They are magnificent, and I'm cowering on the ground.
Fast as she could, Gillian lumbered to her feet.
"This is Cameron, keeper of Obsession, and his sister, Winter, keeper of Selfishness," Puck said. "The friends I told you about. My only friends. Cameron, Winter, this is my...wife."
Gillian gulped. Obsession and Selfishness on top of Indifference--who was now expressing his displeasure with growls. Just peachy.
"Hello," she said, pushing the word past the barbed lump in her throat. Meeting new people had always been tough for her, and her association with Puck hadn't helped. Now she would forever wonder who plotted ways to take advantage of her.
Cameron looked her up and down and smiled a wicked smile. "Hello, beauty."
Winter looked her up and down as well, and promptly decided she wasn't worthy of a greeting. Her gaze returned to Puck. "Words cannot describe how much I missed you. But numbers can. Three out of ten. You promised me gold and jewels. I want my gold and jewels. And magic. Yeah, I'd like a little magic. Or a lot. Definitely a lot."
Ignoring her, Puck gave Gillian a gentle push in Cameron's direction. At least I'm not the only one to receive the silent treatment.
"I'm off to recruit William," he said to the other male. "I trust you're obsessed with Gillian's protection, now that you've met her? She is weak and fragile, aye, but she is also the key to my victory, and your sister's gold and jewels."
"Obsessed and impressed," Cameron said, his smile spreading.
Puck stiffened and ran his tongue over his teeth. "Gillian isn't to be touched. By anyone. Ever."
Well, well. The man had some scruples. Another small mercy.
Too little, too late.
And what did he mean, weak and fragile? Since she'd met him, she'd done her best to cope, adjust and thrive, despite the many obstacles.
"If, at any time, she desires a male," Puck added, his tone sharpening, "kill him. Do not hesitate."
"You can't be serious," she said, gaping at him.
Cameron rubbed his hands together, as if excited by the prospect. "Consider it done."
"What about me? Does no one want to kill the men I desire? Also," Winter added, deigning to focus on Gillian, "you're immortal now, which means your time here is your origin story. Every story needs a villain." She raised her hand. "I volunteer."
"Accepted," she replied, because she wouldn't be here long. She'd be right on Puck's heels. "Spoiler alert. Villains always die in the end."
Puck took her by the shoulders, ensuring she faced him, and stared down at her, his expression blank. When she refused to glance away first, he moved his hand into her hair and fisted the strands at her nape.
Just like that. Breath hitched in her lungs--and heated. She blamed their marriage bond. Oh, how she detested it!
"I'm going to tell you something my father told me when I was young," he said, his grip tightening. "If anyone harms you, kill first and ask questions later."
"You harmed me."
"You are an extension of me, which means I simply hurt myself." Leaning down, he brushed the tip of his nose against hers. "Try not to miss me, lass. I'll only be gone a hundred years, maybe two. Hardly a blip."
Jerk. "Yes, but only a few minutes, days or weeks will pass for you."
"You can use the time to strengthen. Train, learn how to fight."
He expected her to spend hundreds years without friends or family, living in unfamiliar terrain, training? He wasn't just indifferent; he was also insane.
"What if I'm killed while you're gone?" The words rushed from her. "You'll die, too. Just...take me with you and oversee my protection yourself." That way, she wouldn't have to risk following him on her own.
"You won't be killed, I promise. And I will be...annoyed if you are harmed."
Though his voice remained monotone, he somehow made the word annoyed sound like a threat to destroy the entire realm. "Annoyed? How terrible for you."
"You'll be well-guarded here," he continued, tilting his head to the side. "I promise."
"First of all, your promises mean nothing to me."
He shrugged. "That doesn't sound like a me problem."
Do not lash out. Do not dare lash out. "Second," she continued, "well-guarded things get boosted all the time and--"
"Enough." The lights in his irises brightened as he cupped her jaw and traced his thumbs over her cheeks. "I'm going to kiss you goodbye, wife. The barest tasting."
What! Her heartbeat stuttered against her ribs, her blood flashing white-hot in an instant. Tingles tantalized her breasts, and the now aching place between her legs. After everything he'd done, he expected a make-out session in front of other people?
"Why?" Really? I ask him why? I don't tell him to get bent?
Indifference tap-danced across her mind, sharp claws slicing through gray matter. She cringed, even whimpered.
"Focus on me, not the fiend," Puck said, perhaps recognizing the signs of the demon's interference.
She obeyed, peering up at him, this man who'd become her husband, who'd been at times unnecessarily cruel and at others surprisingly kind. How could she even consider kissing him? She didn't know him, not really, and definitely didn't trust him.
Despite those moments of kindness, he was a liar. He had ice for a heart. Or maybe that was why she should kiss him. He wouldn't get overly excited. He might not even get turned on. Which was what she wanted, kind of. But kind of...not.
Great! There were two Gillians again.
"You will remember me--think of me--while I'm gone," he said, and he wasn't asking a question but issuing a command.
Protest. Now. Before you start to panic, and the demon reacts worse. But...the part of her who wanted him turned on also wanted him to think of her while he was gone. Wanted him know what he'd lost the moment he'd used her.
Oh, really? What did he lose? Tell me.
Shut up.
Spiteful Gillian won. She rose to her tiptoes, saying, "Kiss me, then. I dare you."
He met her halfway, and slanted his lips over hers. Erotic flicks of his tongue coaxed more tingles to the surface and fanned the flames of desire. Hot, so wonderfully hot. The aches magnified as he thrust with more force, his divine taste and ever-increasing frenzied pace dragging a moan of surrender from deep inside her. A sound he utterly devoured, as if he'd never been so starved--or enjoyed a tastier meal.
His skill, expert. His ruthlessness, on full display.
Puck didn't bother to learn her, or explore her nuances; he took, gave and demanded...everything, his tongue dominating hers with a promise of untold riches. She was helpless to resist.
The demon quieted, her mind suddenly her own, different thoughts rabbling into her awareness, one after the other. This kiss was a horrible idea. This kiss was a wonderful idea. She'd had enough. She'd never have enough. This might help her. This would probably hurt her. Enslav
e her. Free her at last. This was nothing and everything.
This was...delicious.
Then her thoughts quieted as well, her body taking charge. Her nipples puckered against her dress, as if seeking Puck's attention, and her belly quivered. Liquid heat soaked her panties, and her limbs trembled, hunger gnawing at her. Hunger that only intensified as his flavor registered: the most potent champagne.
More!
Just as she leaned into him, softening, flattening her hands on his pecs, he clasped her wrists, stopping her from making contact, and lifted his head.
"Do not touch my peacock tattoo, lass." The roughness of his tone thrilled her. "Not now, not ever. It's off-limits."
Gillian blinked back into focus, her mind forced to play catch up. Off-limits? Why?
Who cared? Breathe. She'd just experienced her very first kiss. No, she'd just experienced her very first kiss, and she hadn't panicked. Even better, she'd wanted--and given--pleasure.
I kissed a monster, and I liked it.
She should be beyond disgusted with herself. And Puck...he should be indifferent. Was he?
Did she want him to be?
"The demon returned to you?" she asked, embarrassed by the huskiness of her voice.
He nodded, his gaze hot on her, his pupils enlarged. "You were right before. Our deal is off. But we will make a new one. When I return--I will make you want me."
Before she could respond, he chucked her on the chin, turned and walked away.
What are you doing, just standing here mooning? Follow him! Right. Jolting into motion, Gillian took a step forward, but Winter and Cameron moved into her path, stopping her. Oh...crap. She was going to be stuck here, wasn't she?
While her plans crashed around her, Puck continued onward like a prisoner finally released from prison, never once glancing back.
Winter twirled a dagger. "You ready to have fun, little girl? Because I am."
15
A prickle of urgency beset Puck. To shake it, he would have to summon a fresh layer of ice, something he wasn't currently willing to do. There was no need. Except for a handful of hour-long silences, Indifference remained in his head, emitting a constant stream of noise, but never weakening him--and considering all the other things he was feeling, he should have weakened. The demon had lost the ability to act against him.
So why wasn't he overjoyed?