Page 48 of A Bond in Flames

The rest of my life could be only a matter of hours or days, so I guess he was right. I didn’t say that, though. When I talked about that, it angered him, and I currently had as much angry Death as I could handle. “You… th-think so?” He still hadn’t slid back out; he was still deep inside me, doing this subtle swivel of his hips, and goddess, it felt so fucking good. I was close to coming from just that. My pussy started clutching at him desperately.

“I know so, and if another male comes near you, I will tear him into tiny pieces, but not before I’ve made him scream for mercy.”

I couldn’t hold back; my pussy clamped down on him, and I cried out, coming for him and moaning his name.

“That’s it, wife, moan for me.” Then he lifted me away from the wall, pulled out, spun me to my front, shoved me down on the bed, and, dragging my ass in the air, slammed back inside me. His hand went between my thighs, and one of those long, scarred fingers slid over my clit while he pounded into me from behind. I came again, screaming this time, mindlessly clawing at the sheets.

His big body covered me, one hand curling around my throat, his mouth coming to my ear as he fucked me hard and fast. “You are mine, Zinnia, and I won’t fucking lose you, do you hear me? I won’t,” he said the last part in a way that resonated though the room like an oath.

All I could do was make an incoherent sound as the God of Death claimed me in the most primal of ways over and over again.

CHAPTER15

Zinnia

We were finallyon the last leg of the journey, and I gripped Zuri’s reins as she galloped through the forest. She’d healed while we were gone, but Raze had been sticking close to his mate since Death called for them after we walked through the gateway back into Limbo.

He nudged her every now and again, making her move where he wanted her, to keep her from edging too far ahead or putting any kind of distance between them at all. Zuri would make this high noise and shake her head in frustration, overwhelmed by his dominance. I got how she was feeling; the last few days, Death hadn’t left my side.

I glanced over at him. He’d invaded my life at fifteen years old, and had been completely unaware of how terrified I’d been of him or that the way he went about it had sent me down a dark path, driving me to go to extreme lengths to avoid him. I’d lost something precious as a consequence, far more than was fair, and that was before I’d been forced to leave my family and come here. After all of that, after all I’d lost, I never dreamed I’d actually like him. That I might actually enjoy his company—but I did.

The castle finally came into view, and Death galloped up to the stairs, his anticipation at seeing his brother awake for the first time in so many years palpable. He swung off Raze, and I eased off Zuri, stretching my aching body. Death had made good on his promise; he’d taken me at any opportunity, deeply and thoroughly, and there wasn’t a moment, not since the first time we were together, that I hadn’t felt him with me, inside me.

And I wanted him. Goddess, I wanted him all the damn time.

Shivering, I focused on taking off Zuri’s girth strap and glanced up when the doors swung open and Somnus strode out. He should be frail from never moving, never eating, only sleeping, but he wasn’t. He looked every bit the god he was.

Death grinned wide, taking the steps two at a time to greet him. I couldn’t take my eyes off them as they embraced, as Death said something to him low. Their connection was obvious, the love between them unmissable.

When they released each other, Somnus looked over at me. I lifted a hand in greeting, feeling awkward, not wanting to intrude on their reunion, but I also kind of knew him as well. He’d been here the entire time I had, even if he’d been asleep. He smiled, but it was strained.

Death strode back to me. “Come and join us.”

I shook my head. “You two have a lot to catch up on, right? Like thirteen years’ worth of gossip to share. I’m going to take a bath, snuggle with Hemy, and have a nap. I’ll join you afterward.” Death had regained his control somewhat since losing it completely on the ship, but I could tell it was a battle. He didn’t want to be angry, but it was still there.

“Okay, but don’t stay away too long,” he said and pressed a sweet kiss to my lips before he strode back to his brother, and they disappeared inside.

I’d said thanks to Zuri, and she and Raze had just trotted off when Egon hustled out, his horns glinting in the light. Hemlock was on his shoulder, and he squeaked, making excited noises when he saw me. I scooped him up and held him close. “I’ve missed you, my sweet baby.” He wriggled and squeaked some more, trying to get as close as he could to me, and I giggled when he tickled my neck.

“Thank you for taking such good care of Hemy. He’s happy, so I’m happy.”

“No thanks necessary, I assure you.” Egon took my bag. “I thought you might like a bath, my lady.”

“Are you saying I stink, Egon?”

His lips twitched. “Never.”

“Well, I do, and I’d love one.”

“Good, because I’ve drawn one for you,” he said.

We headed inside. “Have I ever told you that I love you?” I said and hooked my arm through his. “Because I do.”

He didn’t profess his love back to me, but I did see the corners of his lips curl up, and he patted my hand. “I am exceedingly glad you’re home safe.”

“You and me both. Were you bored without me?”

He made a rough sound that was absolutely a laugh. “Oh, most assuredly. The castle was a sad and lonely place without you stomping around and bickering with his lordship.”

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