"Not really." He reached to the bottom and pulled out the last journal. His stomach knotted to the point he feared he'd actually be sick, he handed to her. "I grant you the ability to read this fluently. But know that I'm doing this against my better judgment and I'm trusting you with something about me that no one else has ever known. No one. This is the secret I'm willing to kill to protect. Do you understand?"
Tory swallowed at the ominous note in his voice. What could it contain that was so appalling to a god? "I understand."
He put the backpack down on the floor. "I'm going to shower while you read."
She didn't move until after he'd left the bed. Curious, she opened the book and gasped as she realized that she was able to read it as if it were English. She knew every letter, every definition. It was incredible and as she read, she saw the scenes as clearly in her mind as if she were watching a movie unfold.
At first it was just the intimate and innocuous details of a princess's life until it started talking about her brother . . .
The whore.
Ash let the water slide over his skin as he fought the pain and anger inside him. Tory would never look at him the same way again. Ever.
Why the hell had he listened to his mother? He should have destroyed every one of his sister's journals.
I'm such an asshole.
There was no denying the truth of him. He was forever tainted by a past he'd never wanted. In this moment he hated Estes more than he'd ever hated him before. That one foul bastard had deprived him of everything.
Even Tory's respect.
Turning the water off, he stepped outside the shower to find her standing in the doorway, staring at him. Shame and embarrassment filled him at her silence as he reached for a towel to dry himself. He braced himself for her insults and anger. "I'm sorry I tainted you, Soteria. I had no right."
A single tear slid down her face as she approached him.
Ash tensed in expectation of her slap or insults. He deserved no less and he expected nothing more. So when she pulled him into her arms and kissed him, he was stunned completely.
Tory pulled away from his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him close as the true horror of his human life tore through her. And to think she'd dared to accuse him of not understanding what it was like to be mocked or humiliated. Thank God she had no idea of the depth of his sorrow that made a mockery of hers.
She couldn't speak for the tangle of emotions that gathered in her throat to choke her. She was angry for him and heartbroken.
And in that moment, she realized how much she loved this man. Now Takeshi's words made complete sense to her.
"Take care of him, Soteria. And remember it takes great courage and heart for a man who knows no kindness to show it to another. Even the wildest of beasts can be tamed by a patient and gentle hand."
She ran her hand down his smooth, perfect back as she remembered the stories of his beatings. They hadn't even allowed his back to scar so that the thicker, scarred skin would help to shield him from the pain of new lashes. What had been done to him was so wrong . . . "I'm so sorry for what they did to you, Acheron. I'm so sorry."
Ash closed his eyes as he held her against him and breathed her in. "You don't condemn me for it?"
"For what?"
"I'm . . ." He couldn't bring himself to say the word whore to her.
Tory tightened her hold as she remembered his words about being broken the night before. This was what he'd meant by them. Pulling back, she cupped his face in her hands so that he could see her sincerity. "Nothing has changed between us. I don't care about your past, Ash. I don't. All that matters to me is the man in front of me right now."
"I'm not a man, Soteria."
No, he wasn't. He was a god. Powerful. Humble. Kind and deadly. For the first time, she understood all the glimpses of him that she'd seen. "I know. But if you think your godhood excuses you from putting the toilet seat down, think again."
Ash laughed, amazed by her strength and humor no matter the situation. "I'm not used to anyone standing with me."
"I know. I was always lucky. My family would fight back the devil himself to keep me safe. I can't imagine the strength it took for you to be alone in the world. To have no shelter from those out to hurt you. But I won't abandon you. If I'm nothing else in my life, I'm loyal to those I call friend. And I'll be more than honored to be your friend, Acheron, if you'll let me."
Pain ravaged his heart at her offer and at a single truth he couldn't deny. "I've never had a friend who knew all about me before." He didn't count Artemis as a friend and that lack of knowledge was how Nick had ended up dead. Had he trusted Nick enough, just once, to introduce him to Simi, Nick wouldn't have slept with her because he'd have known she belonged to Ash. It was a mistake that had cost them both everything.
"I know what you're thinking, Ash," she said, stepping back to look up at him. "You have trusted me and I will never forsake you."
Time would tell.
She looked down and smiled warmly. "By the way, you're very cute naked. Now get dressed. I have some questions for you."
He was instantly clothed.
Tory's eyes widened at his powers. "You know that could come in handy. I'll bet you're never late, huh?"