Because, yeah, I’m a crazy fucker, but I like that she carries a piece of me. That she needs me to survive.
We still have no idea what that missing piece is going to cost us, or her, but I feel nothing but relief as I watch her chest rise and fall steadily.
Mine.
Emily Lopez is mine. I claim her with everything that I am. And now that I have her in my arms, I’m never letting her go.
My mind travels back to when I first met the goddess, back in the Realm of the Gods.
“I DIDN’T KNOW you were into bondage,” I smugly tell the guard as he drags me down the hall and into the opulent throne room. “That’s pretty kinky, man. If you wanted to tie me up, all you had to do was ask. I’m pretty open to butt play, if you know what I mean.” Smiling flippantly, I have the distinct pleasure of watching his face turn a hideous shade of red.
He really shouldn’t be mad. All I did was set a few people on fire. I mean, really. They deserved it.
But apparently, mass murder is a big no-no in this kingdom. Who would’ve thought?
Flashing the asshole another unrepentant smirk, I allow him to shove me to my knees before a raised dais holding a golden throne. Rage immediately bombards me at the nerve of the bitch who sits before us, acting as if her shit doesn’t stink.
Who does she think she is, playing queen? There are no queens in this world, only those who have and those who don’t.
I keep my head down, clumps of my shaggy blond hair falling in front of my face, as I mentally plan everything I want to do to the queen bitch. I haven’t seen her in person, but I imagine she’ll look as smug as that bitch Athena did when I entered her kingdom.
Will she scream when my flames eat away at her flesh? Will she beg for mercy? The thought has my cock twitching in my pants as a giddy smile erupts on my face. Slowly, I lift my head to meet the eyes of my next victim—because Emily, the Goddess of Pain, will pay in blood for daring to arrest me.
Time seems to freeze as I stare into her face.
Her perfect, heartbreakingly beautiful face.
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful women before, but all of them pale in comparison to the goddess before me. She seems to be wreathed in her own, personal light, as if she’s an angel that descended straight from heaven. Her dark hair cascades loosely around her shoulders, and her skin is the color of burnt porcelain. A white dress cinches around her narrow waist before spilling outwards around her thighs. From this distance, I can see her full breasts, toned stomach, and delectable dimples. I wonder how my fire will look marring her perfect, unblemished skin. How the wax from my flames would taste on her perfect tits.
“What are you waiting for?” the man beside her exclaims in irritation. He throws her a look that makes me see red. I can’t help but envision burning his skin straight from his bones and then crushing said bones into fine particles of dust. I recognize him as Tate, the God of Deception. And also one of her lovers.
I can’t help the pang of jealousy that spears me at the thought of him worshipping her flesh. Of him kissing her perfect lips. Of him pounding into her tight pussy.
I want Emily to be mine more than I’ve ever wanted anything else in my life.
And for the first time…
I don’t want to hurt her. I mean, I do, but I want pleasure to be intermixed with the pain.
Fuck.
Her eyes ensnare my own, and I’m helpless to look away. I’m not even sure I want to. Her soul calls to mine, cajoling me to give in. To go to her.
If only my hands weren’t tied…
“No.” Her voice is whimsical. As beautiful as she is. She tilts her head to the side, regarding me with something I would almost describe as curiosity. I can’t help but snort.
Good luck trying to figure me out. It’s been a few centuries, and I still don’t understand what goes through my head half the time.
“Are you going to kill me, my love?” I ask in a mocking voice. Wouldn’t that be ironic? I find a girl worthy of my affection…and she no doubt plans to execute me. Though, I can’t say I don’t deserve it. I have done a lot of awful deeds in my time, but none so bad as coveting her.
“No,” she states simply, jutting her chin out. Tate, beside her, rolls his eyes, and even her pretty God of Death seems uncomfortable with her declaration. Her God of Combat maintains that perpetual smirk, while her fourth lover grunts, folding his large arms over his chest.
“No?” I quirk a brow, allowing my gaze to travel over her luscious curves. As soon as I’m free of these restraints, I’m going to grab her and never let go. I’m going to make her mine, no matter the cost.
“No,” she reiterates, rising from her throne. It’s a little pretentious of her, to have a throne made of gold, but I’ll fuck it out of her soon enough. My cock becomes impossibly hard at all the possibilities. “I’m not killing you today, God of Flames. Leave if you must.”
Without another word, she strides past me, the rest of her men following in her wake. I gape after her in disbelief before a string of deranged laughter escapes my parched lips.
She’s leaving me?
How dare she!
Anger burns a hole in my stomach as my fire
