The Darkest King (Lords of the Underworld 15)

“No need to ask which blonde.” William took a swig. “I’m guessing it’s the one rocking her hips as she slinks closer.” She lifted her arms overhead and arched her back to better display her breasts. Her nipples puckered.

Mmm. Nipples were his favorite bull’s-eye.

“You going to accept her offer?” Lucifer asked.

“I will—” He forced his gaze to lift to her face. “Not.” Lilith of Lleh, Evelina’s half sister, and the wife of the army’s commander. A witch as well as an oracle. She was short and curvy, with skin as white as snow, eyes as green as emeralds and lips as red as rubies.

William never cared about size or color. Beauty came in different packages, and he appreciated them all. His only requirements? Soft, warm and temporary. If the female happened to have the heart of a saint and fuck like a demon, even better. Meek and biddable were bonuses.

While the witch met two out of three—soft and warm—she lacked the most important one. Temporary. They’d slept together weeks ago. Afterward, she’d clung.

He shuddered. Even if she were the one woman destined to complete him, he would reject her tonight. Clingers like Lilith expected monogamy without reciprocation, and often erupted into fits of jealousy. No, thanks. He preferred variety, the spice of life.

Only when he won a new female did he experience true satisfaction. For a moment. The barest taste. Of course, the moment always passed, making him eager—desperate—for another. Still, he wouldn’t trade those moments for anything; they were proof that he—the boy no one had wanted—was desired, even admired.

“I’ll take her off your hands.” Lucifer studied the witch over the carafe of whiskey. “I’ll make her think she’s bedding you.”

“No!” William roared, earning several stares. His breath quickened, and sweat beaded on the back of his neck. Lucifer was known as the Great Deceiver for a reason; he could shift into anyone, anytime, and did. Often. It was their biggest source of discontent. “No,” he repeated in a calmer tone. “That’s rape.” There were few lines he refused to cross, but sexual violation topped the list.

“You’re wrong. That is the opposite of rape. I would be giving her exactly what she wants. But,” Lucifer tacked on with a brittle smile, holding up his palms in a gesture of innocence, “you are my cherished brother. I will honor your wishes.”

Another reason Lucifer had earned his designation? He constantly lied.

Did I receive the truth or another falsehood? William bit his tongue, tasting blood. He wanted to love Lucifer. Hell, he wanted to like Lucifer. But...

He secretly struggled with both. But, they were a family, the most precious gift to mankind. He would not abandon the male.

With a beguiling lick of her lips, Lilith crooked her finger at him. “Come to me, William. I’ll be everything you want, do anything you crave.”

As gently as possible, he told her, “I’m sorry, but I want someone—” anyone “—else.”

“I can change your mind.” She dropped to her knees and crawled closer, a strange, hypnotic light glimmering in her eyes. “I’ve foreseen it.”

Hardly. Using a harder, harsher tone, he told her, “The answer remains no.”

Expression dark with anger, she flattened her hands on his thighs, piercing his leather pants with dagger-sharp nails. “Please, William. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

“Ahhh. Desperation,” Lucifer sang, offering his customary smirk. “The greatest aphrodisiac.”

The witch hissed at the male.

All right. Being direct had worked as well as being gentle. Now, he’d go with cruel. “Spend the night with your husband. He wants you. I do not.”

She flinched. “I love you, and I know we can be happy together. Forever.”

By the fires of Hell, what would it take to discourage this woman? “Love is a myth, and monogamy isn’t sustainable. I will never desire a long-term relationship.”

Again, she flinched. “I’ll be good to you, William. Just give me a chance. Run away with me.”

“You don’t even know me, princess.” Few did. She only saw the man he pretended to be. The playboy prince and merciless assassin. No one knew the man inside, not even William.

“You’re wrong. I’ve learned so much about you.” She straddled his waist and trailed her fingers up his chest. “Weeks ago, you chose me. Afterward, I dreamed of you. Of us and our future. I realized that, as twisted as you are, you need someone like me to experience true satisfaction.”

Wonderful. A premiere delusionist. “If a black heart and skewed sense of right and wrong does it for you, you’ll have a better time with my brother.” He hiked his thumb in Lucifer’s direction. “He even volunteered to don my face, if you’d like.”

“Fair warning, my sweet.” Lucifer slurred his words and swayed back and forth, and yet he displayed no other signs of intoxication. “One night with me, and no other male will compare.”

The witch ignored him, her frantic gaze remaining on William. “I’ve seen into your heart, and I know how hopelessly you want a family of your own.”

He went still, not even daring to breathe. What if she had—or could—see into his heart...into the past he couldn’t remember? “What else do you know, witch? Tell me!”

Triumphant, thinking she’d won him over, she grinned. “Take me to my hut, and I will.”

“Tell me here, and I swear I will take you to my hut after.” Or not. Yes, definitely not.

She stared into his eyes for a long while, silent. Finally, she spoke. “I know you have no recollection of your childhood. I know someone cast a spell to bury your memories. I know you and Lucifer will war, and only one of you will survive. I know you will grow to despise your father, for a time, and love your brother.”

He listened, every “I know” like a punch of shock to the gut. Despise Hades? Never! Kill Hades son? No again. But a memory-burying spell...made a lot of sense. “You contradict yourself, witch. How can I war with Lucifer, survive, then fall in love with Lucifer, who died?” Unless...

Did she reference the winged boy?

William looked more like him than their maybe/maybe-not mother had. They possessed the same bronzed skin, black hair and blue eyes.

What had happened to the boy? Where was he now?

The muscles in his chest clenched and unclenched, squeezing so tightly he lost his breath.

“Why am I the one who dies?” Lucifer demanded of the witch. Suddenly steady, he set the whiskey aside and palmed a dagger. “No, it doesn’t matter. You lie about a coming war, hoping to sow discord between us. Unfortunately for you, I love killing liars. After I’ve had a little fun.”

Lips pursed, William patted his brother’s hand, a put-the-dagger-away gesture. “She’s unworthy of our time. Let her find someone else to love. That is a true punishment.”

Lilith glanced between them, eyes narrowing. “You think love is a punishment? Very well. I will teach you its value.” She plucked her nails from his thighs and spread her arms wide, a violent wind gusted around them.

Pale locks danced around her face as she intoned, “I curse you, William of the Dark. I curse you to a life of misery and war with those you care about. A life devoid

of genuine companionship. But. If ever you do fall in love...if ever the object of your affection falls in love with you in return...I curse her to lose her mind along with her heart. She will attack you, again and again, and she will not stop until you are dead.”

William snorted. “You mean I’ll never settle down and bed the same woman over and over while raising our brood of squalling brats? Oh, no. Not that. Anything but that.” He rolled his eyes.

Lilith motored on, her tone sharper. “Allow me to prove myself. I curse you, William of the Dark, to lose both of your hands before the rise of the sun.”

Again, he rolled his eyes. “I’ll regrow the hands in a matter of days.”

“Yes, but as those dark days pass, your thoughts will be consumed with me, and you will be unable to touch a lover.”

A growl rumbled low in his chest, and she laughed.

“But, I’m not a monster,” she said. “I’ll offer a blessing, as well. A chance to save yourself from your ladylove.” She waved her hand, and a book materialized in his lap. A thick, leather-bound tome with a large sapphire affixed to the cover. “Inside those pages, you’ll find a magical code. Find someone to break the code, and you’ll break the curse.”

Unease pricked his nape. Done with her and her threats, he stood. The book thudded to the ground. He turned on a booted heel, intending to return to the underworld.

“Leave your only shot at redemption here, if you wish,” she called, smug. “Let your enemies use it against you.”

William paused to glance over his shoulder. With a dry tone, he said, “And I doubted your love? What a fool I am.” Still. She made a good point. He held out a hand, and the book flew into his grip.

He blew the witch a kiss and strode away.

Lucifer chased after him and slung an arm over William’s shoulders. “I will never war against you, brother.”

“This, I know.” They might have their differences, but they would never disrespect Hades in such a way.