Page 41 of Kiss of Death

He came to a stop, his cape shifting for a second at my sudden appearance.

“And it’s cheap.”

He turned to look at me, his expression as stoic as it’d been with my father. A moment of silence passed between us before he continued forward, walking out the double doors to the courtyard with the olive trees.

I followed him. “You think impressing my father will get what you want?—”

He turned back to me in a rush, his massive size having the fluidity of a hunting shark. “Yes. He’s the person whose opinion matters most to you, and I wanted him to know that I’ve earned you?—”

“I’m not a trophy that you can earn. I told you I love someone else.”

“You love a man that you’ll never have, Lily.” He took a step closer to me. “In what scenario do you get the ending you want? Tell me your genius plan, because I would love to hear it.”

I took a step back, my breathing uneven because I was so angry…and so hurt.

His eyes shifted back and forth as he waited for the answer.

But I didn’t have one, and he knew it.

“He wasn’t here.” He thumped his closed fist against his chest. “I was.”

“I had his strength?—”

“But you had my sword and my navy and my army.” His eyes widened as the anger danced across his face. “He wasn’t here because he either abandoned you or he’s dead…or whatever comes after for a demon like him.”

“He’snota demon.”

“So in either scenario, it doesn’t work.”

I took another step back.

“Tell me how it works.”

“I—I don’t know?—”

“Because it doesn’t. And after you accept that and take some time to move on, you know where to find me. Because I’ll be waiting for you. Waiting for the woman who burns in my heart with a flame that could consume the world.”

It was the most romantic gesture any man had ever made for me, but my heart was still locked in the vault that only Callum could open. It’d been weeks since I’d seen his face, and I was uneasy and scared of what that meant, but my heart still didn’t falter.

“When your father questions you about that conversation that just took place, you won’t tell him about the man you love—because you know he would never accept it. The ferocity and rage that he’ll exude will burn hotter than the fire from his dragon’s snout. He will never accept it—and you know he won’t. I may be a creature without a soul that consumes the blood of mortals, but I’m far more worthy than a demon.”

“He would accept it, and he would help me.”

All he did was shake his head slightly.

“He will.”

Now Viper stared at me with pity, like I’d lost my mind.

“He’ll listen to me. I know he will.”

Viper seemed to have lost interest in the conversation because he angled his head slightly and looked elsewhere. “You know where to find me, Lily.” He started to turn away.

“I can’t believe you did this,” I said as I shook my head. “I told you I loved Callum, and you forced your way into my life anyway. Used your aid in the battle as leverage with my father. Strategically manipulating the situation to get what you want.”

He stared at me again, calm as always. “And?”

The heavy breath left my lungs automatically, ferocity burning my veins.