Page 256 of The Spider Queen

Thane dipped his head and then grasped the leather reins. The gigantic lizard turned in a circle, flapped its wings, and then sprang into the air. They flew off into the sky, and I watched them until they disappeared from my sight.

I’ll be back before you know it.

You better check in with me once a day.

Yes, dear.

I snorted.

Don’t think about going silent and blaming it on lack of cell service or going through a wind tunnel.

I’m losing you…I’m losing you… Just kidding. I’ll reach out when I get to Olympus.

I laughed and inhaled a deep breath. I turned and went back inside and got down to business helping souls find their afterlives.

The morning passed in a daze. It didn’t matter how many wagons of souls I worked through; it seemed like I would never make a dent.

Cassandra brought me lunch, and I stopped for a short break. “It’s a thankless job,” I muttered, taking the sandwich she held out to me.

She laughed. “You’re unbelievable.”

“What?”

“You were complaining about not having a purpose. Now that you have one, you’re complaining about it.” I blinked. Her humor fell from her face. “Oh, I’m sorry. That was too bold—”

My peals of laughter echoed through the throne room. “You’re so right! I’m unbelievable!”

Cass giggled, obviously relieved I wasn’t upset.

I quickly finished my meal and then got back to work. Thane reached out late in the afternoon to say he was settled on Olympus and that tomorrow they’d start tracking the Titans. By dinnertime, I was completely exhausted. I realized I wouldn’t be able to keep the same hours as Thane—he wasn’t pregnant. So I listened to my body and headed to my bedroom. I thought about taking a soak in the bathing pool, but I realized I was even too tired for that.

I slipped into a nightgown and pulled back the covers. As I climbed into bed, my gaze went to the clear blue bottle on the bedside table. A white piece of paper rested next to the bottle. Curiosity had me reaching for it.

Drink this on the first night I’m gone. You’ll miss me less.

I uncorked the top and then brought the bottle to my lips. It smelled like nectar and dreams fulfilled. Ambrosia, maybe? I took a sip and warmth curled through me. I took a healthier swallow.

Heat bloomed inside my heart, and my skin flushed with pleasure.

I set the bottle back on the bedside table, careful not to let it spill. I felt drunk and happy. Leaning back against the pillows, I closed my eyes and stifled a giggle.

Thane’s side of the bed dipped.

“Did you come into some sifting powers like Gabriel?” When he didn’t answer, I asked, “Or is this a powerful illusion spell? What did you give me? A drink sprinkled with angel dust?” My hand reached out to touch Thane’s wrist.

Instead of warm skin, I encountered cool flesh.

My eyes snapped open, and I choked on a scream.

The man was terrifying and beautiful. Dark hair. A cruel mouth. Electric indigo blue eyes. Skin so fair I wondered if it had ever been kissed by the sun.

“Hello, Poppy.”

His voice was melodious yet horrifying. It was a voice that could command a legion of soldiers to march off a cliff to their own deaths. It was a voice that could make a woman weep as she stripped out of her clothes and offered herself to him.

He was lust and sin and greed and pain.

He was all that and more.