Page 75

“Careful,” she warned, releasing a pent-up breath. Images of Dove’s scorched palm flashed in her head. Angry as she was, she’d never see him harmed that way.

Liam closed his fingers around the hilt and pulled the dagger free of the leather. His eyes narrowed on her with distrust. “Thought you said it would burn me.”

“Imbécile. Something’s changed.” She rushed to his side and took the soul sword from him. The stone set in its center remained dull. “Look. Before, it would glow when I touched it.”

He furrowed his brow. “Only thing that’s changed since last night is—”

“Us,” she groaned. “We’re the thing that’s changed. It’s the bond.Duo corda, amor unus. Two hearts, one love. My soul is no longer connected to the dagger. It’s tied to—you.”

She remembered the sensation now. The pull that seemed to reach clear down to her toes and drag her heart out of her chest. And to think she’d given Liam all the credit, believing it one hell of a cataclysmic orgasm. She should have known not even Liam could take her to such heights. When he claimed her as his Bride, he’d pulled her soul free of the dagger.

Knuckles pounded the door. In a daze, she thrust the soul sword back into Liam’s hands and stalked across the room.

“Viv. Wait. You don’t know—”

She flung the door open. Dante waited on the other side. What had to be a dozen armed demons with gold-tipped horns stood behind him.

Her heart crawled up her throat. She struggled to school her features, saying in an even tone, “Dante.”

“Good morning, Vivian,” the demon king greeted her, tone oddly benign. “I trust all is well?”

“Bien sûr, of course. My apologies for the noise. Liam and I were just having a…discussion.”

A sly smile curled Dante’s lips. “I believe congratulations are in order.”

Everything inside of her tensed at his words. The night’s events came together with a resounding crash. Realization dawned. “You knew.”

He tapped the corner of his eye. “Told you all would be revealed to you in the morning.”

“Wait.Youdid this to us?”

At her accusation, he had the audacity to look insulted. “Come now. No crime has been committed here. Though my special herb is known for being quite the aphrodisiac. I simply gave you a nudge and left Liam to take care of the rest.”

“Why?” His betrayal was a sinking stone in her gut.

“Let’s just say I’m a fan of Team Zion.” He stroked the length of his impressive horns.

Reality hit with the force of a tsunami crashing to shore. She’d played right into his manipulative hands. “And Zion couldn’t lay a finger on the soul sword until my tie to it was broken.” This was privileged information. Information Vivian, custodian of the soul sword, didn’t even have until last night. Dante must have contacted Zion the moment they walked through the door.

His smile turned mocking. “And so, your problem is solved. With the tie broken, Zion no longer needs you. Once you give me the dagger, you’ll be free to go. See, I told you everything you needed was right under your nose, and you were both too blind to see it.”

“You dirty, backstabbing,caca boudin.”

Unmoved by her calling him a shit sausage, Dante held out his hand. “I’m going to need that dagger now.”

“Not happening,” Liam snarled behind her.

“You’re in an underground room with no windows. Twelve members of my guard stand outside your door. If I choose, I can summon a legion more with the flick of my fingers. I’m asking you to cooperate. I’d rather not see either of you hurt. I must admit, I’ve grown quite fond of you both. Hand it over, and you may leave. I give you my word.”

“Thinking your word isn’t worth much,” Liam growled.

Dante scowled. “Not once did I lie to you. Remember, you’re the ones who came to me. You had a problem, and I helped you solve it. It wasn’t as though you weren’t fated to be together, anyway. Anyone who saw your performance would agree.”

Vivian bit back a sharp retort. They’d deal with the matter of their mating later. “What does Zion want with the dagger anyway?”

His silver eyes swirled. “Oh, I’ve seen his plans, and they are glorious. Though I cannot share another’s fate with you. Client confidentiality and all.”

Vivian rolled her eyes. And yet he’d shared hers with Zion. Asshole.