AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart fluttered, but it was no longer in my chest—it had headed south.
“But until then, untilyouare ready—” He stood, extending a tattooed hand to me. “—we will continue this little game of cat and mouse.”
Cautiously slow, I placed my hand in his. There was a great contrast between the two—unmarred and moonlit framed by tanned, heavily inked skin.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” I said, wobbling my way to a standing position, no better than a freshly born fawn. “Why do you havekingtattooed across your fingers?”
A letter on each one, from pinky to pointer. A crown on his thumb.
Midnight eyes met mine as he spoke in that rich, bourbon tone. “For the same reason I’m going to ink yours withqueensomeday.” His broad hand covered the small of my back, strengthening my unsteady frame. “It is what fate demands.”
According to Harper, we would be in the city of Cent, the “c” pronounced as a “k,” within the hour. As it turned out, Harper was right.
When we arrived, the welcome sign read, “If youCAN’Tfind it anywhere else, you’ll find it inCENT.” Once we hit the main part of the city, I could see why they choose that slogan. The number of traders, merchants, and vendors was overwhelming. They reminded me of the swarm of baby mice Kaleb and I found that time we moved the log shed, all scrambling over one another, darting every which way.
Due to the densely packed streets, the group was forced to break apart, although Von prowled close behind me.
Last night’s conversation hadn’t gone much further, especially after his musings about my knuckles being inked with the wordqueen. Although part of his proclamation made me feel weak in the knees, it also made me roll my eyes. I had no desire to be a queen—none whatsoever. The notion itself was laughable.
Surprisingly, the bite mark had almost healed, which was odd, but considering that a snake had spoken to meandit could turn into a man, a quick-healing wound wasn’t nearly as insane sounding as the rest.
“Pelts for sale! Pelts for sale! Come and get your pelts,” shouted a merchant, a young girl, pretty, even with her pockmarked skin. She set her ocean-blue eyes on me. “Oy! Miss! You look like you are in need of a nice mink pelt.” She wrapped a brown one around her petite shoulders, modelling it for me. “Not only are they the latest trend in fashion, but with winter on the way, it’ll keep you warm. Better than a lover’s arms!”
“Sorry, I’m not interested,” I said as I walked by. Lightning followed dutifully behind me, her slack reins in my hand.
An older woman, shoulders bent like a hawk’s talon, stepped into my path. Her gray hair was streaked with deep purples and vibrant reds, the colors globby in some places and crusty in others. What was the medium she used to color her hair? I looked closer, noting the tiny seeds.
Berries—freaking berries.
“What does your heart desire, my dear?” she asked, her colorful skirts rustling as she waddled towards me. “Tell me and I can make it come true. Restored health? No, you are too young to be worried about that. You must be after what all the women your age want: true love. Or perhaps, justgreatsex!”
The last option didn’t sound half bad—goddess divine, it had been months now.
Her hand, stained purple, clasped my forearm. She leaned in. “And after that great sex, if his jelly is not for your toast . . .” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “If his seed is not something you want sowed—well, dear girl, I have something for that too.”
I stifled a laugh at the strange use of jelly. Then again, judging by the looks of her hair, she probably had all kinds of uses for it—some I probably didn’t want to know.
Shaking my head, I gestured I was not interested.
Suddenly, her expression changed, her eyes darting behind me. “Oh my.” Like a cat in heat, she yowled out the rest: “You won’t be needing that last one!”
I tracked her gaze to Von.
And damn it, she was right.
The God of Sin, who was rumored to be devastatingly handsome, had nothing—absolutely nothing—on Von. The wind mussed the rich black fur that was draped over his broad shoulders, emphasizing their powerful breadth. And those tight leather pants—well, they had no right to look that good on a man. He wore his thick, raven-colored mane in a messy, voluminous topknot. Two braids, barely visible, ran down the left side, the white feather peeking through. His hairstyle was so unlike what other men wore. Where their hair was trimmed, neat and proper, his suggested the exact opposite—unleashed, wild, warrior.
As if he sensed my gaze, his onyx eyes met mine. Yet one more thing that was un-nerving about him—those dark, perilous eyes. Before they could swallow me whole, I looked away.
“Thatwon’t be happening,” I stated dismissively.
“Are you blind?” she asked, waving her hand in front of my face.
I batted it away. “No.”
“Darlin’, life is short, and they sure don’t make them likethat. In fact, I’ve never seen one likethatbefore!” She howled loud enough for all of Cent to hear.
She wasn’t wrong. Von was a breed of his own. Heat bloomed on my cheeks.
