Page 47 of Sweet Violence
He laughed, ducking lower to run his nose along my neck, pressing a kiss behind my ear. "You're absolutely perfect. I don't want anyone else."
"Yeah, I seem to inspire that sort of obsession. No idea why—I'm really not that amazing."
Dev straightened in a rush. "If anyone else said those words, I'd cut out their tongue."
Ooookay.
"There's no better candidate for the queen of Hell, because there's no better equal for me. Who else would match my thirst for blood, my hunger for power, and my need for affection?"
"Uh, a bunch of people?"
Dev raised an eyebrow. "You think you're so common, Aveline? There is no one like you in any realm. Which brings me to the reason I asked to see you."
"Because you missed my sharp wit and unbelievable beauty?" I guessed.
He kissed the space between my eyebrows, lips curved into a smile. "Because I have another mission for you."
"Ooh!" I perked up, my eyes brightening. "More people to kill? Well, I didn't actuallykillanyone the first time, but I would have. If the chance had come up."
"I don't doubt that," he agreed fondly. "But this task will be much harder. The Band of Umber were long suspected to be pacifists—"
"You could've toldme," I muttered, my expression darkening. "I thought I was gonna get a fun fight."
"Butthe training house will be anything but straightforward and easy."
"Those are my least favourite things anyway." I shrugged, excitement fizzing in my belly. A real fight, with real assholes. "I'm gonna need a solid supply of candy floss to take with me."
"That will be arranged," he promised. "I also took the liberty of importing a crate of popping candy packets. You've never mentioned it, but it struck me as something you'd love, so I ordered some for you to try."
My heart did a strange little flip-flop. "Which flavour?"
"Every one that exists on Earth," he replied, smiling—probably at the crazed grin that crossed my face. He caressed my cheek with the soft pad of a finger. "I'm not one to involve myself in murder hands-on—I much prefer using my power to manipulate people into doing the job themselves—"
"Lazy," I quipped, making his smile deepen.
"However, an idea occurred to me, and I want to share it with you." He paused, watching me with unhidden affection. "I know you'll love it, and I know for a fact you've never considered it."
"Alright," I said, my heart still beating erratically. "Hit me with it."
"Popping candy requires liquid to set off the reaction, yes?"
"Yeah," I agreed, frowning a little.
"There are no rules that state the liquid cannot be blood. I know your favourite method is asphyxiation with candy floss, but sometimes wounds and knives are inevitable. Perhaps you could pour candy into their fatal wounds and—"
"Snap, crackle, and pop! I love it!"
Dev grinned, his fiery eyes twinkling. "I knew you would." He ducked to kiss me, and I melted into him for long minutes.
"You're one sick, twisted bastard, you know that?" I murmured against his lips, my tone soft and sensual.
"I'm quite aware," he replied, laying a last kiss on my lips. "That's why I've found my match in you."
I rolled my eyes, but my chest fluttered with warmth. Ugh, these demon bastards were going to make me as content and purring as a house cat.3
"We're tabling this queen shit until later. I'm more than happy being queen consort—it's fancy, but with no responsibilities. Fits me perfectly."
"If you wish," Dev agreed, his hands wandering down my back.
