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On top of her midnight waves she felt the weight of a halo. “Is the crown necessary?”

“Yes, is it necessary for you to argue with me all the time?”

“I don’t argue all the time.”

He chuckled. “I beg to differ.”

“Oh, he smiles and laughs, very unBlack Mage-like of you.”

Hel rolled his eyes, put a hand on her lower back and guided her out from the woods into the bark-covered path alongside him. It smelled like rain had fallen recently despite the sun shining. Woodland elves bartered and traded with the shop owners. Giggling ladies under a booth with a white canopy were getting their hair braided.

No one seemed to notice them yet.

“Keep up the attitude Mrs. Black. I like it when you’re feisty. Start calling me names and you’ll give me a stiffy.”

“You’re unbelievable. And you better not kill these innocent children or their mothers and fathers.”

The children at the fountain stopped splashing, laughing, and playing. The rush of the running water seemed louder now. Their mothers snatched them out and that’s when the screamingstarted. The crowd of people ran in all directions. Tables were knocked down. Food spilled. Booths shut their curtains.

He certainly had an effect on people.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he drawled.

“I’m serious.”

“When have I ever killed children and their mothers? Why would you even think that? I thought we were past you hating me.”

Two guards ran toward them with swords drawn. Hel waved his hand and sent them flying until their backs slammed into the outside wall of a cottage with a sign above that read “apothecary”.

They didn’t get up.

“I don’t hate you,” she snapped. “I think this morning was proof of that.”

“You can still hate me and fuck me, love.”

“Ugh.” Her cheeks warmed and she glanced at Mathekis walking on Hel’s other side. He didn’t react but he was certainly listening. Did pale ones even have those urges? Valeen shoved her wedding ring in his face. “I don’t hate you. I’m wearing this, aren’t I? If I hated you, I’d throw it into the aether where no one would find it and tell you to go to the underrealm.”

“Like you did last time?” He leaned down and his lips touched her ear. A pleasurable trill rolled down her spine. “Because I found it.”

She glared at him. “You didn’t go to the underrealm.”

He chuckled. “No, I did not. I wouldn’t be able to find you there.”

“I love you, Zaurahel.”

“Good. There’s no changing your mind now. You’re mine.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the tops of her knuckles. But there was something about his cold expression that sent a shudder through her. What was he planning?

With weapons drawn, a set of three guards ran at them. “Pale ones! The Black Mage! Kill them!” They looked as terrified as they were angry. The screams only got louder with the guards running in. She might have felt bad if these weren’t the same people who locked Thane in a cage, tossing rotten food at him all while laughing. They’d taken turns cutting him while he was helpless. “Bring everyone!” More guards came from the woods.

“No, hide!” someone else shouted. There was confusion and chaos among the people running and the guards.

An amber-haired male charged at her, screaming wildly. Valeen quickly pulled her sword but before she could bring it up to block a strike, everyone within a fifteen-foot radius went flying backward.

Bodies rolled and slammed into trees lining the roadway. A canopy toppled. The rest of the guards out of range of Hel’s magic stilled.

“I’m here to speak to your Lord. No one needs to die,” Hel announced. “Let us pass and you won’t.”

Most of the civilians were hidden now but those that remained backed off, clearing the way for them. The guards stared now.