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"The perfect priestess," he whispered against my lips before leaning back. Then, in a single, graceful movement, he stood, exposing his erection along with the hand he offered to help me up. "Let us see how my lace looks on you, hm?"
I set my fingers against his palm, and he pulled, guiding me up. As I stood, my eyes dropped to appreciate the lace across his dick. "Are all gods covered like you?"
"In their own colors," he said, leading me toward the water, "but yes. The marks connect us to you. All of you. Sometimes, it is the only way I can be heard, and I do need my priests to listen."
"So, do you always hear me?" I asked, taking the first step into the water.
Zeal towed me behind him without looking back. "You? Always. A few others, too. Most? No. I hear the prayers that are truly meant, not the ones mumbled because they are expected."
I kept trying to look into the water, but my marks hadn't changed. "Um, Zeal? Can I ask one more thing?"
He stopped in the middle of the pool, turning to face me. "Yes, Chosen."
"After this, will I ever see you again?"
"Do you want to?" he asked.
I nodded. "I really do."
He took a step forward, running his thumb over my still kiss-bruised lips. "I will hold you to that, Nariana."
His hand moved down, tugging my mouth open for a second before reaching my chin, and then further down - until it wrapped around my neck. I gasped, sucking in a deep breath, and he pushed.
Water flowed over me, but my eyes forgot to close. His image rippled, swaying like it was a figment of my imagination, but I could feel his hand. Twisting, I tried to get my feet under me, but Zeal was too strong. He was a god, after all! I hadn't taken a big enough breath, though, and the harder I tried to get free, the faster I burned up my air.
"Surrender," Zeal said softly, his voice cutting through the water like it didn't exist. "Take in my tears. Give yourself to me, and let me give myself to you."
Suddenly, I understood. It was the hardest thing I'd ever done, but I forced my body to relax. Through the wavering surface of the water, Zeal seemed to glow with power, his eyes so very mesmerizing. I looked into them, giving in completely, or as much as I could.
Until the air finally ran out. My body heaved once, the reaction involuntary, but he still didn't budge. When I heaved the second time, I couldn't stop my mouth from opening. The salty water burned as it poured into my lungs. The thickness made my entire chest ache...
But there, in the hands of my god, I breathed.
Chapter 38
Nariana
When the door to my room clanked open, I lay in the space between the table and the pool, curled over my knees, with my face only held off the floor because my wrist was beneath my forehead. I panted, amazed at how simple it was to just breathe air.
Feet shuffled in, and I tried to glance over, but I was simply too exhausted. He'd warned me, though. Zeal said that he would use me however he wanted, and he had. His kiss had made me hope he wanted my body, and I honestly believed that he did, but he'd also wanted my soul. He'd forced me to breathe in his tears, taking him into me completely. I wasn't sure why, but he'd only lay me here a few seconds before the door opened.
"Nari?" The voice was Amerlee's and filled with worry.
I managed to turn my head, but I couldn't quite pick it up. "I'm ok."
Three pairs of shoes waited one pace before me. The boots belonged to Jamik - I'd know them anywhere. The tall heels were Amerlee. The soft slippers must be Saval. The bottom edge of a robe proved that I'd be covered soon.
"Honey, we have to see your marks," Amerlee said, her eyes flicking to my leg.
I leaned back, using my arms to balance on my knees. "I'm going to need help." Then I sighed. "It was a long night. I saw him."
"Saw who?" Jamik asked as he moved to help me up.
"Zeal," I breathed. "He was actually here. I saw him."
Saval held up her hand when Jamik tried to put the robe around me. "You mean you had a dream?" she asked.
I didn't get the chance to answer, because Jamik literally helped me up, all but carrying me to my feet. For a moment I swayed, a combination of exhaustion and drain working together to make me feel like I wasn't quite standing on the same world as everyone else.
