Chapter 38

Damn, my demon has stamina.

It wasn't until after Sam was gearing up for a fourth round, this time to try a position he had seen drawn in a book, that Selene pleaded for a time out.

"I'm only a mere mortal," she cried, guzzling from her water bottle. Her ab muscles were already twitching from strain. "Can we take a little nap? Then I'll be ready for more."

"How much more?" Sam asked, nuzzling her neck.

"At least two more times, maybe three if you ask nicely."

His breath was warm against her ear. "Don't I always ask nicely?"

She smiled at him. "Actually, that's one of your best qualities." He smiled back and they both gazed at each other for a moment. A rush of happiness made her want to sing. So this is love…

Sam kissed the tip of her nose and said, "Get dressed, then. I'll fill these up." He grabbed their water bottles and headed toward the waterfall. Selene watched him go, unabashedly admiring his perfect butt before she donned a pair of light cotton pants and a T-shirt.

Movement to her left made her turn. She glanced over and saw the switch pouch had expanded. Inside, she found a warm, covered dish that looked like a gourmet meatloaf. Although they still had plenty of food left from Brunie, a hot meal in the chilly cave sounded wonderful. Having meals delivered this way made Selene wonder if she stayed in Aurelia, could she and Sam work out a deal to continue getting meals from Thema's kitchens? Who needed cooking when there was magic? The thought of sharing a meal across from Sam every night for the rest of her life was intoxicating.

When Selene slid the pan out of the pouch, a scrap of paper fluttered to the ground. It was a handwritten note. She bent to pick it up. The penmanship was ornate enough to shame the calligrapher her mother used to address party invitations. But before she could marvel at the writer's talent for lettering, Selene's eyes caught on her own name. Helpless to resist, she crouched near the lanterns to read each word.

To my loyal Samael,

Zaybris knows of our plan and has commanded all vampires in the realm to find Selene. If she gets taken before you can offer her up, so be it. There's other bait to be had, and more than one way to possess the stone. Victory is near. I can feel it. Once my sister is found, the celebrations will echo all the way down to you in the Underworld. — Thema

Selene gasped. She read the note a second time. Then she reread it a third time and a fourth—trying to make sense of it. Her hand began to shake.

Sam's voice came from behind. "Here you are, fresh water for your exertions."

"Sam?" her voice was barely audible. She couldn't seem to focus on the paper. Her vision was swimming. "What's this?"

"What is what?" he asked, pulling on a fresh pair of trousers.

"This note. From Queen Thema."

Snatching the paper from her, he quickly scanned it before tossing it into the fire. "It's nothing," he said, but his expression was dark. Guarded.

When Selene looked at him, there was a rushing sound in her ears. She tried to stand, but her knees shook, causing her to sink back onto the ground.

"I'm… bait?"

Sam rubbed the back of his neck, wishing he could give Thema's neck a good squeeze for her carelessness at that moment.

"It's nonsense," he replied. "Just ravings from an old queen."

"What does this mean? What is she talking about?" Her voice was panicked.

"It's nothing to get upset about. Come here."

When she stood, he tried to hold her, but she drew back. Her face was stricken, and her eyes were wide. Sam considered his options.

He could continue lying to her, which would save her from undue stress and worry. There was no reason for her to know their relationship was based on lies—not when their love was clearly destined. He could confess everything later, once Zaybris was dead, and they were safe in the Underworld.

Or he could begin their relationship with the truth. Thema's note was the last way he wanted her to find out, but the evidence was pretty damning. If he wanted their love to be built on a solid foundation, he shouldn't hide anything from her. The choice was clear. He only hoped he could find the right words to make her understand.

"Sit down," he said, gesturing to the bed. "I-I have much to tell you."

"I'd rather stand."

"All right, but I must tell you the full story before you react. Do you understand?"

"Start talking."

Clenching and unclenching his fists, he began. "Queen Thema has been desperate to find her sister Queen Lilith ever since she went missing. She's hired trackers and enchantresses, but none were ever successful in locating her. When Thema heard that a vampire—Zaybris—had a traveler's stone, it clouded her judgment. The stone has many properties. One is finding lost people."

"What are the other properties?"

"Inter-dimensional travel," he said. "Queen Thema asked me to find Zaybris and take the stone from him to reveal her sister's whereabouts. He has many guards, and we knew getting close would be difficult. We had to offer him something he wanted."

Selene hugged her arms around her middle. "What did he want?"

Sweat had begun to bead on Sam's forehead. "Human blood, living blood was what he wanted most and… you had just arrived. We needed a way in. Queen Thema didn't think his guards would allow me to see him alone, so Queen Thema told Zaybris she wanted to give him a gift."

"And that was me," Selene said, her voice wavering.

"Your presence would allow me to face him directly and take the stone. But you were never in danger! We never intended for him to actually take you! It was only a ruse to gain entry. Quite innocent, really."

"So innocent you couldn't tell me about it beforehand?"

"I'm sorry," Sam said.

"Oh, God, that's why the vampires came to Snowmelt. And Margery too. They wanted me. My blood!"

"No. Well… yes. They wanted to deliver you to Zaybris themselves." Sam jerked his fingers through his hair. This conversation was going terribly. "I know our plan seems cruel, but I would never let anyone cause you harm."

"How generous," she said caustically.

"It's the truth."

She stared into the fire then said, "And if this plan worked? If you got through to Zaybris to take the stone, then what?"

"Then I would kill him to take the stone, and my vengeance."

"Your vengeance," she repeated.

"I have waited many years to face Zaybris."

"Wait, you know him?"

Sam swallowed. "Yes. Zaybris is the vampire that kidnapped me."

Even in the cavern's dim light, he saw her go pale. "Well, well. This just keeps getting better and better."

"The traveler's stone would transfer ownership to me upon the vampire's death. I vowed to Queen Thema that I would use it to locate her lost sister. I would have my vengeance and she would have answers."

"But the note says you'll be in the Underworld," Selene said. The way her expression changed from shock to scorn made bile rise in his throat. "Oh, now I see."

"No, it's not how it seems—"

"I think it's exactly how it seems," Selene cut in. "You were going to kill Zaybris and use this magic stone to take yourself back to the Underworld. Leaving me to fend for myself in Aurelia. That was the real plan all along, wasn't it? How could I have been so stupid?"

Her refusal to see anything but the worst of the situation made his anger rise, but if there were ever a time for him to stay level-headed, it was now. Straightening his shoulders, he approached her slowly, careful to appear unthreatening. He took her hands in his. Softly, he said, "It was a dangerous and foolish strategy. I see that now, and I'm sorry for deceiving you. But when things between us changed, I made a new plan."

Her eyes narrowed. "What plan?"

"Once I killed Zaybris and the time came for me to return to the Underworld… " he paused. Lifting her hands, he pressed his lips against her knuckles. "My love, I planned to take you with me."

Selene snatched her hands back, recoiling. "You were going to kill me?"

"No! No, of course not!"

"You said the Underworld is for dead people!"

"I would take you using the stone. You would live as my human consort," he clarified. "Selene, you are my fated mate. The one I hold up above all others. This means you would be free to roam the Underworld without actually dying. Or you could become a demon in time. Such things are possible."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I claimed you as mine last night."

"Claimed me!" Her outrage at his words was clear. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Her reaction to news of their sacred bond made heat flush through his body and his vision cloud red. This was going all wrong. So wrong that it was causing his demonic urges to rise to the surface. He forced himself to remain in control. Patience. How could he expect her to understand the significance of the mating bond instantly? He had to use the right words to make her see.

"We share a bond that cannot be broken. Of this, I am certain. You'd be treated as royalty in the Underworld. Never grow old or die of illness. I would give you everything."

"Except a choice!" Her shoulders hunched as she looked away. "I'm never going home, am I?"

"Selene… "

"You would do to me what Zaybris did to you?"

Sam flinched at her accusation. "No! This is nothing like that! You're my fated mate! We are connected in a way that transcends all other bonds. Where I go, you go! Forever!"

The pain in her face made him want to howl. He was failing. Saying all the wrong things, and she was slipping away. He could see it. Had the mating incantation failed? He knew he had recited correctly, and he had felt something shift between them. Why hadn't she felt it too?

Her eyes were downcast when she said, "I can't believe how trusting I was. I thought Queen Thema cared about me. I thought you did too, but I was just a pawn. Bait."

"Selene, I love you," he said desperately. "But I have to go home, and killing Zaybris is my only chance."

The rush of the waterfall and crackle of the fire were the only sounds filling the cavern for several moments. Finally, Sam said, "Come with me, Selene. Please."

"Why should I?"

"Because I can't be without you. You calm me. You bring balance to my instincts—a peace I've never known."

"How do I do that?"

"Just your presence as my mate. You are like balm to the chaos within me."

Selene rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"It's true. Please believe me." Sam took a step forward, holding out his arms to her. He drew a breath before proclaiming, "Selene, I need you."

Her head snapped back, and the coldness he saw in her eyes felt like a slap across his face. Her voice dripped with spite as she said, "You need me?"

Instantly, he knew it had been the wrong thing to say.

Grief threatened to overwhelm him as he realized that for her, the prospect of spending eternity with him wasn't a joyous one. She was angered by it. Disgusted. She didn't care about his status as prince or his ability to cradle her in luxury. She saw him as another leech who only wanted to take from her and use her gifts for their own gain. Just like her family. His continued failure to present himself as a worthy mate ignited his aggression.

"Enough of this," he said as the tight hold on his instincts broke. He strode forward, crowding her until her back pressed against the cave wall. He could feel his horns expand, his body increase in size. He placed his hands on either side of the rock behind her, not caring if he frightened her now. Let her see what the idea of being without her did to him. She should know what it looked like when a demon was denied.

Selene's eyes were unfeeling as she looked up at him. "Step back. You're not pulling this demon intimidation crap on me."

He didn't do as she asked, mainly because he feared she would run from him. His voice dropped an octave as he stared down at her. "You can be angry with me for as long as you want. But know this—nothing can keep me from you."

"You're a monster," she whispered. Sam feared he had gone too far. Just before he pulled back, he heard the sound of footsteps behind them.

Suddenly, a voice called out, "Oh my heavens! Are we interrupting a lover's quarrel?"

Sam whipped around to see a pale man with long, white-blonde hair standing at the cavern's entrance. He was cloaked in black and flanked by six vampires, each staring at them with a triumphant smile.

Zaybris.