New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a breathtaking Lords of the Underworld tale about a warrior trapped by darkness and the woman determined to save him
Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price.
Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection. He’s also the only male to ever set her aflame, and even he succumbs to the heat. But as they navigate the treacherous world of the Fae, they are forced to make a choice: live apart…or die together.
Praise for the novels of New York Timesbestselling author GENA SHOWALTER
“One of Showalter’s biggest strengths is her ability to create wounded characters who are riveting and intense, but who also hold out the hope of redemption.”
— RT Book Reviewson Beauty Awakened
“Showalter does her magic with an intricately developed world, complex and intensive character arcs and dark, compelling paranormal themes. She releases that literary punch to the gut with excruciatingly detailed scenes that haunt the senses long after reading the pages.”
— USA TODAYon Wicked Nights
“The author shows her skill, and redeems the irredeemable, by crafting a beautiful love story that is both humorous and touching.”
— RT Book Reviewson The Darkest Seduction
“ The Darkest Surrenderis another sure-to-please hit…Gena Showalter knows how to keep readers glued to the pages and smiling the whole time.”
—Lara Adrian, New York Timesbestselling author
“Talk about one dark read.… If there is one book you must read this year, pick up The Darkest Kiss…a Gena Showalter book is the best of the best.”
— Romance Junkies
“A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!”
—J. R. Ward, New York Timesbestselling author, on The Nymph King
“Another sizzling page-turner.…
Gena Showalter delivers an utterly spell-binding story!”
—Kresley Cole, New York Timesbestselling author, on Playing With Fire
Other sexy, unforgettable reads from GENA SHOWALTER and Harlequin HQN
After Dark
(duology featuring “The Darkest Angel”)
Beauty Awakened
After Moonrise
(duology with P. C. Cast)
Wicked Nights
The Darkest Seduction
The Darkest Surrender
The Darkest Secret
The Darkest Lie
The Darkest Passion
Into the Dark
The Darkest Whisper
The Darkest Pleasure
The Darkest Kiss
The Darkest Night
The Vampire’s Bride
The Nymph King
Jewel of Atlantis
Heart of the Dragon
Twice as Hot
Playing with Fire
Catch a Mate
Animal Instincts
The Pleasure Slave
The Stone Prince
From Harlequin Nonfiction
Dating the Undead
(with Jill Monroe)
From Harlequin TEEN
Alice in Zombieland
Twisted
Unraveled
Intertwined
And look for more anticipated novels
from Gena Showalter
Through the Zombie Glass(Harlequin TEEN)
Burning Dawn(Harlequin HQN)
coming soon
First, to my editor, Emily Ohanjanians. Your insight never ceases to amaze me. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication.
Second, to my agent, Deidre Knight. I am so blessed to have you in my corner. No matter what I throw at you, you’re always there to help me!
To Carla Gallway, for all that you do! You are generous with your time and resources and so wonderfully kind, and I’m so thankful to know you!
To the winners of the blog contest: Sabrina Collazo, Lizabel Rivera-Coriano, Charlayne Elizabeth Denney, Seemone Washington and Joni Payne. I hope you love Kane’s story as much as I do.
To Michelle Renaud and Lisa Wray. You’re my girls, and I couldn’t ask for a better team!
To my favorite restaurant, The Stuffed Olive, for feeding me while I was on deadline!
No dedication would be complete without mentioning my beloved Jill Monroe. You’re stuck with me, because I won’t ever let you go!
Contents
Epigraph
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty