The Vampire's Bride (Atlantis #4)(109)

A mate was not punishment, Layel thought. A mate was a reward. But he gave no protest as Ares, too, vanished.

For several heartbeats, there was silence. Then a female sigh echoed. "Enough distractions. I will now award Delilah's prize." Hestia merely blinked at them and they were suddenly standing in front of the Amazon camp, a cliff rising in front of them. The women obviously couldn't see them, for they were readying for war, unconcerned by the vampire in their midst.

There was the young girl, the one who had been locked in the dragon cage what seemed an eternity ago. To Layel's delight, she was leading a scowling Brand by a chain, as though he were nothing more than a pet.

"Lily," Delilah said. She reached out stiffly, as though the action were automatic rather than heartfelt.

"Delilah," the goddess said, stopping her in her tracks. "As you know, my precious, you have earned a boon. What would you like? Name it, and it's yours. Remember, your sister Nola is out there, perhaps in pain."

Layel's jaw clenched. Low blow, he thought. Remember your promises, he projected to Delilah. Remember my promises. Please remember. During their night of passion, he had vowed to help her search for Nola, and he would. However long it took. He would not rest until her sister was safe. The boon wasn't needed for that. Would she remember? Would she care?

"Or I could give Layel back his mate," the goddess continued. "That would please him, I think."

Layel locked gazes with Delilah, letting all of his love pour from him.

"May I ask a few questions first?"

"Of course," the goddess replied magnanimously.

"What happened to the nymph army?"

"The army was returned to Atlantis, healthy and whole. If your fellow competitors Broderick and Tagart are lucky, they will someday follow suit."

Delilah nodded, satisfied. "Since you have already agreed to spare Layel's life, I ask for my emotions," she said, and Layel sank to his knees in relief. "I want my emotions returned. My love for him."

"I planned to return them anyway," the goddess surprised Layel by saying. "After you chose your prize. Logic aids us so much more than sentiment, after all. Besides, mere emotions don't seem a large enough reward for your efforts. Is there nothing else you would like?"

"Loving Layel, being with him, is what I desire most. But as you are giving me that, as well, I ask for Nola's safe return."

Hestia studied her a moment, then nodded. "Very well. All that you have named, you shall have. But not all at the same time. Nola has much to learn first."

A moment later, Delilah's body jerked and she screamed in pain, just as she'd done the night before. All Layel could do was gather her close and hold on to her until the throbbing subsided. Finally she collapsed, panting, sweating.

"Thank you, thank you," he said, raining kisses all over her face. "Thank you for remembering. Thank you for loving me."

Her violet gaze lifted, piercing him. "Does some part of you wish I'd asked for your mate's return?"

"Ah, but you did ask for exactly that. You are my mate. My greatest prize."

Slowly she grinned. "A prize," she said with wonder. "Me. It's what I've always wanted to be, what I secretly dreamed of each night in camp and every time I saw other creatures holding hands and basking in each other."

"It's what you've always been, what you will always be." He kissed her forehead, her nose and then her precious lips. "We will never be parted again, I vow it. We can live in my palace or I will be your eternal slave at the Amazon camp."

Her eyes widened. "You would be my slave?"

"I am your slave, love."

Now those widened eyes filled with happy tears, her smile brighter than the sun. "I would love to live in your palace. To have you all to myself, no war or battle-training to distract us. Maybe, though, we can visit my tribe upon occasion." She looked down, as if it was too much to hope for.

"Anytime you wish. The girl, Lily, can even stay with us when we return, if your queen will allow it. Perhaps she can help us practice our parenting skills."

"Oh, Layel." She kissed and nipped at his face. "I would like that. And I think Lily would, too." Her head fell back and she laughed, a sound of true joy. "We'll have to deal with her new slave, though. Are you sure - "

"My quest to kill the dragons is over." He shrugged sheepishly. "But perhaps I will torture Brand a wee bit. Or perhaps he will prove useful as we rescue Zane and Nola. Because if I know my Amazon, you will not be content to wait for Hestia to send the girl to us, just as I am not content to leave my soldier in torment."

"You, Layel, are a wonderful man. My dark and passionate king." She cupped his face, her thumbs tenderly brushing his lips. "So...now that you have me, what are you going to do with me?"

"That's easy, love," he said, holding her tight. "Cherish you, all the days of my life."