by Lizzy Ford
Except when he realized he couldn’t get her out of his mind let alone hope to live without her. He didn’t yet know the extent of what accepting his place at her side would mean for either of them, or his plan, but he understood the two of them needed to talk. They weren’t in the same library and needed to be on the same page.
Wynn turned his attention to his diaries, the volumes of secrets he’d recorded through two lifetimes. Some deities had only one or two weaknesses, deep fears or trinkets of knowledge they didn’t want known. Others had a full volume. He’d meticulously recorded everything his ability allowed him to learn.
The volume he sought wasn’t present. Leaving his study, he walked through the castle and down to the catacombs. He continued past the chamber where he’d been enshrined, the dungeon and to the oldest part of the castle perched over the original breach between the human world and Hell.
As always, he touched the walls. The castle’s cool, healing magic fused with his own and relaxed him from the inside out. It was far weaker than it had ever been but remained strong enough to keep demons out as well as prevent his sons from portaling out of the catacombs. Reminiscing about his old power left Wynn rejuvenated and reignited the memories of what it had been like when he was the most ruthless and powerful of the Immortals.
That day had passed, he knew, but he retained enough power this time around – and all the secrets and influence – he’d built up over his first life. Along with his sharp mind, it was enough to sustain his place at the top of the pyramid.
His hand dropped, and he continued. Two guards stood outside the office he’d created to cage an Immortal or deity.
“She came by twice, like you said,” one of the guards reported. “She wouldn’t enter the office.”
Wynn nodded once to show he’d heard. He’d expected Karma to have learned the lesson about setting foot in the cage he’d trapped her in before.
He motioned for the guards to leave and entered the office. Wynn leaned over the desk and removed the volume of his diaries that Karma had intended to steal.
He sat in the chair nearest him and rested the book on his knee, gazing at the slender tome. The name on the spine and on the first page was the same. Written in characters only the most ancient deities might remember, and masked by a spell he traded a favor for long ago, was a single word.
Wynn
He was the oldest living Immortal, the man responsible for uniting all the Immortals under one society, for sealing two breaches to Hell, and creating an army to defend humans against demons.
The book didn’t contain his secrets – he wasn’t foolish enough to write them down – but it contained his history, which could have been damning in and of itself. Deities and Immortals alike had speculated about his origins, his lineage, and whether he was a deity in disguise or born a half-breed deity. He was content with the confusion and mystery regarding his origins. The unknown frightened people and made them uncomfortable. He wanted them to be this way around him, to never know exactly who they dealt with or what he was capable of. It gave him space to maneuver and the ability to remain untouched by anything or anyone.
Initially, he hadn’t even known his family history, when he was born, or what his childhood had been like. He had awoken as an Immortal at the age he was now – and no memory of what had happened prior to that.
He closed the book, unable to shake the unwelcome idea forming that the strategy he’d relied on for two lifetimes was suddenly … dissatisfying.
Peace had told him he pushed people away, and Deidre insisted he did so because something was missing. The truth was a little simpler. He had no hole in his heart at all and had never suffered any great tragedy. Proximity and compassion caused pain, which he’d figured out early in his first Immortal life when he started out as a healer. To be independent, to be free, to make impartial and rational decisions for the greater good of the Immortals and human world required that he possessed no vulnerabilities or weaknesses, which meant he could love no one and be loved by no one. He’d chosen to sacrifice his emotions and concern for others and insulated himself against everything.
It worked, or had, until this moment, when he considered the idea he’d met someone with whom he wanted to share his history. Karma hadn’t known what the book contained when she tried to steal it. If he gave it to her, and lifted the spells for her to read it, would she?
She’d witnessed some of what was in his soul. If she read his story, what would she do? What would she think?
What would she feel?
He’d never asked himself this last question before, because he’d never had a reason to consider someone else’s feelings. He’d operated without his own and ignored anyone else’s that could have interfered with what he needed to do, first to build the Immortal world and then to protect it. He didn’t care that he was a shitty father, or that he’d never taken any interest in his children’s lives, except to force them into the duty he’d spent a lifetime creating. His legacy was the society he created and the lives he’d saved.
Wynn leaned forward, elbows on his knees. He was disturbed, if not distressed, by the changes he experienced the past few days. Two nights, and he was ready to share his private story with someone. Worse, he believed he wanted to share that part of himself. But didn’t doing this make him vulnerable? Disable his ability to operate without emotions clouding his judgment?
She fled from him whenever he wanted to talk to her, and he was ready to wrap his heart, history, and future in a bow to hand over.
It made no sense – but he couldn’t deny this was what he felt. The cracks around his heart were quickly becoming fissures.
He tapped the diary against his knee. Someone had figured out he had written a partial autobiography, which meant, someone believed there was significant information within it that might shed light on his master plan.
A mate was a potential weakness. Wynn had exploited many mates in his past, and he possessed too many secrets for him to begin narrowing down who was using Karma.
Because someone was manipulating her. He wanted to view this in the light of politics as usual, but whenever he thought about anyone taking advantage not only of his mate, but of her love for her brother, he wanted to dump all the secrets he collected into the world and watch the deities destroy one another.
It wasn’t the right answer, and it wasn’t a course of action he’d ever pursue, no matter how tempting.
Karma’s power was incredible; but he alone could protect her from people like him, who had spent an eternity studying his enemies. Karma was pure and hid nothing. She wouldn’t last in a world of ulterior motives and hidden agendas, where deities and Immortals alike used secrets and lies to amass power.
Wynn wanted to think he and Karma could learn to work together, as Gabriel had said, even after his plan came to fruition. He’d spent too long crafting it to walk away, and it was becoming clearer by the day he had no choice about having a mate.
Whatever he felt for Karma, he wasn’t going to choose between her and his plan. Either she went along with him or …
He glanced around. He’d have to protect her, which probably meant caging her in this room. She’d hate him – but she’d be safe, and that was more important than what he felt for her.
Just like the rest of his family.
I want her beside me. The thought was as strong as the ferocious possessiveness it evoked. Wynn didn’t want to be alone anymore. He wanted his mate with primal need.
If he followed through with his plan, wouldn’t he lose her?
After a moment of deep thought, where he reached no satisfactory conclusion about anything troubling him, Wynn stood, diary in hand, and left the office for his chamber.
He hid the diary in the nightstand beside his bed and paused, breathing in the scent of sex and Karma. Anticipation raced along his blood as memories of their second night together replayed in his mind. He wanted another, and another and another. Every night from now until he died-dead a third
time.
His mind wasn’t made up about anything when he left his chamber, except that he was beginning to think he needed to put some distance between himself and his mate, or he’d fall prey to the mating bond and wouldn’t be able to follow through with his plan if it meant losing her in the process.
He couldn’t let her weaken him further.
He left his chamber and went to the war chamber, expecting to find an irate Trayern and irritated Mithra awaiting him.
Nineteen
“Um, what’s going on?”
Stephanie asked and stepped out of the portal room into the cool twilight of the Underworld. She looked around at the stone palace before going to a window. Strange trees with tendril like branches moved like snakes in a breeze she couldn’t feel. There was no real sun, only what appeared to be a moon. The world was gray – gray stones, gray sky, gray forest.
“This was Wynn’s idea,” Gabriel said.
“Did he finally decide to kill me?”
“You’re not dead-dead,” Gabriel said with a smile.
Though she trusted him, she wasn’t feeling reassured by being escorted by Death himself into the Underworld. “This is where you live?” she asked.
“You get used to it.”
Stephanie followed him through the quiet palace. The doors to the rooms lining the halls were all closed. “What am I doing here?” she asked uneasily.
“You’ll see.” Death had a way of sounding both friendly and creepy. She hadn’t quite decided what to think of Gabriel, especially given his duty.
He led her down several hallways before pausing in front of one door. “This stays between us,” he told her firmly. “You have twenty-four hours. Got it?”
Stephanie nodded.
He knocked once and flung the door open before walking down the hall.
With some trepidation, Stephanie peeked into the doorway and gasped.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Fate said, smiling. He stood in the middle of a small suite, dressed in black similar to Gabriel’s clothing.
Stephanie stared at him.
Fate’s gaze was pinned to her. “I know there’s a lot to talk about. Wherever you want to start, I’ll listen.”
Stephanie had fantasized about how she’d feel and react when she saw her mate once more, but no amount of imagining could prepare her for the force of her emotions.
Her perfect, beautiful, teasing mate stood in front of her, his golden skin dispelling the gloom of the Underworld and hypnotic eyes pinned on hers. He was smiling, and his features contained warmth that left her giddy. However unsettling a mating bond between strangers had once made her, she could think of nothing but filling her senses with him again.
Stephanie closed the distance between them and threw herself into his arms.
Fate’s embrace closed around her, along with his brown sugar scent and warmth she craved. He gave her a bear hug, breathing in her hair as he did so. Stephanie didn’t care how this was possible or what the hell Wynn could have had to do with it. She yielded to the need in her soul, unable to recall a moment when she’d felt such peace or relief.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” she whispered. The heat of their bond tore through her, stirring more than lust.
“Me neither,” he murmured. “Are you okay?”
“I haven’t been okay in a long time.”
“We have that in common.”
Even his ill-timed humor made her happy. Stephanie breathed him in, hardly believing she was really in his arms again.
The tears came unbidden.
Fate held her more tightly and shushed her gently, solid where she was quivering. Stephanie had never felt more at home than she did that moment.
She looked up at him, and her breath caught. Fate’s feelings and desire were displayed across his chiseled features. His iridescent eyes changed colors beneath the pearly sheen. The man who never showed his hand and emotions to anyone was as happy to see her as she was him.
“This could very well be the best day of my life,” he teased and tucked a strand of hair behind one of her ears. Even with his smile, and the light in his eyes, his features were shadowed. The dark edge that sometimes scared her was present.
Neither of them had any pretentions about this day being the day when things began to go right.
“It’s mine.” Awareness flooded her, along with heat. “I missed you. So much.” Her voice broke.
“You’re where you belong right now, gorgeous, in my arms,” Fate replied. He began to flutter kisses across her face, light enough to tickle.
Stephanie laughed, and he claimed her mouth. His raw hunger banished her sorrow and pain and filled her joy. She returned the passionate kiss.
The two of them stumbled towards his bed, tearing off their clothing as they went, desperate to feel their skin touch and their bodies join in a way only mates could. Their lovemaking was fueled by pure emotion. Any awkwardness she experienced with her mate during their first night was burnt in the fire of their desire.
Hours later, with their sweat-slicked bodies entwined, and her breathing quick, Stephanie closed her eyes and sighed. They lay facing one another, relaxing after the intense round of lovemaking. She didn’t know how she’d ever resisted what was between them.
Fate kissed her shoulder and neck then nuzzled her cheek. Resting her cheek against his chest, she listened to his heartbeat, comforted by the steady sound.
“Why are you here?” she asked finally.
“Gabe is protecting me. This may come as a surprise, but I have a few enemies trying to find me.”
She smiled. No Immortal or deity she’d met yet appeared to be as capable of making friends as they were enemies.
“I really need you to come back,” she murmured.
“We’re working on it,” he said.
“Soon?” she asked hopefully and searched his features. She ran her fingers over his chiseled features and full lips. He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. His rainbow eyes drifted between different hues, fascinating her.
“I really hope so,” Fate said with a rueful smile. “Wynn is first on my list to visit as soon as my power returns.”
Stephanie wasn’t about to dissuade him. “Did you know he wants me to lead the Council?”
“Yes,” Fate said and smiled. “You will usher in an era of peace and growth. I don’t need to See the Future to know this about you.”
“I don’t know if I can do it.”
“You may have some guidance from the deity who Sees the Future.”
“I don’t care what happens. I don’t want us to be apart again after this.”
“We won’t be.” The words were soft but firm. His resolution in his face. “I’ve spent time in Hell more than once. Being apart from you is worse. When this is over, no one will ever separate us again, Stephanie. I’ll make certain of it.”
“Free will cancelled?”
“Indefinitely.”
She smiled, touched and awed by the bond that had once scared her. As different as she and her mate were, they were stronger and better together. She couldn’t fathom a life without him in it.
“How is my sister?” Fate asked.
“A wreck,” Stephanie said. “And … you’re not going to like hearing this.”
Fate was quiet.
“You know about Wynn, don’t you?” She traced her fingers down the side of his face and along his jawline.
“I did everything I could to prevent the Future I saw for her,” he said. “I broke my own rules, and you know how much I love my rules.” He gazed past her, troubled. “Does she know?”
“Yeah. There’s something funky going on between them. He’s been … different. And not.” She sighed.
“It isn’t the destiny either of them would’ve ever chosen,” he said. “I worry about her.”
“I do, too. Wynn …” Stephanie made a sound of frustration. “I don’t want to talk about him. We only have a few hours together. He runs every second of my li
fe but not here, not now.”
“There is something I need to tell you about how I escaped Hell,” Fate said, stroking her arm absently.
“I already know,” she whispered, thrown once more into the confusion that ruled her life. “She told me. I can’t even wrap my head around all that’s happened. She said she’s being treated as a guest. Is that true?”
“Likely so,” Fate said. “Darkyn will put her on ice until he needs her for something. I was an exception. He’s generally less abrasive towards deities, because he knows he’ll need something from them eventually. He holds a grudge against me for fucking over his mate, even though fucking her over turned her into his mate. Complicated, as usual.”
Stephanie shook her head, amused and horrified at the same time. “How do I help my mom?”
“You don’t,” Fate said gravely. “Focus on what you need to do to survive Wynn and whatever he has planned. I’ll help your mother, when my power returns. You’ll be the head of the Council by then, which means we’ll have a better chance of negotiating with Darkyn than either of us has now.”
She frowned, troubled by the idea of leaving her mother in Hell.
“Trust me?” Fate tipped her chin up. “You’re the only one who can.”
At the reminder, more giddy warmth bloomed inside her. It was exhilarating to know she could trust someone no one else could. He’d never let her down before and he never would.
“We’re pretty fucked up, aren’t we?” she asked.
“I’ll protect you, Stephanie. I swear it,” Fate whispered. He kissed her hard and deep. Her desire, fueled by emotions, tore through her, and she responded with hunger and desperation.
Exhausted from their lovemaking, they huddled in one another’s arms. She breathed in scent, intoxicated by everything him.
“I wish I could guide you,” Fate whispered.
“I’d settle for you being with me.”
“I’ve never been powerless.”
She touched his face again with a smile. “I know that feeling.”