The bed was covered in bright turquoise and orange blankets and sheets. We hadn't even made it to the bed earlier. Orestes pulled back the covers, nudging me toward it, and waiting for me to climb in.
As soon as I did, he got in, curling behind me and pulling me against him. He wanted to sleep, and now that I was in this blanket of cool sheets, protected by his warm body, fatigue pressed down on me.
One of his strong arms wrapped around my waist, moving to my chest so his big hand cupped my breast. I rocked against him, and he groaned but kissed the back of my head and sighed. “Leo...” he started.
Holding tight to his hand, I squeezed him. “You don't have to say it just because I did.” I wanted him to mean it.
He let out a long sigh but didn't continue. After a few minutes, the tension left his body. The arm over me grew heavier, giving away that he'd fallen asleep. The sound of his even, deep breaths filled the room.
I closed my eyes and willed sleep to come.
It didn't.
My mind was whirring with what had happened between me and Orestes, then Hector, Paris, and finally, it returned to the vision.
Why was Medusa's face on the Temple of Apollo? Why had they gone there after being brought back from the dead by the gods?
My face warded the temple. Hector had read the same things I had.
Ward. Shield. Ward. Protection.
I turned on my back to stare at the ceiling. Orestes let out a sigh and draped his arm over my hips, but he didn't wake.
In the early morning hours, I watched the darkness recede, but I wasn't any closer to an answer.
Why had Athena even brought me back? I had to consider the possibility of it being a cosmic joke. Why had the gods done anything? Sometimes, they did things to be dicks.
And Athena was a dick.
A murdering dick.
I fucking hated her.
I dozed off for a short time, more like a long blink than a restful sleep, but I had enough time to dream. In my dream, Pollux stood in a barren grassland. I lifted my hand, waving at him, but he narrowed his eyes like he didn't recognize me.
Then, Orestes wrapped an arm around my waist, pressed his lips to my cheek, and I was awake again.
The sun was coming up and my head pounded.
Today was the day. I didn't know what would happen, but something would. Maybe Athena would show herself again. Thoughts of her were like a cup of espresso. Or a shot of adrenaline.
There was a soft knock at the door and a click as it opened. I lifted my head, knowing it was one of the guys. Sure enough, Paris popped his head in the door, eyes widening when he saw me awake. I disentangled myself from Orestes, slowly scooting away from him. The blanket fell from my body, and Paris's gaze shot from my face down to my chest and lingered.
Right.I'd forgotten I was naked—mostly—beneath the sheets.
I managed to make it off the bed without waking Orestes. My bag was open on a luggage rack, and I reached into it, not really caring what I grabbed as long as I covered myself with something. Paris was fully dressed, hair wet from a shower, and face cleanly shaven. I, on the other hand, probably looked like a troll doll. And was there anything less flattering than a hunched over posture to dig through my bag? Rather than do that and expose all my bits and bobs to him, I picked it up to hold against me.
I pointed to the bathroom and lifted my eyebrows. He nodded, and I walked away.
He shocked me by appearing at my side and opening the door. “What are you doing?” I whispered when he closed the door behind him.
Rather than answer, he yanked my bag from my arms, tossed it onto the floor and kissed me.
And kissed me. His lips were soft and perfect, and the scent of his shaving lotion filled my nose. Tilting his head slowly to the side, Paris softened his kiss, sweetening it from the desperate one it had started.
He took his time, like we didn't have to cross an ocean and fight the gods. Plucking, sucking, and starting all over again. One hand went to my back, palm rubbing up and down, while the other snuck between us to grasp my breast.
Paris owned me with that kiss, tracing my body like he was mapping and memorizing it.