He was looking at her now. She forced her face to remain even, her eyes on him, but inside her head, she rallied once more for what was to come. She was Elysia fucking Parker, forced into the world’s most boring business meetings since she could walk, and she could cut a deal with anyone. Even the god who reigned over death itself.
He took another moment to compose himself before wordlessly gesturing at Maya to leave.
Maya dipped her chin, her back bending in the smallest of bows before walking leisurely to the double doors. Light spilled in as she held one of the doors wide and all three dogs boundinto the room, charging for the god near the throne. The long-haired tri-colored pup reversed course, pawing at Elysia’s legs.
Elysia silently picked the dog up, stroking its small body while watching an undead god act like any other mortal with their pets. The tan short-haired dogs let out pathetic whines until he reached into his pocket, scattering treats for them to hunt.
Fiery blue eyes turned back to her. “She likes you.”
There was a quiet humor to his words.
Elysia continued running her hand over the creature. “You’re a dog person—a small dog person at that. How unexpected.”
He nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets and walking down the stairs. “I wouldn’t underestimate them.” There was a wryness to his tone that had her glancing down at the animal in her arms, but it merely licked her nose and stared back at her with sweet brown-black eyes.
He kept talking, understanding what she left unsaid. “You expected me to bedifferent.”
Before she had a chance to respond, he scooped up the two other dogs and strode over to a small rectangular table hidden in the corner of the room. The heavy black iron table matched his throne and contrasted the warmth she had noticed throughout the rest of the house. Two chairs placed on opposite ends awaited them.
Down to business then.Apprehension climbed higher with each step she took, her bare feet still cold on the stone floor. The god of the undead waited for her, his eyes glittering as if he could see how her pulse raced beneath her skin. As if he could taste the regret that had already begun to sour in her mouth.
Sitting down, he smoothed one hand over his dark hair, fixing the loose strands with a practiced motion. Face clear, she observed him. The fastidiousness, the sharp clarity to his blue eyes. The meticulousness that he couldn’t hide even if he wishedhe could. There was an arrogance to him, but in this instance she feared it was warranted. Intelligence shone in his face, and there was a shrewdness to it that made her heart stutter.
Elysia joined him, still studying the hard lines of his face. She sat with one leg tucked up under her before quickly planting both feet on the ground.
His face twitched in amusement at her nervous movements.
Her words came out in a blur, her hands clenching beneath the table. “I’m sorry she restrained you. I didn’t know. What I mean is?—”
He spread his own hands across the iron table, interrupting her apology. “Maya’s actions are not yours to apologize for, Ms. Parker. Now I understand you’ve traveled a long way and want to make a deal.”
Mouth tensing, Elysia leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other.If that’s how he wants to be.“You seemed quite affronted by my desire for a deal the last time we met.”
Her eyes drifted to a crystal chalice at the end of the table. Dark iridescent liquid rippled of its own accord, light glinting off its surface, but the god of the undead snapped her attention back to him with a lift of his shoulder.
He unbuttoned his jacket, allowing one arm to reach back and drape around his chair. “Your request was unexpected. And I’d rather talk in front of a fire with a glass of wine, but we haven’t got the time, have we? Besides, you seem quite insistent on business.”
His response surprised her. “Why else would I be here?”
A short, curt laugh escaped his mouth. “Why else, indeed.” He studied her now, not bothering to hide it. Eyes roamed over her face, from her hair to the tips of her fingers. Elysia fought the desire to squirm.
“I should have known you’d be beautiful. Eyes like a doe to cover all the unholy thoughts inside your head. Because you’renot an innocent, are you? You couldn’t possibly be.” His firm mouth almost smiled as he looked down at his hands before looking back at her, waiting for her to answer.
The tone in which he delivered these words implied a double meaning. She gathered that he somehow knew much about her life in Relaclave, but also that he wanted to unsettle her. See just how easily she reacted.
Elysia colored, anger simmering beneath her surface. He thought he could toy with her. Make her slip up just because he had a pretty face and a voice that ran like fingers up and down her spine.
Steel entered her eyes, hardening her against the deceptive allure of the undead god before her. She redirected their attention as if this were any other meeting where the participants couldn’t quite stay on task. “I believe this could be mutually beneficial. A deal for both of us.”
A small knowing smirk sharpened the angles of his face. “Ms. Parker, I’m not the one who should be worried. The deals I cut are rarely to my disadvantage.” His face shifted, all mirth disappearing in an instant as his voice lowered. “I’ll give you a secret since I hear you love them so much. There was onlyonce.One single time that I fouled a deal.”
Elysia found herself leaning in closer. “What happened?” She clocked every tiny twitch of irritation on his face, how his shoulders tightened and cheeks drew gaunt. Whatever his mistake had been, it haunted him even now.
“I was new to my throne and trust me, I have learned my lesson every day since then. I hope you’re prepared for what you’re asking to do because once a deal is struck, there’s nothing that can change it. Understood?”
His response left endless questions bubbling up inside her, but she quelled them with a firm hand. She knew better than to let her curiosity take the lead. Instead, she met his frigidcondescension with an unyielding spine. She lifted her dark eyes slowly to his, her voice taking on a sultry quality that startled even her. “Then I suppose you have nothing to worry about. Since you always come out on top.”
A soft laugh huffed out of him. “Don’t start games you can’t finish.” Amusement shone in his eyes now, as if he was calling her bluff.
