Page 11 of Horns of Wicked Ebony (Deathcaller Duet #2)

I fled the sun as I ducked into my tent, a bundle hidden behind my back. My mate lounged in the late afternoon heat, the hounds snoozing on either side of her. She sat up as the flaps whispered closed behind me and offered me a soft smile.

“Did you get some sleep?” I asked her, pausing at the foot of the bed.

She stretched her arms overhead and yawned. “A little.” Then, she glanced at the clock. “Will they be arriving soon?”

The Angels were coming to meet that evening, Zahal Ishim included.

Which was why I’d made a quick trip to the clothier after our earlier combat lessons.

The black leather armor weighed heavy in my hands as I revealed it.

I’d debated about seeing the blacksmith, but metal plates would only slow her down when I needed her to be agile.

Besides me, no one else in the army wore black.

The officers donned red metal armor that matched the color of their eyes, while most of the soldiers wore tanned leather uniforms. Other bits of red metal appeared here and there, depending on the weapon of choice.

Some bracers protected arms of those who preferred a closer combat style, while helmets and neck guards wrapped around the heads of the archers who took to the skies with Rapp.

Assyria’s almond-shaped burgundy eyes danced with excitement. She knew as well as I did the symbolism of my gift. Out here, there were no exquisite jewels, and I’d never be able to offer her a crown.

That wasn’t what Assyria wanted from me.

“Thank you,” she breathed, accepting the clothes. She ran her lithe fingers over the smooth fabric before setting the pile gently on our bed. Gripping the bottom of her tunic with both hands, she tore it overhead, revealing the band around her breasts. My cock jumped to attention at the sight.

Calm down, now is not the time.

Rather than linger on my lustful thoughts, I focused on strapping into my own gear.

By the time I grabbed my ebony horned helmet, Assyria was fully dressed and in the process of plaiting her long, dark hair.

The thick rope of braid nearly reached the bottom of her ribs once she tied it off.

She flicked it over her shoulder and lifted her chin. “Ready.”

Down the bond, however, her nervousness speared straight into me. All of the highest ranking officers in the Angel army would be in attendance, along with a few others—Zaph included.

His presence was entirely intentional on the Zahal’s part.

For me, not wringing his neck on sight would be a victory on its own; for Assyria, not faltering under the memory of what he had done to her, to us, would be her challenge.

I stepped forward and lifted her chin even higher with the tips of my fingers.

“You are mine, Assyria. I will always protect you.” Then, I crashed my lips against hers, letting my kiss convey everything I would do for her.

I tossed my helmet onto the bed and then flattened my palms on her lower back, bringing her body flush with mine.

Her mouth opened for me immediately, and I swept my tongue against hers, tasting rich berries while the scent of roses flooded my nostrils. I inhaled deeply, intoxicated by it and by her. A whimper slipped out of her as I squeezed her firm ass and rolled my hips into hers.

Then, I nipped her tongue and leaned back. A flush decorated her cheeks, and her bow-shaped lips were cherry-red. “We’ll continue that later,” I growled, bringing a hand up to her throat and brushing my thumb across the underside of her jaw.

“Let’s,” she rasped, swallowing. I watched her throat bob. Perhaps I’d have to have my dick in there too.

I reached past her for my mask. It slipped over my head like a second skin, and Assyria plunged her teeth into her bottom lip as she looked up at me. “Do I scare you, little imposter?”

“Didn’t you once tell me you’d make it a point to do so?” she grinned, cocking her head to the side.

The memory of our first conversation burst into my mind.

I’d been so fucking furious then—remained that way for weeks—and I had wanted to scare her into submission.

Control was something I did not surrender, not for anyone.

Yet Assyria had gained victory after victory with her persistence and her fire.

“Perhaps I need to reinstate that promise,” I growled.

Her pupils darkened. “It’s much more attractive when you frighten other people. Especially on my behalf.”

A sinister laugh rumbled in my chest. “Is that what you want from me tonight, Assyria? You want me to terrorize the Angels enough that they piss themselves?”

Her lips curved into a feral grin. “Please.”

A groan slipped out of me unbidden. “I do like when you beg.”

Lust flooded our bond, and all I could think about was bending her over this bed and fucking her senseless. Rapp saved me from the sin of Assyria’s temptation when he called out, “Are you two ready to go?”

Lungs filling with air, I counted to ten. Then I exhaled slowly, willing my cock to shrink. “Aye,” I grumbled, grabbing Assyria’s hand and leading her out of the tent. Grem and Zeec popped to their feet and trotted behind us.

Tension draped the air like a heavy fog, though the sky was crystal clear. The sun dug its way over the horizon, painting the camp in long shadows. Fires sparked into the sky, smoke sliced through by angry shouts.

Satisfaction curled through me as I strode forward.

The Angels were here.

Trol would ensure they awaited my arrival, another move carefully designed to show them just how at my mercy they were.

Not that I had any to offer them. Especially after their treatment of my mate.

The scars where the stakes had speared through my skin itched, and I smothered the urge to touch them.

Assyria’s warm skin against mine soothed the ache there instead.

Rapp fell into step with us, and together, we marched upon the command center.

The volume of the crowd grew louder as we approached, and the reverberation of beating chests and stomping feet crashed through the canvas separating us from the general army.

Despite the unrest at the announcement of our new direction, the males had banded together in our time of need because we all faced a common enemy, one whose threat united us no matter what else wedged its way into our lives—the Angels.

Their zealotry connected them just the same in their shared hatred of Demons and belief that they had to exterminate us from this world.

That was why this war had been so brutal and why I had to ensure the Demons emerged victorious .

We paused at the rear, listening for who might wait within. Trol’s gruff tone drifted through, speaking in the common tongue to who I assumed were the Angel’s representatives.

A melodic voice echoed back, also in the common tongue. “Where is the Halálhívó? We were supposed to meet with him.”

“He will arrive shortly,” Trol replied. I looked to Rapp, who merely dipped his chin. He eased open the flap and entered, silent as the snakes that slithered through the desert.

Assyria squeezed my hand, and I glanced down at her, finding a devious smile etched on her lips.

We both knew we’d stand there a few minutes longer, testing the patience of the fanatics.

I’d instructed her on exactly how she needed to act in front of them, and to my utter surprise, she’d taken the direction without too much of a fight.

The Angels grumbled amongst themselves in their tongue, muttering obscenities about the lawlessness and disrespect the Demons offered and why they shouldn’t have expected any different.

“Are you listening?” I asked Assyria through our mental connection. We’d practiced for hours over the past few days, and Assyria had put all her effort into learning. That she took this mission so seriously made me want to kiss her endlessly.

“Yes,” she replied. “One commented on Rapp’s piercings when he entered.”

“Very good,” I praised, my tone like a tumble of rocks into her mind.

Her tongue flicked out and wetted her lower lip.

Another minute passed, and then, I shifted my weight and rolled my shoulders.

I’d waited long enough to prove my point.

Releasing Assyria, I stepped forward and grasped the flap.

“Search,” I barked at Grem and Zeec. Their tails wagged as they disappeared into the dim light.

Assyria ducked under my arm a moment later, and I let the canvas smack closed behind me as we entered.

A cry of alarm rippled through the Angels as Grem and Zeec speared between them, taking long sniffs at their legs.

Zeec stopped short in front of one and released a menacing growl.

To my delight, it was Zaph. The insect flinched away as Zeec spun on his heel and trotted to his place on the left hand side of the throne of bones.

A low, menacing laugh rumbled in my chest as I strode into the room, a hand on Assyria’s lower back.

All eyes ripped to me. I said nothing else as we stepped onto the dais.

My mate’s expression was harder than the basalt pillars that held Gyor Palace together.

Firmly locked on Zaph, she rounded the throne and stood on the right side of it, Grem at her feet.

I turned my back on the Angels in a show of just how little threat they posed to me.

When I sank into the seat, I dug my fingers into the skulls at the edge of the arms, drawing their attention to their deceased brethren.

A muscle feathered in the Zahal’s jaw, and his ice blue eyes were colder than the glaciers in the Skala Mountains.

The leader of the Angel army was not an imposing figure; in fact, if I’d met him on the streets of Sivy, I’d have assumed he belonged to the merchant class at best. While he was tall, he was also lithe, with little by way of muscle to intimidate his adversaries.

I could easily wrap my fist around his ribs and splinter him from the inside out.