Little Saint Bride [Death and the Maiden, #1]

Chapter Twenty Five: Ghouls are for Fools

Hadrian follows me home, ranting.

Feeling the cool air, I pause as I reach the apartment block. After the bet with Chronus, my head is beginning to pound and the alcohol's making my eyes water with the need for sleep. Plans, and conquering, can begin tomorrow, I decide, stifling another tear-spilling yawn.

Just thinking of the word yawn makes me yawn, and my eyes flood tears once more. I scrub at them, careful not to seem too delicate or Hadrian might think I had actually been listening to his lectures. He's still talking, it seems.

He had tried exceptionally hard to get Chronus to change his mind, but the Elysian ruler didn't comprehend adjusting a bet. Especially one he believed he could win.

And why won't he win? A nasty voice in my head insists. Nobody escapes Elysium. Why should you?

Not that I had helped in negotiations. No, I had stood back and let Hadrian argue with his brother in undertones. Intuitively, I had deduced that Chronus was the kind of bull-headed king that once a ruling was made, would rather keep his pride than change it. Hadrian's argument, whether for my benefit or not, had no effect.

I breathe out, shooting a sideways glance at Hadrian. That mystery. Is he really trying to help me? But if he is, why argue against my potential freedom? Sure, it would be risky...I may be confined to Judgement, which sounded-- excuse the pun-- worse than death but I'm not that important. Unless I am...

I watch as his jaw clenches, a habit he does when he's cheesed off. Which aptly describes the situation, I'm certain.

Because, one step further than ignoring his pleas, Chronus had forbidden him to assist me, and that made me wonder just what was in store down in the sewers. Lots of goop? Rats? Stone cold realisation?

He had also been forbidden to assist me because Chronus thought we were in love, which meant Hadrian would destroy whatever came in my way. I had played on that; how eager Chronus was to place a bet on something as frivolous as his brother's virginity, when there was larger matters in the world. And little did he know that I can take care of myself. I don't need Hadrian to protect me, so that's no loss.

Hadrian turns from where he'd been eying up the apartment complex, catching my glance. I swiftly jerk my eyes upwards, letting out an audible huff. My heart tells me to trust him, and my head counters that everything I've ever loved has been spoilt, for one reason or another. Which makes having these feelings bubbling very difficult; one betrayal from Hadrian and all my plans will be destroyed.

Between the two brothers, there's enough hassle in my life to last a lifetime.

Hah. Lifetime, or afterlifetime?

I scoff at my own joke, ignoring Hadrian as I cross into the entrance hall of the flats. He's clearly waiting for me to talk, hovering in the doorway.

Doorway? My interest is piqued. He's not coming in. 'Where do you sleep?'

It's not the talking he hoped for, clearly. Hadrian gives me a look. 'I'm not a citizen. I'm a god. They haven't given me a bed.'

My eyes narrow. 'Don't go creeping into Blondie's bed,' I say before I can think the comment through.

'Who?' He laughs at the nickname, but he seems genuinely lost.

My eyes narrow further. 'Never mind. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow.'

I turn, my dark hair flipping over my shoulder.

'Wait!'

I pause, my hair swishing back again as my head tilts towards Hadrian. 'What?'