Love Me to Death (Underveil, #1)(54)
“She did what was best for her people. Now it’s your turn. Pull you head out of your ass and help us. Fydor says your human is the Uniter. You said she’s your fated mate. It doesn’t get better than that, does it?” She ran her hands through her hair, moving it out of her face. “For f*ck’s sake, Niki. It’s time to end this. We need to stop Fydor, and I need to uncover the truth about the murder.”
Deep down, he knew the truth. Somehow, his uncle was behind the death of both kings. He’d just been too selfish and stupid to acknowledge it. Rather than take his rightful place as king all those years ago, he’d turned the throne over to the very person who least deserved it. He took a deep, painful breath. “What do you need me to do?”
“Other than make it right with your human so you can help her scrawny ass save the world? I need you to contact the Time Folder.”
He collected the phone from the bar and dialed the only number entered. When no one answered, he left a message for Darvaak asking that he return to his penthouse as soon as possible.
Nikolai had no idea where he had taken Elena, but he knew it would take a while for him to return since he couldn’t teleport. Nikolai wondered if he would bring her with him, or if he had her at another safe house where she could remain hidden. He hoped she would come if for no other reason than he could see her. That alone would make him feel better. He had never needed anyone like he needed her—and not just physically, though that certainly kept him up at night.
He poured two glasses of Scotch and took one to Aleksi. She accepted it and sipped, studying him. They sat and for several minutes, remaining silent. He felt like such a prick. “I apologize,” he said. “I had no right to say the things I said.”
She shrugged. “I was out of line, too.”
He set his drink down, stood, and opened his arms. She rose and stepped into his embrace. “I love you, Aleksi. I don’t know how I’d live if something happened to you.”
“Love is for humans and fools,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.
“Call me a fool, then.”
Chapter Eighteen
Elena stared at the embracing couple in utter disbelief. Dressed in skimpy leather and wicked boots like something out of an S&M strip club, Aleksandra wrapped her arms around Nikolai’s waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. His hand splayed across her bare upper back above her leather bra.
“I love you,” he said to the Amazon in his arms. Slayers don’t believe in love, is what he’d told her. The liar. “Call me a fool,” he said against Aleksandra’s perfect, silky, black hair.
Elena would call him a whole lot worse than that. Here, she’d been thinking maybe the Time Folder had been right and being apart from Nik—her destined mate, partner, whatever-the-hell-he-was-supposed-to-be—was wrong. What a crock. If he felt the same way, he wouldn’t be playing grab-ass with She-Ra. She dropped Stefan’s hand and growled.
“Uh-oh,” Stefan said with a smile.
Uh-oh was right. And why was he smiling? Rage rolled through her, and she lifted her hands, focusing her energy on Nikolai. She had no idea what she was doing, but it felt right—as though all her anger had traveled to her palms. “Now,” she whispered, imagining all that rage slamming into his big, strong, hot, worthless, womanizing chest.
Nikolai noticed her and made eye contact right before the bolt of energy knocked him on his ass.
Yeah! Better than teleporting. Elena refrained from pumping her fist in the air.
Aleksandra drew her sword and with a burst from Elena, found herself planted on the carpet right next to Nikolai.
She’d expected him to be outraged and furious, but instead, the look Nik gave her was one of awe. Then he grinned. “My God, you’re magnificent.”
Oh no. None of his flattering bullshit. “And you’re an ass.”
“I like her much better as an immortal,” Aleksandra said, sliding her sword back in its sheath.
Stefan sat on the sofa, arms spread over the back as if he were watching a movie.
“Well, I don’t like you,” Elena said to the woman, before turning her gaze to Nikolai. “And I really don’t like you.”
When he crouched to stand, she raised her hands. “Don’t.”
His eyebrows cocked up, and he rolled back to a seated position. “She can channel,” he marveled.
“She?” Elena took a step closer. “I’m right here. I’m sick of you talking as if I’m not in the room.” Tears stung the back of her eyelids. No way was she going to let him see her cry. “Oh, wait, I can help with that. I’ll just leave the room, and then you can talk about me all you want, because you won’t ever be talking to me again. Have a nice life, Itzov.” She met Stefan’s amused gaze. “Call me when he and his…girlfriend are gone.”
Before she could make it to the bedroom door, Aleksandra burst out in laughter. “Girlfriend? She thinks I’m your girlfriend? Is that what you told her?”
Elena wanted to send her crashing through the window, but balled her fists at her side instead. “I’m sorry. Did I use the wrong term? What do you want to be called? His lover? His f*ck buddy?”
Nikolai remained seated with a look of genuine horror on his face as Aleksandra jumped to her feet.