Page 42 of Flirting with Death

He pressed his hand to his chest. "I'm a romantic, not heartless. What would my Goddess of Flowers be without her power? Few blooms survive where I live. I fell in love with all of her, so I ensure all of her thrives."

That was what Samantha was for me. I wanted all of her to thrive, and I haven't been able to picture myself in that equation. Until now. Yes, I had the silly images with Lex, the hope when I first heard the prophecy. But it all felt like it would force a future on her she didn't want. Maybe I had been wrong.

"You won't know until you ask. But first you need to take control before it is too late." He didn't wait for a response before he vanished, leaving his words echoing around me.

Did I just get a pep talk from a God? Whatever it was, it infused me with a new determination to finish this situation with the mage. If he thought he could take control of the horde, he would be mistaken. I was the future King, that meant I was the true ruler. He would learn that soon.

It didn't take long to reach the warehouse. I studied the outer walls; they were coated with protections. The type the witches could do. I almost pulled out my cell to send a message to Tristan, but I held myself back. If I was the future King I had to deal with this, not him. I didn't slink around to the side or find a window to crawl through, no; I walked up to the front door and swung it wide.

Demons filled the room, all different types and sizes. I narrowed my gaze on them as I stalked to the middle of the space. Their attention was like a laser on me, and I turned in a circle to look at each of them. I held my hands out, letting my full power rise. I had little, but my incubus could control the masses with a desire to do what I say.

I let it coat each word, every individual sound. "I am your Prince. None of you belong here, and you need to return to Tartus."

A few of them nodded, ready to listen. Some of them shifted on their heels as they glanced around uncomfortably. I gripped hold of more of my own personal magic and let it flow from my fingertips. The passion of the last week fueled me.

"But first, I need the muse," I said, my voice thundering across the crowd.

"She isn't here," a female replied near the front, her hungry gaze on me. She licked her lips and stepped forward. "But I can inspire you, my Prince."

No, thank you. I held in the shiver of revolution as I amped up the power. "Where is she?"

"The Leyak Mage took her someplace safe, she said you'd come." Her eyes dipped to my crotch, her mouth salivating as if she was starving for a taste of my dick. It took everything I had not to block her view. Instead, I squared my shoulders and tossed my gaze around the crowd.

"There is a prize for anyone that can take me to her," I said, meeting the rabid attention of those nearest me.

I could see it in their faces that they didn't know. With an irritated sigh, I released the magic. There was a downfall to using my ability to make them listen. Now I had a fraction of the horde that would always want me, because if demons were anything, they were single-minded. It didn't make a difference to the lust that now filled the air. Yeah, I know, I made stupid mistakes.

"I can take you," a vampire from the back called. His eyes glowed like he had recently fed, and he didn't look like he wanted to rip my clothes from my body.

I had a feeling I was about to make another stupid mistake, but there was no actual choice.

CHAPTER 25

Lex

Brook was the only buffer left between Alastor and me. She probably didn't realize I had been playing nice for the end goal. But Alastor knew he had to. There was no way around it.

"I've met a God before," Brook murmured out of the blue, glancing between the two of us. "Hermes. He helped me. My guys don't trust him, but he never gave me a reason not to trust him."

We both were silent as we waited for her to finish.

"But I was told that gods only do things that benefit themselves. What is the reward for helping Sam? What do you get out of it?"

I could feel the crease in my forehead form as I lowered my brows. "I love her."

"We all love her," Alastor added.

She rolled her lips between her teeth and rocked back on her heels. "But gods don't interfere in mortal affairs," Brook insisted.

"I'm a demi-god." I shrugged. "The rules don't apply to me."

Alastor crossed his arms and leaned next to the fireplace. He didn't have the same excuse.

"Is my best friend human?" she asked.

Alastor's eyes went wide as he glanced at me. I was pretty sure she was.

"Technically, she is an ancestor of Artemis and Orion. So she might have a very tiny amount of God in her," I replied.

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