I laugh before I can stop myself.
“Slade, I don’t take my eyes off you here.”
“Yes,” he murmurs, stepping even closer, “but tonight, it won’t be because you want to. It will be because you must.”
My laughter dies. “Why?” I whisper. It comes out smaller than I’d meant it to.
He hesitates. His voice lowers—dark silk, quiet and potent. “Because tonight,” he says, “all demon houses will attend. Every noble bloodline. Every heir. Every lord.” He pauses, green eyes blazing with something I’d rather not put a name to. “And they will all know what you are to me.”
A shiver runs through me. “And…whatexactly am I to you?”
His throat works. “Mymate.” The room goes still. Even Newt stops purring. “And that,” he adds softly, “will make you a target.”
My breath stutters. “But you’re just—you know.Slade.”
His mouth twitches. Then he steps forward, so close my heartbeat stumbles. “Piper,” he says quietly, “I have not beenjustSlade in a very long time.”
The power rolling off him finally clicks into place. I inhale sharply. “You’re anoble.”
“A lord,” he corrects softly. “By blood. By power. By birthright.”
My pulse kicks hard. Slade’s next words nearly melt my spine. “And when I walk into that ballroom with you at my side… they will all understand exactly what that means.”
I grip the counter for balance. “Which is…?”
He leans in. Not touching. Not quite kissing. Just close enough to steal air from my lungs. “That you are under my protection,” he whispers. “And mine toclaim—whether I have formally made it or not.”
My pulse roars in my ears. “Slade…”
He steps back slowly, letting the distance clear the heat between us—but not the tension.
“We leave at dusk,” he murmurs. “Prepare yourself.”
“How?” I choke.
“Dress,” he says. “Arm yourself. Trust nothing. Stay close.” His eyes roam my face with a softness so fierce it hurts. “And Piper?” he adds, voice dipping low.
“Yes?”
“When we enter the Ninth Realm…” His gaze burns through me, “…do not let anyone convince you that I am anything less than the most dangerous thing in the room.”
I swallow hard.
“Because I assure you,” he finishes, “Iam.”
Chapter 14
Piper
Rhea arrives like a holiday hurricane—coat flapping, curls bouncing, arms overflowing with shopping bags that probably cost more than my rent.
Newt bolts to the door, chirping excitedly.
“Okay,” Rhea huffs, kicking the door shut with her heel. “I brought the beast’s overnight bag, three days’ worth of food, and—” She drops a glossy stack of shopping bags and garment bags onto my couch with a dramatic thump.
“—your wardrobe for Hell’s fanciest Christmas ball.”
I blink. “How did you even—”
