Текст книги "The Darkest Craving "
Автор книги: Gena Showalter
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Текущая страница: 22 (всего у книги 25 страниц)
Her ears twitched as she, too, listened. In the distance, she could hear the swish of tree limbs shaking through the air, the clap of leaves banging together.
“Run,” Lazarus said, and broke into top speed, dragging her along with him.
“What is it?”
“You don’t want to know.”
A hideous creature broke through the line of trees behind them. The...whatever it was had the body of a wild hog and the face of a dragon. Gnarled wings stretched from its back, and long saber teeth extended from between its lips.
She’d never seen anything like it. “It’s closing in.” And she was the closest target, so she would be the first meal.
“So am I.” Lazarus picked up speed. “I’ve found the doorway.”
After another few steps, he leaped through the air, dragging Cameo with him. They flew toward a wall of leaves. She expected to feel the brush of limbs against her skin, but there was only a rush of cold air. Then, the forest vanished, and a new scene took shape around her.
Cameo crashed into a cold metal ground. When she caught her breath and stood, she looked around—and kind of wished they’d remained in the forest and faced the beast.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Séduire
AS LEOPOLD BACKED away, and Synda cheered, and the queen slid to the floor to crab-walk away from her, Josephina tossed her wheezing father over her shoulder. He was a big man, and yet, he felt as light as a feather. He skidded across the floor, slamming into Fae after Fae before hitting the back wall. He was the bowling ball; they were the pins.
Rage and fear darkened his eyes as he jumped to his feet. “You...you...” he snarled.
“Yes. Me.”
Kane rushed through the room, shutting every door, rigging every lock, sealing everyone inside. He looked to Josephina, smiled proudly, then nodded to the area just behind her. “Incoming.”
She turned and saw a contingent of guards racing toward her. Adrenaline surged inside her, fizzing in her veins, amping her up. The moment the males reached her, she erupted into a flurry of movement, breaking noses with the heel of her hand, snapping arms in two, kneeing men in the groin, punching, punching, punching just as she’d been taught. Impact should have stung, but she felt no pain.
No one could latch onto her. Her limbs and body simply moved too swiftly.
Moaning and groaning, the men dropped around her, and when there was no one left to challenge her, she maneuvered over the mound of bodies, triumphant, intending to face her father once and for all.
While the queen and Leopold banged at the doors, trying to beat their way out of the room, and Synda cowered behind a throne, Tiberius watched her, waiting.
“You won’t win this,” he said.
“Agree to disagree.” A violent wind shot from her, arching her back, lifting her off her feet, shoving the rest of the bodies out of her way and into the walls, clearing her path before setting her down.
Gasps sounded from the Opulens. Kane was keeping them in the back of the room, but the ground was cracking under his feet, and little flames were being sucked from the wall torches and into his hair. He had to pat the fires out while keeping his attention on the crowd.
Must hurry,she thought. Eyes on her target: her father. Feet: moving forward.
“How are you doing this?” Tiberius demanded.
“You’re not the only one able to use your gifts to your advantage.”
She threw a punch. The king ducked and her hand went through the door behind him. Wood shards rained. She jerked with all her might and took a chunk of wood with her, leaving a hole. But just before she gained her freedom, Tiberius kicked her in the stomach. She propelled backward, skidding across the floor.
Kane’s bellow of fury bounced off the walls.
She held out her injured hand, a silent command for him to stay back. She had this.
The king cracked his knuckles and grinned. Josephina stood, and returned his grin, her amusement wiping his away.
“I won’t go easy on you,” he said.
“You never have.” She raced forward, her feet carrying her across the room in less than a blink, the objects at her side blurring.
Grin widening, the king held out his hands as she threw another punch.
Thud.
Her bones vibrated from the force of collision, but she never made contact with him. The king had used one of his abilities, erecting an invisible shield, protecting himself.
“I’m unbeatable,” he said, smug.
No! She hadn’t come this far to fail. There had to be a way to reach him.
Anger rising, she beat her fists against the barrier. It was solid. The king laughed. The anger inside her rose...and rose...burning through her veins, singeing muscle and bone. Sweat began to pour out of her, the heat unbearable. Surely she was melting.
“Poor Josephina.” Tiberius tsked. “You’ve already lost, you’re just unaware.”
Strong arms banded around her, surprising her. The dank, musty scents of the dungeon enveloped her, and she knew the culprit was Leopold.
“I can’t let you do this,” he growled into her ear.
“You can’t stop me.” She banged the back of her head into his nose. Yelping, he released her. She turned and punched him in the chest with so much force he flew back and slammed into the throne, where Synda was hiding.
The sound of cracking bone echoed. Leopold slumped to the floor, his eyes closed, his body limp. There was a ring in the center of his shirt, the material singed at the edges. He’d been...burned?
Josephina whipped back to the king—only to take a blow to the jaw. Sharp pain exploded through her head. The new abilities and strength must be fading, dang it. She hit the floor, her brain banging against her skull. Tiberius struck again, kicking her in the stomach.
Bye bye, oxygen. Even as she wheezed, she straightened, not wanting to give him another chance to launch a sneak attack.
“Ready to give up?” he asked. “You’ll never be able to bypass my defenses. No one will.”
She reached up to wipe the warm trickle of blood from her face and realized one of the king’s rings had left a jagged gash on her cheek.
She looked for Kane, and found him fending off the rest of the guards. Soldier after soldier attempted to evade him to get to her, determined to protect the king, but Kane remained in a constant state of motion, stopping them. Finally, the soldiers accepted they’d have to take him out. Evasion became a full-fledged attack, daggers and swords swiping.
Hurry, hurry.
“I’m more than a no one.” Ears ringing, she moved slowly, purposefully, and flattened her hands against the invisible barrier.
He kicked her, his leg penetrating the shield no problem, and she stumbled back—but still she came back for more. “Give up, Josephina. You can’t win. I’ve fought opponents far stronger than you. Far faster. Far smarter. And you...you’re weak. Disposable.”
“I’m not! I’m worth something.” Fury stopped rising and simply exploded. She hit the shield, and flames shot from her, dancing together, growing stronger, hotter, until the air began to sizzle, creating a hole in the barrier big enough for her fist.
Tiberius paled. “How did you—”
Josephina punched through the opening once, twice, three times, moving so swiftly he couldn’t dodge, breaking his nose, knocking out two of his teeth, dislocating his jaw. Blood sprayed against what remained of the shield, blending with the flames.
“That’s for my mother,” she said, hitting him again. “That’s for Kane. That’s for me. That’s for having a black heart. That’s for...my mother again.”
His knees buckled. By the time he hit the ground, he was out.
Panting, she peered down at him. She’d done it. She’d defeated him.
She should have felt more triumphant, but the sadness she’d denied had found new life, filling her, spilling out. But that wasn’t going to stop her. She grabbed the king by the hair and dragged him to Leopold. Then, she searched the room for the queen...there! She was still prying at the seam in the doors, desperate to escape.
Josephina simply stepped up behind her, joined her fists, and struck. The woman fell to her side and stayed down.
William appeared just in front of the unconscious body. Red, Green, Black and White appeared just behind him, completely healed.
“Looks like we arrived just in time, gang,” William said with a grin.
The group rushed into the thick of battle, unsheathing swords along the way.
“No!” Josephina cried out.
But they didn’t attack Kane; they attacked the people around him.
The black mist that usually accompanied the Rainbow Rejects remained at bay. Maybe it wasn’t needed. The boys never mutated into their other forms, and with only a few minutes of hacking at the opposition, William and his children had the rest of the crowd backing away in fear.
“Knew you’d need us,” William said with a pat on Kane’s shoulder.
A winded, blood-splattered Kane snapped his teeth. “I had the army right where I wanted it and was about to make my final move.”
“Please. You were at the cliff, about to be kicked over.”
“Whatever.” Kane stalked to Josephina’s side. Gently he cupped her jaw and tilted her head to the left, allowing light to fall over her wound. “That’s going to scar.”
“Yes.” Unlike full-blooded immortals, she wore her injuries forever. “I’ll still be beautiful to you.” After everything this man had done for her, she wasn’t ever going to doubt his attraction to her.
“More than beautiful. Exquisite.” He kissed her, soft and sweet. “I’m so proud of you.”
“And I’m proud of you.”
Black hoisted the queen over his shoulder, then wrapped an arm under Synda’s stomach and hung her at his side. “I’ll take these two.” His gaze moved to William and narrowed. “I deserve some sort of reward for vowing never to touch Kane or his woman.”
“That vow saved you from my deathblow. That was reward enough. Now, you’ll put the females in the dungeon, or else,” William commanded.
Kane grinned. To Josephina, he said, “I have a need to help take out the trash. There are a few words I’d like to say to your father. You’re good?”
“I am.”
Kane kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll be right back.” He flung the prince over his shoulder, then grabbed the king by the hair. He motioned to Black with a nod of his chin. “Lead the way.”
Black didn’t bother trying to open a door but crashed through, using the queen as a battering ram.
Licking her lips, Josephina faced the crowd. Every eye was glued to her, wide, expectant and angry.
“All right,” she called. “You saw my strength, my skill. You saw the strength and skill of my friends.” As she spoke, she could feel the rest of the energy leaving her, and within a few seconds, a strange heaviness was settling over her limbs. To mask the oncoming weakness, she eased onto the king’s throne and continued her speech. “There’s more where that came from if—”
A shadow dropped from the ceiling, snagging her attention as it landed on White’s shoulders. The girl had no time to react. One second she stood proud, the next her head was on the floor—without her body.
Josephina screamed.
As the girl’s body flopped to the floor lifelessly, blood pouring from her severed neck, the person responsible landed on her feet and straightened.
“I told you that you’d regret what you did to me,” the Phoenix said with a grin.
Red realized what had happened to his sister and fell to his knees.
Green released an agonized “Nooo!” The first word he’d ever spoken in Josephina’s presence.
A pallid William clutched his heart.
Shock slammed through Josephina. The horrific nature of what had just happened—
Wasn’t even the worst part.
As she reeled, White’s entire body changed. Her skin darkened, blackened...cracked, leaving thousands of tiny round pieces. Those pieces sprouted legs and broke away from each other. Bugs, she thought with a wave of revulsion. The creepy crawlers sped into action, sweeping through the room, covering the floor, the walls, chasing the Fae and trying to burrow under their skin.
Shrieks and panicked footfalls erupted. Fists banged at the closed doors. People were stampeded as others struggled to push their way out of the only opening. Someone must have found a key to another realm, because a new doorway was created at the back of the room. A few of the Fae managed to race through it—but so did some of the bugs.
The bugs. Oh, sweet mercy.
Where were they headed?
Amid the chaos, the Phoenix circled Josephina. “You have only yourself to blame for this. Well, yourself and your man. He crossed the Moirai. They said he changed their fate, and so, they changed his. They were only too happy to use me to punish him—and what better way to punish him than to destroy his darling wife?”
“Leave Kane out of this. It’s between you and me.”
“The Moirai dropped me in your life at the perfect time. You’re finally without your protector—and I’m without patience. This battle has been too long coming.”
The Phoenix launched at her.
Josephina spun out of the way, and the girl soared past her, dang it. Instincts, she thought—she needed to override them. She neededcontact, even if it hurt.
The Phoenix quickly gained her footing and turned, swiping out a hand covered with metal claws. Josephina twisted to the side, taking the nails in her forearm, even while sucking a little of the girl’s strength. The Phoenix didn’t seem to notice—yet. As warm blood trickled down Josephina’s arm, the girl came at her again, and this time, her thigh took the brunt of the abuse. This injury proved worse, but she was able to suck in even more strength.
A fist into her heart.Hissing, Josephina wrapped her fingers around the girl’s wrists at the moment of contact. She was swept forward as the girl drew back for another strike, but managed to hold on, taking more and more energy.
Strengthening.
The Phoenix weakening.
Realizing what she was doing, the girl jerked away, out of reach. “You dare try to thieve from me again!”
“Try?” She forced a laugh.
Growling, the Phoenix dove at her. Her arms crisscrossed as she attempted to slice Josephina into pieces, without allowing any prolonged contact. Josephina dodged, moving faster than she had a few minutes ago.
“Someone’s been practicing. So, how about we take this up a notch?” Grinning now, the Phoenix walked a wide circle around her, flames shooting from her fingertips and onto the ground. Those flames grew, reaching toward the ceiling. Smoke billowed, making Josephina cough.
Beyond the circle, she could hear Red cursing. What William and Green were doing, she wasn’t sure. The panicked murmurs and frantic footfalls of the Opulens had faded, but anyone remaining was still in danger. They were her people now, she thought. She’d left them without a leader, and they needed her. They were hers to protect.
“Very well, then,” she said with a nod. “Let’s finish this.”
Ding, ding.
Josephina threw herself into round two, managing to land just as many blows as she took. When the Phoenix tripped over one of the cracks Kane had left behind, Josephina raced forward, dropped to her knees and skidded across the floor, stopping at the girl’s feet. She grabbed her ankle and jerked her legs out from under her. As soon as the girl hit, she reached out to squeeze her arm, absorbing several more streams of energy.
The Phoenix pushed her away, and jumped to her feet—only to stumble with weakness.
“Kill you,” she gasped.
Knowing she had to act now, even at the expense of her own life, Josephina barreled into her. They fell and smacked into the floor, the Phoenix taking the brunt of the impact—but not all of it. Though dizziness swamped her, she crawled up the girl’s body, straddled her waist and gripped her by the neck. Another stream of energy entered Josephina. Another and another. The Phoenix tried to bat her away, failed.
“Tink!” she heard Kane shout, just before he ran through the flames.
As he crouched beside her, blisters popped up on his face, arms and hands. The ends of his hair smoked. He didn’t waste time asking questions, but slammed his fist into the girl’s temple, knocking her out.
Buzzing with energy and heat, so much heat, Josephina scooted away.
He picked the girl up and tossed her out of the fiery circle, calling, “She’s all yours, William.”
Even though she was overcome by a deluge of emotions—grief, relief, sadness, joy, fear, heartache—Josephina pushed to her feet. “I’ve got to put out the fire.”
“Let me. I—”
“No. It’s calling to me,” she interjected, and it was. She felt...connected to it, its warmth her warmth. “It wants to be with me.” She reached out and the flames instantly leaned in her direction. The moment the tips brushed against her skin, her pores opened up, as if she was drawing power from another person, and the flames were sucked into her body.
“Tell me you’re okay,” Kane said, gathering her in his arms. He hissed, as if she was burning him, but didn’t release her.
“I’m...uninjured. You?”
“Same.”
She scanned the throne room. Bodies littered the floor. Most were dead, some were writhing in pain. William, Red, Green and Black were gone—and so was the Phoenix.
“What happened?” Kane croaked. “I came in, and William and Red were nutcases, muttering about defeat and death and destruction. As I jumped through the flames, William demanded I give him the Phoenix.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and she explained as best she could about White. Kane paled, released her and fell back on his haunches.
“I did it. My actions, my decisions, killed her. Unleashed her destruction. In this realm. In another realm. An apocalypse has come. And it’s my fault,” he said.
“No, the Moirai are at fault. They sent the Phoenix.”
“Because of me. Because I failed to heed their prediction. Because I attacked them in their home.”
“Kane, no. The only reason the Phoenix came here in the first place was to get back at me. If you want to blame someone besides the Moirai, blame me.”
“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “Never you. Petra’s hatred first brought her here. Her stubbornness.”
“Well, then, you see. You’re not to blame.”
His eyes narrowed. “And you’re not, either.”
She patted his knee. “Okay, then. We’re agreed. The Moirai and Petra will carry this shame.”
A pained look passed over his face, and she knew he wanted to agree with her, but was struggling with his acceptance. And she understood. The Moirai’s predictions had haunted him for so long, he’d just expectedto carry the guilt.
“Something will have to be done,” he said. “The threat will have to be contained.”
“I happen to know the Lords of the Underworld are up for the challenge.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“Always.” If anyone could fight this new threat, it was the Lords—and one day, it wouldbe contained.
Kane placed a swift kiss on her lips, and the pain was still there, deep in his eyes, but now, there was also a measure of resolve. “I think you just manipulated me.”
“Me?” she said innocently. “Never.”
Another kiss. “Don’t ever change.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
JOSEPHINA AND KANE spent the rest of the night seeing to the defenses of the palace. The bugs had spread throughout the land, and the people were in revolt, fighting each other over the silliest things even while they attempted to storm the outer wall to get to Josephina.
When the two of them finished, when they finally got everyone calm and the wounded tended, she was so exhausted she could barely hold up her head. So much blood...so much violence...
Kane swept her into his arms and carried her to his old bedroom. “I’m sorry about what your father said to you. He was wrong, you know.”
“I know that. Now.”
“He never saw your worth, and that’s his disgrace, not yours.”
Similar to the words she’d given him earlier. Smart man, using her methods against her, stopping her argument in its tracks.
He kissed her temple. “You need a nap.”
“Do not.”
“Well, then, I need to clean up your wounds and I don’t want you aware of the pain.”
“I’ll clean them.”
“And you would still feel the pain. That’s what I’m trying to avoid.”
“I can handle pain.”
“But you shouldn’t have to.” He set her on her feet and pinched the artery running up her neck.
“Don’t you dare—” Glaring, she collapsed on a cushioned settee.
His determined face was the last thing she saw.
When she came to however long later, he was still with her. He had a phone pressed to his ear. “Now you know as much as I do. And I’m sorry, man. I’m sorry this happened.” A pause. “I’d still really like you to come. The circumstances are the same in both realms, so the women won’t be in any more danger here.”
“Kane,” she rasped.
He spun to face her. “For me,” he said, and disconnected the call. Those hazel eyes filled with guilt. “I was just talking to Lucien. William and his children are unreachable. The bugs reached the human realm. No one knows exactly what harm they’ll cause.”
As he spoke, he walked toward her and discarded his shirt. “The doors are locked. The soldiers I’m willing to trust are doing patrol.” He reached down to unbutton her shirt. “Are you mad at me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No.” A little mad would never mask the intensity of her desire for him.
Pupils expanding, he eased on top of her. Warm skin and against warm skin, driving her wild.
“Kane, I have a confession to make. I think I...love you,” she said, tangling her hands in his hair. “How do you feel about that?”
He closed his eyes for a moment, a look of utter bliss consuming his beautiful features. “I don’t know how to express the pleasure the thought of your love gives me, but sweetheart, I want you sure. It’s wrong of me, but—”
“Wrong of you how? We’re married.”
A dark look shuttered over his features. Silent now, he bent his head and kissed the pulse hammering at the base of her neck, a strategic move meant to distract her from her question, but she...wouldn’t... oh!
His tongue stroked over her collarbone, before delving lower and playing at her breasts. All the while, his hands expertly shucked the rest of her clothing, leaving her completely bare. And then, his hands were free to dabble elsewhere...everywhere.
Every silken touch and wanton caress, soft here, harder there, reminded her of his inexorable power over her. He could take her to heights she’d never dreamed possible.
“I won’t show you any mercy,” he vowed.
“I don’t want your mercy.”
“What do you want?”
“You. Only you.”
He was in the process of kissing her inner thigh. At her words, he looked up at her. Heat filled his eyes. “You have me.” He swooped back up, meshing his mouth into hers, his tongue sweeping inside, claiming, dominating. “I’m yours.”
After that, he lost his leisurely pace. He lost his gentleness, too.
He fumbled with the waist of his pants; the very second the material gaped open, he was inside her, her back arching as pleasure speared her.
“Tell me,” he commanded as he moved, lines of tension branching from his eyes.
She knew what he wanted. “I love you.”
“Sure?”
“So sure.”
“Again.”
“Love you.”
Her words were like fuel to an already raging fire. He became a man possessed by need, only need, rough and wonderful, driving her higher and higher, until all she could do was scream her pleasure.
He roared with his.
But even after he’d collapsed on top of her, he still wasn’t done with her. He rose up on his elbows and peered down at her. Need still blazed in his eyes. Panting, she watched as sweat trickled from his temples.
“More,” he said, and stoked her desire all over again.
* * *
“I FOUND YOU a dress,” Kane said a long while later. He tugged on his pants. “Will you wear it for me?”
Josephina watched him, her sated body still humming with pleasure. “Of course.”
“Good. Meet me in the throne room in an hour.” He blew her a kiss before leaving her alone.
Only then did she realize he’d never offered his own declaration of love. He loved her, though. She knew he did.
But she wanted his admission. I’ll have to step up my game.
Draped over the corner chair, she found a beautiful ball gown made of the most delicate blue fabric. Not even Synda had ever worn anything so fine. Josephina showered and brushed her teeth, then trembled as she dressed. She took special care with her hair, pinning the sides at the crown of her head.
The only flaw to her appearance was the gash in her cheek. Kane had knocked her out and sewn it up himself, and though he’d placed a flesh-colored bandage over it, it was noticeable.
Down the stairs she went, no guards or servants in sight. Only the leaders had been imprisoned in the dungeon with the royal family. The rest of the army and staff had sworn allegiance to Josephina last night.
She reached the throne room and found Kane waiting for her just outside the doors. He’d changed his clothes, and now wore a clean, pressed white shirt and black slacks. His hair was brushed, the wounds he’d received during battle already healing.
He smiled when he spotted her. A real smile, full of light and heat. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. But why—”
He pushed open the doors. “Your coronation. And wedding. It’s two-for-one day at Chez Fae.”
The remaining members of the high and low court had been gathered together and bound at the wrists and ankles. Though many looked as if they wanted to shout at her, all remained silent. Had they been threatened by Kane?
Her gaze skidded back to him. “Wait. Did you say wedding? Because we’re already married.”
“It wasn’t a ceremony you remember or even liked. So, I’m giving you another.” He offered her the hook of his elbow. “Ready?”
This man hadto love her. Trembling, she accepted, and he led her forward.
That’s when she saw... oh, my, but I married a darling man. There was Maddox, with the beautiful Ashlyn. The babies were...nowhere that she could see. There was Lucien, with the vivacious Anya. Reyes, with the talented Danika. The young Gilly was at Danika’s side. Sabin, with the pint-size Gwen. Aeron, with the angelic Olivia and bombshell Legion. There was Gideon, with the fierce Scarlet. Amun, with the glowing Haidee. Strider, with the fiery Kaia. Paris, though he was minus the powerful Sienna.
Each warrior nodded at her encouragingly. Each female smiled at her. Joy broke through a dam erected in her childhood, flooding her.
“Don’t worry about the Opulens,” Kane said. “Their knowledge of my past is actually quite handy. They fear what will happen if I’m upset.”
“Well, they hate me.”
“They’ll grow to adore you. They won’t be able to help themselves.”
Kane stopped in front of the king’s throne and faced Josephina. He cupped her cheeks. He wasted no time, saying, “I, Kane, promise to take care of you for as long as I live. I promise to put your needs above my own, and compliment you every chance I get. I promise to make you smile at least once a day. And I promise to be yours. Only ever yours.”
This is really happening.Light-headed, she managed to squeak out, “I, Josephina—Tink—Aisling, promise to take care of you. I promise to weather any storms the demon causes, to always value your strength. Anytime I decide to go to war, you’ll be the first person I call.” She stuck her tongue out at his friends, and each of the warriors grinned. “Now and forever, I belong to you.”
Kane leaned down and kissed her, and it wasn’t the sweet kiss she’d been expecting. He gave her tongue and heat and passion, taking and giving, pouring desire into her, drinking desire from her.
The world faded away—until the loud cheers of his friends jolted her back to awareness. Kane lifted his head, and grinned down at her.
“You’re still sure about how you feel?” he asked.
“Always.”
He peered into her eyes. “Good. Because you’re it for me, Tinker Bell, Tink, Tinky Dink. My one. My only. My everything. My mine.” He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. “And guess what?”
“What?” Any more goodness, and she would burst.
“The magnitude of what I feel for you has drained the fight right out of the demon. He’s gone quiet.”
Her heart soared at the thought—Kane was finally free. They both were. “Oh, Kane. That’s so wonderful.”
“It is,” he said, though he smiled sadly. He stepped to the side before she could question him.
Someone moved in behind her and settled something heavy on her head. She almost looked up. Almost. But realization struck and she managed to remain perfectly still. The royal crown was now upon her head, a symbol of power and position. And now, now she was to be ruler of these people, the driving force of an entire race.
She wasn’t strong enough on her own. She wasn’t wise enough. What if she made the wrong decision? Lives could be lost. Sickness churned in her stomach, and she fought the urge to run away. She hadn’t been made for this kind of responsibility. Wasn’t sure she could carry it...
“Your queen,” Kane announced.
But she had to do it, didn’t she?
* * *
KANE TOOK A moment to look past the negative he’d caused and focus on the positive. He’d fallen in love. He’d married the finest woman in creation. He’d helped her claim her rightful place.
He’d finally defeated Disaster. Soon, the demon would die.
And soon after that, Kane would follow.
Danika had finally gotten something wrong. Her painting wasn’t going to be an issue. White—if White had been the blonde, and he thought now that she had been—was dead.
That meant the Moirai had been wrong, too, just as Tink had predicted. White wasn’t going to end up with the man who would start the apocalypse. She wasn’t going to end up with anyone at all.
All of their choices had changed the course of their lives.
But he wasn’t going to think about any of that right now. Nothing mattered but Tink. Twice he’d taken her without a condom. She could be pregnant, even now.
Longing made him ache—the best kind of ache. He wanted to have children with her. He wanted to be around to raise them.
Another impossible dream.
He had to make sure she was prepared for anything. Everything.
The Opulens had been ushered outside the palace, promised death if they so much as thought to form another revolt. Tink sat on the center throne, her faux smile still frozen in place. He saw the terror in her eyes, and knew the weight of her new responsibilities was only beginning to become clear. She would triumph, however; he had no doubts. She was finally beginning to realize her worth.
Anya and the other women raced up to speak with her. His friends approached him, and formed a circle around him.
