Prince of Stone (Imperia) Read online

  “Jorlan can hear us, do you know that?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I know.”

  He faced the statue. “I have a gift for you, brother. Though I know this will not make up for what I have done. For so long, you have wondered who murdered our father. It was…it was our mother. Do not blame her, though,” Percen rushed to add. “The king had lived many centuries, and he asked her to do it. He was weary of life. I did not understand until recently.”

  The knowledge shocked Katie, and she knew it had shocked Jorlan, as well. “How do you know she did it?” she asked.

  “I divined the truth the same day ’twas done.” Percen canted his head to the side. “And now, my gift to you. Are you ready to learn the spell, Katie?”

  She nodded again. “Yes.”

  He patted her shoulder. “If you do this, you will be trapped inside the stone, unable to respond to the world around you. Nothing will set you free. Not a kiss. Not a drop of blood. Not love.”

  “I understand.” She lifted her fist to her heart. The one clutching the jewel.

  In that moment, she recalled the first psychic she and Jorlan had visited. You have the power within yourself to go home.

  Home.

  Home was with Jorlan. No, home was Jorlan, and Katie would use every ounce of her power to be with him, even if it meant becoming stone.

  Percen held out one hand and waved the free one over it. A yellowed tome appeared, and he passed it to her. “Hold the stone and say these words…sister, and you shall have your heart’s desire.” With that, he disappeared.

  With the jewel and book in hand, Katie stared up at Jorlan. She detected his upset. He did not want her to do this.

  “Too bad,” she told him. “My fear, stupidity and stubbornness got you turned back to stone. So, I deserve to be stone, too. This is happening…soon. First, I have to tie up a few loose ends.”

  Katie strode back into the house, where she made calls and doubled-checked her will. She kept a copy on her laptop. She made a single change—Frances got the Victorian. Then, she wrote a letter to each of her brothers, explaining how much she loved them and how she expected them to always follow their hearts. Last, she wrote a letter to her dad. It was the hardest one to write, and she had to pause often to wipe away her tears. When she finished, she signed, “Love, your sixth son.”

  She left the letters on the table, knowing her brothers would come searching for her in a day or two; she just prayed they would understand. Finally, she memorized the spell and burned the book, so no one else could use it.

  That done, she returned to the garden and took Jorlan’s stone hand. The other held the jewel.

  Jorlan’s disapproval threatened to choke her.

  Do it! She might be giving up her life, but she was gaining so much more in return. An eternity at her husband’s side.

  After taking a deep breath, she did it. She uttered the spell. But…

  One minute bled into another, but nothing happened. Wait. Had the breeze just kicked up? A handful of leaves floated to the ground.

  Uncertain, she uttered the spell again. Still, nothing. She must not have the necessary power to make it work.

  The only thing that had changed? Jorlan no longer projected disapproval. No, he radiated love and awe.

  Eyes burning, she leaned against Jorlan’s arm. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be with you, even if it had to be this way. I just…I miss you so much. I love you, Jorlan.” As she spoke, tears fell. As her tears fell, her palm burned, the jewel blistering her palm.

  “My sweet katya,” Jorlan said, his voice rich with promise, “I will never tire of hearing your confession.”

  Wait. He’d spoken?

  He’d spoken!

  Katie jerked her head up and squealed with excitement. The stone was gone. Jorlan was flesh and blood again! “How…why…I don’t understand.”

  Jorlan jumped down and drew her against him. He smiled. “It feels so good to hold you again.”

  “But how?” she asked again. “How are you standing here, Jorlan?”

  He chuckled. “’Twas not a stone spell you uttered, but a wishing spell. The most powerful of all magic, able to supersede any spell, but only when it is accompanied by a supreme act of unselfishness. When you spoke the words, your willingness to join me gave you your fondest desire.”

  “You,” she breathed. “It gave me you.”

  “It seems I owe my brother a debt of gratitude.” He caressed her jawbone, sending tingles rushing through her entire body. “You were right, you know. I have indeed forgiven Percen. How could I hate him when his actions brought me to you?”

  Overcome with joy, she threw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much,” she said in between kisses. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

  With his nose in her hair, he breathed deep. “I love you, too, and I will be with you, always. Your world is now my world.”

  She frowned and pulled back. “You don’t have to stay here, Jorlan. Mon Graig can take us to Imperia.”

  “I wish to stay here, katya. Your family is my family. You home is my home. You are my future. My everything.”

  Had sweeter words ever been spoken? “Jorlan, I don’t know what to say. Thank you isn’t good enough.”

  “Hold that thought.” He massaged the back of his neck. “I didn’t just wed you, I bonded with you. You are not going to age, but your family will. One day, they will die.”

  Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded. “I know. I’ve always known. No one gets out of here alive.”

  Relief glittered in his eyes.

  “Although,” she added. “Perhaps we could convince them to move to Imperia and find immortal life mates of their own.”

  He laughed. “I like the way your mind works. We can all move to Imperia one day.”

  Really, when you thought about it, neither she nor Jorlan had to give up their homes to be together. They could have everything they’d ever dreamed!

  For the first time since her mother’s death, Katie felt whole, fulfilled and utterly content. What she’d done to deserve this much happiness, she didn’t know, but she would fight to the death to keep it.

  A satisfied smile curved her lips, only to fade. “I’m so sorry about your mother, Jorlan. So sorry.”

  Sadness flickered in his irises. “She has joined my father. I must be content with that.” He kissed her softly, and she clung to him.

  By the time he pulled back, they were both panting with need.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” she said, grinning again. “I mean, what are the odds of you and I ever meeting? How many other galaxies and planets could your mother have sent you to spend your days?”

  “Oh, I did not come here by chance, katya. We were always meant to find one another.”

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  “And I love you. I will always love you.” He kissed her brow. Her eyelids. Her nose. The rise of her cheeks. “Will you allow me to stay with you, to be your life mate and your partner in all things? I vow to help you with your houses and adore you every day of our lives.”

  She blinked up at him innocently. “Of course…as long as you agree to a new rule.”

  He tried for a stern expression, but only managed delighted. “And what is that?”

  “You must ravish me at least once a day.”

  At that, he grinned wide. “My adjustment is simple. I will ravish you twice a day. Now take me inside, little witch, for I feel the need to obey this rule immediately.”

  EPILOGUE

  LIFE WAS GOOD.

  Katie’s family gathered in her dad’s backyard. A celebration of Katie’s one-year anniversary with Jorlan. Even Brian had flown in from New Orleans for the event.

  Enveloped by smoke, Gray stood over a grill, flipping hamburgers and hotdogs. “Jorlan, you’re my brother now. Come over here and help me with this.”

  “Nay,” Jorlan called. “You are doing well on your own, and I like where I am.”


  He sat in an uncomfortable lawn chair…with Katie perched in his lap.

  All of her brothers chuckled. Except Gray, of course.

  Jorlan massaged the base of Katie’s neck. Relaxed and in love, she sighed with contentment. Ah, married life was more satisfying than she’d ever imagined possible. Her hubby took care of her in every way, making love to her on the daily, pampering her, playing basketball with her and even helping around the house. He truly saw to her every need, just as she saw to his.

  She might have kissed his lips and set him free, but he was the one who’d done the saving.

  He slid his hand from her neck to her belly, and she grinned. Their first child was due in less than a month. Even her dad had softened at the thought of welcoming his first grandchild.

  “Well, I for one am tired of waiting. I’m starved and ready to eat.” Frances winked at Katie. She stood next to Katie’s dad.

  The past year, Katie and Frances had developed a very strong bond. Most surprising of all, however, was how Frances actually liked and accepted Jorlan for what he was, even if she didn’t understand it.

  Ryan turned his attention to Frances. “You’re tired of waiting? Then get your little butt over there and help. It’s a woman’s job, after all.”

  Frances’s eyes narrowed to slits. They’d been dancing around an attraction to each other for months. “I’ll tell you what a woman’s job is. It’s building her self-discipline so she doesn’t kill every man she meets.”

  Ryan snorted.

  Katie chuckled. Oh, great things were in store for those two; she just knew it.

  “Thank you for all you’ve given me, katya,” Jorlan whispered in her ear. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  Life had never been better.

  * * * * *

  New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with a brand-new dark and sexy addition to her top-selling Lords of the Underworld series featuring William, the story her fans have been clamoring for.

  Watch for

  The Darkest King

  ****

  CHAPTER ONE

  “You want a piece of me? Because your girlfriend certainly does.”

  Sipping sugar water from a wine glass all classy-like, Sunday “Sunny” Lane snuck through a shadowy hotel bar overcrowded with youngish and oldish code breakers, hackers and hobbyists, her longtime friend…er, acquaintance Sable at her side. The six-foot black beauty came from the same realm and ancient village as Sunny. Most of the others were humans who’d flown into New York City early that morning to network and party. Tomorrow, everyone would attend workshops hosted by the world’s premiere cryptanalysts.

  Sunny and Sable would be setting honeytraps for any immortals who hunted their kind.

  A waiter approached with a bottle of white. “May I refill your drink, ma’am?”

  Ma’am? The worst insult known to man. “No thanks.” Asterhole. Every creature like her was born with an innate magic that prevented them from cursing, changing obscenities into flowers. ‘Daisy’ replaced D.A.M.N. ‘Hellebore’ replaced H.E.L.L. ‘Sage’ replaced S.H.I.T. ‘Bluebell’ replaced B.A.S.T.A.R.D. and B.I.T.C.H. ‘Aster’ replaced A.S.S, and ‘freesia’ replaced F.U.C.K. “As a self-appointed superhero and proud vigilante, I prefer to stay sober and scumbag-aware.”

  The waiter offered her an unsure smile before rushing off.

  Sable clinked her glass of sugar water against Sunny’s. “Here’s hoping the duality serves us well tonight.”

  Oh, yes. The duality. Half their nature demanded they hunt and kill immortal and human baddies. That side of her—Horror Show Sunny—worked as an assassin. A girl needed a purpose, right? The other half demanded she spread love, joy and peace—Roses and Rainbows Sunny—who worked as a decoder. The two sides were forever locked in a brutal tug-of-war.

  “I posted online to let the world know I’d be here,” Sunny said. Stage one of their honeytrap.

  As extremely rare “mythical” creatures, poachers hunted them for sport while collectors hunted them for pleasure. The very reason Sunny never stayed in one location more than a couple weeks. The very reason she trusted no one, ever. Not even Sable. Not fully, anyway. The very reason she constantly looked over her shoulder and rarely slept. If any of those POSs did attack…

  They will die screaming.

  “Once we’ve exterminated the remaining poachers and collectors, we won’t have to worry about ambush every second of every day,” Sable said, excitement crackling in her tone. “And we can turn our sights to the underworld royals.”

  “All nine kings and every last prince of darkness.” Two princes of darkness in particular topped her list. Lucifer the Destroyer and William the Ever Randy. Even their names filled her with blistering rage. The terrible things Lucifer had done to her people… things he’d done while shouting, “For William!”

  The two might be at war now, but they’d been inseparable back then.

  Focus up. You’re here for a purpose, remember? Right. As she and Sable continued meandering through the crowd, she scanned the sea of faces. Some attendees ambled from group to group. Some remained in place, talking, laughing and clogging the pathways. Others stayed at their table, nursing drinks. Many were relaxed and at ease. Oh, to be uninvolved, unconcerned and untouched by the world’s evil, as oblivious to the surrounding danger as everyone else. Sunny couldn’t recall a time she’d ever felt safe.

  Someone dropped a cup, glass shattering, jolting her from her musings. Both Sunny and Sable jolted. Deep breath in, out. Good, that’s good.

  Able to read auras, she could distinguish immortals from humans. A life-saving skill. Ninety-nine percent of the time, poachers and collectors were immortal. Humans lacked the strength, stamina and skill to challenge creatures like Sunny. But enough was enough!

  Sunny was determined. No more running. Finally, blessedly, she would live her life the way she dreamed. She’d buy a house and plant a garden. She would adopt a dog and a cat. The oldest, crankiest, ugliest mutt and tom at the pound. For the first time in years, she would go on a date; she just had to find the right guy. Someone willing to put in the work to earn her trust. One day, she would fall in love. Never again would she be forced to suffer through Mating Season alone. A time of clawing, gnawing, and uncontrollable sexual arousal.

  “Hopefully we cross every name off our kill list in the next two weeks, before the start of the next Mating Season.” A time when sexual desire overtook every synapse in their brains and lust controlled their bodies. A total body shudder rocked her on her feet. “I’m tired of chaining myself in a locked room, so that I won’t jump unsuspecting or unwilling males, poachers or collectors.”

  When she found her dream man … Sunny smiled.

  “You and me both, girl,” Sable said. “One day, I’m going to melt down my chains and make them into a butt plug that I’ll gift to Lucifer. If he still lives, of course.”

  Sunny’s smile widened. “I like the way your mind works.”

  They ventured deeper into the bar. Clashing perfumes blended with cigarette smoke. Flicking lights illuminated a sea of unfamiliar faces. Human. Human. Human. Human. Vampire. Witch. Human. Human. Human. Werewolf. Though no one seemed to pay them any undue attention, Sunny kept a wary eye on the vampire, witch and werewolf.

  Across the room, booming male laughter rang out. Warm shivers raced down her spine, and she frowned. What a strange reaction to something so ordinary. Considering the number of voices tangled together, why note this one? Yes, it was sexy hot, but she’d heard hotter. Surely!

  Sunny scanned the bar for the laugher—there! Him. He kept his back to her. He had thick black hair, broad shoulders, and a unique aura. One she couldn’t read.

  “Daisy,” she muttered. The woman on the man’s left side leaned closer to whisper in his hear, and he shifted, presenting Sunny with his profile, and she sucked in a ragged breath, recognizing him in an instant.

  A woman never forgot a face like his.
He looked like he’d been made from a catalogue of parts. I’ll take that face, that hair and those eyes. Oh, and don’t forget those muscles. Everything about him seemed tailor made for sex. Flawless golden skin, jet-black hair, and vibrant eyes framed by the longest, spikiest lashes of all time. His irises were a color she’d never before beheld. Like a sapphire-diamond hybrid. Broad cheekbones tapered to a strong jaw shadowed with dark stubble. Perfect nose, perfect lips, perfect everything.

  Hello, William the Ever Randy, brother to Lucifer. The bluebell.

  “What? What’s wrong?” Sable asked, already reaching for the dagger hidden beneath her sleeveless jacket.

  Rage sparked, quickly catching fire. An inferno blazed through her veins. “Look,” she grated, motioning to William. Had he heard about her vendetta against his family and come to stop her? Maybe, maybe not. But why else would he be here?

  Why not sneak up on her? So many questions, so few answers.

  “Speak of the devil,” Sable ground out, “and he appears.”

  Sunny had done her research and knew he was an infamous mercenary and legendary womanizer who disdained the sanctity of marriage. A few years ago, he’d helped slay a god king. More recently, he’d gotten drunk at a nightclub and shouted, “I consider myself a pleasuretarian. I only eat organic pussy.”

  “If rumors are true,” she said, “he sleeps with a new woman every night, possesses a fiery temper, sometimes injures his friends for laughs, and enjoys killing his enemies as painfully as possible.” So much to admire…so much to disdain.

  “Well. I think we should rearrange our list of hits and take out the royal first while we’ve got the chance.”

  “Agreed. One way or another, he’ll die today.”

  Yes! Vengeance will be mine! “I can’t read his aura. Can you?”

  “I…can’t,” Sable said, and frowned.

  Daisy! The more they knew about him, the better.

  Despite her research, she’d failed to learn William’s true origins or species, so she didn’t know what strengths to guard against or what weaknesses to exploit.

  No matter. She would find out.