Page 59 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

Clutchinghis hand, she said, “Thischanges everything.Rescindyour vow.Westay.”

Hefaced her. “AllIhave to do is keep you protected long enough for me to trace us.”

Shelooked aghast. “You’renot even going totryto avoid being scratched?”

Heopened his arms to her. “That’snot the mission, love.”

NINETEEN

OnethingPoppyhad learned from her years as a mercenary?Ina crisis, people revealed themselves.

Rökwas revealing himself as exactly what he’d said earlier.

Ahero of old.

Shegazed up at him.Hewas so stalwart, even as a primordial ghoul—the bogeyman of them all—prowled mere feet away.DespiteRök’srevulsion toward undead creatures, he was ready to become one to protect her.

Shewent into his arms.

Againsther hair, he promised, “I’mgoing to kill them all,Poppy.Eventhe primordial.Resteasy on that score.”

“Andyou’re going to pay the ultimate price.”Shewas tempted to knock him unconscious and drag him into hiding.Buteven if she managed to drop a statue bust on his head, the blow would just piss him off. “Thisisn’t the way.”

“No?”Hedrew back to face her. “Youknow me;I’ma demon through and through.Couldanything be more demonic than charging horns-first into hell to defend my cherished mate?Poppy,Iwas fuckingbornfor this.”

Buthadn’t she been born to protect him as well?Eachscenario they’d discussed assumedRökbearing the brunt—because she was defenseless.

Outof pouches.Outof luck.

Shockcoursed through her.Isthis really happening?Realityfelt dreamlike, a horror movie in slow motion.

Hecaught her gaze. “Here’sthe plan.SinceIhave no idea what the primordial’s toxin will do,I’lltrace you toErol’s.IfIturn quickly, the immortals there will make short work of me.IfIhave more time,I’llreturn here.TellCadeto send my crew on a bug hunt to off me.”

“Yousaid you wanted me to cure you!”Moretears pricked her eyes.

“Ithought better of that plan.WhatifIattack you?Ican handle this fight, butIcan’t handle the idea of my harming you.Besides, now that you can control your curse, you’ve got no limitations.Thisis myEndingofEverything—but it’s not yours.Ifyou live on, then every stepI’veever taken to get to this point was worth it.Iwant you to get over me and get on with life.You’reyoung.AWiccancan move on.”

“Fuckyou,Rök,” she quietly said, tears spilling over. “You’remy mate too.”

Agust of breath left him. “Yeah?”

Shenodded. “Youasked me whenIknew about you.Onour date,Ithought:He’sthe one.It’snever faded, even whenIwishedIcould hate you.”

Heleaned down to kiss her damp cheek. “Thisisn’t whatIwanted for you.”Hisvoice was hoarse. “Hadbig plans for us, you know?ButIscrewed up.Ishould’ve talked to you.Icould’ve helped you with the curse.Younever would’ve had to come here.Now. . .I’mleaving you.”

Thequestion kept repeating:Reallyhappening?Theghouls grew quiet, as if to emphasize the coming moment, the culmination of a thirteen-hundred-year life.

Asob escaped her.Sheswiped tears, but they kept falling. “I-Iwill find a way to bring you back.Youwill come back to me.”Unlessthe brutal immortals atErol’sdispatched him.

Röktightened his arms around her. “Hey, hey, none of that.”

Betweensobs, she whispered, “Ilove you.”

“Howcould you not?”

Hollowlaugh.

“Forthe record,Ilove you too,Poppy.”

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