Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,110
could have died.”
“Not really died,” he says. “I would’ve had my body with me, so technically—”
“Semantics, Bolt. What were you thinking? Night called me earlier to tell me about this harebrained scheme of yours. I couldn’t believe it. I—” I burst into tears and throw myself into his arms. “You could have died…gotten stuck over there…whatever…” I nearly lost him.
He wraps me up in his arms and holds me. I can feel his heart against my face. It’s beating fast. “I had to go,” he finally says.
We pull apart, and I wipe my face. “You shouldn’t have.”
“I had to, and I’m happy to see how much you care,” he says, using his thumb to wipe away a tear.
“Of course, I care. I care so much…” I shake my head. “What happened over there?”
“I saw her.” He’s smiling. It’s a big smile. “I saw the harpy.”
My heart is beating wildly. “Night filled me in on your reasons for going. Was she everything you remembered her to be?” I’m so jealous I can barely breathe.
He shakes his head. “No, she was actually more beautiful than I remembered.”
“What?” I breathe in and out. “I mean, okay, um…”
Bolt chuckles.
“And this is funny…why?”
“I felt absolutely nothing for her, Ash. Not one grain of anything. She is more beautiful. The Underworld seems to agree with her. Being married to Hades has—”
“Wait…she’s married?”
He nods. “Yes. More importantly, I felt nothing. All it took was one look in her eyes. It’s eerie how the two of you could almost be twins. There are a couple of notable differences, however…”
“I’m listening,” I say.
“Firstly, and most importantly…your eyes. It’s the first thing I noticed when you walked into my office. I remember thinking how, although they’re the same color and a similar shape the harpy’s, they were nothing like hers. They also happen to be the part I love about you the most. I feel my heart beat faster when I look into them.” He shrugs. “I know this sounds corny, and I don’t expect you to believe me, but that’s what happened. I felt nothing when I looked into her eyes. Nothing in here.” He touches his chest. “That’s how I know. I just do. I happen to love you very much. You, Ashley Shaw. I love everything about you. Not just your eyes, and not just the way you look, even though you look fucking spectacular. I love how clumsy you are. I love your pottymouth when you come. I love your fondness for high heels, even though you can’t walk in them for shit. I love how much you enjoy food…all kinds of food.” He smiles. “I love how much you adore your family. How much you care, how kind you are. I love how you tell the truth, even when it’s to your disadvantage. How you’ve taught me to be a better man. I was afraid. I’m not afraid anymore. I want you. I want us.”
I’m crying again. “You love my eyes?”
“From the moment I saw them.” He makes a face. “Your tits are a close second.”
I laugh and smack him on the arm again. “You know, my dad always said that’s how he knew when he met my mom. He said it was her eyes. That she had the most amazing eyes.” I cry harder. “That his heart would beat faster when he looked into them, and that’s how he knew.”
“It’s a story we could tell our kids one day.”
“Better than the fat duck.” I wipe my eyes, but more tears come.
“If you’re happy, you should stop crying now.”
“I can’t believe you risked the Underworld…for me.”
“Believe it.” He looks at me with such sincerity I feel my heart squeeze.
“I love you, too, by the way.”
“I know, and I’m so grateful.” He pulls me into his arms, and we kiss. He holds me like there’s no tomorrow. He holds me close. We fit together. It’s magical. Then we’re moving apart. “Don’t pull something like that again.” I give him a warning look.
“Don’t leave me again.” He gives me a warning look right back.
“I won’t. I promise.”
He brushes another kiss on my mouth. “What do you say we get out of here? We have some catching up to do.”
“Sounds good.” My stomach grumbles.
Bolt laughs. “We’ll stop for food on the way. We’ll drive…no walking, and I’m hiring security guards.”
“That’s not necessary…” I shake my head. We start to walk.
“We can argue about this after you’re fed and well sated…in all ways.” He looks at me pointedly.