BOUND

by Elisabeth Naughton

  “Gently,” Natasa said, grasping his shoulders and easing him upright. “Take deep breaths.”

  Gods, he loved that she cared. Loved that she was here. Her fingers were warm, her scent swirling in the air to make him light-headed. Loved…her.

  He gripped her hand for stability and to keep her close. Lena had left her fresh clothes, which she’d changed into before coming out to find him. Instead of the nightgown she’d been wearing when they’d moved her from the infirmary, she was now dressed in slim jeans and a fitted white T-shirt. And he was thankful. Thankful the Argonauts couldn’t see all of her because that was only for him.

  He leaned back against a couch and kicked his legs out in front of him. Then turned his glare toward the others in the room. “What the hell was that?”

  “You tell us,” Theron answered expectantly.

  Titus glanced from Theron to the queen and back again. He was going to have to play this good if he had any hope of getting them to back down. “I don’t know. But it wasn’t all that different from what I get when someone touches me. Thanks, Z, by the way.”

  Zander shoved his hands in his pocket. Shifted his feet.

  Silence settled over the room.

  “Epimetheus might have been wrong,” Demetrius said quietly from the far side of the room.

  Natasa shot a worried look down at Titus.

  He squeezed her hand to try to reassure her. And to warn her not to say a word. He glared toward Theron. “You’re basing your info on the father of afterthought? Since when is the fool of the gods considered reliable?”

  Theron’s jaw clenched. He stared hard at Natasa. Beneath Titus’s hand, her temperature jumped. “I think it’s time the redhead and I had a nice long chat about Prometheus. Alone.”

  “No fucking way.” Panic resurged. Titus found his feet and used the wall to push himself up.

  Natasa moved quickly in front of him and pressed a warm hand against his chest. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

  His gaze raked hers. She didn’t know what she was doing. “No, ligos Vesuvius.”

  She let go, stepping away before he could stop her. He reached for her but his limbs were still too weak to follow, and he slumped against the wall.

  Squaring her strong shoulders, she turned and faced the leader of the Argonauts. “You want to talk. Fine. We’ll talk. Prometheus is my father. And at the moment, I’m all that’s standing between your life and death.”

  * * *

  Hades sat in the leather chair and tapped his long fingers against the stone slab that made up his desk. Wide windows looked out at the swirling red sky and black, jagged mountains far off in the distance. Cries of agony and despair floated on the hot wind, their owners paying for whatever misdeeds they’d done in life.

  There’d been a time when he’d enjoyed the suffering. When he’d drawn strength from the misery. But now only disdain rippled through him as every sound met his ears. He was sick of the dead. Sick of being the one responsible for judgment, sentencing, and punishment. He was ready for a major life change, and he was counting on his son to make that happen.

  The door to his personal study pushed open, and fury raged through him at the lack of a knock. But when his wife, Persephone, swept into the room in her deep purple gown with her black-as-sin hair falling like a waterfall down her back, that fury twisted to uncontrolled lust.

  “Kore…” He pushed from his chair, lurched down the three steps and caught her in a fierce embrace. She’d been with her mother on Olympus, and he was starving for her.

  “My king.”

  He yanked her close and took her mouth in hard, vicious kiss. One that was both punishing and erotic at the same time. Lust swirled in the air, overpowering every sense. She answered by scoring her nails across his back and biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. The coppery taste slid over his tongue, mixed with her essence and the wine she must have drunk earlier in the day. He growled low in his throat, kissed her harder and had her pinned against the wall before he realized it wasn’t time for her to return to the Underworld. Not yet, at least.

  He pulled back from her mouth, looked down into her dark and sinful eyes, and tamped down the lust, for a moment. “Your father let you go?”

  A wicked smile curled one side of her lips. “I convinced him I was too miserable to stay on Olympus without seeing you for at least a fortnight.”

  He knew that mischievous look. And he knew his brother. “You mean you whined so much he was more than happy to get rid of you for a few days.”

  “Something like that.” Her eyes darkened. “Your females can’t satisfy you the way I can. Tell me, husband. Did you miss me?”

  “More than life itself.” He dipped back down to kiss her again. Stroked his tongue against hers until she moaned. He had his pick of females when she was gone, but he preferred her to anyone else. And it wasn’t all that fun toying with his slaves when she wasn’t around to watch…or interact.

  She tightened her fingers against his shoulder and lifted one leg, wrapping around his hip, kissing him back with every ounce of passion he was showering on her. The heat of her mound pressed against his swollen cock, and she pushed her hips forward and back, rubbing herself against him. Her dress fell down her leg. He ran his hand up the sweet, sensitive flesh until he found her ass, then squeezed.

  “Little minx. You’re going to make me spend in my pants.”

  “Not yet, husband.” She tipped her head so he could bite her neck, then sighed even though he knew it had to hurt. “I’ve something to tell you. I didn’t come back just for this, though this is more than enough to draw me home time and again.”

  “No?” He closed his lips over her earlobe and tugged.

  “No. I came to tell you our son works against us. He moves to take Prometheus’s daughter and the fire element for himself. They are one in the same.”

  Hades’s lips stilled against her throat. He pulled back to look into her dark eyes. “How do you know this?”

  “I overheard Zeus and Athena discussing strategy. Zagreus recently visited Epimetheus. Suspicions rise that the elder god told our son where the fire-girl is hiding.”

  Hades slowly lowered his wife’s leg to the floor. “How would the ass-hat know that?”

  “Because she travels with an Argonaut. And Argonauts also recently visited Epimetheus as well.”

  The Argonauts. Fury flared in Hades’s veins. He let go of Persephone and stepped back. The meddling heroes were always fucking with his plans. And because they were now hiding Maelea—the Stain—from him, he had no more use for them. He should have ground them all to dust when he had the chance.

  “Where?” he said between clenched teeth. “Where is she hiding?”

  “I don’t know exactly. But Zeus’s Sirens tracked Zagreus and his satyrs moving north. We know the Argonauts have joined forces with the half-breeds. Athena suspects they move toward the half-breed colony.”

  Of course that was where the Argonauts would be hiding the girl. He wasn’t sure why they weren’t protecting her in Argolea where the Olympian gods couldn’t cross, but he was thankful for the fact she was still in the human realm. It was easier to take her there than to have to slink around Argolea. Even though he and Persephone—not technically Olympians—could cross into the blessed realm of the heroes, there were places there inaccessible to them. Like the queen’s bloody castle.

  No one knew where the half-breed colony was located, but if Athena was tracking Zagreus north…

  Another shot of boiling fury whipped through Hades’s veins when he realized who else had betrayed him. His brothers—Poseidon and Zeus—were moving on their own, without contacting him. Against the pact they’d agreed to.

  Fucking shagging pile of shit. Not that it surprised him, but it did royally piss him off.

  He turned his rage toward his queen. “Our son will be punished for this.”

  “Of course. And the element? What will you do with her when you have her?”

  Sh
e was Prometheus’s daughter. As far as Hades was concerned, the elder god had gotten off easy being punished by Zeus in the human realm rather than locked in Tartarus with Krónos and the other Titans like he deserved. His daughter wouldn’t be so lucky.

  “She’s mine.”

  Persephone’s eyes flashed. “Only if I get to watch.”

  Lust reignited in his groin—a lust he’d have to delay, at least for now. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Come, Kore. We have a battle to begin.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Natasa turned a slow circle and took in the large room with the curved floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out at the black lake and the sun moving higher in the sky. A long table surrounded by chairs filled the space. Against the far wall sat a sidebar. It was some kind of formal dining room built to seat at least thirty. Or an interrogation room designed to intimidate.

  The door closed with a snap, and she turned to face the leader of the Argonauts. The same man—hero—who’d kicked her out of the colony weeks ago when she’d come looking for Maelea. Her body temperature rose with every second that passed, but unlike the last time they’d faced off, now the fire inside was stronger, and a sense of purpose pulsed through her.

  His face was hard, his jaw tight. He was as big and muscular as Titus, but his hair wasn’t as long, and there was no humor or kindness swirling in his eyes.

  He didn’t step farther into the room, just crossed his arms over his broad chest and widened his stance while he stared at her.

  “You’re the unquenchable fire all the ancient texts talk about, aren’t you?”

  She lifted her chin. Refused to back down. She’d been imprisoned, tortured, burned. She wasn’t afraid of one measly hero. “My father’s lasting gift.”

  “Why were you in Argolea?”

  No sympathy from the hero. Well, that would make this easier, she supposed. “For the same reason I came here originally. To find Maelea.”

  “To destroy her with your fire?”

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  He shrugged. “The gods don’t care for her.”

  “I hold no ill will against Maelea. I went looking for her to see if she knew anything about where my father is being held.”

  Doubt darkened his eyes. “Why?”

  “So I could find him. Contrary to what you might believe, being the destined destruction of the world isn’t a hell of a lot of fun.”

  “Are you saying you’re not working for Hades and Zagreus?”

  “I’d have to be mental to work for the God-King of the Underworld, or his son.”

  “That remains to be seen. Answer the question.”

  No humor either. This guy had to be a real joy at parties. “No, I’m not working for Hades or Zagreus.”

  “Who are you working for?”

  “Myself.”

  Silence spread across the room like a vast ocean. He was debating whether or not she was telling the truth. She didn’t care. She only cared about keeping Titus safe.

  His eyes finally narrowed. “How can the fire inside you be stopped?”

  It can’t. But Titus can slow it.

  The thought registered immediately, followed by a shot of fear that speared straight to her heart. She didn’t want this Argonaut knowing anything about her relationship with Titus. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she had the feeling he’d use it against her. Or Titus.

  She fixed an impassive look on her face and crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking his stance. If he wanted to play the part of a bully, so could she. She was, after all, flame and destruction. “I suppose you could wish to stop it. Though that hasn’t worked well for me. Maybe you’ll have better luck.”

  His tensing jaw told her he didn’t appreciate sarcasm. Tough shit. She didn’t appreciate being treated like an object.

  His palms landed against the sleek table’s surface with a slap, and he leaned forward, his eyes full of distrust. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but you’ll not do it with one of my Argonauts.”

  The heat inside her intensified. “I’m not playing any game. And your Argonaut is a thousand times the hero you are. Let’s stop dancing around. We both know what you plan to do with me. I’m not about to let that happen.”

  Theron drew back. He continued to stare, but this time with surprise in his eyes. “Titus is Odysseus’s descendent. He’s the most logical of any of the guardians. He never leaps without thinking through every possible scenario, and he’s the last one of us to be ruled by his emotions. But that fire inside you is fucking with his mind. And every hour he spends with you not only turns him into something he’s not, it jeopardizes his future.”

  For the first time since their conversation began, Natasa didn’t have a smart comment to toss back.

  The thought that the fire element somehow affected Titus’s thought process hit hard. His inability to walk away from her, his need to help her slowly lit off a whole new set of worries.

  “You can threaten all you want,” Theron went on, “but know this. If Titus tries to help you escape, then he’s the one who will suffer. There are consequences to betraying our order. If you care about him at all, you’ll think long and hard about what happens next.”

  Natasa’s skin grew hot. Her heart picked up speed. Perspiration formed along her forehead.

  Theron moved for the door and pushed it open. The blond guardian who’d touched Titus earlier stepped toward him from the hall.

  “I want her placed in a holding cell,” Theron said to him. “Until we can move her to a secure location away from the colony, I don’t want anyone near her. Especially Titus.”

  Footsteps sounded from the hall, cutting through Natasa’s frantic thoughts.

  A dozen men in armor rushed by. Theron drew one soldier to a halt. “What’s happened?”

  The man’s face was taut, his features grim. He was a half-breed. Not nearly as big as the Argonauts, but strong. Natasa remembered his light green eyes, and realized he must have been one of the men who’d brought her and Titus to the colony. “We’re under attack. Satyrs have been seen moving up from the south. And word is there’s a horde of daemons not far behind them.”

  Oh, shit…

  “Skata,” Theron muttered. “Where’s Nick?”

  The half-breed’s features twisted into a scowl “No one knows. We can’t find him.”

  “Perfect.” Theron looked toward the blond. “Zander, get her secured, then find Demetrius and start the evacuation process. We need to get the colonists moved over to Argolea in case this goes bad. Then find your mate and the queen and make sure they get the hell out of here. Gods know those females do what the hell they want, when they want.” To the half-breed, he said, “I’ll gather the Argonauts.”

  The half-breed nodded. Footsteps pounded in the hall again as he and Theron left, and then Natasa was alone, staring into the face of the blond, strikingly handsome Argonaut who’d brought her man to his knees only minutes ago.

  Her man?

  Her skin grew even warmer. Yes, Titus was her man, and her heart and head were suddenly in a fierce battle over what to do. Something that only kicked up her fear and agitation more.

  She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like being manhandled.”

  “So I hear.” The blond’s silver eyes sparked. “Right now, though, girlie, you’re not the one I’m worried about. Let’s go.”

  * * *

  Satyrs? And Daemons? Fuck…

  Titus tugged on his shirt and shoved his feet into the boots he’d kicked off only hours ago. His strength had returned, and now he had only one thought: to get to Natasa before his worst fears came true.

  The bed in the room they’d shared was a mess of blankets and sheets, and he could still smell that unique lemony scent he now associated with her. As if she were still here.

  He dropped onto the side of the bed, leaned over, and laced his boots, ignoring Callia standing in the doorway, her arms crossed, a pitying look in her violet eye
s.

  He didn’t need pity right now; he needed action.

  Footsteps echoed from the hall. He lifted his head.

  Zander stepped into the room, tugging—oh, shit—Natasa in after him. “Close the door, thea.”

  Callia quickly shut the door and locked it. Confused, Titus pushed to his feet and looked from face to face. “What’s going on?”

  Natasa turned toward Zander. “I thought you were supposed to lock me up.”

  “I probably should. But something tells me he’ll”—he nodded toward Titus—“figure a way to break you out no matter where I put you. You can both thank me for saving you a step.”

  Shock rippled through Titus, followed by bone-melting relief. He reached for Natasa’s waist, wrapped one hand into her hair, and pulled her into his arms. A muttered “Thank you,” slid from his mouth just before he kissed her sweet, tempting lips.

  “I was right.”

  The thought came from Callia, followed by a whispered, “See?” But Titus barely cared. All he could focus on was the silky soft skin beneath his hands and the warm lips pressing against his own.

  Relief slid to concern. Her skin was hot. Too hot. But he could cool her. He was confident now he was the only one who could.

  “Titus, wait.” He drew back at Natasa’s worried voice. “I don’t want to be the reason—”

  He looked over her head toward Zander. “Why?”

  The Argonaut flashed a lopsided grin and tossed his arm over Callia’s shoulder. He angled his head toward his mate.

  “A hunch,” Callia said. “One doesn’t have to read minds to see the obvious.”

  “Titus,” Natasa said again. “I’m not going to get between you and your or—”

  Titus leaned down and kissed her once more, cutting off her words. In the few seconds he’d held the Orb, everything had become clear, including what they needed to do next. “Theron’s an ass. Forget about him.”