Page 73 of Bond of Passion

Quiet.

Right. Okay, Deja could do that.

Suddenly, they were moving faster. Their speed increased until everything around them was a blur, and then in an instant, they popped out into sunshine so bright it nearly blinded Deja and made her trip in the loose sand beneath her feet.

When she finally got her bearings, she was still blinded, but this time by beauty.

A chestnut-haired female in bare feet and a sky-blue caftan that flowed to her gold-cuffed ankles stood among giant red and yellow tropical flowers and lush, broad-leafed plants. Birds in vibrant colors from violet and blue to green and scarlet flitted around the trees, their songs filling the air.

“Hi, Deja,” the female said. “I’m Lilliana.”

“Lilliana is married to my father,” Idess said. “She’ll escort us to the palace.”

Deja was at a loss for words, so she merely nodded and followed. But as they took a path along the crashing waves and pristine ivory beaches, she couldn’t help but whisper, “Wow. This place is beautiful.”

Raising her arms to the sky, Lilliana smiled as if this were her first day back after a long vacation. Deja didn’t need a bond to know that the female was living her best, happiest life—and full of love. “Right now, it’s the most beautiful place ever. For twelve hours a day, it’s paradise.”

“And the other twelve?”

Her arms fell to her sides, and she shuddered. “Hell. It’s hell.” She smiled up at the sky again as if reminding herself that enduring the bad was worth it. “The universe demands balance.”

Was that why the Neebless existed? To balance the Neethul? She contemplated that as they followed a stone path until it widened at a bend in the trail. Ahead, a palatial house that could have been plucked from ancient Rome, rose from out of a garden of vibrant blooms and gently swaying palms. Vivid, multi-colored birds exploded from out of the growth like fireworks, turning the sky into a celebration of life. That was all Deja could call it.

Life.

She’d lived most of her years surrounded by pain and death, and this…was like a cleansing. A revelation. She didn’t have to live her life with a need for vengeance and with so much hate inside. She could be who she wanted, not who she was raised to be. She’d gotten a head start on that with nursing school, but she’d also been weighed down by her hatred for Tavin.

All this time, she thought she’d been driven by her hatred. Only now did she understand that it had actually been holding her back.

Feeling like a weight had been lifted, she raised her arms the way Lilliana had done and took in the beauty.

“How could this place ever be considered a hell?” Deja murmured.

“Well,” Lilliana said, “for one thing, during that twelve-hour period, those indigo birds turn into hideous leathery hellspawn that eat flesh like piranha. And instead of producing sweet nectar like they do during the day, the pink teacup flowers secrete poison. Some of them become carnivorous. I’m not even going to tell you what happens to the trees and ocean animals.”

“So, I’m guessing you don’t take a lot of walks during those hours?”

Lilliana pointed to the metal shutters on the windows. “The entire house goes into lockdown. No one comes to visit without good reason.”

The door opened by itself, and Lilliana stood aside to usher them inside. “Welcome to our home.”

“It’s beautiful,” Deja breathed, awed by the crystal pillars that rose from a silver-flecked marble floor. The floor became one single, smooth curve into walls that swirled with soft blues and vibrant greens. The decor, mostly of fantastical landscapes, added to the mystical feel of the grand room. “I feel like we’re on a cloud in the sky.”

Lilliana grinned. “After years of living in the darkness of Sheoul, I wanted to feel the light of Heaven again.”

“Again?”

“Lilliana’s an angel.” The deep, rumbling voice entered the room before Azagoth did, his heavy boots moving soundlessly over the floor. A worn, hooded leather duster swung around black leather pants and a loaded weapons harness. Darkness shrouded and moved with him, writhing like a malevolent aura. He was beautiful and terrifying, and Deja had to force herself not to shrink back. “The decor isn’t quite as gloomy and torture-chamber chic as I’d like, but if my mate wants to live in marshmallow fluff, we live in marshmallow fluff.”

Pink splotches bloomed in Lilliana’s cheeks as she laughed. “Don’t listen to him. The entire house isn’t like this. Different theme in every room. He has his gothic Addams Family horror-chic style in his office, and torture-chamber decor in the actual torture chamber.”

Deja wasn’t sure if Lilliana was kidding or not.

“You got a Disney nursery for Raika,” Azagoth pointed out.

“Yes, but it’s Maleficent.” Lilliana batted her eyes at him. “Just for you. See how I can compromise?”

He grunted in playful acquiescence and turned to Deja. Instantly, the affable, loving husband was gone, and the walking nightmare took his place. Cold emerald eyes and a stone face took her in.