Unbound, a Paranormal Romance (Book 2 of the Spellbound Series) by Lola James Page B

intertwining my fingers with hers, and I planned never to let her go. My unbeating heart flooded with joy at my love, alive once again. I gazed at her as she looked around at everyone.  
    “I’m thirsty.” She frowned as Dawn released her hug. She sat up more in the bed as Circe created a glass of water in her hands and passed it to her. Antonia drank the water so quickly that it ran down the sides of her mouth. When the glass was empty, Kevin took it from her.
    “How do you feel?” he asked with a smile.
    Antonia sat up straighter and blinked again as her green eyes turned dark. “Kevin, I am well but still parched. The water did nothing.” She seemed confused as she looked up at Bion’s astonished face. “Papa,” she said softly. She shifted on the bed and wrapped her arms around her father.
    My eyes met Hades’ and he nodded. “Antonia,” I started.
    She looked back over her shoulder at me, and before I knew it, she was in my arms. “Ben, you’re here too!” she exclaimed as she hugged me tighter.
    I inhaled her jasmine scent that was so familiar to me
    “I am here, but I need to tell you something. Please sit.” I loosened her from our hug though I didn’t want to let her go, ever.
    “Yes, Ben.” She looked up at me with furrowed brows. She looked around again and her eyes met Hades. “My love,” she exclaimed with glee. In the next instant, she was in his arms, and her lips met his. “When did you get here?” she asked.
    My world broke into a million pieces hearing her call Hades her love. I felt defeated but not willing to give up. She loved me, and I was determined to be with her for an eternity.
    “I have been her all the while,” he responded, in between her fervent kisses, “but let Benjamin explain something to you.”
    She nodded and sat down in the bed as she leaned against Hades.
    I swallowed hard. It was difficult to imagine her in love with Hades when I loved her so.
    “Ben.” She smiled as she looked over at me.
    “Antonia, do you remember what happened to you?” I asked.
    She shook her head. “What do you mean? I have been here with Hades. Bion interrupted us when Circe came to visit, and then I took a nap because I was exhausted.” She smiled deviously as she looked at Hades. “I mean, getting all of my memories back was exhausting.” She smirked.
    “And nothing after that?” I asked as my envious eyes met Hades’.
    “No. I woke from my nap to find all of you here.”
    “A lot has happened since that interruption,” I said with distaste that peppered my tongue.
    “What do you mean? Did something happen while I was asleep?”
    “Yes, my sweet, but we don’t need to go over the details at this moment.”
    Hades kissed the top of her head as she gazed at him. She slowly moved her head to look back at me, and my heart began to break as I watched them together. She should have that gaze with me, I thought. I love her.
    I sighed and continued. “Yes, but Antonia, you died,” I said carefully.
    “A very gruesome death, too,” Dawn snorted.
    Hades eyed Dawn and could have burned a hole through her with his death stare. Dawn folded her arms across her chest and turned her head.
    “Died? But if I died, then how am I sitting here talking to you all?” she rationalized as she joined Dawn with the folded arms.
    I frowned and closed my eyes.
    “That is because you are now a vampire.” I couldn’t look at her as the words left my mouth.
    “Me, a vampire!” she giggled. “Ben, you’re not very convincing.”
    “My sweet, his words are true,” Hades offered as he looked down at her.
    She tossed her head to the side as she stared into Hades’ eyes, and I felt sick. “But…” she started. “I’ll need those details now.” She looked over at me. “I remember Hades went to visit with Circe,” she gritted between her teeth.
    “And we did visit, and I warned him of the witch.” Circe glanced over at Hades and then over to Annie, who still sat on the floor,