Epilogue

EPILOGUE

JOSEPHINE

I stifled a yawn as Veridian's lesson on underworld history drew to a close. My head swam with visions of realms I'd never seen—Valac's treasure-filled caves guarded by his dragons, Asmodeus's pleasure palaces dripping with sin, Belphegor's slothful swamps.

So many domains, each with its own peril and twisted beauty. Each with a ruler and purpose I needed to know.

But Veridian's history wasn't the kind taught by stuffy professors and pored over in old textbooks. It was raw, messy, and brutal. Every action had a reaction, and I needed to understand rules, decorum, and the bloody feuds that filled the spaces between.

"Thank you," I said, rising from my seat.

The seer's milky eyes fixed on me. "The threads of fate continue to shift around you, young queen. Your path remains intriguing."

Intriguing, in Veridian's terms, translated to complicated and dangerous.

But I'd chosen it, and I intended to hold on to my power with my reaper.

A thought carried me away from Veridian and back to the throne room of our palace.

Mine and Azrael's.

I still didn't know what to do with the finery, with the crown, with the fact that I was the queen of a demon-infested underworld. But it was what it was, and I was learning. I wasn't about to shy away from my power and responsibilities.

Gone were Clauneck's gaudy gold trappings. Azrael and I had redecorated in shades of midnight and forest, with accents of silver starlight. The air no longer reeked of sulfur and greed. Now it smelled of lavender and spice, a reflection of the souls who dwelled here.

I paused at a window, gazing out at the desolate beauty of the underworld. Ruling wasn't easy. We'd abolished the worst of Clauneck's cruelties, but some harshness was necessary. Souls still needed reaping. Contracts still bound reapers to service. But we were working to make the terms fairer, to give hope where before there'd been only despair.

My fingers traced the growing collection of glyphs on my arm. The power from Clauneck's followers was all I'd needed when I took down the demon, but that reservoir quickly ran dry. I needed my own source of strength if I was going to stay on top.

At least some good had come of it all. Hester's soul finally rested in her afterlife, freed from Clauneck's grip. And Azrael—my devoted, wicked reaper—was truly free. No more contracts or obligations.

I pushed open the door to our chambers, lost in thought. Maybe Azrael would be done with his day, too...

Laid out on the bed was a familiar black dress. Black silk, barely there, and positively sinful. Heat pooled low in my belly as memories flooded back—Azrael's burning gaze, his wicked grin as he'd snapped his fingers and clothed me in this very dress.

I ran my fingers over the silky fabric, marveling at how far we'd come. From kidnapper and victim to partners, lovers, rulers.

A folded note sat atop the dress, written in my reaper's elegant script. "Please?"

One word, but it sent a thrill through me. Well, when a king asks so nicely...

The silk was cool against my skin as I slipped into the dress. I caught my reflection in the mirror and barely recognized myself. Gone was the shy, na?ve woman sacrificed on her wedding day. In her place stood a queen of the underworld, eyes glowing with confidence, skin marked with power.

A flicker of movement caught my eye. Shadows danced at the bottom of the door, almost like a puppy begging to be let out.

Azrael's work, no doubt.

I opened the door, and the percolating mass of shadows rushed into the corridor. The motes flickered, leading me on a guided path through the palace. My anticipation built with every step until the shadows disappeared at the edge of a secluded courtyard.

Hundreds of candles cast a soft glow over the space, their light dancing off the leaves of towering trees that formed a private forest. Flowering vines and delicate white buds crawled up the trunks, filling the air with the sweet scent of spring. Rose petals blanketed the mossy ground, forming a path to the center of the forest glade.

Waiting for me in the middle stood Azrael, his eyes burning with that familiar green fire.

"Everyone's been warned," he said. A smirk twitched the corner of his mouth as he took slow steps toward me. "Eternal captivity with Alain as company awaits if we're disturbed."

A gentle creek babbled through the forested courtyard, its waters reflecting the warm candlelight. At the heart of the grove stood an enormous bed, the frame seamlessly woven from the surrounding trees.

"What is all this about?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

His eyes devoured me as he approached. His fingers found my wrists and ghosted up my arm. "A celebration," he murmured. "Do you know what it means to take a mate, Josephine?"

The way he said my name, low and husky, sent a jolt of heat through my body. I shook my head, unable to form words as he began tracing intricate patterns on my skin.

"It's a bond," he explained, his voice taking on a reverent tone. He slipped behind me, fingers still burning me so deliciously. "Deeper than any mortal marriage. More binding than any demonic contract."

I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the sensations. His body pressed against mine, his breath hot against my ear.

"It means I am yours, completely and utterly. In life, in death, in whatever comes after." A soft kiss along my neck and shoulders punctuated each word. "And you would be mine if you chose it. The perfect half to my imperfect existence."

His hands continued their hypnotic dance, winding their way over my bare shoulders. His lips grazed the sensitive spot just below my ear, and I shivered.

The enormity of what he offered settled over me. This wasn't just about ruling together or sharing a bed. It was an eternal promise. A vow of devotion and surrender.

And I wanted it.

"What does it entail?" My voice sounded breathless. I tilted my head to the side, giving him better access to my neck. "Taking a mate?"

His hand skimmed my waist, then brushed over my breasts. The gentle touch sent sparks of electricity through my body. I arched my back, pushing closer to him. He answered with a groan and dropped a hand to my hip to pull my ass flush to his hard length.

"A night of pleasure," he breathed in my ear. "When you've had your fill, when you can't think beyond milking my cock with your tight cunt, after you've clawed my back to bits, I'll sink my fangs into your neck and claim you as mine."

"Azrael," I whimpered, desperate for him.

"Would you like that?" His hips rocked, grinding into my ass. "Would you like my bite? My mark?"

"Yes," I gasped, and it was almost a plea. I didn't need to be claimed to be his. I was his, irrevocably. Forever.

I craned my head back to capture his lips. I'd gladly take his mark. His love. Everything.

His mouth moved over mine, demanding and possessive. He'd made his home in my heart. His tongue slid between my parted lips, stroking and teasing. A growl of need rumbled in his chest, vibrating against my back.

He spun me to face him, pinning me with that intense green fire in his eyes. His thumbs traced my collarbone, then dragged down to follow the swells of my breasts.

"You're so beautiful," he growled against my lips. "So perfect."

His hand cupped my breast through the thin silk of my dress. I arched into the touch, craving more. He tugged the fabric aside and rolled my nipple between his fingers. Desire washed over me, settling as a pulsing need between my legs.

He smirked, clearly pleased by my reaction. "You like that, don't you? You love it when I touch you."

"Yes." I whimpered as he continued the torment, rolling and flicking my sensitive peak.

"I could spend eternity like this and be happy, you know."

"Don't stop," I begged, leaning into his touch.

"No?" His breath was a delicious rasp against my throat. His other hand moved to my other breast, pinching that nipple through the dress. "Not even if I do this?"

The rough friction of the fabric combined with the sensation of his fingers left me breathless.

"Or maybe this?" His hands found the straps of my dress, slowly sliding them down my arms.

The silk whispered against my skin as it pooled at my feet, leaving me bare before him. My skin tingled, aching for the touch of his mouth. His hands.

Azrael didn't disappoint. His lips closed around a nipple, tongue swirling and flicking. I cried out, my fingers clenching in his hair. He lavished attention on my breasts, alternating between gentle kisses and sharp nips, stoking the fire building within me.

My back hit the mattress. Azrael released my nipple with a soft pop, leaving it tingling and sensitive.

He loomed over me, his lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Maybe you'll enjoy this more."

He trailed his fingertips up my thighs, igniting every nerve. I gasped and writhed, desperately needing him to touch me. To end the sweet torment.

Instead, his fingers stopped at the hem of my panties and slowly traced the delicate lace. I moaned in frustration and tried to push my hips against him, but he held me still with his other hand.

"Patience, little dove," he purred. "Let's see how wet you are."

I shuddered as his fingers slipped past the fabric, his nails scraping over my inner thigh. My core throbbed as he dragged the back of his knuckles up the seam of my pussy, the barely there touch unbearable.

"Perfect," he purred, his eyes hungrily raking over my body.

He hooked his fingers into the waistband and pulled my panties down my legs. His hands slid over my skin, pushing my thighs apart.

"And I'm about to get the best fucking view in the underworld."

He knelt between my parted thighs, and I nearly came undone. His breath was hot against my slick folds, his eyes bright with hunger.

"You have the most gorgeous cunt I've ever seen," he growled, his thumbs parting my lips.

He licked his lips, as though anticipating a delicious meal. I wanted to beg, to demand he take me now. But the words died in my throat as he dipped his head, his tongue swiping over my opening.

I moaned, my head falling back as he explored every inch of my pussy. My hips bucked, wanting more, but he kept me pinned with his hands. My fingers twisted into the sheets, searching for something to anchor myself as his tongue pushed inside me.

Pleasure built within me, every flick and thrust bringing me closer to the edge. I was powerless against him, completely at his mercy as he feasted on my sex.

Finally, when I thought I might burst, he pulled away. I whimpered in protest, still craving release. My body was on fire, my nipples aching and tight, my core clenching with desire.

But my disappointment vanished when his clothes disappeared in a burst of shadows. His cock sprang free, hard and heavy. He wrapped a hand around it, lazily pumping himself as his eyes roamed over me.

"Makes me so fucking hard knowing you want my cock, Josephine." A bead glistened at the tip. His hand moved faster. "How badly do you want me to fuck you? How bad do you want to feel me inside you, stretching you, filling you up?"

"So why don't you?" I taunted, lifting my hips in invitation.

He chuckled, dark and sexy, his hand still leisurely stroking his shaft. "Because I'm not finished enjoying you yet."

Before I could respond, his mouth was on me again, his tongue swirling and flicking. Pleasure rippled through me, coiling tightly in my center. I moaned, the sound long and wanton, as the orgasm broke. My entire body trembled as it swept over me, wave after wave of bliss.

Azrael's lips closed around my clit, sending me into another wave of ecstasy. I cried out, my fingers tangling in his hair as I rode the wave of pleasure. My back arched, my toes curled, and my vision blurred. I was lost in the haze of his mouth and his fingers on my body.

Then his body was covering mine, the tip of his cock at my entrance. He growled, the sound low and feral, and thrust his cock into me in a single, mind-breaking stroke.

I dug my nails into his shoulder, struggling to breathe. He stretched me, filled me, consumed me.

And fuck, it felt incredible.

I rocked my hips against him, urging him to move. He buried his face in my neck, sucking and nibbling at the sensitive flesh.

"Is this what you want?" he asked, voice ragged with desire. He rolled his hips, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through my veins. "Do you want me to fuck you?"

I moaned and lifted my hips in answer, pleading for more. He obliged, pulling almost all the way out and plunging back in, hard and deep.

"Fuck, you feel amazing," he grunted. "So tight and wet for me."

He started to move, setting a steady rhythm. Each thrust sent sparks of pleasure through my body. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.

"Yes," I moaned. "Just like that."

Azrael's mouth found mine, kissing me with bruising force as he pounded into me. His fingers dug into my hips, holding me in place as he drove mercilessly into my body. He growled into my mouth, his muscles straining and flexing with each thrust.

I could feel every inch of him as he plunged into me. I was dizzy with pleasure, drunk on the sensation of his cock stretching and filling me. My head fell back, a moan tumbling from my lips.

"That's it," he growled, his teeth grazing my earlobe. "Let me hear you."

His hand tangled in my hair, pulling my head back to expose my throat. His tongue licked a path from my collarbone to my ear, making me shiver.

"I want you to come for me." His voice was rough and commanding. "Come for me while I fuck you. While I claim you."

His fingers found my clit, stroking and circling the sensitive bud. I gave myself over to the primal need, to the endless waves of pleasure that crashed through me. I surrendered myself to my mate. My king.

My nails dug into Azrael's back, leaving long scratches as the climax ripped through me. A snarl ripped through the air, and he slammed into me, hard and fast. I clenched around him, my body quivering as the pleasure mounted higher and higher.

Then he sank his teeth into my neck, sealing our mating bond. And just like that, I was over the edge again.

My cry of ecstasy echoed through the trees as I shattered. Stars exploded behind my eyelids, and the world dissolved around me. There was nothing but pleasure, nothing but Azrael's body pressed against mine as we tumbled over the edge together.

I clung to him as the wave of pleasure slowly subsided, my body trembling and my mind reeling. Azrael held me close, his face buried in my neck, his breathing ragged.

"My queen," he murmured.

I smiled. "My mate."

And I could feel the truth of the word thrumming through me, linking us in ways nothing else could. It was more than a title or a fancy ceremony. It was an acknowledgment of the bond between us. The connection that ran bone-deep.

It was everything I never knew I wanted, everything I'd never dared to hope for. And I was determined to hold on to it—to him—forever.