Page 29

“No.”

“Then, no deal,” I snapped. “One year of my life is plenty generous.”

Last time he’d gotten angry, he’d suddenly turned into hot ash and brought the underworld to the surface, but he retained his composure. “Then we’ll pursue my previous suggestion—and end it when the time feels right.”

“I already said that was too vague.”

“You also have the power to decide when to end it.”

“I do?”

“Yes.”

“What if I decide to end it in a single day?”

“You won’t.”

My eyes narrowed. “You wanted to lock me into a binding contract a minute ago, and now you’re willing to play it by ear? Why?”

“Because if we agree on a date, it ends on that date even if we want it to continue. But if it remains open, it can continue for as long as we wish.”

“You’re the one deciding all of this, so I don’t understand.”

He’d been still for a while, rigid in place, not even moving to take a breath. “My word is my bond. I have to honor it.”

“But you’re the one in charge.”

“It’s complicated.” He relaxed back into the armchair for the first time, one ankle resting on the opposite knee, dressed for battle rather than a night in front of the fire. His elbow moved to the armrest, and he absent-mindedly brushed his fingers across his chin, his dark eyes leaving my face for the first time. “We’re in agreement?”

“Yes…I think so.” I swallowed, unable to believe I’d made a deal with Wrath, God of the Underworld.

His eyes found mine again. “This deal is binding and can’t be undone.”

“It can, because you said I could end it when I want.”

“You have to bed me at least once. That’s my final term—and it can’t be negotiated.”

It was the one loophole I’d found, but he closed it before I could exploit it.

He stared at me for a while, his fair skin untainted by battle or physical hardship, his complexion pristine. He had intention in his gaze, an implied acceptance.

I was as stubborn as a dragon and I should venomously oppose his invitation, but it seemed like a small price to release the invisible shackles on my father’s wrists. But if he knew I bedded a monster for his freedom, he would travel to the underworld just to kill him. “Fine.”

“Then we’re in agreement.” He was on his feet instantly and advanced toward me. His leg pressed against the coffee table, and he nudged it across the rug to the side so he had better access to me on the couch.

I was in shock.

He grabbed the blanket and yanked it off, exposing my legs to the cold air. I was in nothing but a long, baggy shirt and knee-high gray socks.

“You want to do this now?” I yanked the blanket back to cover myself.

His chin was already tilted down, catching a glimpse of my bare legs and my exposed underwear. He seemed to like what he saw because his eyes suddenly had a glaze to them, like sugar sprinkled on a warm cookie. “Yes.”

“Well, I’m not ready.” He’d just sprung this on me, appearing out of thin air on a cold night in my home. I’d signed the contract with my word, and now my predicament was ironclad. But I wasn’t ready to jump in headfirst just yet. “I just need some time.”

He continued to stand before me, not acting on the disappointment he wore on his sleeve. “I’ll come for you tomorrow night.”

“Whoa, that’s still too quick?—”