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What!? “Are we talking Lucifer, Prince of Darkness, adopted son of Hades, brother to William the Ever Randy? Or some poor bastard who got stuck with the worst name of all time?”
“Prince of Darkness.” Bjorn pinched and lifted a lock of Fox’s hair, tracing the end against his cheek. “Took her centuries, but she ultimately escaped him. She claims she will never return to Hell, not for any reason.”
Fox knew girl-code, which meant she knew the translations for Alana’s vow. This bitch gonna be coming for her hubby in Hell. Jaw clenched, she said, “Do you believe everything she says, Ofalana?”
He frowned. “Ofalana? What does that mean?”
Rather than explaining the intricacies of sexual subjugation in The Handmaid’s Tale, she said, “I’ve never asked you for anything, Bjorn. Not anything important, anyway.”
“I know. You do not ask. You issue demands.”
“Are you complaining?” she asked, one brow arched. “No, seriously. Are you? Maybe give me a list with my worst traits, and I’ll work on—”
“You misunderstand.” Bjorn rolled her over, his heavy weight settling atop her, stopping her flow of verbal diarrhea. “I’m thanking you. Social cues are not my talent, and your forthrightness puts me at ease.”
She fluffed her hair, feigning nonchalance. Meanwhile, she squealed like a fangirl inside her head. Too many people overlooked the value of comfort, calling it “boring.” Not Fox. When you’d been uncomfortable for the bulk of your life, you clung to whatever security, reassurance, or encouragement you could find.
“I think someone has a serious case of Foxitis, and I’m here for it.” Trying for flirtatious—probably achieving creepy—she batted her lashes at him. “You trusted me with your army. Trust me with Alana’s coordinates, and I’ll make you glad you did.”
Bjorn drew in a deep breath, then held it for an endless eternity. After exhaling slowly, he told her, “I’m not just married to Alana.” Shame coated his voice. “I’m bonded to her; my life-force is tied to hers.”
The admission lashed like a whip—and Fox should know! “So, Alana isn’t just a bitch. She’s a straight-up POS.” No doubt the queen had forced that bond to prevent Bjorn’s friends from avenging his mistreatment. Whatever injuries one spouse received, the other endured as well. “I’m a Gatekeeper, Bjorn. Do you know what that means?”
“Only that you can open portals to any location.”
There was so much more to it than that. Toying with the ends of his hair, she said, “I’ve visited more worlds, realms and dimensions than anyone else on the planet. One of those worlds is Phantasia. The citizens are phantom-like. They can reach inside your body to unwind, detach and remove any mystical bonds, then patch up the damage left behind.”
His eyes widened. “Like surgery on your spirit.”
“Exactly.” There were dangers, of course, but the rewards far outweighed the risks. “Problem is, time passes differently on Phantasia. Spending one day there would cost us a decade here.”
Disappointment etched every line of his face. “Unless I’m willing to fall, I cannot spare a decade until the war in the Underworld ends.”
Bjorn, a Fallen One…nope. No way. A life devoid of his brothers by circumstance, immortality, wings and mission to kill as many demons as possible would only lead to unfulfillment and regret. “Then we take out Alana today, and you immediately bond to me.” Her cheeks burned with heat. “Or anyone! Whomever you prefer. Someone who will agree.” Ugh. Did she want a permanent bond with Bjorn? Maybe. Maybe not. The new one would infuse him with new strength. In theory. “That option is a lot more dangerous, though. The longer a marital bond is in place, the stronger it becomes. There’s no way the new one will be as potent as the old. Still, you’re stubborn and mighty, and the odds are in your favor.” Again, in theory.
Expression alternating from hopeful to hopeless, he shifted to the side. His shaft rubbed between her legs, sending a spear of pleasure to her belly, her breasts, and her mind. In that order. Mmm. Focus!
“Why aid me in such a way?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
Holding his gaze, refusing to look away, she admitted, “I like you. I like being with you, and I want to keep being with you. Plus, I plan to do anything and everything to make up for my actions. This is a good place to start.”
His features softened. His body softened. Well, everywhere but his fun zone. “You are forgiven, vixen. What I failed to remember the day we met? Everyone makes mistakes. And just because you welcomed the demon doesn’t mean you are happy about the choice you made. You hate him. You fight him daily. You learn from your mistakes and work to do better. To be better. Something only a rare few do. You are one of the rare few, and that should be praised, not punished.”
Her eyes burned as if she—no. No way. No way she teared up like a pansy. “What will happen if you’re told to kill me?”
He stiffened but said, “Your execution will be stayed. I know it.”
“But what if it’s not?” Sent Ones were stubborn. “I need a plan B, C and D.” Also, a plan E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, and Y wouldn’t hurt, either. A girl couldn’t be too careful. And, yes, she’d purposely left off Z. As a letter, Z sucked. End my alphabet? Go screw yourself.
A muscle jumped in Bjorn’s jaw. “Did you sleep with me merely to ensure I would keep you safe?”
Ugh. One day. One day soon, hopefully, he would think the best of her rather than the worst. “Would I sleep with you to survive? Yes.” Moving quickly, she grabbed a pillow and bashed his face. “But I didn’t. I wanted you more than anyone ever. I know you don’t believe me—yet—but I’m not deceiving you, and I’m not going to betray you.”
The jumping muscle gradually slowed, and he expelled a heavy breath. “I’m trusting you, Fox. Not just with my life, but with the lives of my cherished friends. Heed your own words, and do not betray me.” His tone hardened at the end.
“I’m not going to betray you,” she repeated, and she meant it. “After last night, you earned a spot on my coveted Never Harm list.”
He grinned, the sight nearly her undoing, and kissed her temple. “You may change your mind. I should have told you sooner. Should have apologized. But, the day Alana visited, I saw a memory from your past. I’m not sure how, or why.”
Knew it. A lump grew in her throat. “What did you see?”
“You were a little girl, starved and dirty, wandering the streets. A soldier dragged you to a dark alley and ripped your clothes.” He pressed his lips into a thin line as black spread through his irises, turning the rainbow into an endless abyss.
The change proved astonishing and wild, nothing “True Dread” about it. It spoke of primitive desires and raw need, his every emotion clearly heightened.
“Did you see what happened after?” she asked.
He gave a terse shake of his head.
“I killed him before he could do what he wanted. Even as a child, I could open portals. I wasn’t very good at it, wasn’t very powerful, but I could do it unless stressed. I was stressed that day, obviously, but I managed to open and close a small one around his ankle, amputating his entire foot. While he screamed with pain, I took his sword and beheaded him. He was my first kill.”
“Good girl.” Bjorn bent his head to kiss her brow. “So, how did I see the memory?”
“I fed you my blood.” When he jolted, she rushed to add, “You had just returned from your meeting with Alana, and you were in incredible pain. My blood is supercharged and helped you heal at a faster rate for roughly twenty-four hours. The memory was a side-effect.”
As she spoke, he stared at her mouth, his irises sizzling hotter and hotter. Voice low and throaty, he said, “So I will see more of your memories if I consume more of your blood?”
“Correct.” Wait. “Do you want to see more of my memories?”
“I do.” He nodded for emphasis. “You remain a mystery to me, and I will enjoy learning all your secrets.”
> Bjorn, intrigued by her. Her! She shivered. “I’m like a candy store. Open for a select clientele, sometimes sweet, sometimes tart—just depends on what you’re in the mood for—and always the leading cause of heart disease among immortals.” She gently pinched the lobe of his ear. “You can ask me anything.”
He smiled with ease, no more twitching. “Before we had sex, you told me you couldn’t get pregnant. How is that possible?”
Had sex on the brain, did he? Oh, yeah. He did. Her body cradled his, and she felt his every reaction. He hardened; she shivered again.
“Gatekeepers are only fertile once a year,” she said, “and only for four weeks at a time. Which could be the reason we’re near extinction. Any other questions?”
“Not at the moment. I have…other things on my mind.”
“Like?” she prompted.
“Like our upcoming move to Hell.”
She waited for him to continue. He didn’t. At first, she pouted. Then she wiggled beneath him. There we go. He sucked in a breath.
“That’s it?” she asked, all teasing and temptation. “Nothing else consumes your thoughts?”
