I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes.
Yes, yes. Only her. I’m aware.
“There is no comparing, little lupine. You areeverythingto me. I told you I would worship you, Aurora, and I fucking meant it. You have my utter devotion. You know, darling,” I murmur, thumb tracing her lower lip, “keep talking like that, and I’ll put you over this table and fuck the fire right out of you. It hasn’t even been an hour, sweet girl, and your filthy little threats are already making me hard.”
Aurora’s fiery eyes catch mine and don’t let go. The scent of kettle corn fades, and my shoulders sag with relief.
I’m certain she was going to use her persuasion magic to force Louie into killing Vesna. It’s a battle the hellhound could never win.
“Thank you, Ezra,” Louie whispers.
It’s clear she knew what was coming.
Hell, Aurora may have already had Louie under her spell. We must consult Iain immediately, even if I’d rather listen to Jesus explain—again—that the crucifixion was “a misunderstanding that got out of hand.”
“M-my head feels weird,” Aurora mumbles, one hand drifting toward her antlers.
Her eyes go wide, while a few shadows curl around her wrists. They waver between us, then curl around her shoulders.
Watching her. Watching over her. Protecting their queen.
Good.
“Shit, what did I do? Did I hurt you?” she asks in a panicked, unsteady voice.
“No, Aurora, you didn’t harm anyone. Though you were about thirty seconds away from persuading Louie to murder Vesna, which would have most likely resulted in the hell-pup’s untimely demise. But I believe I’ve found a way to temper that rage of yours, little lupine,” I say, bringing her hand to my lips.
“Shit. I’m so sorry, Louie. I just got so angry. I hope I never meet this cunt, because I’m not sure if I’ll be able to control myself,” Aurora says, turning to her protector.
My shadows shudder in agreement, writhing at my feet, restless as hounds aching for the chase. I don’t need to understand their language to know what they’re saying:Let. Us. Kill. Her.
The little shits can barely contain themselves. They stretch toward Aurora, knowing exactly who they’ll follow into war.
“Well, darling. I think you’ll have company when that day comes.”
Christ. Absolute fucking menaces.
Louie gazes at Aurora, eyes glassy with adoration. “Seriously, it’s okay, Aurora. Hell, if we had a plan, I’d go kill that old vamp bitch for you right now. But can we talk about thellosgcarnin the room? You’re fucking gorgeous! My whole life’s led to this one moment.”
A few tears streak down Louie’s cheeks as a rare smile, fangs and all, spreads across her round face.
The hellhound jumps from her seat and wraps her arms around Aurora’s waist, nuzzling her neck. To my surprise, Aurora’s hellfire doesn’t consume Louie like it does when it’s near me.
Char-stained tendrils slink forward, eager little wretches, reaching for her flames. The shadows curl into her fire, winding through it, soaking it in, thrilled to be wrapped in her heat again.
They’re practically purring with bloodlust.
“Well, that’s certainly interesting,” I say thoughtfully, while my thumb makes light circles on the back of Aurora’s hand to keep her calm.
Both Aurora and Louie shoot me questioning looks.
“Aurora’s hellfire wraps itself around me, but not you, Louie. Do you know why?”
“Oh, shit. I didn’t even notice that! I’ve never seen hellfire wrap around anyone before. Most beasts of Hellwieldflames; they don’twearthem. The Daughters seem to be the exception. It could have something to do with her strength. Or it could have something to do with that stupid thread Aurora bitched about while you were gone. I dunno. This is new, even for me.”
The moment Louie acknowledges I’m probably the only thing Aurora’s hellfire will embrace, my shadows coil tighter, unbearably pleased with themselves—the smug little idiots. A few shadowy tendrils slither up my chest, drape across my shoulder, then shape themselves into a gloating royal sash. Others coil across my wrist, flicking toward Louie, taunting her.
Peasant, they sneer.We bask in the queen’s radiance. You? You don’t belong here.
