“And I missed out on all of that? Damn,” Týr mock-groaned.
Her smile trembled, her eyes suddenly bright with emotions. “I did miss you.”
Unable to resist her any longer, he wrapped his palm around her nape and dragged her to him. “You tempt me. You always do.”
He put his mouth on hers and kissed her. Just holding her, feeling her warmth, her mouth moving against his, had the knot in his stomach loosening.
“Týr!” she gasped, breaking off their too brief kiss and pushing at his chest. “My father—”
“It’s not like he doesn’t know what we do when—”
“Christ.”She slapped her palm on his mouth, making him want to smile. He kissed her fingers and lowered her hand. Her face gone scarlet, she focused on her food again and finally spooned some of the mush into her mouth. She looked up as she ate, and at her brother’s amused expression, she wrinkled her nose.
“Won’t Saia be worried about you?” She changed the subject.
“I sent her a message.” Riley set his cutlery down and leaned back in his seat. “But she’s aware I planned to accompany you to Stygia once you agreed.”
“Except that idiot, Nicor hauled me here without even telling me,” she muttered. “Wait, did he cause that disturbance outside the bar with the demons?”
Riley inclined his head. “I’m afraid so.”
Týr narrowed his eyes at the scumbag who sported dark hair once more. He’d come to their chambers earlier asking her to fix the color.
“I should have left him with red hair.” She glared in the direction of Sparkles, seated adjacent to Wrath, and opposite a Fallen with long, ropey, white locks.
“Now I have two reasons to kill him,” Týr muttered.
“He’d deserve it, but let’s not. We’re leaving soon anyway. Riley…” Kira lowered her voice. “Did you find out anything about those missing children?”
“About that…” Riley glanced to the head of the table. “Later. Our sire summons you. It’s time.”
Thank the damn stars! Týr didn’t want Kira with them during that dangerous retrieval.He glanced at Wrath, who gave him an imperceptible nod and rose. Chairs dragged back, and the rest of the demons at the main table leaped down and joined the others in the hall. Kira stiffened, panic darkening her eyes.
“It’ll be okay,” Riley said softly. “You are, after all, their princess.”
Týr had already figured that out, but apparently, Kira hadn’t. She stared at her brother, her mouth open. “What?”
Riley shook his head, smiling. “It’s why Nicor referred to you as such. He would give his life to protect you. All Wrath’s warriors would.”
She bit her lip and didn’t move, probably still too shocked.
Týr grasped her hand and squeezed it gently. “C’mon,elska. I’m right here.”
He rose to his feet and helped her up. She was too important to him, and she needed his support. She washis. Everyone in this damn place should know it, too. He escorted her to the front of the dais where her sire waited, watching them. Kira gave his fingers a grateful squeeze as she stopped at her sire’s side.
By the way,Riley’s voice in his mind startled the shit out of Týr, considering those who could do so were a realm away, and telepathy wasn’t viable with the displaced time. He cut Riley a hard stare.Be aware, as her chosen mate, it’s expected for you to want to leave early and claim her as such,Riley added, appearing amused.At the opposite end of the hall, there are many alcoves in the passageway, if one cannot wait to get to their chamber…
The damn bastard was enjoying his crash-course into their culture.
About the missing children?Riley’s tone turned serious.I think it’s best if Kira’s not involved. It’s too risky. And we have to leave shortly…
For that alone, Týr reeled in his irritation. He didn’t want Kira in danger, so he gave a little nod of agreement.
* * *
Kira warily eyed the demons crowding the hall, feeling like a bug under a microscope with all eyes on her. Several appeared almost human-like—the Otiums. Others possessed shorn-off horns peering out of their sleek, dark hairline, again human-looking. But the rest had her shifting closer to Týr. They’d probably turned up to scrutinize Wrath’s newly revealed daughter.
Ebony-skinned demons with leathery wings stayed farther back in the hall, their hard, pale stares unsettling Kira. She’d bet her life that they had a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth. Guess all the vile, hollow-eyed, skeletal ones were in Hell, then.
