The Darkest Pleasure

she is with me.' He strode around Cronus, slid a dagger from the holder at his wrist, and placed the blade at the god's neck. The pulse fluttered wildly. 'I could take your head, like in the painting. There is nothing you can do about it—but die.'

Utter stillness came over them. Such stillness Reyes could not even form the will to breathe. He waited… waited…

'I commend you, warrior,' Cronus said. 'You have proven your strength.' It was more than a statement, it was a promise, a vow. A treaty between them.

At least, Reyes prayed it was so.

Shaking, scared to his bones, he lowered the blade. He strode back to Danika's side and clasped her hand. 'Release him, angel.' And we will see what happens.

A moment later, Cronus splayed his fingers. His bolt flew back into his hand, his eyes narrowing as he stepped toward Reyes. Part of Reyes expected him to attack. But he never did.

Suddenly Danika gasped out a breath and jerked upright. He turned his attention from the god king to his woman. She was blinking open her eyes, as if the light hurt them. When she saw him, she gasped again. 'You're real.'

Her arms wound around his neck, his arms snaked around her waist and they embraced with shattering joy.

'You did it!' She laughed.

'We did it. Angel, I never want to be parted from you again.'

'Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere.'

'My life is one of war, as you once reminded me. Can you live with that?' He pulled back, watery gaze locked with hers. He would leave the Lords if necessary, find a peaceful place to live, untainted by Hunters or vengeful gods.

'Are you kidding? War-happy older brothers are on my Christmas list. And hey. Demons—and I don't mean you!—now apparently want me as their pet. Not to mention that gods and Hunters are watching my every move. I'm a popular girl. Can you live with that?'

His lips lifted in a smile. 'For you, anything.'

She returned the smile with one of her own. 'Good.'

'You and me. Now. Always.'

'Save this touching reunion for later. What did you see in that painting?' Cronus asked, drawing their attention. 'Who tried to take my head?'

Not tried to. Did. Reyes closed his eyes, gathered his strength. He'd hoped to avoid this topic for a while longer. Danika buried her head in the hollow of his neck, and he drew strength from her. 'Do not strike at us in anger. Please.'

'You have my word,' the god replied impatiently. 'Now tell me who took my head.'

'A decapitation?' Danika's arms tightened around Reyes. 'I remember that painting. It was my only decapitation. And the culprit was the one they call Galen. Hope.'

Again, the patient stillness of a predator came over Cronus. The silence was so thick and heavy not even the flap of an angel's wing dared break it. 'A demon. One of you,' he growled to Reyes.

'Our enemy, as well, I hasten to add.'

A long pause, finally a nod. 'I wish to see it for myself.' The god's gaze shifted to Danika. 'I have given you back to your man. All I ask in return is that you come to me if ever you learn of a threat against me.'

She nodded. 'As long as I'm with Reyes, I'll tell you anything you want to know.'

'Warning received.' Though the god had paled, his lips curled into the semblance of a real smile. 'I'll have to ensure you live forever and that you are never parted from the warrior. Won't I?'

'REYES! REYES! You won't believe it.' Danika rushed into Reyes's bedroom—no, their bedroom now—and stopped at the edge of the bed.

Reyes was lying on his back, totally naked, the covers kicked away from him. His lids were at half-mast in that sexy way of his she so adored. His dark hair was rumpled, his lips soft and red from her latest biting. Just then—hell, as always—he was the epitome of satisfaction.

Never had she been happier.

So many things had happened in the last few weeks. Aeron had come to her, head bowed, sorrow in his eyes and apologized for the pain and worry he'd caused her. She'd forgiven him without hesitation. His bloodlust had brought Reyes in her life, and Reyes was the best thing that had ever happened to her, so there was no way she could hold a grudge.

She even liked Legion. The little fiend had moved in and was Aeron's constant companion, helping to draw him out of the dark emotional mire he still seemed stuck in. One was not seen without the other.

When Reyes had told her Legion was a girl, well, Danika had to admit she'd been surprised. But now she could see the possessive gleam in the demon's eyes whenever Aeron was nearby, and could only smile. If Aeron ever fell in love with another woman, Legion would probably eat the poor girl.

And Paris, sweet Paris. Like many of the others, he spent most of his time traveling between Buda and Rome, where he continued searching for clues to the remaining artifacts. But he was quiet now, never played his games or watched his movies. Danika hated seeing him like that and had tried to tell him that whatever the problem, everything would work out. He'd hugged her and left the room.

On the other hand, two people who seemed to be in great spirits were Torin and Cameo. They'd become best buddies and were always closeted away together. Or, when out and about, whispering and laughing. Not that they could whisper quietly. They had to remain a good distance away from each other to prevent Torin from infecting her with his disease, so their whispers were actually normal conversation, but it was clear that in their minds, they were the only people in the room. Danika wasn't sure if a romance was brewing, but liked the thought. Both of them deserved happiness in their lives.

Another happy camper was William—which made Anya happy, which in turn made Lucien happy. William had moved in indefinitely and liked to flirt with Ginger, who pretended indifference but blushed every time he neared her. Neither was serious about the other, Danika could tell, but it was nice to see them so at ease.

Danika's family was only staying another week before heading home. She knew they'd stayed this long because they didn't trust Aeron and had wanted to watch her back, just in case. No wonder she loved them! She would miss them terribly, visit often, but her life was here now, with Reyes.

Gilly, her young friend from L.A., had moved into the fortress, too. Danika had made sure of it. She and Reyes had placed her in the bedroom next to theirs, hoping to ease her transition from normal life to life among demons. The men seemed to like her, treating her as they would a kid sister even as they continued to complain about the upheaval in their once orderly lives. Gilly was leery, but Danika knew firsthand that would ease in time.

Ashlyn had taken the girl under her wing, a fierce protector not even the warriors would challenge. Danika loved her all the more for it. The woman was going to make an amazing mother, whether she had a boy, a girl, a demon, or a half human, half demon. A chuckle escaped her. Maybe one day Danika would face the same dilemma. She liked to tease Ashlyn about making Legion the child's nanny. That always made Maddox look ready to vomit, which always made Ashlyn laugh.

As for Danika and Reyes, they had spent most of the past few weeks in bed together, loving each other to utter contented pleasure. She hadn't smiled like this since, well, ever. Morning, noon and night, this man loved to rock her world. Sometimes it was sweet and gentle, other times it was wild and naughty.

No matter how he took her, she loved it. She just loved him!

She still had nightmares, but she didn't fear them any longer. She actually welcomed them. Reyes always held her afterward, something she looked forward to every time she opened her eyes.

In return, she liked to think she comforted him, too. His need for physical pain had returned somewhat, so he had to cut himself a few times a day—sometimes, she even helped. But less and less would he get that crazed look in his eye when she came at him with a weapon, and instead would sit back and simply enjoy. The amazing thing, however, was that he didn't have to be cut during their lovemaking. Then, the demon was transported to another plane, just as she'd suspected.

'Come back to bed, angel, and I will believe anything you tell me.' Even as he spoke, his penis lengthened and hardened. He reminded her of the secret painting she'd done of him when he'd first asked her to paint her visions—the one now hanging over their bed. 'I expect your family to burst inside at any moment. Ever since your