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“To start, I’ll remove your eyes.” He stood, putting his loin cloth on display. Arisingloin cloth. “I’ll ensure you can’t grow new ones.”
She smiled at him. “Know that I’ll enjoy what comes next.” Wait. She would? Why? What came next? Had Past Neeka set her up for success?
“Wife, you won’t be enjoying anything ever again. I’ll ensure that, too.”
“I’m not your wife. Not any longer. Our connection ended with your first death.”
The corners of his mouth curved in a cruel grin. “You willalwaysbe mine.”
Biceps rippling, he opened the cage door and reached inside. Just before contact, he jerked. His spine contorted to an odd angle and his chin tilted upward, his mouth opening wide, making him look as if he were howling.
What the—ah. Okay. The tip of a spear extended past his teeth, rivers of crimson streaming over his bottom lip. He twitched once, twice, before going limp, expelling a final breath.
The male responsible for the Phoenix’s latest death tossed the body aside, as if it weighed nothing, granting her visual access to his leer-worthy physique.Hellooo, man candy!He was a giant, almost double the other warrior’s size in both height and brawn. And he was hot. Not handsome. Hot. Amazingly so. He had thick black hair, crimson skin, and exaggerated features. Aggression emanated from him. The kind that boldly proclaimed:Bow or break.
Meow. If she cared about dating, and she didn’t, nope, not her, he might—might!—be her type. He wore black leathers and combat boots, but no shirt. Thank goodness! Look at the wealth of eye tattoos that littered his chest. Such a peculiar choice of ink—Neeka yelped. Those tattoosblinked. They even scanned the area as if they were truly able to see. Maybe they were. Some stared straight at her, making her wings quiver with delight.
When his (real) black diamond eyes fixed on her, she gulped. The intensity!
A cluster-ball of information rolled from a shadowy corner of her mind, handing out tidbits of information like Halloween treats. He was McBoney. Or rather, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies. A shapeshifter and spy without equal. Closest friend of Hades, the King of the Dead. Known as a royal playboy who lacked morals and boundaries, with a fearsome temper.
He wasn’t someone Neeka had ever interacted with and yet, she had a niggle...
Him. He was the reason she had allowed Ahdán to lock her up. She sensed it.
Say yes. Whatever Red proposes, say yes.But—
“Yes!” she blurted out. Then the thought completed.Don’t be too eager.Oh. Right.Not too eager. Got it. “But also no,” she added, batting her lashes at him.
Brow furrowed, he canted his head and deepened his study of her. “You are Neeka the Unwanted, from the Eagleshield clan, but part of the Skyhawk clan. Owner of Greater than Greatest at Finding Stuff, and the oracle who left me a crumb trail of clues to this location. Yes?”
Mmm. The way he mouthed every word sent shivers spilling over her spine. She almost forgot how much she hated her moniker. “Yep. That’s me. I can do it, too. I can find anything, anywhere, at any time. Except sometimes. And other times, too.”
He pursed his lips, the only soft thing about him, with a bottom plumper than the top. “I’m told you can return my wife to me.”
“You’re hitched? Bummer.” Not for her, of course. She didn’t care about dating, remember? “I know a ton of harpies who would’ve handed you the keys to their orgasm and let you take it for a spin.”
He double blinked. Like, every set of eyes double blinked. Then those tattooed, living irises stared at her, hard, and she kind of wanted to preen or shrink into herself. She wasn’t sure which.
Frowning, he spread his arms and announced, “I am Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies.”
Nailed it!The Realm of Agonies was one of ten kingdoms in the Underworld and a place of incredible wealth. And, yes, okay, probably tons of agonies, too. “Be honest. Did you or did you not pierce your junk because you lost a bet with Hades? Rumors have flown for ages, and I’ve got my money on maybe.”
He and his eyes gave another of those double blinks. “You sent a messenger to me, claiming to know where the rest of my wife is located. You said I can utilize your services for the right price.”
What did he mean, the rest of his wife? “Hmm. Thatdoessound like me.” If only the memory would surface.
A muscle contracted in his jaw. “Is this your attempt to negotiate a higher fee?”
“Maybe? Gotta be honest. That sounds like me, too.”
“Very well.” He didn’t mask the threat in his expression as he stated, “I’m happy to present you with a deal you cannot refuse.”
Good thing she planned to say yes. Eventually. “I’m intrigued. Tell me more.”
“I’d rather show you.” He reached inside the cage and clasped her hand, surprisingly gentle as he aided her exit.
The scent of exotic spices and juniper berries instantly enveloped her. A rich, intoxicating aroma she savored. Oh, wow. It might come from him. Eager to confirm, she stepped closer, buried her nose in the hollow of his neck, and inhaled. Mmm. Definitely him.
