House of the Rising Son Read Online Free PDF Page A

they’re as hokey as I am.”
    â€œ I don’t think you’re hokey, Aricles.”
    â€œBecause beauty sees only beauty … and you are the most beautiful of all.” With a crisp salute that heightened the definition of his well-sculpted muscles, he followed after the others.
    Bathymaas bit her lip as she watched after him. She shouldn’t feel anything at all, yet …
    Aricles fascinated her.
    And she couldn’t wait to talk to him again when they were alone.

May 30, 12,251 BC
    Bathymaas sat within the circle of Aricles’s arms, holding the pole, while they fished and he read her a letter from his father about his brother Perseus’s upcoming wedding. Over the last few months, she’d begun to look forward to their quiet afternoons and she didn’t know why. Other than the sound of his voice did very strange things to her breathing and skin. She had no understanding of it at all.
    And as she leaned back against his hard, muscular shoulder and chest, and watched him read to her, she became curious about his lips. Before she could stop herself, she reached up and touched them.
    He paused to look down at her with an arched brow.
    â€œAre all men’s lips as soft as yours, Ari?”
    A sweet smile spread across his face. “I suppose, goddess. But I don’t make it a habit to feel the lips of other men so I don’t know for certain.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.
    She loved the fact that he didn’t comment whenever she said something inappropriate or ignorant. Unlike others, even Caleb, he never grew annoyed with her.
    And his lips intrigued her greatly. As did the line of his strong, sculpted jaw and the dusting of prickly whiskers that teased the flesh of her fingers. “Why do people kiss mouth-to-mouth?”
    â€œIt’s said to be quite pleasurable.”
    â€œAnd have you ever kissed someone?”
    â€œNot on the mouth, my lady.”
    All of a sudden, a part of him began swelling against her hip. Frowning, she sat up to look down at it. “Did you get injured just now?”
    His face turned bright red as he shifted and moved back from her a bit. “No, my lady.”
    She was only more confused by his answer and actions. “Is that not why body parts swell?”
    He visibly cringed. “Most of the time.”
    â€œBut not all?”
    â€œNo.” He hesitated and cleared his throat before he spoke again. “That part of a man swells whenever he’s … aroused.”
    There was something she’d never considered or known. “I arouse you?”
    He turned even redder. “Forgive me if it insults you, my lady. I have no control over it. But don’t worry, I respect your status and birthright, and I will never touch you inappropriately. I swear it.”
    A peculiar sensation struck her chest like a blow. Was it pain?
    She wasn’t sure.
    And she was fascinated by the bulge beneath his chiton. “Have you done this before?”
    His deep blue gaze burned into hers. “Every time you’re near me, goddess. Or anytime I smell your scent.”
    Her eyes widened. “But I’ve never felt you … not until now.”
    He averted his gaze and shifted uncomfortably again. “I normally bind myself so that you won’t.”
    â€œDoes that not hurt you, too?”
    By his expression, she knew he felt awkward and embarrassed. Yet, as always, he was patiently trying to explain the matter to her so that she could understand it. “A great deal. Yet I’d rather be in pain than insult you.”
    â€œBut you can’t insult me. I don’t have feelings for you to hurt.”
    A tiny smile played at the edges of his lips. “I forget that, my lady.”
    â€œHow can you?”
    â€œBecause you don’t seem to be without them all the time. Like now … your brow is creased as if you’re puzzled or confused, and those are