The Darkest King

by Gena Showalter

  William flipped off his boys before continuing. “I believed my magic somehow contained the essence of the horsemen of the apocalypse. Prophecies claim every set of horsemen will one day battle it out, the winning foursome compelled to ride across earth, spurring the end of the world. After what we learned about the Wrathlings, I think someone in my familial line was—is—a horseman.”

  That tracked. “I’m kind of shocked that there’s more than one set.” But then, she’d bet Hell business stayed Hell business, secrets kept throughout the ages.

  “The many different sets come from different species, at different times, in various ways, but they are always birthed in sets of four.” His voice hardened, like a sword dipped in fire, hammered, then finished in ice. Thinking about the loss of his daughter? “A multitude of oracles have claimed I can reincarnate White, the only reason I haven’t wiped the Fae from existence.”

  Oh, yes. The daughter. “What’s the catch?” Sunny asked.

  “I can only do it after my sons have died, or I’ll create a new set of four.”

  The boys bowed their heads, taking a moment to mourn the loss of their sister. When they looked up, they glared at Sunny again.

  Perhaps they were attempting to intimidate her? Maybe scare her away so she would never harm William?

  Normally, she’d glare right back, hurling an insult or two for good measure. With a mantra of “be nice” screaming inside her head, she pasted on another smile. “Why can’t White be reincarnated the old-fashioned way, without the boys dying?” Sunny...pregnant with William’s child...

  She shivered with one part shock, one part longing. She’d thought she wasn’t ready but...maybe?

  How would William feel about the idea?

  And what about Lucifer? As long as he lived, her children would be in danger.

  Okay, time to change the subject. “Where’s Evelina?”

  “The dungeon,” Green groused.

  “Show Axel the way down,” William instructed. “Sunny and I will be along shortly.”

  Uh, what the what? Why the delay?

  The moment their companions exited the parlor, William spun her, pressing his chest against her back, and coiled his strong arms around her. He nibbled on her earlobe, his shaft hardening against her bottom. “Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it.”

  How did he know something was wrong? What were her tells? “If the underworld kings hated me, so what? They aren’t important to you. But your boys are, and they already dislike me, and I don’t know why. They don’t even know me yet.”

  “You are extremely important to me. And they don’t dislike you. They merely worry you’ll succumb to the curse and harm me.”

  Oh...daisy. They should worry. “Maybe I shouldn’t be important to you,” she said, sniffling. A freaking sniffle, like a freaking pansy. “We haven’t discussed the passage I decoded.”

  He sighed, his breath fanning her nape. “Let’s discuss it, then. Tell me what happens when you work on the book.”

  Being tucked up against him made her next words easier and more difficult. “A dark and dangerous force comes over me, whispering thoughts in my ear. Kill him. William must die. Maybe because you fall for me faster when I’m working, so the magic gets stronger? And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just... I feared how you’d react. The good news is the urge goes away as soon as I walk away from the book.”

  She wrung her fingers, awaiting his response. He hadn’t stiffened or—wait. She had one thing to add. “I’ll never give in to the urges, I swear! And I’m close to finishing, I know it.”

  Tightening his hold, he said, “If I had a single qualm about your intentions, you’d be in the magically patched-up stable. But I trust you, just as you trust me, remember? Plus, you’re the strongest person I know. If anyone can overcome a compulsion, it’s you.”

  She whimpered with relief. “Thank you for the vote of confidence, but, um, maybe you should stop falling for me. For now, anyway. At least until the book is decoded.”

  His husky chuckle teased her ears. “I’ll agree not to fall for you anymore...if you’ll agree to stop being so freesia-ing magnificent.”

  “I can’t promise that,” she said so seriously, so forlornly, he chuckled again.

  He sobered quickly, grating, “Is the falling mutual?”

  “Yes, you fool,” she said, sinking deeper into his embrace.

  In response, he nuzzled his cheek against hers.

  Mmm. “How did your boys act when they met your other women?” she asked, curious.

  “You are the first.”

  Really? Her heart leaped. “What about your friends? Have they met your sons?”

  “A few of the Lords have, but I never made introductions. They stumbled upon each other.”

  Hold up. “Not even Anya and Pandora have met your horsemen?”

  “Correct.” He flattened his hands on her stomach and drew them up slowly. “I can tell my unicorn likes this news.” Up a little more.

  “Of course I do!” I’m special to him.

  Up...

  Would he... Yes! He cupped her breasts, sending a delicious cascade of heat through her.

  Panting, she turned to face him. While she would have given anything to stay in this position, she kissed his lips quickly and said, “Let’s go meet Evelina. The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll finish, and the sooner you can take me home and get me out of this dress.”

  35

  “Don’t beat yourself up. That’s my job.”

  William leaned against a wall and crossed his arms over his chest. Green remained at his side. An underground catacomb stretched out before them, the air dank, musty and surprisingly cold considering their locale: the center of Hell. Dried blood stained the brimstone walls, and water dripped from a cluster of “screaming crystals”—prisms that trapped sounds of agony and misery inside; those sounds seeped out at different intervals, the volume cranked to full blast.

  He watched, captivated, as Sunny did her thing—take over.

  “You two. Out of my way.” She pushed past Red and Black to stand beside Axel at the door of Evelina’s cell, where the prisoner slept fitfully on a cot. “Why hasn’t she awoken? Why are her hands tied?”

  “The little wildcat hurt herself trying to flee, so we drugged her,” Red explained, a little snippy for William’s liking. “And she’s bound so that she can’t wield magic or shape-shift.”

  Sunny went ramrod straight. Uh-oh. Here comes trouble.

  “She isn’t evil,” Sunny snapped. “I’m staring at her aura right now, and she’s furious, wounded, terrified and sad, but she’s not evil. So you won’t drug her again. Understand? Say the words back to me.”

  Her defense of the witch reminded him of her kindness to the children who’d admired her hair, her sweetness with the dying hellhound and her instant love for Dawn.

  The perfect queen. My queen.

  “You cannot command warlords like us,” Black snapped back, “when you lack the strength to enforce it.”

  A slow, confident smile bloomed, a wild gleam in those purple eyes, only fueling William’s hard-on. “Try me.”

  Until now, he hadn’t realized he had a type, or that his type would be a pendulum of emotion, but he liked what he liked. He enjoyed soothing her temper. Thrilled when she donned her invisible captain’s hat, assuming control of a situation. Her fear that his boys wouldn’t like her? Adorable.

  He’d never seen her so vulnerable, had never realized how desperately she craved a family of her own. He’d known she missed other unicorns, had known she was lonely, but he hadn’t computed the depths of that loneliness. As deep as his own had once been—before Sunny.

  Both Red and Black peered over their shoulders, giving William an “is she for real?” look.

  He played helpless, hiking his shoulders. “Consider Sunny yo
ur stepmother. Do what she says.”

  Oh, she liked that as much as his earlier confession, her chin lifting.

  The boys glared at him before muttering in unison, “We won’t drug her again.”

  A smile teased William’s mouth.

  “You are falling for her,” Green remarked quietly.

  “Falling hard, yes.” Why deny it? “She is...valued.” Dare he say cherished?

  “And yet, she has the power to kill you.”

  More so than his boys realized. “She does, but she won’t.” As quickly as he was falling for Sunny, she was falling for him, the truth gleaming in her eyes every time she glanced at him. Or melted in his arms.

  “Your woman’s idea about White,” Green said. “You think there’s a chance Sunny could...?”

  “I do,” William replied more softly. The second the topic had come up, he’d imagined her pregnant with his babe—and he’d liked it. Wild possessiveness had surged through him, demanding he make imagination a reality. He thought he’d sensed longing in her, too.

  With the start of mating season mere days away, they could do it. Maybe. Yet...

  He knew it would be better to wait. He craved more time with Sunny, just the two of them. Look at me, planning for the future, rather than living day by day. But the war still raged, the curse still loomed, Lucifer still lived and William had yet to find the tenth Hell crown. So far, he had no leads.

  So many obstacles against them.

  A commotion drew his gaze back to Evelina’s cell. The royal witch had awakened. Bellowing in a language William didn’t know, she struggled to rise from the cot with her arms tied behind her back. When she succeeded, she darted to the back of the cell, pressing her back against the wall. Clumps of dirt were stuck to her hair, obscuring the color of the strands. Mud had dried on her skin, so thick she must have fallen into a sea of the stuff just before being carted away. Her irises were lovely, green rimmed with silver, her pupils as big as saucers. She wore a tattered gown as muddy as the rest of her.

  “Where did you find her?” William asked Green.

  “An immortal brothel.”

  Why would she stay or work in a brothel, if she hoped to hide? At her wedding, a witch cast a spell over Evelina—at Lucifer’s insistence. If ever she slept with another male, or orgasmed, Lucifer would know. He would also know where she was, and who she was with.

  “Let me in the cell,” Sunny commanded.

  Again, his boys looked to him for permission. Curious about what his unicorn planned to do, William nodded, straightened and closed the distance. He would enter at her side. If Evelina made a move against her, Evelina would pay dearly.

  Though no one touched the lock, Red opened the door with a wave of his hand. Sunny stepped forward, but William flashed in front, entering first.

  Evelina met his gaze and cringed, inching into a corner.

  Peering at her, needing her to see the seriousness of his expression, he said, “Harm the girl, give her even the barest scratch, and I’ll gift you to Lucifer within the hour. Nod to show you understand.”

  Tremors racked the witch-shifter’s small body, but still, she nodded. She looked to Sunny, the horsemen, Axel, then back to William, only to zoom back to Axel and visually trace his wings. Her eyes widened before she bellowed a string of unintelligible words, seeming to take the Sent One to task.

  “Anyone know the language?” William asked.

  A chorus of “no” belted out at different volumes.

  Sunny took another step forward, slow and steady. Still, Evelina yelped and scrambled along the wall, moving farther away. When Sunny took a second step, the girl bared her claws and hissed.

  Shoulders sagging, Sunny looked to William. Tears pooled in her eyes, the sight of them nearly sending him into an unstoppable rage. “Why is she afraid of me? I only want to help her.”

  “Sometimes the only way to help someone is to walk away.” He tugged her against him, holding her close. He told his boys, “Ensure news of Evelina’s capture spreads to Lucifer without harming her.”

  “Or touching her,” Sunny added with a sniffle.

  He fought a smile. Such a soft, gooey center beneath her hard, chocolatey shell.

  “I will ensure Lucifer knows.” Axel’s unbending tone echoed through the chamber. “He might not believe others, but he’ll believe a Sent One.”

  His brother wasn’t wrong. Lies burned to death before ever escaping a Sent One’s mouth.

  “And,” Axel added, “I will take the girl with me. I can keep her in a place Lucifer and his demons cannot reach.”

  No doubt that place belonged in the heavens. “She’s part witch,” William informed him. Sent Ones considered witches as evil as demons. “A magic wielder, like me.”

  Axel arched a brow. “I’ve never known who or what I was. Not really. As if I would judge another for being what they are.”

  Like this man more and more.

  His boys issued immediate refusals, but William silenced them with a glance. What to do? While Evelina would be safer in the heavens, the Sent Ones might not give her back when the time came.

  “What do you think?” William asked Sunny.

  Red frowned, Green scowled and Black spat a curse. This was a first. He’d never sought advice from anyone other than Hades. Ignore the pang.

  “I think...” She curled her fingers around the collar of his shirt. “Yes. Let Axel take her where she’ll be safest. But first, demand concessions.”

  He flashed a smile. “I love the way your mind works.”

  At the word love, her breath caught.

  Oh, shit. He’d just used the dreaded L-word, and he’d...

  He...

  Meant it. And he could not take back the words.

  Or the emotion.

  He loved the way her illogical mind worked. How she helped those in need. Her courage, her strength. Her sense of humor, and her loyalty. Her dark side. Her soft side. Loved her goofy, loved her serious. He loved the way she demanded his best. The way she responded to his every touch. Never had she cowered from him. Never would she. Every single day, she gave him a new memory to cherish.

  He just loved her, period. The emotion flooded him in torrents, nearly drowning him. No denying it a moment longer. She’d been made for him, and he’d been made for her. They were a pack. A family.

  The future Hell king, and his treasured queen.

  His heart slammed against his ribs, fear surfacing. Damn it! This was bad. So very bad. Surely the curse had just activated.

  Why hadn’t she raged and attempted to remove his head, the only sure way to end him?

  She petted his chest, as if she sensed his turmoil.

  He needed to stop loving her. It’s her, or it’s me.

  It’s...her. It will always be her. Stop loving her? Too late.

  The code had to be broken. Soon! And if she tried to kill him in the meantime? What would he do? If he fought back, he risked harming her. A total nonstarter. What did that leave?

  Axel smiled a cold smile. “What kind of concessions? I don’t slaughter anyone who tries to stop me?”

  Spoken like a true...whatever our last name should be. Hiding his turbulent emotions behind a carefree expression, he said, “I want Evelina brought back when I demand it, and I want Fox spared for her crimes against your people. She may remain Bjorn’s prisoner, but she must not be killed.” She’d murdered ten Sent Ones, yes, but only because her demon had overtaken her. Did she deserve punishment? Yes. And she’ll get it. But death? No.

  Several beats of silence. Then, “Agreed,” Axel grated.

  “Then so it shall be.” Leaving the Sent One with Evelina, William took Sunny’s hand and flashed her home...back to the book, for better or worse.

  36

  “To meet me is to crave me.”

  One mi
nute bled into another as William prowled through the bedroom, adhering Wear a Condom notes everywhere. Sunny watched, concerned about his stiff movements and unwillingness to glance her way. Something was wrong.

  They’d returned over an hour ago. He’d handed her the book, then started on the reminders. He’d been working at warp speed ever since, muttering about the effing curse. Of course, he’d used the actual F-word.

  “We need to talk,” she finally said.

  “Not in the mood for chitchat.”

  Instinct screamed, Get this settled. “So? I said need, not want, and need wins. Now that we’re official, it’s your duty to ensure I have everything I need.”

  He flashed her a scowl, still not meeting her eyes. “Then talk.”

  Seriously, what was his problem? Before they’d entered the dungeon, he’d been kind and sweet. But maybe his boys’ dislike had rubbed off on him, despite his claims to the contrary?

  A rising tide of nausea took her by surprise. “If you’re super worried, just chain me in the dungeon next to Evelina until the end of mating season.”

  “No.” He adhered a note to the dresser with more force than necessary. “I will take care of you.”

  “I’m still decoding your book, William, and there are still moments I want to kill you. Plus, what if the notes make no difference and you forget to wear a condom? Now isn’t the time for a baby, not even a chance for one.”

  “Because you don’t want me smuggling an ally into your womb?”

  “Not until Lucifer is dead.” But...would the desire to kill William cease if he had an ally on the inside?

  He said nothing more, and Sunny took his silence as an affirmation. Chained, it is. Disappointing but necessary.

  As he bent over, putting a note on the floor, her belly fluttered, a raspy moan escaping her. Was he hoping to take her there?

  He froze, and her heart raced faster. Slowly, he straightened and faced her. The moment he spied her expression, he hardened, tenting his pants. Her body responded, heating, aching...preparing for invasion.

  Arousal, stronger than ever before. Familiar sensations bombarded her. Her nipples beaded. Her blood heated another thousand degrees. The most delicious aches plagued her...until they became the most painful. Her panties dampened, and her core clenched, desperate for him. Her skin tingled, seeking his touch.