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“Every wish …” Des rasps out, taking my mouth.

The taste of him and the feel of him—those are the triggers that send me over the edge. I cry out into his mouth, my grip tightening on Des as my orgasm crashes through me.

The kiss ends as I lap up the last of my climax. Des stares up at me, his silver eyes devouring my expression. His thrusts become frantic, almost punishing.

“My wife,” he says, his voice low. His gaze drops to my lips and his grip tightens.

With a groan, I feel him come. The water splashes around us as he slams into me, again and again. His gaze crawls back up, and he drinks me in as he rides out the last of his orgasm.

Even after we’re finished, we stay locked together. I brush back his wet hair, trying to memorize every feature of his.

“I really love my wedding gift,” I say.

He lets out a low, satisfied laugh. “So do I.”

I don’t knowwhat time it is, only that my body feels boneless and my siren is, for once in her life, fully sated. Des sleeps next to me, his leg thrown over mine, and a heavy arm draped across my body.

I envy the King of the Night his ability to sleep. I’m sure the moment I give into it, the Thief of Souls will be on the other side waiting for me.

Do the dead ever really die?The Thief’s voice echoes through my head. I frown. I can’t escape him, even now.

This is our little game—and trust me, enchantress, it’s far from over.

I roll the words over and over in my mind.

He tricked Des into giving me the lilac wine the night he said that, thus making my magic compatible with his.

All so thatwhat? Why would being magically compatible even matter to him?

I will never leave you alone, enchantress. Never. Banish the hope if you have it. You cannot ever escape my clutches. Not even in death.

Goosebumps bloom across my arms.

Not even in death.

The sleeping soldiers, Galleghar’s incorruptible body, the Thief of Soul’s ability to outlive even death …

I nearly gasp when it comes to me.

Of course.Ofcourse.

All those stupid riddles, and it had been right in front of me the entire time.

Not terribly long ago, Des had explained the four kingdoms of the Otherworld—Night, Day, Flora, and Fauna.

But there weretwo others.

The Kingdom of Mar … and the Kingdom of Death and Deep Earth.

The Kingdom of Death and Deep Earth.

In a world at war, who would truly win?

Deathwould, that’s who.

Do the dead ever really die?

Jesus.