Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Hmm. Did the words written in marker on her forearm mean anything? He-licks-her. Other than the obvious.
Think! The last thing she remembered was snuggling in bed, alone, always alone, reading a how-to guide for making better jewelry. A new passion. If males refused to notice her greatness and bestow gifts, she would perform the honor herself.
Well, whatever the reason for allowing her capture, the reward must’ve outweighed the risk.
When the tiny wings between her shoulder blades vibrated, she returned her gaze to the Phoenix. Ugh. He was mid-tantrum, banging his weapon against the cage bars.
“Pay attention to me.”
Neeka couldn’t hear his voice, but dang if she didn’t feel his whine with her entire being.
“Sure thing.” She winced, as if sorry for him. “But first, you gotta become more interesting. Go ahead. I’m waiting.”
He scowled, and she blew him a kiss. “Your harpy friend. Taliyah. She never should’ve taught you to speak. You’re much prettier silent.”
“You’re hideous at all times.” Though, granted, on the outside, Ahdán wowed with model-worthy features and a body bulging with brawn. Too bad he sucked.
She hadn’t forgotten why she’d married the sadistic brute. Save Taliyah’s sister from having to contend with his evil and empty his royal treasury. Assassinating him had been a wonderful bonus.
Ahdán pressed the tip of his blade into his index finger, drawing a bead of blood. “Your pain will be my pleasure, wife.”
She yawned. “Do you get delivery out here? This girl could use a bite.”
Most harpies adored anything fried or sweet. Not Neeka. She always jonesed for veggies. A constant source of humiliation throughout her childhood. Maybe because she’d been so sickly. Just one more aspect of her life that had made her different.
“Maybe a drink?” she added. “Your tears on the rocks, shaken not stirred.”
Blue flames crackled over his pale locks. Aw, did his inability to intimidate her sting a bit?
“To start, I’ll remove your eyes.” He stood, putting his loin cloth on display. A rising loin cloth. “I’ll ensure you can’t grow new ones.”
She smiled at him. “Know that I’ll enjoy what comes next.” Wait. She would? Why? What came next? Had Past Neeka set her up for success?
“Wife, you won’t be enjoying anything ever again. I’ll ensure that, too.”
“I’m not your wife. Not any longer. Our connection ended with your first death.”
The corners of his mouth curved in a cruel grin. “You will always be mine.”
Biceps rippling, he opened the cage door and reached inside. Just before contact, he jerked. His spine contorted to an odd angle and his chin tilted upward, his mouth opening wide, making him look as if he were howling.
What the—ah. Okay. The tip of a spear extended past his teeth, rivers of crimson streaming over his bottom lip. He twitched once, twice, before going limp, expelling a final breath.
The male responsible for the Phoenix’s latest death tossed the body aside, as if it weighed nothing, granting her visual access to his leer-worthy physique. Hellooo, man candy! He was a giant, almost double the other warrior’s size in both height and brawn. And he was hot. Not handsome. Hot. Amazingly so. He had thick black hair, crimson skin, and exaggerated features. Aggression emanated from him. The kind that boldly proclaimed: Bow or break.
Meow. If she cared about dating, and she didn’t, nope, not her, he might—might!—be her type. He wore black leathers and combat boots, but no shirt. Thank goodness! Look at the wealth of eye tattoos that littered his chest. Such a peculiar choice of ink—Neeka yelped. Those tattoos blinked. They even scanned the area as if they were truly able to see. Maybe they were. Some stared straight at her, making her wings quiver with delight.
When his (real) black diamond eyes fixed on her, she gulped. The intensity!
A cluster-ball of information rolled from a shadowy corner of her mind, handing out tidbits of information like Halloween treats. He was McBoney. Or rather, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies. A shapeshifter and spy without equal. Closest friend of Hades, the King of the Dead. Known as a royal playboy who lacked morals and boundaries, with a fearsome temper.
He wasn’t someone Neeka had ever interacted with and yet, she had a niggle...
Him. He was the reason she had allowed Ahdán to lock her up. She sensed it.
Say yes. Whatever Red proposes, say yes. But—
“Yes!” she blurted out. Then the thought completed. Don’t be too eager. Oh. Right. Not too eager. Got it. “But also no,” she added, batting her lashes at him.
Brow furrowed, he canted his head and deepened his study of her. “You are Neeka the Unwanted, from the Eagleshield clan, but part of the Skyhawk clan. Owner of Greater than Greatest at Finding Stuff, and the oracle who left me a crumb trail of clues to this location. Yes?”
Mmm. The way he mouthed every word sent shivers spilling over her spine. She almost forgot how much she hated her moniker. “Yep. That’s me. I can do it, too. I can find anything, anywhere, at any time. Except sometimes. And other times, too.”