Page 42 of Death

Ari walks over and sets the two mugs down on the coffee table by the rug. “That’s it?” he asks. “No argument?”

I smile. “Let’s just say it wouldn’t be the wildest thing I’ve seen today.” I pick up the mug and bring it to my nose to inhale its warmth. “Thank you,” I tell him again.

Ari lowers himself down with a smile. “You’re welcome,” he says as he settles beside me.

I blow into the mug before taking a sip. I recognize the scent inside; the same herbal tea that’s been my favorite since I was a child. Should be no surprise that the cabin of my dreams is stocked full of it.

I swallow it down with closed eyes, relishing in it as it spreads throughout my body. My chilled fingers tremble against the mug. I hold it tighter to try and get warmer but even the burning fire can’t combat my soaking clothes.

Ari silently rises to his knees and shifts to kneel behind me. He rests his hands on my shoulders and I freeze as curiosity takes hold of me. He slowly rubs my arms along the towel, sparking a little heat to climb up my shoulders.

“Do you mind?” he asks.

I shake my head once. “No. What about you?” I ask.

“What about me?”

“Do you get cold? I mean... colder than you already are.”

I hear the amusement in his voice as he says, “No.”

“Must be nice.” I turn my head a little to see the slightest edge of his face behind me. “Do you feel... the heat of the fire?”

“I feel everything you do,” he says. “The only difference is that my survival doesn’t depend on it the way yours does.”

“You don’t get sick?”

“No,” he answers.

“Do you get hungry?”

“No.”

“But you eat,” I say, raising my mug. “And drink. I’ve seen it myself.”

“I do because I enjoy it.”

“Do you feel pleasure?”

I close my mouth the second the word passes my lips. His hands pause on my arms and I stiffen, silently hoping he doesn’t acknowledge the question.

“Yes,” he answers.

I set my mug down and clear my throat. “Cool,” I say, cringing.

Ari’s hands move again, slowly abandoning the safe spots on my arms. They climb to my shoulder blades with added pressure and he draws slow, purposeful circles with his thumbs. I think to say something but the ripples of heat spreading along my spine feel far too good. I close my eyes in simple, quiet submission as his hands rise to the back of my neck.

“Tannis.”

I flinch, his voice right behind my ear. “Yes?”

His warm breath tickles my nape. I wait for him to speak, either through voice or some form of telepathy, but he doesn’t. It’s almost as if he tries but can’t find the words. It’s strange, to say the least. Never thought I’d see a god speechless.

Finally, I feel his mouth press into my skin, right where neck meets shoulder. One small, simple kiss and my heart pulses with lightning.

He turns his head away. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“No, it’s okay, I...” I nearly stop myself but the diminishing chill urges me on. “I want you to.”