The Darkest Craving (Lords of the Underworld #10)(57)
Author: Gena Showalter

Wed…Tink, he thought. Tink. His bride. His wife.

His. Forever.

Happiness bloomed, as warm and bright as a ray of sunshine.

No! Disaster screamed, and the floor beneath Kane’s feet cracked. I’ll kill her! Kill her so dead!

Kane tripped, hit his knees on one of the steps. Could he really subject Tink to the demon’s rages forever?

No. He couldn’t.

But could he really wed Synda?

Maybe he should call his friends. They would come. Sienna commanded a legion of immortal soldiers. Harpies could chew through an army with both hands tied behind their backs and their legs hobbled. Anarchy could destroy the world and laugh while doing it. War could be waged against the Fae, and Kane would be able to free Tink without having to wed anyone.

But what if someone he loved was hurt? How would he be able to live with himself? Worse, he would once again prove himself to be a failure, unable to achieve success on his own.

So, no. He had so little pride left. He wouldn’t go that route unless absolutely necessary.

“Okay, you’ve gone from turned on to pissed to dejected in three seconds. It’s quite entertaining, and I’m flattered—I’ve always known you were crushing on me—but now I want in. What are you planning?” William asked.

“I wish I knew.”

“Well, figure it out. The sooner you do, the sooner we can leave. If I have to go down on the queen one more time…” He shuddered. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s usually one of my favorite pastimes, but she’s given my tongue frostbite.”

“You think I’m not trying to figure this out?” he snapped. Whatever road he chose came with terrible consequences, and he was getting whiplash from deciding on one route, then changing his mind, then changing his mind again.

“You don’t want to know what I think.”

“You’re right. If you aren’t thinking about having sex, you’re thinking about getting sex.”

“I like that you know me so well. By the way, the queen and princess are playing some kind of game in the gardens tomorrow morning, and your Tinker Hell will be involved somehow. I suggest you make an appearance.”

Another attempt to humiliate Servant Josephina—and if he heard that title again he was going to erupt. “I will. And you do me a solid and keep your kids out of my way. They claimed to be my assistants, just to get close to Tink.”

“Well, yeah. It was my idea. They liked what she did for them and want more.”

Kane shoved William against the wall, his hand wrapping around the male’s windpipe and squeezing. “Your idea?”

Electric blues gleamed with amusement. “Yes, and this is the thanks I get? I did you a favor. You should appreciate having your enemy within reach. I would.”

Bit by bit Kane eased his hold. “They can’t have her. I’ll kill them if they try.” He might, anyway.

“Were you hit in the head? Of course I know that. Which is why I warned the boys about Lords of Pussywhip Manor and their women.” William motioned to the closed door in front. “And now, our little convo is over. This is a door to your hallway. Off you go, Candy Kane.”

Kane left him without another word. Thankfully, there were no guards in the area, saving him the complication of sneaking. Everyone assumed he was inside—with his mistress.

As quietly as possible, he fixed his lock and entered his room. He wondered what Tink was doing, if she was mad at him. He didn’t like the thought of her angry; he wanted her relaxed, happy.

He found her on the bed, buried under the covers. As he tiptoed forward, something in his chest softened. He reached the side of the mattress and gently pushed back the covers, desperate to see her face, perhaps brush his knuckles along her cheekbone. He saw…a bunched-up pillow?

As his mind sputtered to compute what this meant—had Tink done this or had someone done it for her? Was she safe?—he heard the rustle of clothing behind him. At his side, a shadow moved. Next, a quiet whistle caught his attention—glass being brandished through the air. Kane spun, and grabbed his would-be assailant.

A delicate bone structure registered first, followed by the heartwarming scent of rosemary and mint. Warm, soft skin. A feminine gasp. He realized it was Tink after he’d thrown her on the bed. She bounced up and down, and when she stilled she scrambled to press against the headboard, disheveled hair tumbling down her shoulders.

The vase she’d held shattered on the floor. Several pieces found their way into his shin.

He stood there, glaring down at her. “I could have killed you.”

“Well, what do you know? You almost kept the first promise you ever made me.” Eyes as dark as sapphires threw daggers at him.

Daggers that pierced him soul deep. He’d always experienced some kind of ache around her, but this was different. This affected every cell in his body, tearing him apart. “Is that what you still want? To die?”

“Right now I want you to die!” she huffed.

“Is that so?” he asked quietly.

The anger drained from her, and her gaze fell to the floor. “No. Okay. No. I’m sorry I said it. But I do think you need to learn a lesson. You trapped me in here, you…you…argh! I don’t know a name terrible enough.”

“I did you a favor. Seeing you in my clothes would have verified what everyone already thinks.”

“What does everyone think?”

He arched a brow.

“I knew it! They don’t just think I’m your property, they think I’m your slut!” She beat her little fists against the covers. When calm, she said, “But it doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t have mattered. No one would have seen me. I could have snuck to my room and stayed there.”

“You’re not exactly a girl who can be overlooked, Tink.” And he would have utterly destroyed any man who had gotten a glimpse of her. Like, body parts and organs would have littered the floor.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve been overlooked all my life.”

“Not by Leopold.”

“Yes, well, he’s out of commission right now, isn’t he?”

“Actually, no. He’s already healed.” Kane eased onto the side of the bed, trying not to allow her nearness to affect his body this time—failing, as always. “Don’t tell me you’re upset about what I did to your brother.”

“I’m not. I’m grateful. It’s just that I had—”

“Chores. I know. They’ve been outsourced.”