Emblazed by Nikki Narvaez Page B

my chest, right over my heart, right
     where she belonged. Within seconds, she was softly snoring.

 
     
     
    Images of Jace being killed by demons tainted my dreams, causing me to jolt upward
     in bed as a scream ripped through my throat.
    “ Mi amante , it’s okay. You’re safe now. You’re home.”
    Home. I opened my eyes. Jace sat beside me on the bed, holding my hands in his. He
     looked perfect, no injuries at all.
    Footsteps pounded up the stairs, causing my attention to shift to the top of landing.
     My dad appeared, looking very weary and anxious as he focused on me.
    A relieved smile formed as he came over and hugged me tightly. “I’m so glad that you’re
     okay, sweetheart.”
    I squeezed him back, fighting tears as memories from the Underworld, including those
     of my mother, flooded back. “I saw Mom.”
    He stiffened in my embrace before pulling back to look at me. “What?”
    “She was in the Underworld. She recognized me, Daddy. She said the Oracle restored
     her memories because I would need her help one day,” I explained.
    He sat speechless, a stunned expression dominating his features as he took in what
     I said. After several silent moments, he asked, “How was she?”
    “Fine. I tried to get her to come with us, but she …” I trailed off, not knowing how
     to explain to my father what had happened with Cerberus.
    “She what, Brielle? Tell me what happened.”
    “We were fighting Cerberus. Mom didn’t think we would beat him, so she took off running
     to distract him. I didn’t see her again after that,” I explained. I felt so guilty
     for leaving my mother in the Underworld. “I’m so sorry, Daddy,” I sobbed.
    “Honey, your mother did what she thought was best for you. There was no way that you
     would’ve changed her mind. She is just like you in that way—stubborn and determined.
     I would’ve done the same thing if I were in her place. You have nothing to be sorry
     for.”
    “I still feel terrible. I don’t even know whether or not she’s okay, or if she was
     able to get away from Cerberus.”
    “Your mother is very resourceful. It wouldn’t surprise me if she did. Don’t worry
     about her—you need to focus on resting.”
    Yeah, that was like telling me not to breathe. I was worried about her. So much so
     that I was contemplating returning to the Underworld to make sure she was safe. “I’m
     fine, Dad. Jace takes good care of me,” I replied, stealing a glance at Jace.
    He looked gorgeous, freshly showered and dressed in a snug gray t-shirt and my favorite
     jeans of his sitting low on his hips. His hair was wet and messy, falling onto his
     forehead since he hadn’t styled it yet. My heart raced as I drank him in, realizing
     how much I had missed him while in the Underworld.
    He squeezed my hand as his eyes burned with arousal. Stop looking at me like that. Your dad is right there , Jace said in my mind, snapping me out the sensual trance his proximity had put me
     in.
    Being away from him for that time and now being back together was wreaking havoc on
     my body. All I wanted was to lose myself in him and our bond. My only desire was to
     have our love consume me inside and out while erasing the emotional scars left by
     my experience in the Underworld.
    My dad shook my other hand, regaining my attention. “I’ll be back later, sweetheart.
     I have to get back to work. I just came by to check on you. I love you,” he murmured
     against my forehead before kissing it.
    “Love you, too, Daddy.”
    Jace stood to walk him out, returning shortly after I heard the closing of our front
     door. He carried some grapes, a sandwich, and a bottle of water on a tray to the nightstand.
     “Are you hungry?”
    “Not for that,” I replied seductively.
    Jace snapped his head towards me, igniting me from within as his gaze burned with
     want. I thought I would combust from our combined arousal flowing through me.
    I could tell his desires warred inside him as he