Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

“Temples in Ancient Egypt weren’t like our modern day churches,” he finally says without
looking away from the wall. “They weren’t places of communal worship. They weren’t for the people
at all. They were houses for the gods. The priests were here to care for them, not to offer spiritual
guidance to the public.”
I glance over at him, but he doesn’t wait for me to speak before going on.
“Only the priests and the pharaoh were allowed to worship here, and only after undergoing
rigorous purification rituals. They had to shave their whole bodies bare.”
As he says that last part, his gaze rakes over me as if my dress just turned transparent and he can
see all the places I’m bare. Heat creeps up my neck and spreads to my cheeks. I look away from him
and resist the impulse to cover myself. There’s nothing here to cover up with anyway, but logically I
know he can’t really see beneath the fabric of my gown.
Touching the wall again briefly, then moving past me and moving nearer to the next wall, he goes
on. “This one was a cult temple mainly dedicated to the goddess Isis of Philae. She married her
brother and they had a son named Horus.”
My eyebrows rise as I look over the images on this wall, then shift my focus to the ones on the
ceiling. “Sexy.”
Calvin smirks at my dry tone. “Isn’t it?”
“The Lannisters seem to like it.”
Stepping away from his history lesson, he asks, “Are you a fan?”
I stop tilting my head back to look at the ceiling and glance at him. “Of Cersei Lannister? No,
definitely not.”
His lips curve up. “I meant the show, but obviously you’ve at least dabbled.”
“Watched the whole damned thing—finale episodes twice to prepare for each new season.”
He nods. “Didn’t find her interesting, huh?”
“Interesting maybe, but too evil for my tastes. Plus she created Joffrey, and some things just can’t
be forgiven.”
He smirks. “A valid point.”
“Really?” I ask with feigned surprise. “A spoiled ass with a penchant for callously disregarding
the dignity of others—I’d think he’s your favorite.”
“Ouch. Having a low opinion of me is one thing, but comparing me to Joffrey Baratheon is a bit
much.”
I glance back at him as he gets a little too close. “I don’t think so. He believes everyone is his to
torment. Judging by our interactions, I’d say you share his flawed—” The breath is sucked out of my
lungs, the rhythm from my heart, as he grabs my waist and pulls me back against him.