Wicked Abyss (Immortals After Dark #17) - Kresley Cole Page 0,79

your leader?” The one N?x was particularly keen to hear about.

“Orion is an enthralling male. His appearance constantly changes—no one knows what he truly looks like.” How odd. “You were right—he can detect the weaknesses in everything—from a castle’s defense to the instability of a society’s foundation.” Like Sylvan’s. “He sleeps now, will wake once Tenebrous reaches Gaia.”

“What’s it like to travel in a moving dimension?”

“You would enjoy it very much. I’ll take you there in time. I want to see your face when you stare out at the black ether and watch worlds flash by.”

Though she would kill to see that, to learn firsthand about such a place, she didn’t foresee a visit in her future. “What about the others? I heard there were a dozen of you.”

“Only ten. We have two seats remaining at our war-room table. My other three allies are . . . not as easy to explain. I would rather you just meet them.”

“You said you would be a soft touch. Can I convince you to draw back from”—quit forever—“the M?ri?r?”

“They are my family. Just as they could never persuade me to relinquish my mate, you will never persuade me to relinquish my family. Mark my words, Calliope: I will always be a M?ri?r.” Moving in closer to her, he said, “Tell me why you hate my alliance so deeply.”

I can’t! Not until she trusted Abyssian more. She would have to trust him with her life.

A shadow passed over them. She craned her head up. Five dragons soared above! They were much smaller than Uthyr and had black scales. To her delight, one shot a stream of fire, then flew into the flames. “Why did he do that?”

“Warming up for the night’s hunt. This is my favorite time of the day. The dragons set out from their roosts. Creatures rouse in the wilds. Soon the hounds will howl.”

“You must’ve missed this place when you were in the Elserealms.” The dragons continued on, one of them trailing a wing tip across the water’s surface. “Will you have to return there?”

“If I do, you’ll be coming with me.” With an inscrutable expression, he said, “We will never live apart.”

“Never?” That was a word immortals didn’t throw around lightly.

“Ever. As I said, a demon doesn’t like to be away from his mate.”

Sian was reminded of that last dance with Kari when he’d told her, You will be mine, Kari. For all time. I will never be separated from you.

But he had been. “Do you have a problem with a male keeping his wife by his side?”

Picking up on his change in demeanor, she glared. “Depends on if the male is a surly demon who gives his wife whiplash with his moods. Such a wife would wonder if such a husband recalled that they were skinny-dipping on a gorgeous day.”

Fair point. Just enjoy this, Sian. . . .

A couple of dragon stragglers glided overhead. With her attention distracted, Sian decided on a prank to reclaim her good mood. He reached a wing around under the water and skimmed her calf.

Eyes darting, she eased closer. “What was that?”

Keeping his expression blank, he said, “What was what?”

“I felt something against my leg.”

“Hmm. Could be a school of hatchlings.”

“A school? Of baby serpents?”

“They’re even more poisonous than the larger ones. Good thing you’re immortal now.” Unable to resist, he moved his wing again—

She screeched and leapt for him. Climbing him like a tree, she wrapped her arms around his head just below his horns. Her breasts pressed against his face, her legs locked around him. “T-trace us to the shore, Abyssian!”

He coiled his arms around her and turned his head, which put one of her nipples just out of his tongue’s reach. So close, yet so far. The prank’s on me. In a muffled voice, he said, “Or it could be your husband’s wing touching you underwater.”

“Oh, you dick!” she cried, releasing her grip on him. “You will pay for that one. Now put me down.”

“Of course.” He let her slowly inch down his body, her nipples raking his chest.

She sucked in a breath.

Already he could scent how aroused she was. His shaft throbbed for that honey. But he had to behave—somewhat—until she invited him to claim her. And right now, Sian felt a hot, aching hope that an invitation would be forthcoming soon.

Halfway down his body, she gasped, parting her glossy lips.

He was helpless to resist them. He cupped her ass, holding her aloft, then leaned down. She must know he