The Dark King (19 page)

"May I come in, Sire?" she asked. "I have news."

He stepped aside, so she could enter. "Has there been another Slaver sighting?"

Opal paused, then said, "No, nothing like that. How do you feel?"

Hades walked deeper into the room with Opal trailing behind him. "I am fine. Thank you for your concern."

She reached out. Her cool fingers danced over his bare skin, near his healing wounds. "I felt every scratch, when Perseus grabbed you. My two hearts feared for your safety."

Hades watched her closely, unsure where Opal was going with this impromptu visit. "It was a good strike. I deserved it for not protecting my sides."

"Yes, it was a honorable blow. It was the only time I allowed doubt to enter my mind." Opal continued to stroke him tenderly. "Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive," Hades said, stepping out of reach. "I did not mean to worry you or the Phantom people."

She brushed off the mention of the others and followed him. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

Hades tensed. He'd always been honest with Opal when it came to their relationship. He had never given her any reason to think that it extended beyond the physical. "You are a capable Righthand," he said, hoping to construct a mental boundary between them. "I have no doubt you would easily find a position that pleased you under the new ruler."

Opal shook her head and met his gaze. "You,
my
Dark King, are not so easily replaced."

Hades' nerves jumped. This time there was no mistaking the intimacy of her words. "There will always be challenges. Eventually, I will lose one, but until that day comes we do not have to worry about replacing me."

"You're right." She grinned. "Tonight we should be celebrating your victory." Opal hummed under her breath and slowly rock her hips. She approached one of the chairs by his desk and grasped the back of it. She ground her body against the furniture, humming louder as she went.

"What are you doing?" Hades asked, confused by her odd behavior.

***

"I am dancing for you," she murmured, rocking awkwardly. This was harder than it appeared. She'd practiced with Taylor. Thought she had a pretty good grasp of the basics. But here in front of the King when it mattered the most, Opal's body refused to follow her lead.

Red streaked his cheeks and Hades stiffened to attention. "That is not necessary. I'm in no mood to celebrate. Tonight I took a warrior's life," he said. "There is no victory in Perseus' death."

Opal flailed her arms spasmodically and gyrated. She was determined to use her new skills to seduce the Dark King. He just needed to pay attention.

"Stop that!" Hades said. "You look ridiculous."

Opal froze. "What?"

His expression shuttered. "I appreciate what you're trying to do. Truly. But you have a long way to go before you reach Taylor Shelley's level of expertise in..." He waved his hand. "Dance."

Opal's face flushed and anger seared her gut. "I thought we could lay together tonight. We haven't managed to do so since the day of the human's arrival." She swallowed her pride and approached Hades, making her hips swing like Taylor taught her. Opal stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his, waiting for some kind of spark, some kind of reaction.

There was none. Not even the usual heat that came from their lovemaking. The Dark King remained as cold as his glacial eyes. Something inside Opal broke.

Hades grasped her arms and gently moved her away. "I'm sorry, Opal. I cannot do this."

"Cannot? Or will not?" she asked, her temper flaring.

"Cannot, and will not," he said, slowly releasing her.

"You have vowed never to take a mate." She needed to remind him. Remind herself. "She is weak. Did you not see her in the stands? She could not even hold her food down. What use is a woman like that?"

"There are many kinds of strength. You of all people should know that. It's why I made you my Righthand," Hades said. "I do not need you or anyone else reminding me of my vows. I am fully aware of what I have said."

It wasn't exactly an admission, but it did cause the muscles in her face to relax. "I apologize, Sire. It's just that I have need for you after coming so close to losing you." Opal had risked too much to turn back now. She ran her hand over her modest chest, lingering on her rigid nipples. Surely he could sense her body's heat, hear the truth in her confession. He couldn't reject her. The King needed her. He just didn't realize it yet.

Hades' jaw clenched. "You said you had news."

The abrupt change of subject ended their discussion and dashed the last of her hopes. Pain blossomed inside her hearts, nearly driving Opal to her knees. She'd been so blind. All this time she'd thought if she waited long enough that Hades would eventually choose her for his mate. Now it was clear that there was only one woman he cared about, one woman he
loved
.

Oh Goddess, he
was
in love with the Earthling.

Acknowledging the emotion drove a sword through Opal's hearts, severing her feelings. How dare he dismiss her for a human! She stared at the Dark King in disbelief, but the truth was there shining in his aqua eyes.

She thought about Taylor. How weak she was. How she would hurt the kingdom. Opal pictured the Slaver they'd called Hawk and shivered. He was exactly what she needed to help her get Hades back. And he didn’t even know it. She had to get rid of the Earth woman. New Atlantis wasn’t far enough away. Taylor must leave the planet. And Opal knew just how to do it.

"The news I have can wait until you are healed, Sire. Sleep well." Opal slipped out the door, feeling the sting of humiliation nipping at her, but at least now she had a purpose. And that purpose was going to take her straight to the communications' room. If she succeeded in making contact, then she'd pay Taylor a quick visit. Opal had a lot to do and only one night to get everything arranged. Fortunately, she was motivated.

***

Resentment roiled inside Opal as she hurried down the hall. How dare a Half-being turn down an offer of sex from a pureblooded Phantom! Tonight she’d lost Hades, but tomorrow she’d win him back.

Taylor had corrupted the Dark King's mind with her sensual ways. Opal couldn't allow that to continue. Wouldn't allow it. There was only one woman meant to rule the Phantom people and that was her. She was convinced if she got rid of Taylor, then things would return to normal and Hades would find his way back to her bed.

Opal made her way to the communications room. She hid in the shadows and waited for the guards coming on duty to take their place outside the door. As soon as they were in position, she stepped out. “The King wants to see you in his chambers immediately. He needs an updated report on the most recent Slaver’ communications.”

“Right now?” the guard on the left said.

“Yes, now,” she said.

“We’re supposed to maintain our post until morning,” the Phantom on the right said.

“I’ll watch the room until you get back. Now hurry!” she shouted. “Hades is in no mood for excuses.”

They rushed off.

Opal waited until they were out of sight, then slipped into the room. It wouldn't be unattended for long, but she didn't need a lot of time to do what she came here to accomplish.

The crystals glowed in ebbs and flows, indicating that they were active. Opal checked the halls, then sealed the door. She sat down in front of the crystals and hit a button on her wrist, highlighting the location of the Slavers’ ships. She quickly rearranged the crystals and hailed the Slavers, then did her best to wait patiently for a response. They'd be hesitant, expecting a trap. That couldn't be helped. Hopefully their curiosity would outweigh their self-preservation.

It took five minutes before she received a scrambled message from the coordinates. The response was short, sweet, and held an oddly
familiar
tone, as if they'd been expecting to hear from her. But that wasn’t possible. There was no way they could’ve anticipated her contacting them. Opal made a mental note to look into the situation further once her mission was complete.

I have a rare female to offer you
, her message said.
She is called an Earthling.

We have heard of such creatures, but did not believe that they existed.

Opal couldn't hear his response, but her gut told her that she was speaking with Captain Hawk. Her stomach fluttered as she entered the next message.

I will gladly give her to you, if you take her and leave Zaron.

Why would we do that, when we haven't recovered what we've come for?

I know not what you seek, but she is worth more than fifty Zaronian women. Her rarity alone will fetch you more credits than you can possibly spend in a lifetime.

There was a pause.
You know nothing about my appetites, so there is no way you can guarantee such a thing. Besides, how do I know that you're not setting a trap? The Dark King's fierce reputation is known throughout the galaxy. He is cunning and should never be underestimated.

You don't.
Opal let the full import of her words sink in before continuing.
But if I'd wanted to trap you, I would've simply sent the guards to your current location.

How will we acquire this magical creature?

I will bring her to you at the far wall of the city, where the moons align.

You will be there yourself?

Opal flushed. And was grateful that he couldn’t see her.
Don't get any ideas? I will have a means to summon reinforcements.

Don't worry, Little Cat. I will honor our agreement...for now.
Communications ceased.

Little Cat? Opal stared at the screen, her hearts pounding. He knew who she was, which meant he
had
seen her that day in the trees.

***

Taylor ignored the first two knocks on her door. She thought about ignoring the third, but knew that she was only delaying the inevitable. She rolled out of bed and padded across the furs. Taylor pulled the door open as Opal raised her fist to knock again.

"What?" she asked, in no mood for more of the woman's hostility.

Opal hesitated. "Sorry to wake you.”

You couldn’t wake someone who hadn’t been to sleep, she thought.

“I came here to apologize for earlier at the Pit,” Opal said. “I keep forgetting that you’re human and not used to our ways."

Taylor blinked. She couldn’t have heard her right. Opal was apologizing. She glanced behind her and expected to see ice forming on the ceiling and the walls. Did they have hell here? Whatever the Zaronian equivalent was it had just frozen over.

"I wouldn't have really hurt you," Opal rushed on. "I shouldn't have even threatened to, but I couldn't risk the King's life."

Something softened inside of Taylor at the mention of Hades. "Do you want to come in?" she asked. She hadn't exactly behaved rationally, but there was nothing sane about a Pit battle.

Opal shook her head. "I can't. It’s late, and I have things to do before I can seek my rest."

"Sorry I threw up on your shoes." Taylor blanched at the memory. "I'm just not used to seeing things like that."

"I understand." This time her tone held an edge. "To make it up to you, I came here to invite you to go shopping in the Walled City with me tomorrow. Thought maybe you could use a little time away from the Keep. Get your head clear. What do you say?"

Taylor's heart leapt. She hadn't been outside of Hades’ stronghold since she’d arrived. The thought of fresh air, open spaces, and sunshine was too tempting to resist. "You're sure we won't get in trouble?"

Opal arched a brow. "You are not a prisoner. You are allowed in the city as long as you have an escort. I'll be with you every step of the way."

She hesitated.

"I did say that shopping would be involved, right?" Opal asked.

“Yes, you did.” Taylor grinned. "What time do you want to meet?" They quickly settled on a time, and then Opal was on her way.

The thought of shopping shouldn't cheer her up, but for some reason it did. Taylor spun toward her bed and had barely taken a step, when another knock sounded on the door.

"Did you forget something?" She threw open the door, expecting to see Opal. Instead, Hades was leaning in the doorway.

Her breath caught at the sight of him. Loose leggings covered him from the waist down, but from the waist up, he remained bare...and masculinely beautiful. Taylor couldn't seem to tear her gaze away, as she drank in every inch of him, confirming to herself once more that he was truly alive.

"May I come in?" he asked, glancing back at her guard. Kon kept a granite-like expression on his face, but Taylor noticed his eyes widen. "We need to talk."

Taylor stepped aside, shocked to her toes. Hades never asked permission for anything that she could recall. Not when they were alone and certainly not in front of any of his men.

She waited for him to enter, then quietly shut the door behind him. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Claiming what is rightfully mine," Hades said.

"Claiming?" Taylor's eyes widened as his narrowed.

"Not in that way," he said, though the vehement tone he'd had when they'd first met was gone.

"Of course not. Everyone knows that you have no intention of ever taking a mate." She was not disappointed. She was
not
disappointed. Taylor moved away from the door. "Hades, why are you really here?"

A muscle ticced in the Dark King's jaw. "I told you. I am here because of my victory."

Taylor watched him closely. She recognized the lie for what it was. "There were no winners tonight," she said.

Surprise bloomed in his aqua eyes. "No, there were not.” He took a deep breath. “I am sorry if I caused you pain," he said quietly.

What did he mean by that? "Are you saying that you came here to apologize for killing Perseus?"