Haidee’s amusement returned. “Oh, they’ve accepted me already.”
So you have spoken to them?
She nodded. “I didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms when Zacharel dropped me off at the front door. He rang the doorbell and disappeared like a coward.” She shouted those last three words, as if she’d been angry at the time and still harbored a bit of the emotion. “But a few minutes after that, the one named Torin let me inside. I thought I’d be taken straight to the dungeon, but no. I was asked a few questions, and then brought here to you. I think they realized they would rather put up with me than see you hurting.”
Back up. What questions?
“Everything you asked me and more.”
His attention snagged on the word “more.” Such as?
A blush stained her cheeks. “Like was I going to have telepathic sex with you at the dinner table. Did I know how to cook something other than a PB and J. Was I okay with naked Thursdays. Anyway. After I saw that you were okay and sleeping, I asked some questions of my own.”
What questions? he repeated.
She shrugged, trying for an innocence he didn’t buy. “Who you had fought. Where Strider was.”
Amun arched a brow and tried not to laugh. And?
“And Torin told me. I marched to Strider’s room, prepared to…well, please don’t be mad,” she said, stiffening, “but I was going to stab him. That piece of Love wanted me to forgive him, but I was still going to do it.”
I like where this story is headed. Continue.
A sigh left her, seeming to drain the tension right out of her. “I didn’t. Stab him, I mean. He was in pain. Awake, but in pain, and I guess Love got to me more than I’d realized. He and I had a little chat.”
Amun was the one to stiffen now. Did he insult you? If he had…
“No. Nothing like that, I promise.” She traced her fingertips along his jaw. “He said that he never wants to fight you again, even at Xbox. He said a determination like yours is a rare and precious thing, and something he respects. He said he loves you and one day, he’ll love me, too. Like a sister. But not to expect one day anytime soon.” Truly?
“Yes. Truly.”
That was completely unexpected. I will forgive him, then. Maybe. One day, he added.
“You will.” Her expression became fierce, that intense determination returning. “I won’t be responsible for any more hate. And why should I? I’m Love!” She laughed. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that.”
Amun was willing to give her anything she desired, even that. You’re right. I will forgive him.
“Thank you.”
I’m sorry for the pain you’ve experienced, sweetheart.
“I know, baby.” She stopped caressing, settling her hands against his cheeks. “I know. Just like I’m sorry for the pain you’ve experienced. But we’re going to look ahead now. Together.”
I’m going to do everything in my power to make you happy, I swear it.
“You must have been reading my mind.”
Finally, he kissed her the way he’d needed to kiss her from the first, a kiss that was more than a kiss. A kiss that was a promise. A kiss that was forever.
Until, of course, forever was interrupted by the sudden unhinging of his bedroom door. A loud boom echoed, and wood chips rained. He and Haidee sprang apart. Amun grabbed the knife on his nightstand before moving back over his woman to shield her. He calmed when he saw tiny, redheaded Kaia looming in his doorway.
Perhaps he should have panicked.
“Don’t hurt him again, Secrets,” she growled. Her eyes were completely black, her Harpy having taken over her mind. “He deserved what you did this time, so I won’t punish you. Do it again, though, no matter the provocation, and I’ll have to hurt you. Bad.”
He didn’t have to ask who “him” was. He balanced his weight and signed, Strider is my friend and brother, and despite everything, I love him. As…you do?
Kaia offered no reply. She simply stalked away.
“Who was that?” Haidee demanded from beneath him.
He focused on her and grinned. I think that was Strider’s downfall. Now, where were we…
“You were in the middle of adoring me.”
A middle suggests there is an end. What I feel for you is forever.
“Prove it,” she said with a grin of her own.
He kissed her. I will, at least five times a day, and probably more on Thursdays, considering we’ll be naked.
She laughed. “I have a feeling Thursday will be my favorite day of the week.”
Mine, too, sweetheart. Mine, too. That said, he got busy proving each one of his claims.
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
Ashlyn Darrow—Human female with supernatural ability
Baden—Keeper of Distrust (deceased)
Bait—Human females, Hunters’ accomplices
Bianka Skyhawk—Harpy; sister of Gwen and consort of Lysander
Cage of Compulsion—Godly artifact with the power to enslave anyone trapped inside
Cameo—Keeper of Misery
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, target of the Titans
Dean Stefano—Hunter; right-hand man of Galen
dimOuniak—Pandora’s box
Galen—Keeper of Hope
Gideon—Keeper of Lies
Gilly—Human female
Greeks—Former rulers of Olympus, now imprisoned in Tartarus
Gwen Skyhawk—Half-Harpy, half-angel
Haidee, aka “Ex”—Immortal Hunter
Hate—A demigod and keeper of the demon of Hate
Hera—Queen of the Greeks
Hunters—Mortal enemies of the Lords of the Underworld
Kaia Skyhawk—Harpy; sister of Gwen
Kane—Keeper of Disaster
Legion—Demon minion, friend of Aeron
Leora—Human friend of Haidee (deceased)
Lords of the Underworld—Exiled warriors to the Greek gods who now house demons inside them
Lucien—Keeper of Death; leader of the Budapest warriors
Lucifer—Prince of darkness; ruler of hell
Lysander—Elite warrior angel and consort of Bianka Skyhawk
Maddox—Keeper of Violence
Marcus, aka “The Bad Man”—an ancient Hunter
Micah—A Hunter
Olivia—An angel
One True Deity—Ruler of the angels
Pandora—Immortal warrior, once guardian of dimOuniak (deceased)
Paring Rod—Godly artifact, power unknown
Paris—Keeper of Promiscuity
Reyes—Keeper of Pain
Rhea—Queen of the Titans; estranged wife of Cronus; keeper of Strife
Sabin—Keeper of Doubt; leader of the Greek warriors
Scarlet—Keeper of Nightmares
Sienna Blackstone—Deceased female Hunter; new keeper of Wrath
Solon—Husband of Haidee (deceased)
Strider—Keeper of Defeat
Taliyah Skyhawk—Harpy; sister of Gwen
Tartarus—Greek god of Confinement; also the immortal prison on Mount Olympus
Themis—Greek goddess of Justice
Titans—Current rulers of Olympus
Torin—Keeper of Disease
Unspoken Ones—Reviled gods; prisoners of Cronus
Warrior Angels—Heavenly demon assassins
William—Immortal warrior, friend of Anya
Zacharel—A warrior angel
Zeus—King of the Greeks