The Darkest Warrior (Lords of the Underworld 14)

Purely feminine. Lusciously carnal.

More radiant than ever. Because of him. Because of Pukinn Neale Brion Connacht IV. Because his power flowed through her, ensuring her heart continued to beat.

Pride puffed his chest. No man had a lovelier wife.

No man had a more frightened wife, he realized, his chest constricting. Her gaze darted to the left, then to the right. Searching for a way out? Just then, she reminded him of injured prey cornered by a hungry predator.

"Be at ease, lass," he rasped. He thought...no, surely not. But...maybe? Emotion seemed to flow between their bond. Fear, sadness. Hope, happiness. Rage, concern.

Had to be a mistake. And yet, Indifference remained silent.

Gillian drew a heavy breath through her mouth and closed her eyes. For several seconds, she sat as still as a statue. When she exhaled, she focused on Puck, the wildness fading from her eyes. Eyes that shifted down to avoid his gaze.

"I'm sorry," she said, and rubbed at her temples.

He pressed two fingers beneath her jaw and lifted her chin. Her gaze lifted, as well, and held his own, unwavering.

"Better," he said. "I like your eyes--want to see them."

She blinked, as if surprised.

When he smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear, his fingertips tingled, and white-hot desire speared him. And yet, still Indifference remained silent. Even more shocking, Gillian softened and leaned into his touch.

"You are exquisite," he said, and no truer words had ever been spoken.

Darker pink circles spread over her cheeks, lending an air of innocence to her carnal sensuality. "Thank you. And you--"

"Are not. I know."

"Hey. Don't put words--"

"Gillian!" William's hard voice echoed off the walls, shaking the planks.

Finish your sentence, Puck wanted to roar. What did she think he was?

"William," she mouthed. Excitement lit her eyes, drawing a ragged growl from Puck.

Ragged growl? I'm using her. Her feelings for another man do not affect me.

Dagger in hand, he jumped up. Perfect timing. William burst through a wall, wood shards flying in every direction. Rage crackled in his electric blues--no, his neon reds. Arcs of lightning zipped under the surface of his skin, while smoke and shadows stretched above his shoulders, like wings. Raven locks billowed around his face, lifted by a wind Puck couldn't feel.

What kind of immortal was this man?

He was Hades's son through some sort of immortal adoption; the two shared no blood ties.

Whatever he was, William had lost his chance to make a move against Puck. Now, what happened to husband also happened to wife. Cut Puck, and Gillian would bleed. Break his bones, and hers would shatter.

Those neon red eyes narrowed on him, crackling with the kind of rage Puck longed to feel. "You're going to die, but not until you've begged for mercy you'll never receive. She's mine, and I protect what's mine."

And so it begins.

The first rule of negotiation: establish a solid foundation on which to stand. The second: rip your opponent apart in every way possible. The more off-kilter William felt, the less confidence he would have. The less confidence he had, the easier Puck could work the situation in his favor.

"No," Gillian croaked, rising from the bed to move beside Puck. "No killing."

Thinks to protect the man who could have saved her days of agony?

Forget a solid foundation. Puck went straight to ripping. "She's yours?" He sneered. "I did what you were too afraid to do. I fought for the prize--and I won."

A bomb detonated in William's eyes, literal sparks crackling at the corners. "You have sealed your fate, demon."

If Gillian heard the exchange, she gave no notice, her gaze pleading with William. Hoping he would save her from Puck?

The rage he'd longed to feel only moments ago now filled him, his butterfly tattoo blazing and dancing over his skin. Muscles bulged and bones vibrated. His claws sharpened.

His mind--remained quiet. Even still, he summoned ice. He'd never needed his strength more, couldn't risk a punishment.

Cold and calculated, he stepped closer to Gillian, and said to William, "She's mine. I would never harm my female."

William lifted a dagger, ready to strike.

"No, William. I mean it." She stepped in front of Puck and stretched out her arms, as if to...shield him? "You can't hurt him."

Oh, yes. She thought to shield him. Something his brother had not done, there at the end.

A part of Puck longed to investigate the source of her protectiveness--desire? Something he could do. Just for a day. Maybe two. Perhaps a week. However long it took to reach Amaranthia. According to the Oracles, he had to tuck Gillian away before dealing with the other key.

Besides, the more time that passed between the bonding ceremony and Puck's negotiations with William, the more the warrior would understand the brevity of his circumstances.

My logic is sound.

"Oh, poppet." William directed a smile full of malevolence at the girl. "I assure you I can hurt him."

"You don't understand. He saved me. He's...he's my husband now. We bonded." She licked her lips as she shifted from one bare foot to the other. "Hurting him hurts me. I think." Looking over her shoulder, she met Puck's gaze. "Am I right?"

He nodded.

A mix of shock and fury played over William's features. "The bond. You agreed. Performed the ceremony."

Tears refilled her eyes. "I didn't want to die."

"You have no idea what you've done." The other man stumbled back, as if he'd been kicked. "He's using you for something."

"I know," she replied, and she sounded a little sad, a lot worried.

No, she knew only the lies Puck had fed her.

"You know?" Me

nace pulsed from William. "Do you also know you belong to him, spirit, soul and body? That the ties can never be broken?"

"I belong to myself," she said. Then her bravado evaporated. "I'm sorry. I just...there's so much I want to do. So much I want to accomplish."

Puck placed a hand on her shoulder, careful not to scratch her with claws ready to rip William to pieces. Just as before, she leaned into his touch; only for a moment, a beautiful stolen moment, before she realized what she'd done and straightened.

A moment was enough.

William noticed.

With a dagger flattened against his heart, he took another step backward. Fury and civility had been stripped from him, revealing hopelessness and blatant desire. Once, Gillian had been a lifeline to him. Did the male now consider her an anchor?

"I can lock him up. I can keep him safe while keeping him away from you," William said. "It's a win-win."

A whimper left her.

"Go ahead. Try," Puck said, before she had a chance to agree. If she turned on him...

Would she?

"Gillian." William used the dagger to point at Puck. "Do you want me to lock him up?"

Her eyes welled with tears once again, the droplets streaming down her cheeks. "No," she said. "I'm sorry. I don't."

Puck released a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.

"Very well. We'll do this your way." Expression stony, William turned and exited the tree house.

Another whimper left Gillian, her whole body shaking. "What have I done?" With a gut-wrenching sob, she threw herself onto the bed.

The ice split down the middle, but he clung to both sides. He'd met the first part of his objective, saving and bonding to Gillian; the state of her mind should be the least of his worries.

So why did he sit at her side and comb his fingers through the softness of her hair?

When finally she quieted, he found himself asking, "Do you love William?"

"Yes," she admitted with a sniffle. "He's my best friend. Or was. What if he never forgives me?"

He will. The way William had looked at her...proof the male would forgive her for anything. He only required time. But a dark side of Puck didn't want Gillian pinning her hopes on a reconciliation.

Need me. Want me. "I will be your best friend now," he said.

"If that's an order..."

Yes! "Merely a suggestion."

Her body went lax, the tension draining from her at last. Because Puck had calmed her...or because Indifference had access to her through the bond?