“None.”

Ha! This male had never given anything away without demanding some sort of payment.

“You have my word,” he added.

“Not good enough.”

“My blood oath, then.” He flashed a dagger into one hand and slashed the other. As drops of crimson dripped to the floor, he said, “No payment is expected for the wreaths.”

He...actually meant it. How shocking. She lifted her chin and snapped, “I won’t say thank you.”

He nodded, as if he’d expected no less. “How about when I give you this?”

A harried but unharmed Torin appeared in the center of the room. He spotted Hades and a dramatic change overtook him. His muscles visibly expanded, seeming to double in size as he prepared to attack.

Hades pegged him with a hard stare. “I can remove your demon and ensure you live. And I will.”

Torin took a step toward him, only to stop.

Keeley could almost hear the creak of wheels rolling in his head. Don’t listen to him, she longed to shout. His bargains never end well—for the other party.

Then, as she’d expected, Hades laid out the condition. “I’ll do so...the moment you walk away from Keeleycael, never to see or speak with her again.” With a smug, toothy grin, the king of darkness vanished.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

BASTARD.

Everything Torin had thought he’d ever wanted had just been offered to him. To be demon-free, able to touch anyone at any time, to fight anyone at any time, to have sex, and never have to worry. Never hurt another unless purposely. Never experience guilt or sorrow or regret over something he could not control. But of course, all he had to do was give up the woman he loved and craved more than breath. Never touch her, when finally he would be able to do so without harming her.

Not gonna happen.

He didn’t have to mull it over. Keeley was his, and he wouldn’t give her up. Not even for a dream.

Keeley turned away from him. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but...you can take Hades up on his offer, and you won’t ever have to worry about hurting my feelings. I’ll make sure he keeps his end of the bargain before I put you in the Time Out box, just like you once demanded.”

“No.” He would not be forgotten. Ever. He strode to her, the fire in his heart spreading through every inch of him. “I’m not letting you go. Never letting you go. I’m keeping you.”

“No. This is what you’ve always wanted. What you need.”

“You are what I need.”

“No!”

Losing her. “He’s evil. I don’t trust him.” When would Hades do the removal? In a few centuries? How would he do it? What state of alive would Torin be left in? Like entering the Cage of Compulsion and being commanded to separate from the demon and live—yes, he would live, but not well. He would remain in a vegetative state. At least in theory.

It wasn’t worth the risk.

Nor was Hades. With the king of the damned, there were too many variables. Not that any of them mattered.

“I told you,” she said. “I’ll ensure he keeps his end of the bargain.”

“Screw his bargain!”

“No, Torin, listen to me.”

“No. You listen to me, Keys.” She was determined to end things—for him. He got that. Been there, done that. As stubborn as she was, nothing he said would change her mind. She would do what she thought would make him the happiest in the long run, with or without his approval.

Can’t let her.

Desperation seized him as he realized there was only one way to proceed. Words wouldn’t work, but actions would. He had to prove they could have everything they’d ever wanted.

“You know what?” he said. “No more listening, no more talking. I want you. Fully. And I’ll have you.” He would prove how much he needed her. Would satisfy her so completely she would never wish to leave his side. “Afterward, you won’t sicken.”

Her eyes widened—and he knew he’d hooked her. “How?” she asked, breathless.

“I’ll show you.” If he screwed up and accidentally touched her skin-to-skin, she would do as she’d threatened. He knew that. Can’t screw this up.

The pressure was on.

Bring it. “Are you willing?” he asked.

“I...I...”

Reeling her in. “You’re strong—there’s no one stronger. You can withstand anything. And how many times have you told me the prize is worth the consequences?”

“Countless.” She pressed her lips together, shook her head. “Let’s think this through first.”

“Princess, Hades isn’t my only option for freedom, and he’s certainly not the most reliable one. You’re forgetting the Morning Star.”

“Not forgetting. Just not counting on it anymore. I tried to find it, and I failed.”

Losing her again...

“Besides,” she added, “you were willing to leave me before, even though the Morning Star was a possibility. What if I try again and again and can’t find it?”

“What if you can?”

She shifted from one foot to the other. Opened her mouth, closed it.

She teeters...no better time. He pounced, picking her up by the waist and tossing her onto the bed. When she finished bouncing, he was pleased to note she remained where she was rather than scrambling off, her breaths coming quick and shallow.

He moved to the foot of the mattress. Her golden hair was splayed over the pillows, and her passion-glazed eyes remained locked with his. Mine. His blood rushed through him, a newly awakened river, the dam utterly shattered.