When it came down to it tonight, he would balk. Surely he would. He had the last time with that other nymph!

They neared the huge arched entryway. Any minute now, he’ll pull the plug on this.

But he kept going, squiring her inside a loud barroom packed with partying immortals. Dozens of demons were here. Some of the other guys looked human, just bigger and more animalistic. Lykae?

She could pick out the gorgeous Dryads. They wore nothing but gauzy skirts, their bare chests painted with leaf images.

Rune had slept with all of them.

Except one.

When he entered, cheers broke out. As in the other covey, these creatures acted as if a rock star had come to visit.

He smiled at different females, greeting them.

Any minute now . . . Meliai might not even be here. Or she could be screwing someone else. With more time, Rune would see reason.

“She’s here.” He jerked his chin toward a redheaded nymph at the bar.

Jo’s stomach dropped. Meliai was . . . off-the-charts. Flawless body. Waist-length red hair and porcelain skin. Pink cheeks glowing with health. Doe-brown eyes. They sparkled when she caught sight of Rune.

She was the most beautiful female Jo had ever seen. Even the tall, graceful fey at the ball couldn’t compare.

Rune had asked, “Do you think I want to do this?”

After looking at the half-dressed Meliai, she could honestly say, “Yes, Rune the Insatiable. Yes, I do.”

If he screwed the redhead, Jo was done forever. She was about to lose him, just when she’d found him. Her claws decided to dig into his hand.

“I’ll return with what we need as quickly as possible.” He tugged his hand away.

To her shame, she clung before letting go. “Wait! You expect me to just sit here?” With all the other women he’d previously enjoyed?

As Meliai sauntered over, he told Jo, “You must stay—because of the terms of your vow.”

Jo swiped at her forehead, her queasiness worsening. She might have to chance never drinking blood again.

Meliai smiled at Rune in welcome, seeming unconcerned he’d brought another woman with him. “How wonderful of you to visit.”

The nymph, with all her experience, was probably a much better lay than Jo. Would Rune arrive at the same conclusion? Nausea churned. Too hot in here. Jo was about to throw up blood, needed air.

Would Rune make Meliai scream?

Of course he would. He was supposed to fuck her “well.”

He wasted no time with the nymph, lowering his voice to say, “You can get me past the wraiths?”

Meliai looked him up and down as if he were a piece of meat. “I have the means.” Her throaty voice dripped with innuendo as she said, “And I just so happen to need something of yours very badly.”

FIFTY-NINE

Josephine’s face was paper-white, her outline flickering.

Why couldn’t she understand how little swiving another would mean to him? He was a taken male; he was Josephine’s. Meliai was a grudging chore to be done with—

Josephine darted for the exit.

Fury welled inside him. He’d told her over and over this would happen. But she’d chosen to believe whatever she wanted to.

“I’ll return shortly,” he said to the nymph. “Be available.”

Meliai raised her brows. “I’ll only wait so long.”

He made his way past admirers, nodding absently at them as he followed the only female he wanted.

Outside in the windy night, she leaned against the trunk, facing away from him.

“What is wrong with you?” he snapped. “You got jealous before and destroyed all my things. Once more, you’re jealous, throwing a tantrum to get your way.” Giving no concern for what he wanted. “I won’t be manipulated again!”

She turned to him with her eyes glinting.

He bit out a curse. “Why this hang-up, Josephine? You got past how many I was with before you. Why does the timing of this matter so much?”

“The timing?” Her voice was strained. “Explain to me how this would work. After screwing someone else, you’d shower, then hop in bed with me? Would we laugh about funny things that happened at work? Would you call if you got tied up with a client?”

“It wouldn’t occur every night, and probably not often after the Accession.” Then a thought struck him. What would happen once the Møriør seized control of the Gaia realm? Rune’s means were particularly fruitful when rooting out dissension; his duties might ramp up even more.

The mere idea exhausted him.

“Not every night? Will you listen to yourself? You are talking about being inside other females. About taking their bodies with your own.”

“This is my job! You saw me with the four nymphs that first night. Did I look overwhelmed with passion? Or did I look bored?” Like I’d rather be making arrows in my chair by the fire? Would he never be free from this chore? “You remarked on my lack of reaction.”

Josephine’s tears spilled over—they were blood tears, his blood—and it was killing him. She was too young to be losing nourishment, and she couldn’t have fed enough during the many times he’d taken her today.

He wrapped his palm around her nape. “If you tell me Thaddeus will be fine for just a while longer, we’ll go home for tonight. Say it, Josephine.”

Her gaze darted. “We can figure out something else. If we work together. So I need you to stop thinking like this!”

His hand tightened on her neck. “Like this? This is me! You’ve told me you feel more than infatuation for me. Then aren’t you supposed to accept me as is? Why do you have to try to change me? What is so bloody wrong with how I am right now?”