Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars 2)

The green of her irises shimmers and she blinks. “You’re lying. Prince Caben would never do this to his own country…to his people.” The smooth skin of her throat bobs as she swallows. “He’s a true ruler. Nothing like the parasite that’s taken up residency within him.”

I can’t help it, I smile. She’s every bit as feisty as I remember, and the need to reach for her, to touch her, thrums through me. With a cautious step, I move closer. “Prince Caben? I thought we were long past formalities, Kal. As I recall, you were all too familiar when you were crying out my name beneath me.”

Her face contorts, her eyes narrow. I can just make out the warmth spreading over her silky skin, and I know she’s remembering, too. I crave the feel of her body underneath mine—the feel of being inside her again. But I shut it down. I can’t allow distractions from my human weakness to overrule my will.

With one final step to close the distance between us, I try a bold move. Slipping my sword into its scabbard at my hip, I say, “Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to fight you here and now. But I’m willing to make a bargain.”

She scoffs. “You’re not leaving here. No matter what, this ends tonight. No bargains. No deals.” Kicking the dead Otherworlder’s leg aside, she plants her feet firmly in defense position. Then she raises her sword between us. “If you recall, I taught you everything you know about sword play, dear prince. Let the best determine this outcome.”

I shake my head. “Oh, Kal.” Reaching again for my sword, I draw it and slide the blade along hers. The shrill ring of the swords sends a thrill through me. “You’ve already made your first mistake.”

Her eyebrows pull together. She’d be a horrible gambler. I extend my hand to caress her dark hair. She flinches yet holds her stance as my fingers take in its softness. I sigh. “You only claimed I’m not leaving here. Not that I’m not leaving here alive. You’re not ready to kill me, love. You can’t.”

Yanking my hand back, I push my sword against hers, driving her backward. She’s taken off-guard only for a second before she rebounds, matching my force. She groans as she shoves against my weapon, and I’m sure she’s surprised by the power she’s up against. She’s no longer the only one with unnatural strength.

As she pulls back enough to strike my blade, she says, “I’m prepared to do what I must. Be assured of that.”

I block her blow and come at her from above, forcing her to deflect my attacks at an awkward angle for her petite stature. My smile spreads. “We can dance like this all night, but I’d rather our time be spent more usefully.” I lunge and slash, making it tiring for her to defend herself. “Take me to the goddess relic, and I’ll let you and your empress live…for the time being.” I grunt as she snakes a cheap shot to my wrist.

She’s not amused by the slight damage she’s inflicted. Rather, as her gaze traps my broken skin, she looks mortified. Everything I’ve waited for is falling apart. I can’t have her die at the end of my sword while mourning the loss of her prince. She needs anger. Wrath. Disgust.

Those are the emotions that will drive her to face me full-on and not hold back.

I could end this now—slice her open and turn my back on her forever. Find the relic easily for myself and what else I came here for and then be gone. But something inside me refuses to accept a simple defeat. Not from the woman who has tormented my thoughts with weakness and regret.

She’s the last thing in this world that threatens my power. And I refuse to destroy her in this state, only to have her haunt me from the grave. I need a worthy foe—a vicious opponent—to defeat.

Not a heartbroken girl.

“This won’t do.” I growl as I back her against the wall, my swings becoming sloppy with my rage. As if she knows what she’s doing to me, she smiles. The first one I’ve seen in so long…and she’s beautiful. Heart stopping. It infuriates me.

I shout and thrust my sword, knocking hers aside as I move into her personal space. Realization washes over her face, and she quickly brings up her arm to guard against my fist. I stop short, my balled hand an inch from her cheek.

My breaths are hot and quick as they leave my mouth in heavy puffs. My gaze flicks over Kal’s shocked face, her trembling lips. And my fingers uncurl. I press closer and trace my fingertips along her soft skin…

Kill her.

With a jerk of my head, I hush the dark goddess’s voice. Then I seize Kal’s wrist and slam the back of her hand against the stone wall. She’s as stubborn as ever, keeping a tight grip on her weapon. I knock her arm against the wall again. And again, until she releases a cry and her sword clatters to the floor.

I drop my own and grab the arm still held up as a shield, then pin both her wrists to the wall. “Look at me,” I order, my tone giving away my frustration. Impatience grips my nerves, and I drop one hand to grasp her face, forcing her eyes to meet mine.

As she drinks me in hungrily, like she’s only just now truly seeing me, something stirs beneath my skin. The white power crackles over my hands, healing the wound on my wrist, and Kal’s eyes widen.

The last time she encountered my power, when she was trapped by the glowing tentacles, she suffered tremendous pain, I’m sure. And though something inside me is screaming to unleash that power on her now, I rein it in. I don’t want our dance to end so soon.

As the power recedes, leaving my skin unblemished, I caress her face. Run my palm and fingers along her soft flesh. Down her jawline. All the while, her eyes hold me, ensnaring me. This is her power—her spell over me. It’s the reason why she must die.

I have to be free of her.

Yet, I can’t help wanting to inhale her, taste her, quench my thirst of her one last time. And maybe that will even spark the fury within her to fight. Bring the old Kal back, the one who would rathe

r put a blade through a man’s heart than be victim to his charms.

Pushing my body against hers, I revel in the feel of her curves, and know that I’m lying to myself. It’s completely selfish what I’m craving, but the lie is all too tempting. Just like her.

I lower my head and place my lips to her neck, breathe her in. Then, trailing them along her slick skin, my tongue flicking out to taste the mix of sweetness and salt, I move next to her ear. Her breaths deepen, pressing her sultry chest to mine.

“Let me in, Kal,” I whisper, loving how my words cause her to shiver. “It’s what you want.”