by Cate Masters
“Yes, so you’ve told me.”
“To know you’re engaged to wed another nearly kills me. I want to rip her heart out and feed it to Cerberus.”
“Careful. That’s how we ended up in this predicament.”
“Apologies, my lord. The thought of never feeling your touch again is too much to bear.”
“Who said that? I never did.” He had every intention of screwing Veronica at every opportunity. Much as Lily excited him, she’d never keep up with his sexual demands. Veronica could. She’d be his first choice on business trips, not Lily.
Surprise flashed across her face, which then lit with happiness.
He strolled behind her. An idea struck, and he unlatched one of her wrists, wound the chain over a bar above her head, and refastened the lock. Oh yes. This punishment might be fun after all. He stood in front of her and trailed a finger down her cleavage.
“If I were to touch you, and demand you not respond, how torturous would that be?”
“Terrible, my lord.” Her voice grew huskier with each word. “My body aches for you.”
“Tell me.” He prepared to indulge her fantasy.
“My breasts delight at the feel of your tongue.”
He tugged her tight knit top below her full breasts and traced the hardened pebbles around her nipples.
She bit her lip. “And when you roll my nipple across your teeth, your suckling makes me wet for you.”
As he suckled, he drew down her shorts and ran his hand inside her thigh. Oh yes, she was already wet.
Her breaths came faster. “If my ankles were freed, my legs could circle your waist, to take you in fully. Fast or slow as you wish.”
The vixen knew how to make him hard beyond bearing. He bent to unlock her ankle restraints, then dropped his pants.
Like an acrobat, she held the chains and danced her feet up his legs to hook behind him at the waist. He braced his cock with his hand and stood waiting. He’d make her work for it.
From the gleam in her eyes, she enjoyed this game, adjusting her height and angle so she aligned with his erection. Once she found the head of his cock, she clenched her knees to plunge him deeper.
He let his arms rest at his sides, willing himself not to aid her. “Faster, wench. I think you need more torture.”
“Yes, my lord. I do.” Her arms shook as she held tight, muscles straining as she buried him inside her again and again, her huffs tainted with repressed moans.
The strain of holding back was delicious torture indeed. He had to restrain himself so he could truthfully tell Hades he did not screw Veronica. Whether she screwed him or not was another matter.
Finally she bucked against him, shuddering, her legs clenched him tight enough to kill an ordinary man. Admirably, she made minimal sound, even as her muscles gave out and her knees dropped from his sides. She hung like an erotic rag doll, exhausted. From her leering smile, she’d be willing to give it another go. Ah, the invitation in her eyes tempted him so. Her deep appreciation fueled his growing addiction to her.
“You’ve had enough. For now.” He’d revisit this method of punishment at a future time. Soon.
***
The tunnels became a maze of hallways, and in each new passageway, more activity, as Illiana had warned. They communicated with hand signals, creeping along with all their senses on high alert.
Bodie was uncomfortable when Illiana took the lead, but made no argument. She knew the most direct route, knew what to expect. They fled from hiding place to hiding place. Whatever she’d given him had eased the pain. He still limped, weakened by the attack.
Every moment, Bodie expected a garrison of demons to surround them, even after the atmosphere in the Underworld changed. The demons they glimpsed moved with such purpose, as if hurrying to carry out assigned tasks.
Two demons scurried along, one holding a dress over its head, the other carrying its hem. A red dress, diaphanous and ornately beaded. Another followed with a matching headdress, suitable for a high ceremony.
Like a wedding. Bodie’s stomach tightened. It had to be for Lily. She was going to marry Zev. He closed his eyes.
A swat at his shoulder roused him. Brows knit, Illiana shook her head.
He understood her meaning: we’re not too late.
Right, it hadn’t yet taken place. Neither had spoken any vows. Hope strengthened him. He nodded, muscles tense and ready to spring into action.
She held up a hand.
Reluctantly, he acknowledged her meaning again: wait for the right time.
He eased down in retreat. For now.
***
“I am not wearing this.” Lily glared at the ridiculous gown. Red, of all colors. Rather beautiful, actually, and if it were any other occasion – say, a Mardi Gras parade – she’d love to dress up in it.
No way was she going along with this wedding crap.
A servant entered, panic twisting her features when she saw the gown lying on the floor.
“The Prince sent me for you.”
“Guess I can’t tell him to go to Hell.” A little late for that.
The demon’s chin quivered. “Hades said you must come to the stateroom now. Ready or not.”
“Oh really. What if I refuse?”
“He will send guards to drag you there. It would not be pleasant for you.”
As if any of this was? “Fine. I’ll go.”
The girl’s shoulders slumped, and relief sounded in her voice. “Follow me.”
The servant escorted Lily through the maze of hallways to a set of metal double doors. With some effort, she pulled one side open and jerked her head for Lily to go in.
Lily steeled herself; a nasty scene awaited. She strode inside with the grace of a charging bull.
Violin music cranked into a song, increasing speed to match hers as she marched down the aisle, strewn with white petals. Narcissus, no doubt. How fitting. Not.
After reaching the front of the aisle, she grimaced at Zev, who waited beside a frocked demon under an archway of flowery vines. The perfect wedding scene. Bet a touch of her pendant would change all that. No need; she had no intention of playing the blushing bride.
She waved at the musicians. “Stop. Go have some champagne or blood or whatever it is you drink. You’re not needed here.”
On the side in an obnoxiously large black chair, Hades stood. “They will play for your wedding.”
“I’m not getting married.” She glared at him, then Persephone, who appeared pleased with her outburst.
“You will,” Hades insisted.
“Wrong.”
Hades eased to his seat, “It’s your choice: live as the wife, or as a concubine.”
Rage stilled her tongue for an instant. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Persephone rose. “Hades.”
“Silence, my dear.”
Her grandmother’s eyes flared wide. “Pardon?”
“It would do you well to stay out of this.”
“I will not. Lily is my granddaughter. And, may I remind you, a goddess in her own right.”
“Goddess schmoddess. She’s what they refer to as ‘trailer trash’. A pole dancer. Her one chance at success is marrying Zeveriah.”
Tears burned Lily’s eyes. Trailer trash? She’d never done anything to earn that title. Dancing freed her soul, it didn’t make her a desperate whore.
Persephone rose to her full height. “My granddaughter is intelligent and talented. Much too good for an unfaithful oaf. And never insult a goddess. Darling.”
With a thin smile, Hades glanced around the room, and muttered, “This is not the time nor place, dearest.”
“I’ve kept silent too long. Call this off, or I will take Lily home myself.” More softly, Persephone added, “And will remain there.” She glided to where Lily stood.
Pain tightened Hades’ face. “What?” His jaw clenched, and a nerve pulsed in his neck.
Lily grasped Persephone’s hand. Its petite size surprised her, but her grand
mother’s strength when she squeezed Lily’s hand did not. If anyone had forgotten Persephone was a goddess, they remembered now.
Persephone radiated power. “Above, the Goddess of Nature has enlisted the aid of the elements. Gaia will become barren on an expanse of earth, dry and brittle. Even now, cracks form in her crust. If Lily doesn’t arrive home soon, these cracks will grow into fissures. Deep splits that will reach far enough to expose your kingdom.”
Lily braced for the inevitable explosion to come from her grandfather. Might as well make it complete. “I don’t belong in the Underworld.”
He gripped the arms of his onyx chair. “You are my granddaughter.”
“I am your daughter’s daughter, and likewise the daughter of Zacharel.”
Hades roared, “Never say that name here!”
“Half my blood is his.”
“You dare challenge me?”
“Yes. I will fight you for eternity, if I have to. I will not marry Zeveriah. Nor anyone else you choose, and I might say, you should have selected someone more worthy.”
“You’re too enamored of yourself, granddaughter.”
She huffed. “A family trait I inherited from you.”
“Let other family traits serve you in better stead.”
Bodie’s last words came back to her: always remember what’s inside you. A reminder, she realized, of her dual lineage. Extremely dual, demon and angel.
She’d explored the demon part, but what about her angel side?
Hades waved her toward Zeveriah. “Stand beside your groom. Let’s get on with it.”
Not that the archduke appeared eager to wed her. On the contrary, he shifted his feet and glanced toward the hallway.
She grasped her pendant. Zev morphed from a nervous, handsome bridegroom to a snarling creature of the night. Most of the wedding guests did likewise.
Hades and Persephone, Lily noted, stayed the same. So strange.
Help me find whatever parts of me are my mother’s.
Light streamed from the pendant, her shifting fingers making the shafts move across the darkness like Hollywood spotlights.
A collective moan arose, and most raised their arms across their eyes to shield them as they retreated into the shadows.
Lily glanced down. The light issued not only from the necklace, and from within her, head to toe. My angel self.
Funny how it took a trip to the Underworld for Lily to find it.
***
Bodie blinked at the brilliant light emanating from Lily. So beautiful, the sight gave him a sense of peace even in the middle of the melee. And a sense of loss. She hadn’t needed him to rescue her. She had more power than he did.
“Enough!” Hades stepped toward Lily, grimacing and blinking hard against the light. Groaning, he stepped back. “I said enough.”
“You’re right. I’ve had enough.” She turned to Persephone, who watched unaffected by the glow. “Before I go, please tell me how to find my mother.”
“I’ll send word to her. She’ll find you.”
Illiana pushed past Bodie, dark cloak flowing behind her. “I already have.”
Persephone barely uttered, “Illiana.”
Lily whispered, “Mother?”
Illiana swept Lily into her arms. “Lily. Oh my baby, finally.”
The guests roared in outrage. Lily caught sight of Bodie and drew away as guards swarmed from all sides to converge on him and Zacharel.
“Stop,” Persephone commanded.
Mayhem continued until Lily grabbed her pendant and screamed, “Stop!”
Low rumbling shook the ground, and grew in intensity. Quaking vases toppled flowers. Demons hissed and clawed at one another, and scrambled in all directions.
Still clutching the pendant, Lily cut a swath through the crowd, already parting at her approach. “You’re hurt.” She dropped the pendant, and the rumbling subsided.
Bodie strode to meet her, and twirled her in his arms. “You’re safe.”
He set her down, and she grasped his head. “You came to get me. But how…” She kissed his cheeks, his lips, then noticed the man who stood just beyond.
“Father?”
Bodie released her, and she grasped the man’s large, warm hands. Joining them, her mother murmured, “Lily” and drew them into her embrace.
“It’s so good to finally meet you,” Lily said. “How did you know where to find me?”
“Bodie.” Zacharel nodded toward him.
Lily sent him a sweet smile, erased by a look of horror at something beyond.
He turned in time for his jaw to meet the end of a club. A blow to his legs sent him reeling backward, and the Underworld went black.
***
“No,” Lily rushed to Zeveriah, who raised a sword above his head, positioned to plunge into Bodie’s heart. “Leave him alone!”
A wicked smile crossed his face. “The illustrious Angel of Light is a great warrior angel. Or was. He’s rather pathetic now, isn’t he?” His smile vanished. “Which can mean only one thing. He fell from grace in a carnal way. Too bad my counterpart sank to such a low. And had the nerve to steal your virginity when it was mine alone to claim.”
Oh God, he’s right. Bodie’s moment of weakness with her meant he’d remain weak forever. Of course, it explained how he could enter The Underworld. “Please. I’ll do anything.”
Only his eyes moved across her. His ruthless appraisal of her stole her breath. He knows I’m not a virgin. He doesn’t want me.
“You’ll marry me?” he asked.
She gulped back the disgust rising in her throat. “Yes,” she choked out. “Now get away from him.”
“I don’t believe you.” Zev stabbed downward.
Hand around the pendant, Lily threw herself atop Bodie and braced for the sharp blade.
An anguished cry came from Zev, and the sword clattered to the floor.
When she dared a peek, she watched her father pummel the demon to the ground.
“Hades!” Persephone whirled angrily toward her husband, who presided over the crazy scene from his chair.
Hades raised his hands. “I had nothing to do with it.”
Bodie gave a soft moan. Lily grabbed his shoulders and rolled him onto his back. “Bodie?” She patted his cheek.
Eyes closed, he winced.
“Answer me. Are you all right?”
“No. You said you’d marry him.” He peered at her through slitted eyes.
“So he wouldn’t kill you.” Could the demon have? Impossible. Yet Bodie’s wounds said otherwise.
“The only thing that would kill me is seeing you marry him. Or anyone else.”
“I’m not going to marry anyone.” She stopped herself from saying else. Bodie wasn’t making a proposal.
A half-smile lit his smudged face. “We’ll see.”
Everything in her ached for him. She had so much to ask, so much to tell him. She stroked his hair and wished they were above ground, away from the Underworld craziness.
Bodie glanced around. “You sure know how to clear a room.”
“It wasn’t my kind of party anyway.”
A whirl of black caught her eye, and she watched Hades storm away from Persephone. “Get that abomination out of here!” He sent Lily a final glare before disappearing behind a curtain of darkness.
Bodie? Or her? She released a breath. “Sorry, Grandpa.”
Persephone appeared beside her. “He understands. I’d like to think part of him respects you for rebelling. He is, after all, the original rebel.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” Lily hated to say goodbye to Persephone, but couldn’t wait to leave.
“It is I who must thank you. You’ve changed us all for the better.”
“Change is a good thing.” Though Lily looked forward to a future without quite so much upheaval as she’d experienced these past few weeks. She kissed Persephone’s cheek. “I hope I’ll see you again.”
“Of course. I’ll visit again. After thin
gs calm down a bit.”
“One last favor. Can you point us toward the portal?”
“I’ll walk you there. First, I’d like to ask you a favor.”
“Anything.”
“I know you’re in a hurry to get home. Please stop in to see your grandfather before you leave.”
Uh oh. Lily didn’t like the sound of that. She glanced at Bodie, whose tension was palpable, and touched his cheek. “I’ll be right back.” To Persephone, she asked, “Where is he?”
“In his office.” Her grandmother clasped Lily’s hand. “I’ll have them bring your bags.”
My bags? “I didn’t bring any.”
“I can’t let you leave without some mementos. I also had some of our designers work on a special line for you. In case you wanted to launch your own collection of dancewear.”
Lily’s lip quivered. No one had ever shown her such kindness. “You’re amazing.”
Persephone gave the slightest shrug, the essence of femininity. “I know.”
She drew her grandmother into a hug. “I love you.”
Her grandmother’s graciousness made it impossible to say no. Lily walked beside her like a regal princess, and her stomach fluttered when Persephone knocked at the office.
“Enter,” Hades called.
They slipped inside. Hades sat at an immense desk, stacks of paper strewn in front of him.
“I came to say goodbye.” In case he’d planned any last-minute tricks, Lily wanted to remind him.
“Before you do, I have something for you.” Hades snapped his fingers, and a servant carried in a silver tray. On it sat a note card, similar to the one she found slipped under her door. Wow, that felt like forever ago.
Another invitation? “You really don’t need to.”
“We want to,” Persephone said. “We’ve been absent from your life, missing every birthday and holiday. Hopefully we can make up for it with this.”
Hades nodded, and the servant held out the tray.
Lily picked up the note card. “I don’t know what to say.” She opened it, and froze. Inside, a receipt for five million dollars, deposited to her bank account. “You’re joking.”
“I never joke about money.” Hades straightened. “Invest it wisely and it will see you through for a long time.”
