The Darkest Craving lotu-11

by Gena Showalter

  She reached the throne room and found Kane waiting for her just outside the doors. He’d changed his clothes, and now wore a clean, pressed white shirt and black slacks. His hair was brushed, the wounds he’d received during battle already healing.

  He smiled when he spotted her. A real smile, full of light and heat. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. But why—”

  He pushed open the doors. “Your coronation. And wedding. It’s two-for-one day at Chez Fae.”

  The remaining members of the high and low court had been gathered together and bound at the wrists and ankles. Though many looked as if they wanted to shout at her, all remained silent. Had they been threatened by Kane?

  Her gaze skidded back to him. “Wait. Did you say wedding? Because we’re already married.”

  “It wasn’t a ceremony you remember or even liked. So, I’m giving you another.” He offered her the hook of his elbow. “Ready?”

  This man had to love her. Trembling, she accepted, and he led her forward.

  That’s when she saw...oh, my, but I married a darling man. There was Maddox, with the beautiful Ashlyn. The babies were...nowhere that she could see. There was Lucien, with the vivacious Anya. Reyes, with the talented Danika. The young Gilly was at Danika’s side. Sabin, with the pint-size Gwen. Aeron, with the angelic Olivia and bombshell Legion. There was Gideon, with the fierce Scarlet. Amun, with the glowing Haidee. Strider, with the fiery Kaia. Paris, though he was minus the powerful Sienna.

  Each warrior nodded at her encouragingly. Each female smiled at her. Joy broke through a dam erected in her childhood, flooding her.

  “Don’t worry about the Opulens,” Kane said. “Their knowledge of my past is actually quite handy. They fear what will happen if I’m upset.”

  “Well, they hate me.”

  “They’ll grow to adore you. They won’t be able to help themselves.”

  Kane stopped in front of the king’s throne and faced Josephina. He cupped her cheeks. He wasted no time, saying, “I, Kane, promise to take care of you for as long as I live. I promise to put your needs above my own, and compliment you every chance I get. I promise to make you smile at least once a day. And I promise to be yours. Only ever yours.”

  This is really happening. Light-headed, she managed to squeak out, “I, Josephina—Tink—Aisling, promise to take care of you. I promise to weather any storms the demon causes, to always value your strength. Anytime I decide to go to war, you’ll be the first person I call.” She stuck her tongue out at his friends, and each of the warriors grinned. “Now and forever, I belong to you.”

  Kane leaned down and kissed her, and it wasn’t the sweet kiss she’d been expecting. He gave her tongue and heat and passion, taking and giving, pouring desire into her, drinking desire from her.

  The world faded away—until the loud cheers of his friends jolted her back to awareness. Kane lifted his head, and grinned down at her.

  “You’re still sure about how you feel?” he asked.

  “Always.”

  He peered into her eyes. “Good. Because you’re it for me, Tinker Bell, Tink, Tinky Dink. My one. My only. My everything. My mine.” He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. “And guess what?”

  “What?” Any more goodness, and she would burst.

  “The magnitude of what I feel for you has drained the fight right out of the demon. He’s gone quiet.”

  Her heart soared at the thought—Kane was finally free. They both were. “Oh, Kane. That’s so wonderful.”

  “It is,” he said, though he smiled sadly. He stepped to the side before she could question him.

  Someone moved in behind her and settled something heavy on her head. She almost looked up. Almost. But realization struck and she managed to remain perfectly still. The royal crown was now upon her head, a symbol of power and position. And now, now she was to be ruler of these people, the driving force of an entire race.

  She wasn’t strong enough on her own. She wasn’t wise enough. What if she made the wrong decision? Lives could be lost. Sickness churned in her stomach, and she fought the urge to run away. She hadn’t been made for this kind of responsibility. Wasn’t sure she could carry it...

  “Your queen,” Kane announced.

  But she had to do it, didn’t she?

  * * *

  KANE TOOK A moment to look past the negative he’d caused and focus on the positive. He’d fallen in love. He’d married the finest woman in creation. He’d helped her claim her rightful place.

  He’d finally defeated Disaster. Soon, the demon would die.

  And soon after that, Kane would follow.

  Danika had finally gotten something wrong. Her painting wasn’t going to be an issue. White—if White had been the blonde, and he thought now that she had been—was dead.

  That meant the Moirai had been wrong, too, just as Tink had predicted. White wasn’t going to end up with the man who would start the apocalypse. She wasn’t going to end up with anyone at all.

  All of their choices had changed the course of their lives.

  But he wasn’t going to think about any of that right now. Nothing mattered but Tink. Twice he’d taken her without a condom. She could be pregnant, even now.

  Longing made him ache—the best kind of ache. He wanted to have children with her. He wanted to be around to raise them.

  Another impossible dream.

  He had to make sure she was prepared for anything. Everything.

  The Opulens had been ushered outside the palace, promised death if they so much as thought to form another revolt. Tink sat on the center throne, her faux smile still frozen in place. He saw the terror in her eyes, and knew the weight of her new responsibilities was only beginning to become clear. She would triumph, however; he had no doubts. She was finally beginning to realize her worth.

  Anya and the other women raced up to speak with her. His friends approached him, and formed a circle around him.

  “My queen is better than your queen,” Paris said, punching him in the arm good-naturedly.

  Kane rolled his eyes. “There’s no queen better than mine.”

  “Want to bet?”

  “Yeah. I do.” Kane liked and respected Sienna—she’d done good things for the Titans since taking the throne, and she was helping Torin out of a bind as they spoke—but she was no Tink.

  “Loser has to wear a dress to Anya’s wedding.”

  I’ll most likely be dead. Still he said, “You’ve got a deal.”

  Maddox nudged him. “You’re going to stay here, aren’t you?”

  The group went quiet.

  Kane nodded. “I’m staying. Tink’s needed here, and I’m going to help her settle in.” It would be his last work on this earth.

  He hated that he would be leaving her to deal with the war he’d helped ignite. He hated that he would be leaving his friends all over again. He told himself they would all be better off without him—but that didn’t make the goodbyes any easier.

  Reyes pushed out a heavy breath. “It’s good that you’re helping her. Family comes first.”

  Kane nodded in agreement. “Thank you for understanding.”

  “Hey, understanding is what the bro code is for,” Strider said. “Just keep a room ready for me. I’ll be visiting. Count on it.”

  “We all might,” Sabin said. “We’re about to be homeless.”

  He gave each warrior a hug, and wished Cameo and Torin were here. Even Viola.

  The females would be found, alive and well. These men would make sure of it. And whatever was going on with Torin would be resolved. Kane wouldn’t believe otherwise.

  He glanced over at Tink, his gaze always drawn to her. He spotted Malcolm, the green-haired Sent One standing behind her, his arms crossed over his middle as he listened to her conversation with the other females. None of the women seemed to notice him.

  Apparently, he’d wanted Tink to see him in the hotel room, but Kane to see him now. What was his game?

  An
ger sprouted from roots that had yet to wither. “You,” Kane shouted. “What do you think you’re doing, hanging around here?”

  Malcolm met his glare, and vanished.

  “I’m not going to ask who you were talking to,” Maddox said. “I’m just going to go. Ashlyn and I must return to our babies. They are with the Sent One Lysander, and he had better be doing a good job or he will find himself without a head.”

  Lysander, one of the seven leaders of the seven armies of Sent Ones. Married to Bianka, Kaia’s twin sister. Perhaps Zacharel, Lysander’s friend, had sent Malcolm, Zacharel’s soldier, to guard Tink?

  Perhaps I should have been nicer.

  Kane slapped Maddox on the shoulder. “I’ll miss you guys.”

  “If ever you need anything,” Sabin said.

  “We’re only a phone call away,” Strider finished.

  “When we find Pandora’s box, we’ll let you know,” Reyes said.

  Kane had spent centuries of his life searching for that box. To know he wouldn’t be alive when it was finally found and destroyed was a terrible blow. But whatever. He’d rather take out Disaster now, while the creature was too weak to fight back.

  The men gathered their women, and Lucien flashed them away two at a time.

  Kane strode over to Tink. “Well,” he said.

  “Well,” she said.

  “You’re officially the most powerful person in this realm.”

  “No, that would be you, the new king.”

  King? Him? He was her man, and that was enough. “The kingdom is yours. The people are yours. You’ll always be the final authority.”

  Instantly, the terror returned to her eyes. “I don’t think I can do it,” she whispered.

  “Tell me those words didn’t just spring from the girl who put the former king and queen in their place—the dungeon.”

  “Yeah, but I did it with help,” she said. “Yours, the girls who fed me their strengths, William’s. The Rainbow Rejects.” Her chin trembled. “I couldn’t have done it on my own.”

  He wanted to tell her she would never be on her own. Yeah. He wanted to. “You can do this, Tink. I have faith in you.”

  “And I have faith in myself—sometimes.”

  “That’ll increase.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I am.”

  “Because you believe in me. And you love me,” she said. “I know you do, whether you’ve said the actual words or not.”

  “You, Tinker Bell, own me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. No line I wouldn’t cross. I love you so much I can barely see straight. I’m obsessed with you, addicted to you. I respect you, and I revere you, and a thousand other words I’m not eloquent enough to express.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “Well, you did a great job just now. I think that’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  “Then everyone else is foolish.”

  “Oh, Kane...I shouldn’t let you give up your home to stay with me. I should force you to leave. I’m finally in control of my own destiny, and you should be in control of yours.”

  “I am in control.” He planted his palms on the arms of the throne, and leaned into her face. “My place is with you. I choose you. I’ll always choose you. But go ahead. Try to force me to leave. I dare you.”

  She gazed up at him with luminous eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Like I said. You’ve got me, all the days of my life.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  KANE STOOD BESIDE Tink’s throne, and watched as she resolved disputes between the Opulens and poor alike. She had settled into her new role quite nicely, having taken charge of the palace staff and tasked the high and low court with the reconstruction of the garden. There had been several riots, and one male had even snuck into the palace and tried to assassinate the new queen.

  Kane and the guard now under his command had quelled the riots, and killed the male. He had not died easily—because Kane hadn’t let him.

  Word of Tink’s feats the day she’d fought her father had spread, gaining her more and more notoriety and support. These people had grown up on the exploits of Lords versus Hunters. They prized cunning, and she’d displayed ample.

  Now, only a few weeks into the new regime, the people were beginning to prize Tink.

  “Next,” the guard manning the line shouted.

  Two Opulens stepped to the bottom step of the dais.

  Tink shifted uncomfortably in the throne. How beautiful she looked. She wore a new gown of pink silk, with pearls falling over her shoulders, and velvet rose vines hanging from her waist.

  The same roses were woven through her dark hair, making her look as if she’d just stepped from a magical forest. Even her makeup added to the illusion. Bold, glittery eye shadow formed catlike points at her temples. Her cheeks were bright with color, and her lips bloodred.

  “Tell me your problem,” she said to the pair.

  The woman on the left raised her chin. “No. I won’t do it. It’s bad enough I was dragged here, but you’re nothing more than a servant. I don’t care that you’re married to a Lord. There’s no reason I should have to abide by your judgments.”

  It wasn’t the first time words like those had been spoken to her, but suddenly Kane was determined that it would be the last. He marched forward, only to stop when Tink held up her hand. She stood, a study of elegance, and glided down the marble steps until she stood in front of the fuming female.

  He doubted anyone could see the slight tremor in her limbs, but he could. He knew her—every luscious inch of her—and watched her more intensely than most. She was nervous, but angry. Sad, but determined.

  The guards stealthily closed in. They’d been warned. If anything happened to Tink while they were near, they would die. Painfully. No questions would be asked. No excuses would be heard. And yet, Kane struggled to remain in place. He wanted to be down there, by her side, protecting her as instinct demanded. He was her man. But he’d taught her to look after herself, and now she was queen of an entire nation. He couldn’t swoop to the rescue without damaging her credibility.

  Any other time, that might not have stopped him. He would have killed anyone who questioned her credibility, and that would have been that. But this time, he had to know. Could she survive without him?

  Every day, Disaster weakened a little more.

  Every day, a single fact became clearer. For Kane, the end was near.

  Tink lifted her ungloved hands and cupped the offender’s cheeks.

  The woman gasped, tried to pull away, but failed. Her skin grew pale. Her mouth floundered open and closed. Then, her knees buckled and she hit the ground, unconscious.

  “I’m no servant,” Tink called loudly. “I’m queen, and I will be obeyed.”

  Head held high, she strode from the room. Kane followed after her, the Opulen lucky he didn’t stomp on her as he passed. He didn’t say a word as he sidled up to her, and she didn’t, either. They made it into their room, and Kane shut the door.

  “I shouldn’t have done that,” she choked out. “I was angry and I overreacted and I could have seriously hurt her.”

  “You left her alive, and taught her a valuable lesson in the process. That’s more than she deserved.” More than he would have done.

  “All I taught her was to fear me. And that would be wonderful if I wanted her fear. I don’t. That’s what my father had.” She wrung her hands together and paced in front of the bed. “I should have done to her what I’d done to the others. Sent her away without a verdict. One day she would have come back and she would have been willing to listen to anyone to settle the dispute. Even me.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe you’re right.”

  She stopped and peered over at him. “Wait. You’re not going to defend my actions, no matter how foolish I was?”

  Can’t grin. “Cut yourself some slack. You’re new to this. And you’re doing better than I would have done. If I were queen, everyone would have received a death sentence at
minute one.”

  She rolled her eyes. “While you would make a very sexy queen, I know you’re just saying that to be nice.”

  Her definition of “nice” was a bit skewed. Adorable, but skewed. “Sweetheart, when have you ever known me to be nice?”

  She thought for a moment, nodded. “That’s true. You’re the meanest man I know. I’ll probably be known as the Mad—but Wonderful—Queen in all the history books, just for staying with you.”

  Won’t laugh. “Well, well. Someone has a smart mouth today,” he said, stalking forward. “And that someone is getting a spanking.”

  She yelped and darted around the bed. “Kane!”

  “Silly Fae. You can’t get away from me.”

  “But I can try.” She quickened her pace, and the chase was on.

  She ran around the dresser, the vanity, through the bathroom, the closet, and anytime he would get his hands on her, she’d manage to wiggle free. Soon they were both laughing, out of breath, but he wasn’t one to give up—not when she was the prize.

  He caught her, and they tumbled to the floor in a tangle of limbs. Her laughter died as he pressed his lips to hers.

  “Kane,” she breathed, melting against him.

  “My Tinker Bell. I’m going to have you.”

  “Yes. Hurry. I want you.”

  “No, I’m going to savor you.” He took his time undressing her, every moment a new revelation of his feelings for her—because he loved every inch of her. Every curve. Every hollow. Every scar.

  He kissed his way down her body, treasuring her breathy sighs, her heated touches, the languorous way she moved, clutching at him, as if touching him was something she’d been born to do.

  He would never get enough of her.

  And he would never forget her, not even in death.

  In a way, they’d grown up together. When they’d met, they’d both been in a very dark place. They’d lacked hope. Their fears had overwhelmed them. Together, they’d climbed out of the depths of hell—literally and figuratively. They’d found reasons to laugh. They’d let go of hate and embraced love. The weaknesses they’d had had been blasted by fire and were now strengthened with steel. They hadn’t broken. They wouldn’t break.