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A cheron watched as all the demons fled Vegas. While grateful for that fact they were going, there was one demon in particular he searched for. “Where’s Simi?”

With a bad cut on his forehead, Styxx looked sick to his stomach. “Thorn took her and vanished. I’m sorry. I tried to get to her and failed.”

Ash could feel his blood rush through his veins. More than that, he felt his horns rise from his head and knew his eyes must be glowing. “He did what ?”

Styxx winced before he answered. “Took her. I would assume to Azmodea.”

One of the few places Ash dared not go. Unmitigated fury tore through him. “Shadow!” he roared.

Shadow appeared instantly, then froze when he looked at Acheron in his full demonic form. “Whoa … you look like a blue Charonte. What’s up, boss man?”

Styxx answered for him. “Thorn took Simi.”

“Okay, let’s define some terms. I know Thorn. I know Simi. What do you mean he ‘took’ Simi?”

“He flew off with her while we were in battle.” Acheron enunciated each word slowly so that Shadow would understand them and the amount of anger he was holding back.

Shadow nodded. “’Kay. We’re still mad at Thorn. Got it. He did something profoundly stupid.”

“I’m thinking they flew to Azmodea,” Styxx said.

“Good bet. And I now see why I’m here. You”—Shadow looked at Acheron—“want me to go retrieve her.”

“Or take me in.”

“Yeah … no. Not a good idea. The blue lady and major asshole don’t need to get their hands on you in their Private Idaho. That would be worse than this Strip littered with bodies.”

“You know what would be worse?” Acheron asked.

“Me wasting any more time. I’m going to retrieve your demon.” Shadow vanished.

Styxx looked up at him. “You doing all right?”

“Am I still blue?”

“Yeah and fully horned.”

“Then why did you ask?”

“Stupidity.” Styxx pointed to his bleeding forehead. “Pretty sure I took one too many hits to my head and it knocked loose my last remaining brain cell.”

“I thought you said I knocked that out centuries ago.”

Styxx laughed until Bethany appeared by his side.

“You’re hurt? What did they do to you?”

Styxx dodged her hands. “I’m fine. Simi’s the one we need to worry about.”

Bethany froze. “Simi?”

“Thorn has her.” Just saying those words made Acheron want to choke the demon with his own entrails. When he got to them …

He would make Thorn regret ever being born.

“Yo! Thorn? My demon … where are you?”

Thorn froze as he heard Shadow’s voice calling out through his castle.

Simi’s eyes widened. “He sounds pissed,” she whispered to Thorn.

Yes, he did. And Thorn knew why.

“We’re in the theater room.”

Shadow appeared instantly, then pulled up short. “I see the ‘we.’ Have you any idea how stupid and reckless that is?”

Thorn sighed heavily. “Yes, I do. And I’m pretty sure Acheron is the reason you’re here.”

“You know it.”

“On a scale of one to ten?—”

“He’s ninety.”

Thorn cringed. He could just imagine. “Over my attack on the humans?”

“Screw that. Over Simi.”

That was what he was afraid of. Acheron didn’t play when it came to his children. Especially his eldest daughter.

“ And because of the bodies,” Shadow added. “He’s really unhappy about those. More pissed over Simi. But the body count just makes it all the worse. Why did you do it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Thorn—”

“No, Shadow. I mean it. I don’t know what happened to me. I lost something.”

He scowled. “How do you mean?”

“I … I can’t even explain what happened. I was me and then I wasn’t. It’s like a fever dream I had until I saw Simi and brought her here. Then I found myself again and had clarity.”

“That is not going to save your ass. You know that, right?”

Sadly, he did. He’d screwed up in a major way.

“You have to send Simi back to Acheron.”

No! That word resonated in his soul. “I can’t do that, Shadow.”

“If you don’t … There’s no telling what Ash will do to you. But I do know that I wouldn’t want to be you.”

Simi pushed Shadow back two steps. “Tell akri that his Simi is safe.”

Shadow let out a nervous laugh. “Oh, I’m not about to do that. I like my body parts in their current location, and I have no desire to turn Acheron into Picasso.”

His heart breaking, Thorn glanced to Simi, then back to Shadow. “How do we resolve this?”

“No idea. Your killing spree was quite impressive.”

“I don’t even know how it happened. I went to kill my father and the next thing I knew … I don’t know if it was something they did to me or the insanity of being trapped for centuries.”

“Where were you?” Shadow asked.

“The lowest pit of the dungeon. I didn’t even know they went that far down. I couldn’t hear or see anything … I just went insane.”

Shadow nodded. “Look, I’m going to give you two some room, but you need to decide what you’re going to do. And you need to decide that fast.”

“Are you planning to tell Acheron?” Thorn asked.

“About the two of you? Hell no! That’s your job. I’m going back to lie to him. I have no idea what I’m going to say. But I will give you both some advice. The longer you wait, the worst this will get. Tell him soon. Rip off the band-aid.”

Thorn knew he was right. They needed to face this.

He inclined his head to Shadow before he returned and left him alone with Simi.

“What are you planning, Thorny?”

“Nothing really.” Because he just realized that while he’d confessed his love for her, she hadn’t said it back.

A part of him was tempted to keep her regardless. But that wasn’t fair to her, especially if she didn’t love him in turn.

No, he could never hurt his Simi.

Fine then. He’d go to Acheron and, if he was lucky, the Atlantean might finally put him out of his misery.

Ash paced the small living room of his daughter’s condo while he waited for Shadow’s return. And he better return hauling a demon in his wake.

Otherwise, Acheron was going to go into Azmodea, consequences be damned.

“It’ll be okay, Poppy. Shadow’s got this.”

Ash offered Mia a smile. “Thank you, Miakey.”

Smiling back, she flounced off toward her bedroom. Thorn was lucky neither of his grandkids or daughter had been harmed in the fighting.

“Ash?” Tory asked in a chiding tone. “What are you doing?”

He hated that his wife could see through him so easily. “I’m on the verge of taking a trip.”

“Don’t you dare! Not unless you want me to go with you.”

And she would, too. He knew that for a fact. Tory was the most obstinate person he’d ever met.

Suddenly, a flash lit the room as Shadow returned.

Ash stood up. “What happened?”

“Simi’s safe.”

“But?” Acheron asked.

“No buts. She’s safe and Thorn will return her. He promised.”

“You sure?”

Shadow nodded. “Give them a little time.”

Those silver eyes turned red. “I’m not a patient being.”

“I know, but rushing this will only play into the hands of the two gods your mother hates most.”

He was right and Ash hated him for it. “Fine. But they better not make me wait too long.”

“How long can I keep you before Acheron gets stupid?”

Simi snorted. “Akri probably passed that point two seconds after you grabbed me.”

He had a feeling she was right.

His common sense begged him to return her. But he’d never had much sense. In fact, he profaned it as it often impeded him in the past.

Before he let her go though, there was one thing he had to know. “I told you I loved you, Simi. You didn’t?—”

“I love you, too, Thorny-man.”

The relief inside him was palpable. He hadn’t realized until she said those words how much of his sanity was tied to this …

Demon. Precious, precious demon.

His heart pounded as knelt before her. He had never felt quite like this—so vulnerable and strong. All at the same time. Her eyes shone with an intensity that took his breath away.

“Simi,” Thorn said softly, his voice heavy with emotion. “I’ve loved you for centuries—” Literally. “Even when I didn’t fully realize it.”

She looked at him, and he didn’t think. He closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was soft and sweet at first, but as they both fell deeper into the moment, it became bolder, and more passionate … less clumsy, intense.

Simi’s fingers tangled in Thorn’s hair, gripping lightly as their tongues danced, and she moaned deep and low in her throat, the sound thrilling him to no end. It sent his heart into a skitter and he deepened the kiss, encouraged by her reaction.

Every graze of their lips ignited a burning desire that spread through his body like wildfire.

His breathing ragged, Thorn pulled back slightly, his hands still roaming Simi’s body, exploring every curve and dip. “Simi … I don’t want to be without you. If you stay, we can find a way to make this work …” His voice was desperate, his eyes pleading.

She cupped his face with her hands, her voice scarcely more than a whisper, “I want to stay, Thorn. I do.”

He knew it was the truth …

But there was a “but” hanging in the air.

He didn’t want her to say it out loud. He found her lips again, pressing his mouth against hers, insisting. That kiss heightened the intensity of his desire and his love for her.

Gods help him. Their kisses were like a never-ending feast, each more delicious than the last. The taste of her lips, soft but insistent, was the sweetest thing he had ever experienced. It was like ambrosia, leaving him craving more. But as much as he wanted this … wanted her … a part of him knew they couldn’t continue.

Acheron would kill him. Plain and simple.

Even so, he couldn’t stop himself as she melted into his kiss. He reveled in it, ignoring the small voice at the back of his mind reminding him of the reality of their situation. Reminding him of what this kiss might ultimately cost him.

She closed her eyes, her long lashes brushing her flushed cheeks, and he drew her fully into his embrace, like a starving man at his last meal. Her body molded perfectly against his, soft curves meeting hard planes. Thorn’s hands roamed over her back, tracing the delicate outline of her wings. Simi shivered at his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips.

“Thorny …” she breathed, her voice thick with desire, and he kept going, wanting to savor every moment, every sensation. His hands skimmed her body as if memorizing every curve and plane as she returned his fervent kisses with equal passion. The heat between them was electric, sparks of desire crackling in the air. Her body pressed against his, her arms wrapping about his neck as their lips moved together in a long, passionate dance.

Their heartbeats pounded in unison, a primal rhythm that echoed in their ears.

Simi’s body felt like a river of molten heat at the touch of Thorn’s lips, but as she gave in to his passion, a nagging voice in the back of her mind reminded her of the harsh reality that threatened to tear them apart.

Her akri would never approve of this.

Even so, this was a moment that suspended time itself, their souls merging and their hearts beating as one.

Simi never wanted it to end.

The air, mixed with Thorn’s familiar musk, created a heady aroma that consumed her.

Akri will be so mad. But for once she didn’t care. Simi craved this intimacy with her precious demon. Thorn was everything to her and she was willing to upset her akri to have this one special person.

Forever …

Pulling away, Thorn looked up and captured her gaze with his. “Simi … I know Acheron is going to kill me and I won’t be able to stop that. But I can’t go the rest of eternity without you. I’m willing to give up anything to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Marry me?”

Never once in all these centuries she’d been alive had she ever hoped to hear those words.

But …

“I can’t, Thorny.”

The disappointment in his eyes shredded her heart. “No, listen,” she said quickly. “This is not because of you. The Simi doesn’t want akri to destroy you.” Tears filled her eyes as panic consumed her. “Don’t you see, Thorny? He kilted Nick. Granted he didn’t mean to, but he did. I can’t let akri do that to you. The heifer might not bring you back. Then what would I do? How could the Simi live without her Thorny?”

His grip tightened as he brought her hands to his lips and kissed them. “Okay. I get it. But if I can convince Acheron?—”

“No, no, no. No! You can’t talk to him about this. Akri a little nuts, and the Simi doesn’t want you hurt.”

“I don’t want me hurt, either. But I don’t want to be here without you, Simi. I’d rather be dead.”

Tears stung her eyes. “The Simi couldn’t live if you were kilted because of me.”

Rising to his feet, he flashed her an adorable grin. “Trust me, Sim. I’m charming. I’ll win him over.”

While she agreed he was charming, she doubted if it would ever work on akri. “What if you don’t?”

“I have to. My heart depends on it, and I swore that I would never make you unhappy. That starts with dealing with Acheron.”

Before she could say another word, he vanished.

Simi gasped as she realized what he was going to do which was the stupidest thing he could.

“Akri’s going to kill him.” And she wasn’t sure if she could stop it.