Chapter 342: _Led By Emotions
"She just went out there and disappeared." Odessa slammed my room door once we got back inside. "Just like that, Kaelos."
I rubbed the bridge of my nose at how loudly she slammed that door but drew in a breath. "I can’t stress this fact enough, Odessa... She’s a ghost. I’m not an expert but she’s probably trying to take it all in. The mortal world and spirit world are vastly different."
She froze, her back facing me as she stood by the door. She took slow, steady breaths before finally turning around to face me.
"I know you’re right. As usual." She rolled her eyes, kicking her shoes off one by one. "It’s just... I’ve missed her Kaelos. Gravely. And I kinda hoped she missed me too and when I summoned her I thought we’d—"
"Hug?" I arched an eyebrow with a knowing smile, setting my arms beside me as I waltzed toward her. "That she’ll share her experience there with you under the moonlight over glasses of wine?"
She buried her face in her palms. "I feel like such an idiot. I shouldn’t have summoned her. I shouldn’t—"
"Hey, hey, hey." My smile faded when I heard the crack in her voice. I rushed to her, quickly pulling her into my arms and shushing her gently, brushing my right hand through her hair.
"Never call yourself an idiot, Odessa. You hear me?"
She sniffled, her voice muffled as she spoke into my chest. "But I am, Kaelos. Once again, I let my emotions guide me instead of thinking things through like you always do. And neither you nor Althea tried to stop me because you knew I would do it anyway."
My jaw clenched, but I didn’t say anything, feeling her heart beat, finally relaxing under my arms.
Her emotions were all over the place but one seemed to thrum stronger than the rest.
Exhaustion.
"You think I... Think things through?" I asked, finally pulling her out of my embrace. I kept my hands on her shoulder, my fingers firm even though her body trembled.
Her violet eyes sparkled thanks to the moonlight shining through the balcony door behind me. The darkness of the room was non-existent—because she was here.
Standing in front of me; brighter than a mere light bulb or chandelier.
"Of course, you do." Odessa nodded, chuckling dryly. "You’re always two steps ahead. You notice—"
"I’m sorry to burst your bubbles, my love." I interrupted in the softest way possible, my right hand resting on her face. "But I’m led by emotions as well. More than you think, apparently."
She blinked as if that was the most shocking piece of information she’s ever heard.
But it was true... Mostly anyway.
"Each time that the Alphas of North America dared to question my reign, all I’ve wanted is to find each of them and claw their bloodline to dust," I said with conviction, meaning every word. "But do you know who’s been there, calming me? Making me see more tactical options?"
Her cheeks reddened with realisation, but I wasn’t trying to make her flustered.
Just the plain truth.
"It was you, Odessa. Just so we’re clear." I chuckled softly, my lips curling into a warm smile. "Since I warmed up to you, you’ve proven to be a light. A guiding light. So don’t you dare tell yourself you’re stupid because you’re grieving so many losses."
Her eyelids fluttered as she wrapped her hands around my wrists. She moved her head, pressing a kiss on my hand and closing her eyes for a few seconds.
But then—
"Idiot." She muttered.
I frowned slightly. "Uh... What?"
"The word I called myself was ’idiot’. Not stupid." She opened her eyes again with a teasing smirk this time. "You just called me stupid unprovoked."
My lips parted as I struggled with words.
She couldn’t be serious right now, right?
"I’m joking with you, silly!" She laughed loudly, breaking the distance and wrapping her arms around my neck.
My heart stopped for a second or two before I let my eyes linger on her face. And that bright smile.
"Gosh, I’m so lucky to have you in my life." She whispered. "My mind has been in a dark place these past few days. Ever since we lost... Apollo. And then Caroline. I couldn’t take it all."
Sadness flashed in her eyes, tears brimming behind them.
But they didn’t seem like sad tears.
"Caroline might be dead, but you have proof now that she’s out there. That she’s moving on." I pressed my forehead on hers, taking in her sweet scent.
"And I’m sure she’ll come back. Like I said, she needs time to adjust. Seriously, if I died and you summoned my ghost without a physical form I’d haunt you."
We both laughed at that as I placed my hands firmly on her waist, our lips ghosting over each other now.
"I love you." She whispered, the room seeming like nothing but an empty space in that moment.
All that existed, all that mattered, was her and her happiness.
"I love you more, mi amor."
She grinned, her breath rough. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, my love."
Without another word, our lips crashed, tender at first... Until it was not.
Her hands tangled in my curls, her tongue slipping through and finding the walls of my mouth.
She tasted like strawberry and honey, her scent intoxicating. Our bodies pressed as the kiss deepened into something more sensual, sending my senses on fire.
It didn’t take long for my loins to ache with arousal and from the looks of things, this wasn’t going to end at just a kiss.
My right hand trailed from her waist, clutching her back firmly and pushing her closer to me.
My other hand found her face, lingering there for a few seconds before sliding down to her collarbone, working on unstrapping her shirt.
But then—
"Goddess, now I need to relearn knocking." A familiar but not so welcome voice sounded behind me, causing the hairs on my skin to stand on end.
My eyes widened as we broke the kiss, turning around to see who the intruder was.