The Darkest King

by Gena Showalter

  Wary, he told her, “Doesn’t matter. You are my decoder.” And lifemate. “Not my therapist.”

  “Ohhh. Now there’s a fantasy to add to my list.” Once again, she batted her lashes. “Sex therapist and patient. I just have to pick the right partner.”

  The calculated gleam...those batting lashes... He understood now. She wanted to irritate him. This was, indeed, part of his punishment.

  Her mistake.

  In the land of sexual torment, he was king. My turf, my rules. “In this scenario, what do I do?” he asked, using his huskiest tone. “Do I watch or take notes?”

  She gulped, goose bumps spreading over her arms. “Take notes? As if! You don’t do any—”

  “You’re right,” he interjected. “How can I take notes when my face is buried between your legs?”

  At first, she blinked at him. Then she dropped her jaw. Then she laughed outright, awakening something hot, dark and possessive inside him. He barely refrained from grabbing her and hauling her fine ass into his chair.

  Unaware of the insatiable beast she provoked, she clutched the photos to her chest and said, “I know you’re ready for me to leave. And I will. Just as soon as you tell me three facts about you. And don’t refuse. For all you know, I’m deciding whether or not to bail on you and mount an escape.”

  He admired her spirit. “You think you have a choice?”

  “You think you can force me?”

  Nix that. He lamented her spirit. “Very well. Three facts in exchange for zero escape attempts. One—”

  “You’re a bad kisser. I know. I meant, tell me things I haven’t yet learned.”

  Stilling punishing me. Noted. “I’m not a bad kisser, damn it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and prayed for patience. His phone buzzed, signaling a text had come in. In desperate need of a reprieve, he hurriedly reached for the device.

  “Is that your dad? I bet it’s your dad. Do you think I’m the kind of girl he’s always dreamed of for his precious little boy? Are you going to tell him you’re falling in lust with me, a paranoid unicorn who has the paranormal version of a multiple personality disorder? If I were you, I maybe wouldn’t lead with that. We want him to be super excited when you bring me home to show me off.”

  William ground his teeth. “Fact one. I did not receive a text from my father, my friend.” He read the screen.

  Lucien, Anya’s Boy Toy: Code red. The Sent Ones want Fox dead. Granted, they have reason. She killed 10 innocent Warriors. (Galen is on a rampage about it, making HIMSELF a target for elimination.) Anything you can do to help?

  Galen was a Lord, just like Lucien, only Galen carried two demons. Jealousy and False Hope. Fox, Galen’s right-hand woman, hailed from a species known as Gatekeepers, able to portal anywhere, anytime. On top of that, she carried the demon of Distrust. Both were allies. Hades hoped to exploit them both, Fox especially. But first, William would have to save her life, it seemed.

  Besides, an ally was an ally, and Sent Ones needed a reminder of that. Mess with William’s people, and suffer.

  He texted back: I’ll take care of it.

  Then he texted Zacharel, the only Sent One he dealt with. One of their most powerful.

  “Who’s Lucien?” Sunny asked. “Who’s Anya, Fox, Galen and Zacharel?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He stifled a spark of anger—at himself. Because he wanted to tell her, wanted her advice. “How did you read the screen? Unicorn magic?”

  “Maybe. Or maybe the mirror behind you.”

  Well. He set his phone aside. Where was I? Oh, yes. Facts about himself. “Two, I survived torture and imprisonment more times than you can count. And three, I kill everyone who betrays me, always, without exception. I value loyalty far more than pleasure.”

  She half smiled at him. “Wily prince. You used your facts to warn me.”

  Perceptive female. And now he absolutely needed to make that game plan. He reached out to jab the call button on the landline, only to discover Pandora had been listening the entire time. He pinched the bride of his nose. Sisters sucked. “Panties—yes, that’s your new nickname. Deal with it. Do me a solid and escort Sunny to her new quarters. When you get there, she’s going to write a list of supplies.” He tossed the unicorn a notebook and pen. “Buy her whatever she wants.”

  “Without complaint,” Sunny piped up.

  “Without complaint,” he added, wanting to smile. No, frown. Definitely frown.

  “And where will she be staying, hmm?” Pandora asked, her voice spilling from the speaker.

  Where else? “The stable.”

  10

  “For me, there’s a time and place for lust. Always, and everywhere.”

  Sunny prowled through her new home, breathing in the musty, dusty scent of a forgotten space. Bigger than the bunkroom, with an open floor plan, it had a tiered ceiling, three windows and a row of stalls, all empty. In back were the living quarters, complete with a bedroom, bathroom, laundry and kitchenette. Unless she counted dust bunnies, no animals lived here.

  She had some cleaning to do, though. And traps to make. She’d set them around the perimeter, ensuring no one entered without permission. But... I think I’ll like it here. For so long, too long, she’d been on the run, moving from one run-down motel to another. Now she could roost.

  Pandora stood in a portal, a vision of strength and beauty with her angular features, bedroom eyes and toned body. Her arsenal of weapons only added to her appeal. Two short swords were strapped to her back, and two semiautomatics were holstered to her waist. She had a dagger anchored to each thigh, and also stuffed into the sides of her combat boots.

  To steal one or not to steal one?

  Nah. There was no need. Sunny wore the world’s best weapon around her neck. The medallion.

  “Just so you know,” Pandora said, “William is my family now. Something I lacked for a very long time. If you harm him, I’ll harm you back, only worse.”

  Oh, to have someone so loyal in her corner. Envy bloomed. “William survived a magic death-bullet to the face. I assure you, he can take whatever I dish.” But what would it take to actually kill him? Best she find out ASAP. Not because she wanted to kill him. She didn’t. Not at this moment. But because he was a prince of darkness who might turn on her. She needed to be ready.

  Sunny placed the notebook, pen and stack of photos at the edge of the bed, then stuffed the cell phone in her pocket. She would so not be surprised if William had preloaded a couple dickpix in the camera roll.

  Would he use your instead of you’re when—if—he texted? Or maybe their instead of there? Dude. He did, and she would take sex off the table because priorities!

  Sex...with William... From adamantly opposed, to eagerly for? Well, earlier she’d thought to tease him with a kiss—and ended up teasing herself. Pleasure had burned hot, torching her trust issues. For a moment.

  A moment she would forever replay.

  Then he’d done his robot thing, ruining it. Still, she wanted to kiss him again, wanted to bask in the softness of his lips, the decadence of his taste and the undeniable strength in his every touch. Afterward, she wanted to talk with him. The man might be coarse and crude, but his sense of humor was unparalleled. And...and...she wanted everything and nothing, solitude and companionship.

  “You think physical survival is all that matters?” Pandora tsk-tsked. “That’s sad.”

  Yeah. It kinda was. Her shoulders rolled in. But, in her defense, William’s mental and emotional health shouldn’t matter to her. Captor/prisoner, remember?

  So why can’t I forget the sadness I glimpsed in his eyes?

  “I heard your conversation with him,” Pandora admitted. “I know what you are, and I’m impressed. Just don’t go thinking you’re special to William. He’ll never settle down.”

  “Whoa. Who says I want to settle down?” Me! Me!
I do! While a prince of the underworld would never be boyfriend material for Sunny, he might be great...boy-toy material?

  She no longer believed William had aided Lucifer in the destruction of her village. And the way he looked at her...

  As if they were already in bed, naked, their limbs intertwined. Her pulse spiked, her thoughts growing muddled.

  Pandora sighed. “I know that look. You’ve just sprung yourself a lady boner.”

  I have, haven’t I?

  “Come on,” the other woman said, waving her over. “Forget William, and give me your list.”

  Forget William? I don’t think I can.

  Sunny returned to the bed and drafted the shopping list, adding everything she’d mentioned to William, plus clothes with sizes, comfortable lingerie—no thongs!—toiletries, games and a few other necessities. Lastly, she added a no-exceptions must-have: everything she’d left in the hotel room, including her book. The one with her lists.

  Her new cell phone beeped just as she finished. A little eager and a lot anticipatory, she rushed to read the screen.

  Master W: Does my little tuna miss me?

  A second message arrived a split second later.

  Master W: Duna. Stupid autocorrect.

  Master W? A grin teased her lips. This man...oh, this man. Part of her did miss him.

  No more mooning over kisses and sex. Start decoding. Only thirteen days until William’s protection ends and mating season starts. Her stomach churned.

  Why the time limit, though? She still didn’t know.

  Before she had a chance to type a reply, Pandora clapped her hands and barked, “Chop, chop.”

  She tossed the phone on the bed, planning to respond later, in private, then crossed the distance to hand over the list. “Before you comment about the number of items or the expense incurred, don’t. William acquired a thoroughbred, and as you can guess, my upkeep is expensive.” She snickered at her own joke. Unicorn humor never got old.

  “The lingerie is meant to seduce William, yes?” Pandora asked, glancing from the list to Sunny.

  She shrugged. Actually, the lingerie was meant to torment William. She had not and would not cease making him uncomfortable, not until she became a guest rather than a prisoner.

  “Well, I approve.” The dark-haired female winked and stepped backward. As the portal closed, she said, “I’ll return shortly.”

  Wait. Had anyone thought to lock the stable door?

  Marveling at the possibility, Sunny checked the knob. No resistance. She didn’t... She couldn’t... With a single push, the entrance swung open. Shocked stupid but grinning, she stepped beyond the threshold. Overwarm air enveloped her, but she didn’t care. If she wished, she could escape.

  Her grinned widened. Another step and another. Should she or shouldn’t—

  Sunny slammed into some kind of invisible barrier and bounced back. She tripped over nothing and crash-landed on her butt, air bursting from her lungs and stars flashing before her eyes.

  She pounded a fist into the dirt. I will double his torment!

  Huffing and puffing, she lumbered to her feet and marched forward, arms outstretched. When she reached the barrier, she hit it with magic...but it remained in place.

  Disappointed, she cast her gaze over the landscape. An array of hills and valleys greeted her, with random fires raging throughout. Wind howled, ash falling like wisps of snow. There were a handful of trees, but all were spindly with huge black thorns dripping...motor oil?

  Demons wandered about. Some had horns. Others had scales, wings or tails. All had weapons.

  Enemy! Her violent side bowed up, ready to fight and slay superhero-style. Could the fiends enter the stable? Would they? If they were part of William’s army, she wouldn’t harm—no. Not true. Loyal to William or not, demons had to die. Evil was evil, and the fiends could not be trusted. She would set traps, not to dissuade unwanted visitors, as she’d planned before—to kill.

  At the moment, the entire horde hyperfocused on... Sunny sucked in a breath. Swinging two short swords with masterful skill, William worked his way through their ranks. Golden runes branched over his muscular arms, lightning flashing just under the surface of his skin.

  As he struck down one demon after another, he was absolutely, utterly vicious. Brutal. Magnificent. Such beautiful temptation. So deadly, and yet he handled me with such care.

  Her body reacted as it always did in his presence. Heating and dampening, preparing for rough, vigorous sex. Then she remembered the barrier surrounding the stable.

  Scowling, she called, “Don’t mind me, Willy. Pretend I’m not here, thinking about rubbing one out while I watch you.”

  He spun so fast he’d have whiplash, his electric blues glittering with excitement. The distraction cost him, just as she’d hoped. He failed to track the demon sneaking up behind him, which meant he failed to brace for a blow to the back of the head.

  Ouch! “That’s what you get!”

  He righted quickly and—Oh. My. Wow. Massive jet-black smoke-wings exploded from his back. Her jaw went slack. The lightning under his skin spread to his wings, a storm raging within each appendage. Amazing.

  Around him, demons toppled. Were they dead or unconscious? Either way, they lost their heads the moment William moved within striking distance.

  “Enjoy your concussion, warden. In the coming days, it’ll be your fondest memory,” Sunny whispered, backtracking into the stable and kicking the double doors shut.

  She paced, her mind whirling. In the ballroom, she’d considered him no match for unicorn strength. Now? I might have met my match.

  If ever he decided to make a play for her horn... Who am I kidding? He would. Every non-unicorn who’d ever discovered her origins had coveted it.

  Cold spread through Sunny’s limbs. If he did manage to steal her horn, she would lose everything. Without the horn, she had no magic. No strength. No way to shift forms. She wouldn’t be able to read auras and wouldn’t know ordinary citizens from garbage humans, mortals from immortals or truth from lie.

  She would work on his book, as promised, while continuing his punishments, enjoying his shelter and provision, spending his money, and using his battlefield skill to pare down the number of collectors and poachers on her trail. Still, she needed to get that escort to Lucifer’s door. But. With this new development, she also needed to win his trust and gain possession of his book. She’d have to be careful and take measures to ensure he didn’t somehow win her trust, ruining everything. She’d never be able to torment, betray and evade someone she trusted.

  In two weeks, she would use the book as collateral if necessary. Set me free or watch the precious burn.

  11

  “Try to stop me. Dare you.”

  Wondering if Sunny still watched him, William exaggerated his movements as he stabbed and beheaded demon after demon. He wanted her to note his skill, to know he could and would protect what belonged to him. So she’d feel safe. Of course.

  Black smoke rose from the bodies, absorbing into his glowing runes. Strength flooded him, plumping his muscles, doubling their size.

  He fought methodically, mercilessly. For months the demons had skulked around the house—once Hades’s country estate, now William’s headquarters. They spied for Lucifer, continually painted penises on the walls, vandalized the stable and peed on any foliage that managed to grow.

  I’ll kill them all.

  A demon clawed William’s side; skin split, blood poured and pain flared. With a growl, he reached into the culprit’s throat. Teeth and fangs chomped on him as grabbed the male’s larynx and ripped it out, along with pieces of lung.

  A faint whistle caught his attention. A sound he recognized. Someone had tossed a sword at him. With a dark oath, William ducked. The weapon flew overhead, and he threw himself back into the fray.

  By the t
ime he took down his final opponent, his yard was a sea of dead bodies and body parts. The stable doors?

  His gaze whipped to the right. Closed. They were closed, Sunny sealed inside. Another oath left him. He’d hoped to speak to her...and maybe perhaps he’d hoped she would fawn all over him and patch up his wounds. What? He deserved a little fawning.

  At least he didn’t have to worry she’d escape and he’d lose her. The first time she and the other codebreakers had stepped through the portal, he’d tagged them all with a mystical tracker. From now on, he could find his unicorn with only a thought.

  He returned to the house, stomping on corpses along the way. Under his boots, bones crunched and blood splashed. The front doors opened automatically, the home bespelled to do what he wanted, when he wanted. The scent of sulfur, brimstone and death faded, the blistering wind dying down.

  Pandora was out shopping for Sunny and the other prisoners, and Green had rejoined his brothers to complete a mission to find Evelina, Lucifer’s absentee bride. She’d run away soon after the wedding, never to be heard from again.

  So, William should be alone, yet someone stood in his foyer.

  He ground to a halt, his bloody hands fisting. A dark-haired Sent One faced the far wall, his back to William. Had to be Zacharel, here to discuss Fox. He wore a white robe with purple trim, with golden wings tucked into his sides. Solid gold wings = one of seven Elite soldiers.

  “Hello, Zacharel. To what do I owe this...pleasure?” Lies tasted foul to the Sent Ones. So, every now and then—or always—William told the male a falsehood just for grins and giggles.

  Z didn’t react to William’s voice in any way. Meaning he’d known the moment William entered. Slowly he turned...

  Dread punched William. An uppercut followed by a backhand of shock. A jab of wonder. A kick of elation. An elbow of foreboding. A pat of joy. A punch of sadness. Another punch. Horror. Punch. Hope. His guest wasn’t Zacharel, after all...but Axel.

  “We meet at last, William of the Dark.”

  Their gazes locked, every emotion sharpening. Soon William felt as if he were hemorrhaging inside. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do.