“Hades took control of two underworld realms. His mother’s and his tormentor’s. He led his armies into battle against all the packs, eradicating the entire race.”
A spark of anger burned her chest—some of those hounds had been innocent, surely. A spark she ignored. For now.
Where had Biscuit and Gravy come from? Were there more?
“About the immortal thing. I don’t know if I want to live forever.” Their relationship was so new. What if things ended in a month...a year...five years? She’d be stuck—alone—in a world she wasn’t sure she liked. “And I’m not worried about the danger that comes with you.”
“Because I am—”
“Because there will always be danger in the world. Making decisions based on fear only leads to regrets.”
“You need me,” he snapped. “With me at your side, you won’t have to be afraid.”
Oops. She’d poked the bear. Well, why not keep poking?
She stood, gathered cleaning supplies, stripped him of his soiled clothing and thoroughly washed him. “You want me to need you. There’s a difference. I don’t need you, and I’ll never need you. Dependency isn’t my thing. But I do desire you as fervently as you desire me.”
He didn’t erupt again, as part of her expected. He softened, saying, “For the first time in forever, I have hope for the future. At least, I think I have hope. It’s been so long since I felt the emotion, I can’t be sure.” He rubbed his chest. “Whatever it is, you are at the center.”
How sad was that? And how freaking sweet? She pointed to the wall, saying, “Biscuit, Gravy. To your own beds now, my loves.”
They hopped off the mattress without pause and trotted to the pillows she’d stacked against the wall. After praising them for their obedience, she shimmied under the covers and stretched out beside Baden, careful of his injuries.
“We’re talking about staying together, being together, but we’ve only ever been on one date. Which isn’t fair—to me! I deserve to be wooed.”
He draped his arm over her middle, pulling her closer. “I’ve never wooed a woman.”
“Has a woman ever wooed you?”
“Many have tried.”
“Okay. I’ll bite.” Perhaps literally, if she wasn’t careful. “How did they try to woo you?”
“By sneaking into my home and waiting for me...naked in my bed.”
Ha! “Please, pekný. I’m not that easy. Be naked in my living room, working a vacuum, and then we’ll talk.”
His raspy chuckle fanned warm, minty breath over her temples.
Screw being gentle because of his injuries. He was tough, and such toughness should come with a perk.
She traced her tongue around his nipple. “I’m in your bed... Perhaps I should get naked now.”
His eyes flared with want. “You should,” he said. The phone vibrated in his pocket, against her belly, but he paid it no heed. “Right now.”
“First...” She took possession of the cell and checked the screen. Well, well. “Torin says William is demanding every demon-possessed warrior strike at Puck, without actually hurting Puck.” A pause. “Who’s Puck?” Would she ever learn all the players in this game?
“Puck married William’s...potential soul mate? He’s a satyr. Half goat,” he added when she stared in confusion.
Goat? Seriously? “Could be worse for the girl, I suppose.” But not by much, and suddenly Katarina was very glad her man simply shared his body with another presence.
“Gilly isn’t the problem with this situation. William’s focus is divided, making him an easy target. Lucifer will see this as the perfect opportunity to strike.”
“William seems like the kind of guy who can handle himself, whatever the obstacles.”
“If he’s hurt... Hades loves his son. He will—” Baden frowned, suddenly pensive. Then he shook his head, as if dislodging the thought that had given him pause. “William’s own sons will be distracted, too, putting many of my allies in jeopardy at once.”
“William, who looks about thirty years old, has kids old enough to fight in a war?”
The smile he directed at her held a touch of indulgence. “They’re old enough to destroy the world. They are the horsemen of the apocalypse.”
Mind scramble! “Forget about naked vacuuming. If you want to woo me, write a book detailing who our enemies are, who our allies are, every immortal race, their strengths and weaknesses.”
He nodded. “This I will do. For your protection.”
“Because I need you, blah, blah, blah.”
He ignored her, adding, “I’m afraid I can’t forget about naked vacuuming. Anything that brings you pleasure, I will do.”
A waterfall of warmth...so sweet... She leaned into him—only to halt when