Page 46 of Sweet Violence
"And you gave it to him?" I asked dubiously, peering up at his rough face.
"I did," he agreed. "Though I had my reservations, so he was only given a quarter vial."
"You're a soft touch," I said with disbelief. "I'm surprised you gave him anything."
"I'll doanythingfor my loved ones." He ducked his head and met my stare, claws skimming up and down my back. "But you're right, I was an idiot."
I snorted.
"And he delivered my blood to the Eidolon, expecting mercy. Christian slaughtered him, his mate,andtheir children."
I flinched hard, a clang of horror going through my whole body. "He killed his mate?"
Why was my heart racing? Slamming against my ribs? Why was it suddenly a battle to breathe?
"Yes. He would have killed yours if Arkan hadn't stepped away from his post."
I frowned, ignoring my heart which had grown rotary blades and was trying to spin its way out of my chest. "That doesn't sound like Arkan."
Dev's lips pressed thin, his nostrils flaring. "No. And he has yet to give me a good explanation for why he did so."
"He feels like shit about it if that helps," I offered, not questioning why I was rushing to defend Arkan.
"It doesn't," Dev huffed. "But it's done. He'll tell me in his own time. The circle should rightly be exiled,allof them, but—actually, that's of no concern."
I narrowed my eyes at his evasion. "Spill, Devvy boy."
He gave me an amused look. "I still do not condone that choice of name."
"Well, tough shit."
I jumped when he leaned down to kiss me, chaste and sweet, making my heart beat crazy fast.
"They should be exiled, but I thought it would make you unhappy," he admitted, his eyes rippling with inner fire. "So they've been pardoned,butone more infraction and they'll be banned forever from entering Hell."
"Even Taj?" I asked, eyes wide.
"The whole circle pays for an individual’s actions. That's the way of Hell."
"That's crazy," I muttered, shaking my head. "And you and I both know Arkan wouldneverwalk away from his duty unless he had a damn good reason."
"A reason he refuses to share."
I rolled my eyes. "Since when has he been the touchy-feely, sharing feelings type?"
"Still," Dev insisted, brushing another kiss over my lips and ignoring my glare of warning. "One more infraction—"
"And you'll have to kickmeout too. Pretty sure I'm part of the circle now." I made a face. "Ididtry to get rid of them, but they're clingy, stalkery fuckers and now the thought of someone hurting them makes me want to burn the entire realm down."
Ah. I … hadn't meant to admit that. Even to myself.
Dev worked his jaw, his eyes flashing. "I wouldneverexile my queen," he hissed.
"Queen consort, you mean?"
"Only until we're married," he muttered, ignoring when I jolted in his arms. "Then I'll make you a ruling queen."
"Uh … Dev, I wouldn't make a good leader. I'd get power hungry, make a bunch of bullshit laws, probably let people starve to death, and then kill a horde of people. Zero out of ten, do not recommend."
