Forever Yours

Chapter Twelve

Makaria walked next to Ian. She shifted her eyes over to him, watching as the frown he'd been wearing for most of their trip through the underworld deepen. Something was troubling him, she could tell.

Their journey together had been interesting, to say the least. Running from monsters she'd only ever read about, playing with a three headed dog, to meeting Athena and running for her life; Makaria didn't know what to believe anymore. She knew she couldn't wait to get back to Mt. Olympia and tell her friends about it. They wouldn't believe her, of course; who would? But Makaria would know. She wondered briefly if things between Ian and herself would change once they went back to the mortal realm.

The kiss they'd shared had left her wanting more, but at the same time it was as if she'd lost a piece of herself with it. She liked Ian, she knew that much. But did she love him? Makaria didn't know, however the more time she spent with him, the longer she wanted to be with him. She wasn't the kind of girl who threw themselves at guys, always being shy and quiet when around the other sex. But with Ian, she found herself talking and telling him things about herself that no one knew or understood.

"We need to stop." Ian's voice brought her out of her thoughts, her head coming up to look at him. He looked tired, worn out. "I need to get my bearings before we go forward," he said. "I think we've been going in circles." He sat down on the warm floor, his long legs going out in front of him.

Makaria didn't respond as she looked around at their surroundings. She hadn't been paying attention to where they were, but something felt familiar, like she knew where to go. However that was impossible. She'd never been down here, so how would she know which way to go? Turning around, she spotted a small clearing in the brimstone. Light flitted through the opening, bringing with it warm air and hope.

"That way," she replied, pointing. Ian lifted his head, moving his gaze to where she was pointing. "The entrance to the palace is through there."

Standing, he stared at her, amazed. "How'd you know that?" he breathed, his eyes wide.

Makaria looked at him, frowning. "Honestly? I have no idea, but something inside me is telling it's that way," she replied. Folding her hands behind her neck, she stretched out her back muscles, sore from all the walking, sighing as she moved. "Want to tell me what's bothering you?"

He eyed her for a moment, before sighing and hanging his head. Dark hair fell forward, covering his eyes. "There was no reason for Athena to be in Tartarus. She's up to something," came his simple reply. Lifting his head, he watched as she stretched her muscles out. His eyes widen when she pushed her breasts forward, the soft mounds rubbing against the fabric of her shirt, outlining her soft nipples. Blushing, Ian adverted his eyes. Shifting from one foot to another, Ian coughed when it seemed like she'd fallen asleep standing.

When her turquoise eyes went to him, one eyebrow raised; he smirked before his gaze fell to where her breasts were pushed out. She looked down, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks before she dropped her arms and smiled sheepishly. "Why not? Isn't she a goddess too?"

Ian just shook his head. He'd come to know her in the short time they'd been together, but Ian found himself wanting more. He wanted her touch, her kiss, everything she had to offer; Ian wanted it all for himself. Maybe he was being selfish, after all she did have a lot to learn. Not only from himself, but from her parents as well. She needed to learn how to control her powers, to stop the dead from finding her. Especially when she was emotional.

"Yeah, she's a goddess; but she's part of Olympus not the Underworld. Olympians don't come down here," he told her briefly, not really answering her question. Brushing his hands off on his jeans, Ian faced her. "Okay, before we go any further, I think it's time for you to train a little," he told her.