The Darkest Promise (Lords of the Underworld #13)

“Give me the ring. Of your own free will,” he added. “Consider it payment for the slaying of the automaton.”

Viola fluffed her hair. “I’ll be slaying him on my own, thanks. I’ve got mad skills. And I can always use him as a shield.” She hiked her thumb in Urban’s direction. “I’ll survive and return home. You can explain to Mr. and Mrs. Maddox why their son is dead.”

“Hey!” Ever stomped into the tent, the color in her cheeks high. “I’m the only one who can use my brother as a shield.”

“Here’s the thing,” Viola said to Lazarus, ignoring the girl. “If I give you the ring, you’ll leave me behind. That’s a problem. I want to see the automaton’s home.”

Lazarus spread his arms, acting like the last sane man in the universe. “You want to die, then.”

Okay, this had gotten out of hand. “If you give him the ring, Viola, you can go with us. You’ll soon be leaving the spirit realms, anyway, so you won’t need the ring. Correct? Urban, Ever. Stop crying. You’re staying here with the guards. The adults are going out to do some adulting.”

She steeled herself for a slap of lust and met Lazarus’s gaze. “You. Help us get what we need and I’ll kiss you goodbye.”

*

Cameo brushed her teeth with a brush and paste Lazarus gave her, and bathed in a basin he filled with ice-cold water. Refreshed, she changed into a T-shirt and jeans provided by the goddess.

Apparently Viola had used her portal-opening ring last night, fetching hundreds of T-shirts she’d had made weeks before, planning to give the too-small garments to everyone in the realm. Every shirt had a different message, but every message meant the exact same thing.

I Heart Viola.

Team Viola.

If I Can’t Have Viola I’d Rather Have Death.

I Hung Out with the Goddess of the Afterlife & All I Got Was This Amazing T-shirt.

Lazarus used the time to pet his new ring and sulk about...Cameo wasn’t sure. Did he wish she’d donned the I Dream of Jeannie outfit? Was he pouting about having company on his automaton-heart mission?

Did he not want Cameo to leave him?

The thought electrified her, and for once, nothing Misery did to counteract the sensation affected her. Her blood continued to simmer, her bones to vibrate.

Slay an automaton, kiss Lazarus goodbye.

Cameo joined the warrior, Viola and Princess Fluffikans outside the tent. Sunlight glared from an unforgiving sky. Thankfully sky serpent wings spanned a great distance and cast the perfect amount of shade.

Guards rushed around the campsite, searching for the children, who’d decided to play hide-and-burn-the-one-who-seeks. She would have worried, but gleeful giggles drifted on the wind, reassuring her all was well.

Besides, Viola had told Urban to watch his sister, stay by the tents and not kill anyone. He’d agreed, saying, “For you, my sweet, anything.”

Maddox would flip his lid when he found out about his son’s crush.

“—will remain here,” Lazarus was saying to a group of his men. “You will protect my cargo with your lives.”

Cargo. Well. The children had been called worse.

A butterfly chose that moment to fly into the camp and land on Lazarus’s shoulder, and a sudden sense of dread choked Cameo.

Something terrible was going to happen today.

“Do as he says and protect the children with your lives,” she called, “or I’ll remove your spines through your mouths—while singing.”

A chorus of agonized wails broke out.

Lazarus faced her, admiration flickering in the depths of his dark eyes. Admiration...and just a little anger. He stalked toward her, the butterfly taking flight. “Ordering my men now?”

She held her ground. I was created for war. I will not surrender to him or any man. Even when this one’s chocolate and champagne scent teased her senses.

“Now and always,” she said.

“Sure you want to go with me?” He traced a fingertip along her jaw, sending shivers skittering through her. “If you’re harmed, I’ll be very displeased.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t miss our kiss goodbye.”

He leaned down, his nose brushing hers, his warm breath fanning her chin. “You know I’m a vengeful man, and still you taunt me. You’re either brave or foolish. I’m not sure which. I do know I want more than a kiss. I want my night.”

“I’m going home.” For now. She would return to the spirit realms a third time to search for Pandora’s box.

Would her search lead her back to Lazarus’s kingdom?

“The others can go through the portal today. You can go through tomorrow.”

Spend a single night with him? It’s what he’d offered in the mirror’s second vision... “Sorry, but I—”

“Don’t say no. And don’t make me wait for my kiss. I want it now.” The look he gave her...it was as if she were the only woman ever born. The only woman he could see. The only woman he had ever wanted. “Give it to me.”

Just like that, he stripped her of inhibition and apprehension, and exposed the rawness of her desire. Denying him wasn’t an option, but helping him wasn’t wise.

“You want it?” she croaked. “Take it.”

He cupped her nape and yanked her against the solid line of his body. As she gasped, he pressed his mouth against hers and thrust his tongue deep. Just like his scent, his taste devastated her senses; it was as dark and rich and sweet as a fine wine, and more intoxicating than ambrosia.

In his arms, she came alive.

The simmer in her blood heated to a rolling boil and burned her from the inside out, branding her, and she moaned. Her bones dissolved. To remain upright, all she could do was cling to him.

He kissed her without reservation, as if he wanted to savor her. He kissed her as if he wanted to devour her. As if she were a treasure he’d sought his entire life—as if he planned to enjoy her forever.

When passion and pleasure collided with the demon’s sadness—passion and pleasure won! Cameo careened from shock, her nails sinking into Lazarus’s wide shoulders. So strong. So male.

How can I ever let him go?

A growl reverberated in his chest as the tone of the kiss changed. From a molten exploration to an unstoppable consumption. Their thirst for each other was unquenchable. He rubbed against her, the feel of his shaft incredible. It was hard and long and thick.

Cameo’s breath mingled with his, until they were inhaling the same air. Until she—

Heard a feminine sigh of annoyance?

Lazarus released her and stepped back, no part of him touching her. A travesty. Cameo panted, her knees quaking, her limbs fighting to return to their solid state.

Fury darkened his features, and he spat, “Distraction kills.”

Wait. He blamed her for the kiss?

“—can’t ever get enough of me,” Viola was saying. “The same isn’t true of you two. Can we go now? I’m late for a very important date.”

Lazarus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. As if the taste of Cameo were suddenly repellent to him. He focused on his men. “If any harm comes to the children, you had best run. Not that it will do you any good. I’ll give chase.”