Page 100 of Dead Heat

“Don’t be. I enjoyed the memory.” As he cleared his throat, I could sense his struggle to get the conversation back on track. “Now that we’ve agreed to move forward with our relationship, I thought this might be a good time to discuss dealbreakers.”

“Dealbreakers?”

“In the relationship. I’m a demon from hell. You’re a goddess of the underworld.”

“We both have extramundane baggage. Got it.”

“Not only that, but our nonnegotiables will have a slightly different bent, as well as our preferences.”

I recoiled slightly. “What kind of preferences are wetalking about?” If he was about to spring some ancient demon sexual position on me… Well, it was Kane. I’d consider it.

“For instance, I only want to live in this realm. I have no interest in relocating again.”

I smiled. “Glad to hear you won’t be packing up and moving back to your circle of hell, despite Canto’s pleas.”

“To be honest, his visit to me is what prompted this discussion.”

I tipped back my head to look at him. “About that, there’s something I haven’t told you yet.” I spilled the pomegranate seeds about my visit to Hestia and the underworld.

His brow creased. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because I wasn’t sure it would even matter. If I don’t make it back from Helheim, none of this does.”

He wrapped an arm around me and squeezed. “It matters, Lorelei. All of it.” He brushed his lips against my cheek. “How would you feel about claiming the throne?”

“Are you worried I would? Because you shouldn’t be.”

“You’re one of the most honorable people I’ve ever met, Lorelei. If you’re truly needed in the underworld, I’m not sure you could resist their pleas.”

My smile faded. “You manage to make honor sound like a weakness.”

“It’s only my fear of losing you that’s a weakness, as we’ve already established.”

“Your sense of honor poses the same threat. What happens if you decide that Canto’s right and you should lead another revolution?”

“I agree it wouldn’t be fair to commit to you and then make such a life-altering decision.”

I squinted at him. “You’re not actually considering it, though, right? You told him hell no.”

His mouth twitched with amusement. “Indeed, I did.”

“But not because of me,” I pressed. “Because if your heart’s desire is to overthrow Lucifer, then I think you should do it. If we’re meant to be, then we’ll find a way to make it work.”

He took my hand in his. “My heart’s desire is seated right beside me.”

My own heart thundered in my chest. I struggled to ignore it. This conversation was important to him, and I needed to see it through before I jumped his demonic bones.

“What’s the difference between a preference and a dealbreaker?” I asked.

“I’m willing to negotiate a preference. For example, I would prefer that my partner be supernatural, but if I fell in love with a human, I might be willing to reconsider that one.”

I cast him a sidelong glance. “Have you ever fallen in love with a human?”

“No, which is why it seemed like a safe example.” He took a sip from his glass. “Your turn.”

I struggled to form thoughts. “I don’t know. If you stay at my house, don’t leave the doors and drawers open. If you open it, then you close it again when you’re finished.”

Kane watched me closely.

---