Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
“Yes.” I pretended to misunderstand him. I pulled my cloak around me tightly because to let anything else in would crack my world in a way I couldn’t come back from. “You’ve been wrong. Myrddin is building a better world.”
“No, baby.” He didn’t follow me as I backed away from him. “He’s building a world for him, but I think while he did that, he took yours away. He took more than your soul. He warped your memories. It’s okay. You hide for a little while longer. I’ll still be here. I won’t allow anyone to take me from you this time, Liv. You’ll remember who you are and I’ll be there. Kelsey and I will be there to pick up the pieces. We will still love you. When it hits you—what happened, what you did—know in all that pain that we still love you.”
Something nasty welled inside me, and I wanted to blast him back. I could feel the spell. It would obliterate him, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about his words anymore. I wouldn’t have to ever feel this vulnerable again. I wasn’t vulnerable. I wasn’t the stupid Liv who danced with children and offered her blood up to a needy vampire. I didn’t have friends because friends took and took and didn’t give back. I was Olivia Carey, dark witch and Profane.
I was Olivia. Prisoner. Bound. Without access to any of the power I’d given my soul for.
I was done. I turned and started for the door that would lead me out of this prison. I didn’t care what they did.
“Liv,” Casey called out. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
He wasn’t me. He was whole. He was strong. He wasn’t wrapped in wards and bindings.
I would walk out and let the king kill me so I didn’t have to feel anything again.
I put my hand on the door and was blasted backward. My back hit the wall, head banging against it hard.
Casey was there, lifting me in his arms because the world was starting to recede around me. His lips curled up. “Should have known there was only one way I would be able to hold you again. Thank the goddess you’re so stubborn.”
My head fell back, and I let the darkness take me.
What I didn’t admit to myself then was I thanked the goddess, too. Because for a bare second, before the darkness crowded out the world, I felt safe.
Chapter Five
Kelsey
I kept my eyes closed for a second longer than I needed to because I kind of wanted to put off the moment that I had to fully recognize that I was in Hell. Real Hell. I married a demon and he ruled a section of the Hell plane and now I was pregnant with his child and had to face whatever awful fiery pit of torture would be my home for the time being. I was going to smile and take it all with grace.
Yup. That’s what I told myself as I stood there, Eddie’s hand in mine. I wasn’t going to let Gray know how awful this place was. I was being a good wife.
“Mistress, we’re here.”
Deep breath and I opened my eyes, ready to ignore the body parts that would likely be used as décor.
And I was confused because we were in a garden. A gorgeous garden filled with lush vegetation. Silvery moonlight coated this world, making the white flowers to my left shine against the darkness. I leaned over, and they seemed to reach out to me, releasing a scent like jasmine but deeper, richer.
“I think we’re in the wrong place, Eddie.”
A huff came from behind me. “Did you think I was taking you to a torture chamber, Kelsey mine?”
I turned, and Gray was frowning down at me.
Trent had a shit-eating grin on his face as he stood by his partner. “Told you she would be surprised.”
I glanced around the large garden with wonder in my heart. The whole place was drenched in moonlight. It looked like a set from Bridgerton, one where the hero and heroine go for a stroll and end up making out and being forced to marry. It was that romantic.
I turned and saw the old-school mansion a couple hundred yards away. It was massive and as surprising as the gardens.
“The House of Sloane rules over a midnight kingdom,” Eddie explained. “This is considered one of Hell’s more beautiful planes, though you should understand there are dangers here as well.”
“Not to her,” Gray said, moving beside me.
Lee stood beside his sister, looking around as though evaluating this new plane we found ourselves on for threats. I couldn’t help but notice his fangs were out.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
Lee’s head shook, and he seemed to force himself to focus. “I feel different here.”
“I feel stronger here.” Fenrir stared up at the moon. “I want to change.”