A swirling, dark mass erupted in the room, screaming as it circulated. I ducked, covering my head as the room rushed with it, chairs, tables, and pages spinning about in a small vortex. As quickly as it started, it stopped. I glanced up at the sunlight spilling in from the uncracked window. Time restarted, and the eatery stood as if we had never fought in it. I spun, desperate hope filled me as ashes rebuilt into flesh and bone. My eyes landed on Dianna as she took a gasp of air. I lunged for her, locking her arms to her sides and holding her tight. Our bond screamed back into existence. It flared wide and filled my chest, heat returning to my heart, my veins, my very soul.
Her hands wrapped around me, and I damn near sobbed. She pulled back and gazed up at me, blinking. “What happened?”
“Me,” Death said from behind us, and we both turned. Dianna’s hand fisted in my sleeve as she beheld him wearing my skin. Death smirked at her, but didn’t say anything before turning to Isaiah and Kaden. Kaden swallowed and absently rubbed his throat.
“You asked me what your purpose was for being back? Now you know a fraction of it. If you die, then your brother and the woman you love die with you. Permanently.” Death flashed a smile as Kaden’s throat bobbed. “And both you and I know that’s a fate worse than death to you.”
Death turned back to me. “Take care of each other and find the medallion, or the next time we meet, I’ll drag your bride past the veil. Trust me, god king. I rule my kingdom, and you will never see her again.”
My heart thudded, splintering with each beat. I wanted to end him, but he had me, and he knew it. I’d never risk her. He’d compared me to a hound, and I was. I’d do the unimaginable to keep Dianna. If Death asked me to end the very universe for her, I would, and his smile told me he knew that as well. His form changed, collapsing into himself as a bird made of midnight feathers and opaque eyes cawed. It flew past us and out the door, leaving us staring at each other.
42
DIANNA
Samkiel slammed the door behind us and spun me toward him. “Take off your shirt,” he demanded.
“Well,” I said, pulling my top over my head. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
I stood before him, my breasts contained in my bralette, but there was no lust in his eyes. Samkiel closed the distance between us, his gaze focused on the center of my sternum as if he had driven his dagger there. He reached out, his fingers gliding softly over my skin and making me shiver beneath his touch.
“Does it hurt?” His eyes searched mine desperately.
“Quite the opposite,” I murmured.
“He’s clever, using you against me. My only weakness,” he said with a forlorn smile, his eyes scanning mine. “You died, akrai. I watched you turn to ash.”
“I’m right here.”
His chest heaved on the brink of hyperventilation as he looked at me. “Death has tied your life to Kaden’s and Isaiah’s. He brought you back, but only if we work with them.”
I nodded, not sure how to grant him or me any comfort. This changed everything and forced a bond that I didn’t know how any of us could break, but I wasn’t worried about that right now. I was more concerned about the man in front of me and the sparks of Oblivion curling across his shoulders that he seemed completely unaware of.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said, sliding my hand along his forearm, trying to control the maelstrom forming behind his eyes.
“I don’t know—”
My lips slanted over his, cutting off his next words. When I pulled back, the air in the room shifted from the encroaching pressure of a growing storm to something wholly different. His eyes flared bright silver before he cupped my face, his thumb stroking my cheek.
“We need to figure out what we’re going to do with them.” He said, his voice a deep, sonorous rumble.
I rose on my tiptoes, my hand curving around the back of his neck. “Later,” I whispered, my breath teasing against his lips.
His lips fell to mine, moving softly at first before the effects of loss claimed him. He slid his fingers into my hair and fisted the long strands at the back of my head, pulling me hard against him. He claimed my mouth, his tongue invading and his teeth nipping at my lips. I softened my body against his and matched the ferocity of his kiss, our tongues clashing in a battle of pure desperation. I understood his need and hunger, his desire to prove that I was here and whole. He needed to feel I was alive, and gods, so did I.
I tried to step back so we could both remove our clothes, but he refused to release me. One minute we were dressed, the next the fabric tore from our bodies, leaving us both naked. His adyin glowed brightly, and I knew his eyes matched. His breath was hot against my chin, cheek, and ear as he continued to kiss me anywhere he could with a violent hunger. I was panting by the time my legs hit the back of the bed. I yelped as he reached down and grasped the back of my thighs, lifting me with ease. He crashed down with me, the mattress sinking beneath us. His lips found mine again, my hands caressing every part of him I could reach.
“Mine. Alive. Whole. Mine. Mine. Mine.”
His voice was a deep guttural chant through our bond, desperation and terror filling every thought. His emotions overwhelmed mine, and I knew if we took our rings off, I’d still feel it.
“Yes.” I moaned. “Yours,” I whispered, reassuring him that I was here.
He growled against my lips, his mouth sliding over my cheek and along the sensitive line of my throat. I whimpered and tilted my head, allowing him better access. Teeth scraped over my rapidly beating pulse, and my hips lifted, grinding against his thick, hard length. I didn’t want it there. I wanted him inside me. Writhing beneath him, I worked my hands between us, determined to get him where I needed him. Before I could grip his cock, my hands were pulled above my head. I glanced up and tugged experimentally at my crossed wrists, realizing he had bound me with his power, the familiar touch making goosebumps rise on my skin. A dark thrill ran through me at this new sensation. I trusted Samkiel with my life, and I felt no fear in submitting control over to him to do whatever he wished with me. It didn’t frighten me. Oh, no. It excited me.
“Sami.” My voice was strained and breathless as he opened his mouth wide and clamped it over one of my nipples. He flattened his tongue over the tight bud before rolling over it, and my back arched, pressing more of my breast into his mouth.
My hips rocked against him, seeking friction and release, but he shifted his body away from mine, refusing to give me what I so desperately wanted. Instead, he nipped at one breast and then the other before moving lower. He rained kisses over my sternum and ribs. I whimpered as his mouth slid over my stomach and hips. My eyes lowered, and I watched him, thinking he would venture between my legs next, but he didn’t. His hands caressed my thighs, kneading before sliding down my leg, his mouth following and leaving a trail of heat in its wake. When he placed a kiss on my knee, I realized he wasn’t just trying to arouse me. He was worshiping me, every part of my body, as if touching it, kissing it, made it real.
