The Darkest Warrior (Lords of the Underworld 14)

She could have said, "I thought you didn't want to talk about him." Instead, she opened up, as Puck had done with her, and told the truth. "No. And I haven't offered, either."

"You prefer to discuss these matters with your husband, and no other." Moving at a speed she couldn't track, he took her by the waist, lifted her and reclined against the tree once more, ensuring she straddled his lap, her body pressed flush against his. "I'm an excellent multitasker. While I'm listening to you speak, I can show you affection."

"I think you're showing me lust," she said, grinding her core against his erection. "I think I'm showing it right back."

Hiss. "Affection and lust, then."

Electric currents raced from every point of contact, only to pool between her thighs. Aches ignited in her breasts, between her legs, stronger than ever before. The heat of his skin tantalized her while the calluses on his palms titillated her, a lethal combination for her resistance.

As if she had any type of resistance against him.

Their eyes met, held, Puck's indifferent mask falling away. He wasn't calm, or unaffected by their proximity. He was agonized.

"Please hear me when I say these next words," he intoned. "The Oracles have never been wrong."

"I do hear you. But there's a first time for everything. And what if we're looking at the prediction wrong, huh?"

He traced a fingertip along her jawline, as if he couldn't not touch her. "You ask what if often. Why do I find this trait adorable in you, and irritating in me?"

The Dune Raider, adorable? Why do I want to preen? "I'm gonna take a wild guess here. Maybe it's because I am adorable and you are irritating?"

His gaze lifted. She blinked innocently, and merriment flashed in his eyes. Just a flash, but there all the same.

"You're right," he said. "There's a chance we're looking at this one all wrong. Perhaps the Oracles meant you won't have a happy ending with...William." He wound his fist around a lock of her hair, not stopping until he reached her nape. The pressure...almost bruising. Okay, definitely bruising, but she liked it, choosing to believe he feared losing her, and held on tight. "Perhaps you're meant to have a happy ending with someone else."

Perhaps Puck, the keeper of Indifference, had gotten his hopes up? She thrilled. "You mean a happy ending with the man who doesn't want my love?"

"Perhaps he only meant to protect himself when he uttered those words."

She thrilled more. What if they could make this work?

Then other questions came. What if she made plans to stay with Puck, and she set her own prophecy into motion, the way Sin had? Would she one day destroy Puck's dreams?

"Look past the bond," Puck said--did she hear longing in his tone? "Tell me how you feel about me."

Can't destroy his dreams. Just can't.

Get off, get out. She brushed her fingers over the stubble on his jaw, and whispered, "Let's forget about feelings and futures and focus on pleasure right...this...moment." She punctuated every word with a sway of her hips.

Another hiss from him, as if he was pleased, then he scowled, as if he was ticked off. "William isn't worthy of you. You know this, yes?"

"I know I want you."

"Want me now...but not later?"

In lieu of an answer, she swayed her hips again. More pleasure. A flood of heat.

With another hiss and a curse, he set her aside and stood. "I'm returning to camp. You should, as well."

Wait. What?

Silent now, he marched away, leaving her panting, aching--mourning the loss of his touch.

What the heck had just happened?

27

Gillian waited five...ten...fifteen minutes before following Puck to camp, hoping her lust and anger would subside. Outwardly, she appeared calm. Probably. Inwardly, she lamented and questioned.

Puck had shut down when she'd...what? Refused to promise her future to him? Refused to disavow William?

Her husband wanted her, that much she knew. He'd been hard as steel. Did he want more than her body, though? Did he hope to protect himself from her prophecy, not wanting his dream axed? Did Indifference still fight him?

The Lords of the Underworld had all suffered in some way or another whenever they'd gone head-to-head with their demons. Puck used to weaken, but now...what happened? Could he allow himself to feel, or did the demon provide the ice and snuff out his emotions?

"Over here, poppet," William called from a sleeping bag he'd set up while she'd bathed and chatted with Puck. He patted the empty bag beside him.

Before him, a small fire blazed, decorating his bronze skin in shades of gold. He was a beautiful sex god...but she had no desire to sample him.

A few yards away, Winter and Cameron had erected mini-tents. Easy to tell which tent belonged to which sibling. Winter had hung an immortal pelt over the door. A few years ago, she'd killed a man for offering a ride on his lap. Now the pelt served as a Keep Out sign for anyone who might have a similar request.

As she stretched out beside William, she saw no sign of Puck. "Why are Winter and Cameron in their tents?" Selfishness and Obsession never passed up an opportunity to interact with others. Aka entertain themselves.

William reached over, intending to take her hand, only to grunt with irritation when she didn't take his and drop his arm to his side. "I put them in a six-hour time-out for irritating me."

Uh, what now? "Did you hurt them?"

"Hardly at all. They're fine, promise. Or they will be fine, if you let them rest."

Very well. "Just...be nice to them, okay? They're my family."

"I'm your family," he said, his tone sharp.

She rotated to face him, sighed. "I still don't understand you. I mean, I get why you're here. You've mistakenly convinced yourself we're fated, blah, blah, blah. But why did you befriend me, all those years ago? I know you didn't take one look at me and think she's the one. You slept with, like, a thousand others. And let's face facts. I was clingy, needy and confused."

"I'm not hearing a problem," William said.

She huffed and puffed before he admitted, "It was your eyes. The first time they met mine, I felt as if I was staring into a raw, open wound that had festered for years. As a boy, I'd seen the same look in my own eyes every time I caught sight of my reflection. I wanted to help you."

Heart squeezing with sympathy, she softly asked, "You were abused as a child?" How had she not known?

"I was raised in the underworld, and I didn't always have Hades as a protector."

So yes. He was. She should have guessed, at the very least. "I'm so sorry, William."

He offered no reply, and in the silence, nocturnal insects serenaded them. In the distance, thunder boomed. A storm approached.

"Worry not," he said. "I've created a dome over our campsite. Ice daggers will never reach us."

Would they reach Puck, wherever he was? And what had Puck thought of her during their first meeting? Oh, wait. She could guess. Finally, I've found my pawn.

William sighed. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Thinking of him. I promise you, the bond and only the bond is responsible. I would never lie to you. Once the bond is severed, Puke-in will be nothing but a nightmare you long to forget."

She couldn't

even fathom it. "What if he's...not?"

"He will."

Desire for him had become an intricate part of her, a bodily function as necessary as breathing. A fire in her blood. A drug she craved. Though she was furious about his hot and cold attitude and confused about their future, she longed to curl up against him.

"Where is he?" she asked.

"Keeping guard." A muscle ticked under William's eye, but he smiled a charming smile. "Do you remember the time you asked me to teach you how to enjoy sex?"

"Um, you said you'd forget that night," she muttered. "So, forget it."

"I can't." He tapped his temple. "Blame her."

"Your brain is female?"

"All the best things are. And guess what? After your divorce, my answer will be yes. I'll start with--"

"No," she said, shaking her head.

"No?" he asked, and lifted a brow.

Whispering, speaking for his ears alone, she said, "I'm not interested in you romantically, Liam. Not anymore." Maybe not ever. As a teen, she'd wanted some type of normalcy. With his love of games, his familial affection and fierce protectiveness, he'd provided it. "I don't want to hurt you, but I don't want there to be any misunderstandings between us. I wish things were different. I wish I felt--"

"There's no need to apologize. You are perfect, and your feelings are understandable. I have to work to win you, that's all. My mission has been set, and I will emerge victorious."

Stubborn man. "I'm not perfect. Not even close."

"Name a single flaw," he challenged.

"Well, for starters, I've killed a lot of people."

"So have I. You know why? Because men are bastards, and bastards deserve to die. We did the world a favor. Doing the world a favor is good. Next."

A laugh burst from her, but she quickly sobered. "I don't consider this next one a flaw, but you do. William, I'm in major lust with another man."

He ran his tongue over his straight, white teeth. "What is it you like about him, exactly? Name something specific. Something he can do for you that no one else can."

As easily as she'd listed William's attributes to Puck, she listed Puck's attributes to William. "Life is a revelation to him. I'm a revelation. He lights up when he experiences new things with me. He appreciates how hard I've fought to get where I am now. Though he's possessed by Indifference, he does care for his people. He wants the best for them, and for this realm, and he's willing to--"