I had no idea how she knew it was him, butthere was much about River that would forever remain a mystery tome. River’s shoulders sagged, and a tired smile tugged at thecorners of her lips. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“You also, World Walker. Have you found whoyou are yet?”
“Not yet.”
“You will soon,” he replied with confidenceand turned away from us.
River glanced at me. The shadows under hereyes had darkened to a deep purple hue that emphasized the amethystcolor of her eyes. I could feel the exhaustion within her slenderframe. “Let me carry you,” I said as her gaze traveled over thecarnage before us.
“No. Iwilldo this.”
Sighing, I relented to her. I stepped intothe chamber as River froze beside me. Her eyes became a pale violetcolor, and I realized she was staring at something beyond anythingI could see. I went to grab her shoulders, to shake her from hervision, but color was already flooding back into her eyes oncemore.
“He’s coming,” she whispered.
CHAPTER 42
Kobal
I didn’t have to ask who; I knew who.“When?”
“Now.” Her eyes were drawn to one of theother tunnels. I followed her gaze, but saw no movement in the darkrecesses of the cavern. “And he’s not alone.”
“He sent the angels in to weaken us, toweakenher,” Magnus said.
“He sacrificed his own,” River whispered indismay.
“Shit,” Magnus whispered when the darknessgave way to reveal Lucifer striding toward us.
I grabbed River’s other hand and flattenedit against my chest. “Draw from me,” I commanded gruffly beforebending my head and claiming her mouth.
We only had seconds before he attacked,barely enough time to breathe, never mind let her replenish, but Iwould do everything I could to get as much life into her aspossible. My tongue slid over her lips before her mouth parted. Idove in to taste the sweet recesses of her mouth as she swayedtoward me.
I locked my arms around her, drawing hercloser while I funneled as much of my strength into her as I couldright now. Her breath filled my mouth; I felt a spark against mychest before I broke the kiss. Anguish swelled in my chest when Icradled the back of her head and drew her to me. I wouldnotlose her.
I turned to face the one man I’d spent myentire existence trying to defeat. The one man I’d been bornhating. My lips skimmed back at the amusement in Lucifer’s soullessblack eyes as he stared at the two of us. The hounds prowledforward, spreading out around us. Phenex and Crux remained byRiver’s side as she lifted her head from my chest.
“I thought it was customary to ask for thefather’s permission before taking his daughter’s hand in marriage,”Lucifer said, and his wings rippled out behind him. The foot-long,silver spikes at the tips of his black wings flashed in the dimlight of the cavern.
The hackles on the hounds rose as they bentlower in preparation to spring forward. “Partka,” I commanded themgruffly and they remained where they were.
“I’m not your daughter,” River saidcoldly.
Lucifer grinned at her as he moved furtherfrom the shadows. I saw movement behind him, but no one else cameforward, yet. The skelleins grouped together before River andlifted their swords high.
“Would you prefer to have that pitifulcreature as a father then?” he inquired with a flick of his fingerstoward the wraith in Corson’s hand. “I think not, child. If ithelps to ease some of your burden, know that Iwholeheartedlyapprove of this match.”
My hands tightened on River when Luciferraked his gaze over her. I’d tear his eyes from his head before Idestroyed him for looking at her like he couldn’t wait to use herfor whatever plan he had.
“I see the family resemblance, and Ifeelit, daughter,” Lucifer murmured.
“Enough!” I commanded.
Lucifer’s gaze slid to me. “We’re familynow, Kobal. The feuding factions of Hell have been broughttogether.” Lucifer lifted his hands and his wings snapped in theair. “There can be peace between us now. We will all walk the Earthtogether and savor our power while we rule over the weaker humanrace as we should.”
“Iwas created to rule,” I replied,adjusting River so she stood more behind me now. “You were createdto follow. It is all you will ever do.”
“So many of your dead ancestors believed thesame, yet none of them are standing here before me.” He chuckled ashis hands fell to his sides and his wings folded against his back.“If you wish to fight, then I cannot allow you to be with mydaughter.”
