One Insatiable(64)

“For starters, she wasn’t very smart.” He’s behind me now. “It’s unfortunate wit can sometimes skip a generation.”

“Maybe if you didn’t make a blanket decree, you could get to know someone like you did with Cora. Find a girl who actually wants to be with you.”

“That’s not how it works!” he suddenly shouts. “I’m the Prince of Darkness. Someone injures me, someone is made to pay.”

Or several someones. My anger matches his, and I jerk my chin at him. “It sounds like you’re the unintelligent one.”

He takes a step forward, and my chest clenches with fear. Blue fire burns in his eyes as he gazes down. “Don’t test me, Mercy. I will allow certain things for a season, but I am not a patient man.”

I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it’s caught. I’m caught, and I tremble before his wrath. His jaw is clenched, and I see the intent in his eyes. A shiver moves through my body, and I know he wouldn’t back down from rape.

“I’m cold. I’m going to my room.”

He doesn’t move, and I cower back, turning quickly and running up the stairs. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. If Hayden tries to force me, I’ll fight him. I don’t know where that will leave me. I don’t know how far he’ll go to break me.



* * *





Koa


My running finally slows to a walk as I reach the edge of the forest. A tall castle rises in front of me against the grey gloom. It’s shadowy with pointed spires and tall windows that twist into pointed arches.

It’s his castle, and it’s unguarded, which makes me even more cautious. If he doesn’t think he needs a guard, I’d better be on my toes. Asphodel crush beneath my boots, and I wish I were armed. I don’t have anything to use as leverage. I don’t know what I’m even planning here.

Doris talked about deep magic and our bond. Is it written somewhere that I can take her back on love alone? I only know of one myth where a man was permitted to take his loved one back from the underworld, and it ended badly.

Standing before the tall, wooden door, I turn the round handle and push. No surprise it opens slowly. It’s so quiet. The hall I’m in is dark with the only light coming from blue flames in small lanterns. The flames feel cold on my skin, but I don’t waste time studying them. I continue until I reach a large open room.

I’m facing an enormous fireplace with two chairs in front of it. Two heavy wooden staircases lead down to it from opposite ends. Looking up, I see the stories rise high on either side. Everything rises to a sinister point.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come.” Hayden’s calm voice snaps me to attention.

I take a step back, assuming a defensive pose as he steps around one of the chairs to the center of the room. I now realize he had been off to the side, standing at one of the tall windows.

“Where is she?” My voice is a low vibration in the quiet.

“My queen has retired to her bedroom. You just missed her, actually.”

Anger twists in my chest. “She’s not your queen. Mercy belongs to me.”

“You belong to me.” His eyes flash blue. “All murderers have their place with me in the underworld.”

“I’m not dead, I’m alive. I’m here through the rift in the worlds, and I’m taking Mercy back.”

“A murderer walks into the castle of Hades. He demands his bride and a pardon.” A mocking grin is on his lips. “It’s not so funny, is it?”

“Mercy belongs to me. Our blood has bonded. She’s my mate.”

“Too bad for you. The High Council says she belongs to me.”

“No one can give her to you if we’re bonded. You’ve been using an old grudge to punish her family for generations. You don’t even care anymore about your lost mate. It’s a game of spite for you.”

He folds his arms and walks to the fireplace. I watch his elegant moves. He’s dressed in black slacks and a black tailored shirt with a blood-red jacket on top. It’s belted like a smoking jacket.

“Only one part of what you say is true. I don’t miss my lost mate as much as in the beginning. Mercy’s aunt Cora eased that initial pain.” I start to speak, but he continues. “However, she’s gone, and I will have a wife. Mercy pleases me.”

“Mercy is MINE!” I shout, hoping she’ll hear me.

Rushing forward, I reach for Hayden’s throat, but his hands rise at the same time, meeting mine.

We hit each other with a CRASH! like granite meeting limestone. He’s immortally strong, but my strength is equally impressive. Our hands are clasped, and I’m pushing against him. Eyes flash, green striking blue. We both growl, hot breath rising between us in this battle of wills.

I push against his arms, and desperation fleets across his face. In that moment, I realize my advantage. I’m grasping his wrists. He can’t conjure or even signal his minions. I could defeat him this way.

ROAR! From the depths of my soul, I shout as I rip his arms down, hoping to pull them from his body. A yell of pain tears from his throat, and satisfaction rises in my chest. Suffer, motherf*cker. I want to see you bleed. I want to be the panther who sees you die.

Just then, a noise changes everything.