Page 50 of House of Demons and Bones

“But you need to be sure! I’m the lost princess of the Northern Kingdom, the notorious daughter of the God of Ruin,” I blurted, dread in my eyes, a shiver in my voice. I gazed up at him, waiting for his disgust and fury then rejection at my deception—or worse, for him to turn from besotted lover to enraged killer.

“I’ve gathered,” he said. “I pieced everything together a while ago.”

“How?” My breath caught as confusion swirled behind my eyelids. “And aren’t you mad that I lied to you, to everyone?”

He shrugged, thrusting into me rapidly. “Everyone fucking lies. Many make careers of it, like politicians. A small lie like yours is harmless.”

I stared at him, not sure if I felt relieved or offended.

“A small lie? Harmless?” I squirmed. “I’m Ruin’s daughter!”

“And my true mate.”

“And that absolves all of my sins?”

“Of course,” he said. “My mate comes before anyone and everything. But if it makes you feel better, you can tell me more of your sins.”

“This isn’t a joking matter!”

“Of course not, little scorpion.”

His powerful thrusts hit my G-spot, and I arched my back and moaned before I leveled a stare at him again.

“So, you truly want me, Killian?”

He gave me an exasperated yet heated look. “I’ve wanted you since I first saw you, even before my dragon knew you as our mate.”

Tell her more about me,his dragon demanded.

“I’ve wanted you more every day ever since,” he continued. “It was hell not being with you. I won’t go through that again.”

But he might face worse trying to keep me.

“You need to know what you’re dealing with.” I sucked in a breath. “Ruin is a god, pure evil. He’ll come for me himself. He’s hunted me relentlessly for eight years, and now he knows where I am.”

“I have plans,” he said, “including taking the throne if my father won’t give me control of the army to fight the God of Ruin.”

My chest tightened at his promise, and warmth swam in my veins.

“You’d do that for me?” I asked. Tears pricked behind my eyelids.

“In a heartbeat.” His voice dropped low. “You’re my mate, my everything. I won’t lose you. I’ll destroy anyone who hurts you and eliminate every threat to you—starting with your father. I’ve had contingency plans ready since I learned he was hunting you.”

Shit, that was the hottest thing anyone had ever said to me. No one had ever promised murder so perfectly. Slaying my father used to be my only goal, but now it was Killian’s too!

Things were going well for the first time.

My sugar will protect us with all the power he has too,Sy chimed in.

“What contingency plans?” I asked.

“I’ll tell you, if you show me what a good girl you are first.” His lips curved. “Think you can handle it?”

Say yes!Sy’s voice bounced through my skull.Don’t waste this chance.

I shot Killian a look.“A good girl?”

We can be good girls. Just show him, dummy.Sy offered her unsolicited advice again.

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