Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3)(113)

He cast a ward around his personal library, then turned his fierce, hungry focus on me again. No one would hear my screams of pleasure. Or his moans. Because I swore to myself I’d have him shouting loud enough to reach every House of Sin.

My immortal heart went from thumping to galloping in my chest as he backed me into the alcove. The heat that started gently spread like wildfire through my body. His lips curved with the hint of a sardonic smile. “You twisted, dark angel. I haven’t even touched you, and you’re more aroused than ever.”

I dropped my attention to the strained material of his trousers. “Seems to be a problem we share, husband.”

“We are lucky, indeed.” Wrath admired me for a beat, his attention moving across my face, before dropping to take in my bare breasts. He dipped his head and sucked a bud into his mouth, flicking his tongue until I writhed against him. “I’m going to give you everything you desire.”

“Dangerous proclamation.” I wanted to spend hours submitting to every devious, debauched thing I craved from my husband.

“How dangerous would you like me to be?” He trailed a finger between my breasts, following a line down my middle. Goddess-cursed demon, he stopped right below my belly button.

“Do your worst, your majesty. I’m ready for every twisted, dark thing you can dream up.”

With a flick of his wrist, my gown disappeared. Wrath’s clothing followed next. His raw masculine sensuality sent a searing ripple of heat through me as he looked me over again; this time there was strategy in his gaze. Like he’d taken this particular challenge personally.

“One thing I can promise you.” Wrath stepped forward and clasped a manacle around one of my wrists. He bent to whisper in my ear, his breath sending pleasant goose bumps along my body as he slowly took my other wrist in hand. “I can be very, very wicked, my love.”

Of that I had little doubt.

I allowed my gaze to drift over the pale tattoo written along his collarbone. Acta non verba. It was the perfect reminder that now was the time for action, not words. I rattled my chains, enjoying the way his gaze snagged on my body right before he hoisted my leg up.

A smile teased the edges of my lips. “It’s high time you showed me, demon.”

Wrath’s ebony wings shot out to either side. He looked like sin incarnate, and as his magic enveloped me, I thanked the goddess he was mine.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


This entire trilogy was launched, written, and concluded during a global pandemic, yet it still found its home in the world because of YOU. Thank you, dear reader, for loving these characters and this sin-fueled world so much. I absolutely adore the Seven Circles and am so grateful you followed Wrath and Emilia on this treacherous journey through the underworld. Thank you a thousand, million times over for your support and for championing these books. I’m so happy they were able to take you away from the chaotic state of the world for a few hours.

Many thanks to my publishing team for turning my dreams into a reality. Barbara Poelle, agent, friend, and goddess extraordinaire, thank you for the many hats you wear and for all that you do behind the scenes. The whole crew at Irene Goodman Agency. Heather Baror-Shapiro for getting these books translated into more languages than I could ever dream possible. To Sean Berard at Grandview.

My champions at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a giant thank-you to my editor Alexandra Hightower who worked around the clock with me to get this into readers’ hands, despite complications with the supply chain and an extremely tight schedule. Her notes made this book exactly what I’d hoped it could be and more. Cheers to amazing teamwork, Alex! Alvina Ling, Cassie Malmo, Savannah Kennelly, Stefanie Hoffman, Emilie Polster, Victoria Stapleton, Marisa Finkelstein, Tracy Koontz, Tracy Shaw, Virginia Lawther, Danielle Cantarella, Shawn Foster, Claire Gamble, Karen Torres, Barbara Blasucci, Carol Meadows, Janelle DeLuise, Siena Koncsol, and my publishers Megan Tingley and Jackie Engel. Thank you for so much in-house support and excitement!

My UK Team at Hodder & Stoughton—Molly Powell, Kate Keehan, Laura Bartholomew, Natasha Qureshi, Callie Robertson, Sarah Clay, Iman Khabl: you are all such treasures to work with. I hope I added enough spice.

To my family, it’s hard to believe this is the seventh time I’ve gotten to write out acknowledgments. I love you all more than words can express. As always, special shout-out to my sister Kelli and her boutique (Dogwood Lane Boutique) for all of the inspiration. (And retail therapy.)

Booksellers, librarians, indies, book boxes and every book business both large and small in between, thank you for your unending support. BookTok—I adore you! Special shout-out to Ayman Chaudhary (@Aymansbooks) and Pauline (@thebooksiveloved) for their amazing videos and early support of this series.

Stephanie Garber, Isabel Iba?ez, Samira Ahmed—you are all rock star authors and, most importantly, incredible humans. Anissa de Gomery—your friendship brightens my days! I’m so happy to call each of you dear friends. Thank you for all of the texts and calls and love. Through deadlines and pandemics and regular life, you are the best.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end. I cannot wait to see what wicked adventure comes next… xoxo.