And now I know why.
My little siren was hiding among the Horsemen, playing house in their realm.
The Tetrad kingdom will pay for keeping her from me. They don’t stand a chance against the mermen dynasty. The Eldoris kingdom predates the existence of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
I was surprised when I finally caught my mate’s scent outside the Griari empire of ancient dragons. It left me little time to prepare, but I couldn’t let the opportunity slip.
It was time Flaw remembered the fate I forged for us.
Before I could grab my mate by her hair and drag her back to my kingdom, the witch queen’s undead doll attacked them.
I curse under my breath as I watch Visha lurk in the shadows, waiting to strike. That woman has a talent for ruining perfectly laid plans.
When Visha realized she was up against the Four Horsemen, she came to me begging for help. I laughed in her face when she offered to spare my mate in exchange for my aid.
I don’t need her help with the Horsemen, and I refuse to help someone who crawls to others instead of fighting her own battles.
I was so eager to see my mate that I came alone, without my warriors or slaves to help me snatch my flaw. Giving Hazel a tour of my chambers and reminding her of her place will have to wait until I’ve planned her ruin.
Now that I know the Horsemen are hiding my chosen mate, not even the King of Hell will be able to save them from what’s coming.
Mermen don’t play when it comes to their prey, and she is mine.
Don’t worry, my Flaw. You’ll be back where you belong soon enough. Your fate has always been mine to write.
1. Grumpy beginnings
Hazel
“Let’s see you smile now, you stupid Reaper,” I mutter, slamming another drawer shut before moving to his wardrobe.
The scent of my mate is everywhere, nearly choking me, making me sway on my feet. Fuck, I didn’t think this through. I should’ve planned something that didn’t involve breaking into his room until his warm, earthy scent was making it hard to swallow.
My fingers accidentally brush a crisp white shirt, sending shivers down my spine.
This is what I get for years of loyalty. If Anxo weren’t one of the few men I respect, I would’ve stabbed him for betraying me like this.
Like any good friend, I was happy when all my friends finally found the fated mates they had been desperately praying for. Overnight, I was surrounded by too much happiness and love, and it was gross, but I tolerated it. For them. Until they stabbed me in the back.
Not even a week after the Sisters of Fate decided to wreck my sanity and drop Dean Blackburn into my life, Anxo kicked me out of the Horseman Castle, spouting some bullshit about how new mates needed time together to strengthen their bond.
Heartless asshole.
He knew I’d been avoiding Dean like my life depended on it, and instead of taking pity on me, he sent me packing to the Death Castle.
That’s how I ended up here, living with a man I want to stab at least once a day.
No one understands what it’s like to crave something with every ounce of your being, only to have to let it go.
Thank Lucifer, we don’t feel the mate bond like dragons or werewolves do. The second they find their mates, they’re all over each other. Hell, they can’t go two feet apart without whining like lovesick fools.
It’s hard enough ignoring Dean and his stupid jokes and that stupid smirk. I don’t know what I would’ve done if every time I walked away from him, all the nerves in my body were set on fire.
I scan the room, making sure nothing looks out of place, before slipping out and locking the door behind me.
My heart pounds in my throat as I hurry down the hallway. I know it’s stupid to play pranks instead of having an actual conversation and telling him I can’t do this, but this is the only way I can have him without destroying his peace… and I’m not ready to let that go.
The secrets I’m hiding, the darkness chasing me, I won’t let it touch another person. Especially not someone like Dean.
