Knock. Knock.
“Go away,” Paris shouted, hands clenching on Sienna’s ass.
“I need to talk to you, man,” Strider replied, voice muffled through the doorway. “Also to Her Highness, who I assume is in there with you. I don’t really have to call her Your Highness, do I?”
“Yes, you do. But talk later.”
“Now. So, uh, yeah. I’m sorry. See ya.” Yep, hurt just as bad as I thought it would,Strider thought.
His footsteps faded away.
“What was that about?” Paris asked.
Sienna’s own thoughts filled her head. I will not laugh.“Me. He was saying sorry for the way he messed with you about me. Apologizing to both of us, actually.”
“I love you, baby,” Paris said.
Her lips stretched into another grin. “I love you, too.”
When they were both naked, he sank inside her. He was home, finally home. And he was at peace. His woman was with him, and she wasn’t leaving him. They were going to be together.
Whatever else came, whatever else happened, they would be together, just as he’d wanted since the beginning.
EPILOGUE
ONCE AGAIN ZACHAREL found himself high in the heavens, Lysander beside him, the pair of them peering down at a very content Paris and Sienna.
I gained her cooperation,” he said, “but not the way you wished. Paris will be joining her here.”
“This is not the travesty I had feared it would be,” Lysander replied. “When dealing with people and their emotions, allowances must always be made. I sometimes forget.”
Emotions. A waste of energy in Zacharel’s estimation. You lived, you warred and one day you died. Anything else was unnecessary.
Lysander continued, “I am surprised they complement each other so well, even more surprised they actually aid each other both emotionally and physically. I never would have guessed.”
Nor he. Paris should have dragged Sienna down. She should not have had the determination and strength to pull him up. “What happens now?”
“Now, I will begin Sienna’s training, and take responsibility for Paris. And you, in turn, will heed the Deity’s newest order.”
“Very well.” The Deity’s newest order—or rather, sentence—had come only this morning. Zacharel had been summoned to the Deity’s temple, where a second punishment for his prior sins had been heaped upon his head, as if the eternal snowfall wasn’t enough. “You must admit you have the easier task.”
“True. I do not envy you, my friend.”
Zacharel was to lead his own army of warriors. Warriors just like himself, only far worse. Men who had defied the rules one too many times. Men who would—supposedly—teach him the value of following heavenly laws.
They were like no other angels he’d ever dealt with. Some took lovers. Some cussed and drank. Some were tattooed and pierced, and as dark in spirit as many humans.
If he trained them well, the Deity had proclaimed, the snow would cease to fall from his wings, and he would be allowed to remain in the heavens himself. If he failed, if they failed, they would all fall together, forever banned from the only home they’d ever known.
Whatever it took, Zacharel mustremain in the heavens. His greatest treasure was here, and he would rather die than be parted from it. He did not consider his attachment emotional, but rather, essential to his survival.
You might not survive even if you remain up here,he thought, rubbing the dark spot growing on his chest.
“If ever you need me,” Lysander said, pulling him from his musings, “you have only to call.”
“Thank you. I feel the same. If ever you need me…” I might not be around to help.At that moment, the Deity’s parting words echoed in his mind. Your life will soon change in ways you cannot even imagine. I hope you are prepared.
Was he? He and his men would find out together, he supposed.
* * * * *
The adventure is only beginning
for Zacharel and his army of heavenly bad boys.
Don’t miss WICKED NIGHTS,
the first book in Gena Showalter’s scorching new
ANGELS OF THE DARK series,
coming soon from HQN Books!
Lords of the Underworld
Glossary of Characters and Terms
Aeron Former keeper of Wrath
All-Seeing Eye Godly artifact with the power to see into heaven and hell
Amun Keeper of Secrets
Anya (Minor) goddess of Anarchy; beloved of Lucien
Arca Messenger goddess
Ashlyn Darrow Human female with supernatural ability; wife of Maddox
Baden Former keeper of Distrust (deceased)
Bait Human females, Hunters’ accomplices
Bianka Skyhawk Harpy; sister of Gwen and consort of Lysander
Black A Horseman of the Apocalypse
Cage of Compulsion Godly artifact with the power to enslave anyone trapped inside
Cameo Keeper of Misery
Cameron Keeper of Obsession
Cloak of Invisibility Godly artifact with the power to shield its wearer from prying eyes
Cronus King of the Titans, keeper of Greed
Danika Ford Human female; girlfriend of Reyes
Dean Stefano Hunter; Right-hand man of Galen
dimOuniak Pandora’s box
Ever Daughter of Maddox and Ashlyn
Fox Current keeper of Distrust; servant of Galen
Galen Keeper of Hope and Jealousy
Gideon Keeper of Lies