Page 71 of Death and Desire

“It means you are not safe.”

“Not safe?”

“Seth knows the truth. He will do whatever it takes to possess the jewel.”

“How does he know about the jewel...your heart, I mean?”

“I wish I knew the answer.” Anubis drew her hand from his chest and held it in his. “The only one who knew of it was Ra.”

“Why was it so important to keep secret?” Violet asked, leaning closer, distracted by his comforting touch.

“In the right circumstances, it could be used to give immortality.”

“But Seth is already immortal. What good would that do?”

“With it, he could destroy anyone who challenged him.” Anubis’s confession drifted through the air like smoke. “He will use any and all means at his disposal to take the jewel.”

“Why would he come afterme?” Violet struggled to make the connection. Without the jewel, she was nothing. A worthless human to be crushed without effort.

Anubis pulled her into his embrace. Stunned, she fell against his solid warmth and wrapped her arms around his neck. He buried his nose in her shoulder, inhaling deeply. She shivered and clung tighter to him, ignoring the way her body reacted to being cradled to his towering form.

“He will come for you because of me.” His soft nose teased the skin of her neck. “Because of our bond. Because...”

Violet held her breath, basking in his confession. Her hold on him tightened.

“I desire no other as I do you,” he finished.

She drew back, forcing him to meet her gaze. His golden eyes burned with flicking heat. “You desire me?”

“With every fiber of my being.” His voice reverberated through her. “Since that stolen moment of passion in the garden, I can think of nothing but you. Nothing can purge the memory of my fingers deep in your slick heat or the sweet sounds of your pleasure.” He licked his teeth again. “I want to taste you. Devour you. Nothing will sate this hunger. Desire has consumed me. I long for you alone, my little flower.”

Violet shuddered when Anubis slid his hand from her waist to her thigh. The folds of her dressing gown fell open, and she wrapped her legs around his hips. All that lay between them were his gilded kilt and the silk of her undergarments.

She rocked against him, craving the heat of friction and the pleasure he promised.

“Anubis, show me.” She sighed against his muzzle and pressed a soft kiss to his midnight skin. “I am yours.”

---