Page 63 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

“Pretty promises, as always, Hade darling,” I purr back to him, but even I can hear the way my voice wavers, betraying my true feelings. I’m panting in my head, begging him to just make the choice for me so I don’t have to think about what it means if we cross that line.

“Do not push me, Nyxi. My body holds fewer morals than fucks,” he growls.

Oh fuck.

I disregard the consequences and attempt to shove my ass back again, but before I can move one more delicious inch, black tendrils of magic whip out from beneath Willow and wrap around me.

I let out a yelp as they drag my body suddenly into the air and spin me around so I’m facing Hade.

They plop me back down so I’m straddling Willow backwards, conveniently away from being able to grind my ass into Hade’s crotch.

My legs drape over his large thighs as I stare into the eyes of the man who looks like he’s about one more second away from losing total control.

A girl can dream .

His breaths are choppy, his eyes dark as sin. I wouldn’t mind being the reason behind his sinning tonight if it meant he would keep staring at me like he can’t go on without knowing exactly what every inch of my body feels like.

I’m on a suicide mission tonight as I open my mouth to shove him fully past the point of no return, but once again, before I can attempt my plan, a single black tendril wraps around my face, covering my mouth.

The fucker silenced me with his magic. I hate that even though I’m pissed, I’m also slightly turned on. I’m not sure what that says about me, but it’s a subject for future Nyxi.

“There, much better,” he says with a shit eating smirk, kicking his heels into Willow, making her take off in a fast gallop. Apparently, someone is impatient and wants to get to our destination immediately .

I glare at him the entire ride, throwing a temper tantrum in pure Nyxi fashion. He fixes his eyes on mine the entire silent ride, making me point anytime we need to take a turn.

I shift uncomfortably the entire time, because even though I’m pissed at him, I also feel like I’m burning alive under his sensual gaze. The man is pure sex appeal and infuriating all the same.

We take the last turn, and a shocked look comes over his face. He knows exactly where I’m taking him. We slowly approach the crumbling shack as Hade brings Willow to a halt.

Hade jumps off and reaches up to slide me off Willow’s back. His magic vanishes as he plops me to the ground next to him. I look over the crumbling home, smaller than I remember.

Home.

I think back to the first time I met Hade, when his impatient ass accidentally punched me in the nose. I laugh internally and make a mental note to plan something sinister to get him back for that—I can’t let him get off that easily.

Approaching wearily, I yank open the rusty door. It’s dark and dusty and smells of must and rotting walls. I take in my surroundings, and a pang of guilt and sadness racks my body.

“You lived here with him?” Hade questions softly as he follows behind me through the door.

“I did,” I respond under my breath. “He hasn’t lived here for quite some time, though.”

Everything is exactly where I left it, but I can tell a few wild animals have taken residence in my absence.

I spot crumbs of food and poop scattered about the floor and counters.

It’s just four walls and a crumbling roof, I remind myself.

While this is where I would spend most of my time with Theo, everything of importance to me resides in my head, and I’m at peace leaving this shack behind.

“C’mon.” I gesture to Hade. We enter the bedroom, and I focus on finding clothes instead of staring at the bed we shared in the corner of the room.

I pull out a shirt, pants, and dry undergarments for myself and then sift through the pile of Theo’s clothes, looking for something large enough to fit Hade.

I gather the items and turn to find Hade looking over the room, taking it all in. Not an ounce of jealousy or malice shows on his face—only curiosity and a need to know more.

“Here.” I shove a dry shirt and trousers into his hands, and he looks down at them in shock. “They might be a little snug and short on you since you’re bigger than Theo, but they should work well enough for tonight.”

He shoves them back towards me in protest. “I’ll be fine in my clothes.”

Huffing, I shove them back into his chest. “Don’t be ridiculous.

You are soaked to your bones, and I can tell your thighs are chafing by the way you keep shuffling uncomfortably on your feet.

Theo would want you to have them anyways.

Trust me, he was the most giving person I knew.

Plus, he never even wore these. I bought them for him, but I liked them so much, I stole them before he even got to wear them. So technically, they are mine.”

I give him a look that says don’t fuck with me , and he rolls his eyes in return, grabbing the clothes from my hands and politely thanking me. We each turn and change into our dry clothes, which feels incredibly better.

We turn back to face each other, and a beat of silence passes between us. “I can’t sleep here,” I weakly admit, which he understands instantly, giving me an easy nod.

“I know a place in town that should have available rooms.”

I cock a brow at him, confused as to why he would know of a place down here.

“I’ve spent my fair share of time down here on missions for the Empress,” he admits.

I shake my head because that sounds about right with the people who live in my sector.

Gather up a bunch of rowdy dangerous misfits, and trouble usually follows.

I pick up my wet clothes and snag the extra shirt I pulled from Theo’s pile to bring back with me to Lunaria before following Hade out the front door.

I take one last look at the shack I used to call our home and feel at peace with leaving it behind.

Now, it just feels like four walls and a crumbling roof, nothing more.

Life keeps moving regardless of your circumstances, and it’s time I hop on the horse and keep riding along. Instead of Theo by my side, I’ll carry him in my heart.