She had her eyes closed as she idly traced circles on his chest, around his nipple, which was hard and swollen underneath his black jersey shirt.
He felt a closeness to her that was indescribable. If he knew how, he would wish they could stay like this forever.
But dreams and hopes were as alien to him as love and kindness.
Unlike her, he didn't see a future.
He only saw his death clearly in his mind.
Even if Thanatos didn't kill him, there was no use wishing he could stay with Astrid.
She was a goddess.
He was a slave.
He had no place in her world any more than he had a place in the realm of mortals.
Alone. He was always alone. And he would remain that way.
It didn't matter if he survived Thanatos. He was living only to see her safe.
Sighing, he closed his eyes and forced himself to go to sleep again.
Astrid listened to Zarek as he slept. His hand was buried in her hair, and even while unconscious, he held on to her as if afraid to let her go.
She wished she could get inside his head again. Wished for a moment where she could stare into his midnight-black eyes and see the beauty of her dark warrior.
But it wasn't his face and body that made her burn for him.
It was the man he was inside his battered and bruised heart. The one who was able to create poetry and art. The one who hid his vulnerability behind barbs and stinging retorts.
And she loved him. Even when he was mean and nasty. Even when he was angry.
But then, she understood that part of him.
How could anyone bear so much pain and not be scarred by it?
And what would become of him now?
Even if she did get her judgment to stand she doubted Artemis would ever let him leave Alaska.
He would be trapped here forever.
She shuddered at the thought of his isolation.
And what of her?
How could she go back to her life without him? She actually liked being with him. He was amusing in a very salty sort of way.
"Astrid?"
She lifted her head, amazed at the sound of her name on his lips. It was the first time he'd used it outside of his dreams. She hadn't even realized he was awake.
"Yes?"
"Make love to me."
She closed her eyes and savored those words as much as she had savored her name.