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been no other way to protect her inside the pit.
    What was the harm in adjusting a single hand?
    â€œBut you stiffened.”
    More so than she probably realized, he thought dryly. I must stop craving her . Her skin was soft, so soft, and he felt little bumps rise under his palm as he gently massaged.
    To his delight, her muscles relaxed under his ministrations. “Tell me what’s wrong,” she said. “You’re hiding something, I can tell. I know this pit is made for souls, not breathing, flesh and blood bodies. Are we going to—”
    â€œNo. I swear it. We will live.” The conversation seemed to calm her, so he said, “Tell me about you. About your childhood.”
    â€œI—all right. But there’s not much to tell. I was not allowed out of my home as a child. For the greater good,” she added, as though the line had been fed to her many times before.
    He hugged her tight, understanding. Because of her nature, she’d been as much an outcast as he was. “Goddess, I—” The air was thickening around them, the flames spraying what looked to be molten teardrops. He recognized the signs; the end was near. “Drop your legs from me, but do not let them touch the ground.”
    â€œAll rig—”
    â€œNow!”
    Boom . They smacked into the ground and Geryon planted his feet as the impact vibrated through him. He tried to remain upright to keep the goddess from the ground, but his knees soon gave out and he collapsed backward.
    Kadence remained in his arms, though she had unwound her legs as he’d asked, so his back took the brunt of the fall, breath knocking from his lungs. He lay there for a moment, panting.
    They were well and truly inside hell.
    There was no going back now.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    â€œGeryon? Are you all right?”
    The muted darkness of the pit had given way to bright light, fire illuminating every direction. Kadence hovered over him, like the sun he sometimes glimpsed in his dreams, bright and glorious. “I am…fine.”
    â€œNo, you’re not. You’re wheezing. What can I do to help?”
    He was surprised to note she did not scramble off him, now that they were safe. Well, as safe as a person could be inside hell. “Tell me more about yourself. While I catch my breath.”
    â€œYes, yes, of course.” As she spoke, her delicate hands wisped over his brow, his jaw, his shoulders. Searching for injuries? Offering comfort? “What should I tell you?”
    â€œAnything.” He was growing stronger by the second, but he did not admit it. Rather, he luxuriated in the sensation of her touch. “Everything. I want to know all about you.” Truth.
    â€œAll right. I…goodness, this is hard. I guess I’ll start at the beginning. My mother is the goddess of Happiness. Odd, I know, that such a woman could give birth to one such as me.”
    â€œWhy odd?” When looking at Kadence, hearing her voice, breathing in her scent, gave him more joy than he’d ever known?
    â€œBecause of what I am,” she said, clearly ashamed. “Because of the damage I can cause.”
    â€œI have known nothing but—” pleasure, hunger, desperation “—kindness at your hands.”
    Her ministrations ceased, and he could feel her gaze boring into him. “Truly?”
    â€œYes, truly.” Do not stop touching me . Centuries had passed since he’d last enjoyed even the slightest hint of contact. This was nirvana, paradise and a dream all wrapped into one delightful package. “My head,” he found himself saying on a moan.
    â€œPoor baby,” she cooed, massaging his temples.
    He nearly smiled. Now was not the time for this. They were inside hell, out in the open, possible targets. But he could not help himself, was too desperate, greedy. Just a little longer . “Your story,” he prompted.
    â€œWhere was I? Oh, yes.” Her honeysuckle scent