Page 93 of Lust

Twenty-Five

Cronus led the way into Shade’s palace via a bewildering series of caves and underground tunnels. It had taken a day to reach the palace, and they’d slunk into the tunnels as night was falling. Eddie had no idea how far they’d traveled, but with the ever-present vibration through her soles, she’d been motivated to cover the distance fast.

As they journeyed through the tunnels, the harbinger of Wrath receded. “Does this mean we’ve lost him?”

Yesterday snorted. “Wrath is a hell prince. You don’t just lose them.”

“Perhaps.” Cronus padded along in front of her. “It is also probable that Shade’s aura is so strong within the palace that it masks him.”

Yesterday looked smug. “No way Wrath is giving up on you, Eddie.”

Her vision seemed to be near perfect in the dark. Accurate enough to make her want to wipe the smirk off Yesterday’s face. There went her temper again, sparking and spitting like a hot ember. Eddie breathed deep and counted to ten. Then another ten, and for good luck, she made it an even thirty.

The dim tunnel walls grew smoother and more honed as they walked. And now Eddie felt the pulse of Shade’s magic in her middle. It was like a slow seduction by her own body. The air smelled of musk and jasmine and caressed her skin like a soft touch.

The corridor ended in a gleaming onyx set of stairs leading up.

“Let me check first.” Cronus ascended the stairs slowly, his nose working the air, his hackles slightly raised.

He reached a large polished wooden door at the top and turned and nodded.

Eddie hurried after him.

The door was carved with images of demons and people. Very naked demons and people, doing very explicit things. Eddie’s cheeks heated, and she hurried through the door after Cronus.

“Oh.” She gasped as she stepped into the palace. Towering marble columns held a domed glass roof suspended above a lush atrium. Silken curtains fluttered languidly in the perfumed breeze and writhed around the columns like exotic dancers. A large rectangular pool filled the center of the atrium, colorful fish darting through its lapis lazuli depths. It was a space dedicated to beauty and pleasure. Big surprise. Not so much.

“We dare not linger.” Cronus nudged her with his nose. “The seal is this way.”

Despite the danger, Eddie wanted to linger. She wanted to sprawl in one of the shadowy alcoves filled with cushions that lined the atrium. She wanted to slip off her shoes and dip her feet into the water.

“Not bad.” Yesterday jammed his hands on his hips and looked around him. “But I was expecting more cavorting.”

“The master embodies lust.” Cronus gave Yesterday a decidedly ungentle nose shove that sent him sprawling. “That does not mean he indulges in lust all the time.”

Now Eddie had questions. Yes, more damn questions. She hurried to catch up with Cronus. “What does that mean?”

“Mistress.” Cronus stopped and stared at her with his red eyes. “There is a time for discussions, and I would suggest this is not it.”

“Okay.” He was totally right, but she still wanted to know. “Is Shade here?”

“Close,” Cronus said and nudged open a soaring wooden door.

Eddie caught another glimpse of anatomically impressive acts as she hurried after him. This room was even larger than the first. Three rows of pillars held up the ceiling, which was lavishly painted with busy figures. She wanted to stop and stare. The figures depicted above her were so beautifully painted they seemed to writhe and pulse with life. Or maybe that was just inside her. Need washed over her, peaking her nipples and pooling in her core.

A giant onyx throne covered in red silk took pride of place at one end of the hall on a raised dais. Eddie could picture Shade lounging amongst the scarlet silk. The image ramped up her rioting hormones another embarrassing notch.

Cronus padded to the throne and slipped behind it.

A set of double doors opened without him touching them, and a tsunami of lust almost dropped Eddie to her knees. She wanted and craved so many things. Her body was afire with need.

And there, in the middle of small a chamber, was what looked like a ten-foot round metal drum with sigils etched into its brassy surface. As she drew closer, Eddie saw slivers of light break through the sigils.

It became difficult to walk with the full-on lust override going on in her body. Sweat trickled down her face and snaked down her sides. Her shirt clung to her clammy skin. The friction of her leggings against her flesh was almost painful in its intensity.

“It is the seal.” Cronus looked at her sympathetically. “It is leaking lust.”

“What do I do now?” Eddie panted. Her skin felt too sensitive to touch. The closer she drew to the seal, the stronger the sensations coursing through her grew.

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