"I know."

The room was bare.

An iron bed, a table, a rack for the sword, and a long shelf above the bed crowded with tiny wooden animals.

I looked closer.

They were deer, all of them.

Hundreds of deer, carved with a knife, each no longer than my thumb.

Some were crude.

The newest ones had delicate antlers and tilted heads.

I didn't ask.

I could still hear the sliver of antler humming in my pocket, and I knew he could hear it too.

"I'm angry," I said.

"I'll probably be angry for a long time."

"You should be."

"And I want you."

He put the cup down very carefully.

"I want you with my eyes open," I said.

"I know what you're keeping from me.

I know what's on your wrist.

I'm here anyway, because I decided to be.

If you think I'll let you make that decision for me, think again."

"I would never."

"Then come here."

He crossed the room in three strides.

I'd meant to be in charge.

He kissed me first, hard and hungry, with one hand buried in what was left of my hair.

He backed me against the door until the wood hit my shoulder blades.

I bit his lip, and he growled.

"Take your clothes off," I said, against his mouth.

"You first."

"No."

He smiled.

It was a slow, wicked thing, and I had never seen it on his face before.

He dropped to his knees.

He pushed up the hem of my tunic with both hands, and his beard scraped the inside of my thigh.

I grabbed the doorframe.

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