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  “Let’s say you do break his curse,” Lucien said. “You will have condemned him to a life without you.”

  “I’d rather he live without me than die repeatedly with me at his side. He suffers so much and I just can’t allow it.”

  “Self-sacrifice.” Reyes snorted. “Sounds ridiculous to me.”

  Ashlyn raised her chin another notch and tried the same logic the goddess had used on her. “Look at the world’s most beloved fairy tales,” she said. All that magic, all those happily-ever-afters. “Selfish queens always die and the good princesses always win.”

  Reyes snorted again. “Like you said, fairy tales.”

  “Aren’t all fairy tales based in fact? You yourself are supposed to be nothing more than a myth. Pandora’s box is a story parents read to their children at night,” she countered. “That means life itself is a fairy tale. Like the characters, we all live and love and search for a happily-ever-after.”

  They continued to stare at her, something unreadable in their eyes. Maybe…admiration? Minutes dragged by, torturously slow. She’d made her decision and if she had to stab herself to carry it out, she would.

  “All right,” Lucien said, shocking her. “We’ll do it.”

  “Lucien!” Reyes scoffed.

  Lucien peered over at Reyes, and Ashlyn could see hope lighting his severely scarred face. “This will free us, too, Reyes. We’ll be able to leave the fortress for more than a single day. We could travel if we wished. We could leave—and stay gone—when we craved solitude.”

  Reyes opened his mouth, closed it.

  “In the movies Paris has forced us to watch,” Lucien continued, “good always overcomes evil with an extreme act of self-sacrifice.”

  “Human movies mean nothing. If we do this, we could be cursed even more. Punished for defying the gods’ will.”

  “For Maddox, for freedom, why not risk it?”

  “Maddox will not like it,” Reyes said, but there was hope in his voice now, too. “I think…I think he would rather have the human.”

  That observation warmed her, but she didn’t back down. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—let Maddox suffer like that night after night, knowing there was something she could do. He’d paid for his crimes, plus interest.

  An eye for an eye, she thought. He’d given her peace. She would do the same for him.

  “Sometimes what we want isn’t what we need,” Lucien said. His voice had dropped and an edge of wistfulness seeped from it. What did he want that he didn’t need?

  “All right,” Reyes finally said.

  “Tonight,” Ashlyn insisted. “It has to be tonight.” She didn’t want him to suffer yet again, nor did she want to risk changing her mind. “Just…give me as much time as possible with him, okay?”

  Both men nodded grimly.

  MADDOX SAW TO ASHLYN’S every need for the rest of the day. He fed her by hand and loved her body so many times he lost count. He talked about his plans for their future together. How her new job could be helping the warriors search for Pandora’s box—if she so desired. How they would wed and spend every waking minute together—if she so desired. How they would seek a way to save her from aging so that they could have an eternity together—if she so desired. He would carve her anything she wanted, and she could read him passages from romance novels. If she so desired.

  She laughed with him, teased him, loved him, but there was a quiet desperation about her that he did not understand. A sadness. He didn’t press her. They had time. For once, he viewed time as his friend. She couldn’t know that she had tamed him. Tamed the spirit. And that now, both existed to please her.

  “What’s wrong, love?” he asked. “Tell me and I will make it better.”

  “It’s almost midnight,” she said, trembling.

  Ah. He understood now. He gazed down at her. They sat on the edge of his bed and he clasped her hand in his. Moonlight bathed her lovely features, illuminating the concern in her eyes. “I will be fine.”

  “I know.”

  “Hardly hurts, I swear.”

  That earned him a soft chuckle. “Liar.”

  Her laughter warmed him, inside out. “I want you to stay in another bedroom tonight.”

  She shook her head, tickling his arm with strands of her hair. “I’m going to stay with you.”

  He sighed. There was such determination in her voice. “All right.” He wouldn’t permit himself any reaction to the stabbing. He would not make a noise, would not move a muscle. He would die with a smile on his face. “We will—”

  Reyes and Lucien entered the bedroom, more grim than he’d ever seen them. He wondered at their mood, but decided not to question them in front of Ashlyn. No reason to heap anything else on her right now; she was about to watch him be murdered.

  Maddox placed a swift kiss on Ashlyn’s lips. She gripped his head, urging him to linger. She was fierce, almost desperate. He allowed himself a moment more. Gods, how he loved this woman.

  “We will finish this tomorrow,” he said. Tomorrow…He could hardly wait.

  He lay down on the cotton sheets and scooted to the headboard. Reyes shackled his wrists, Lucien his ankles. “At least turn away when they begin,” he said to Ashlyn.

  She smiled a sad smile and crouched beside him. She stroked his cheek, softly, a butterfly caress. “You know I love you.”

  “Yes.” And he had never been so glad of anything in his life. This woman was his miracle. “And you know I will love you forever and afterward.”

  “Listen, Maddox…Don’t blame anyone but me for this, okay. You’ve suffered enough, too much, and as the woman who loves you, it’s up to me to save you. Know that I do it willingly, because you mean more to me than my own life.” She kissed him again, briefly this time, and stood. She turned to Lucien and Reyes. “I’m ready.”

  His brows drew together in confusion, dread on its heels. “Ready for what? What would I blame you for?”

  Reyes unsheathed his sword, the blade whistling against the air. Maddox’s dread increased. “What’s going on? Tell me. Now.”

  No one said a word as Reyes approached Ashlyn.

  Maddox strained against his chains. “Ashlyn. Leave the room. Leave the room and do not return.”

  “I’m ready,” she whispered again. “Should we go to another room?”

  “Ashlyn!” Maddox snarled.

  “No,” Lucien said. “You said you wanted the ultimate sacrifice, remember? He has to watch and understand what you’re doing for him.”

  Her eyes met Maddox’s, pooled with unshed tears. “I love you.”

  In that moment, he realized exactly what they planned. He bucked and fought for freedom. He shouted profanities even Paris would not utter. All the while, hot tears streamed down his cheeks. “No. Do not do this. Please, do not do this. I need you, Ashlyn. Reyes, Lucien. Please. Please!”

  Reyes hesitated. Swallowed.

  And then he stabbed Ashlyn in the stomach.

  Maddox screamed, straining so forcefully the metal links cut all the way to the bone. If he kept it up, he would lose his hands and ankles. He did not care. Only one thing mattered, and she was dying in front of him. “No! No! Ashlyn!”

  Blood poured from her stomach, wetting her shirt. She pressed her lips together, somehow remaining silent and upright. “I love you,” she repeated.

  Reyes stabbed her again. With each new cut, Maddox felt his ties to midnight slacken, as if invisible chains that had bound him for thousands of years were slowly lifting away. And he wanted them back! He wanted Ashlyn.

  “Ashlyn! Reyes! Stop. Stop.” He openly sobbed, helpless, furious. Dying himself, though he felt stronger than ever. “Lucien, make him stop.”

  Death lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

  At the third thrust of the blade, Ashlyn did fall. She did scream. No, that was him. She only whimpered. “Doesn’t…hurt,” she gasped out. “Like you said.”

  “Ashlyn.” Her name trembled from his lips, the plea desperate. Raging. Viole
nt. “Oh, gods. No. Ashlyn. Why are you doing this? Reyes, stop. You must stop!” He could not say it enough.

  Her eyes met his again, and there was so much love in them he was humbled. “I love you.”

  “Ashlyn, Ashlyn.” He jerked and the chain sank deeper, cut harder. “Hold on, beauty. Just hold on. We’ll patch you up. We’ll give you Tylenol. Do not worry, do not worry. Reyes, stop. Do not do this thing. She is innocent.”

  Reyes did not heed him, but stabbed her again and again. Her eyes closed. And then he paused. Gulped. Looked up at the heavens and then over at the still-silent Lucien.

  “Don’t take her! Please don’t take her.”

  Finally the sixth blow was delivered.

  “Ashlyn!”

  Blood flowed around her now-lifeless body, a crimson pool. Tears continued to rain from Maddox’s eyes. Still he struggled. Still the ties to midnight waned. “Why? Why?”

  Blessedly, Lucien unlocked him. His hands and feet were barely attached as he collapsed onto the floor and crawled, leaving a trail of blood behind. He gathered his woman in his arms.

  Her head lolled to the side. Dead. She was dead, while he felt the weight of the death-curse turn to mist inside his body, evaporating as if it had never been. “No!” He sobbed, great wrenching sobs. Though breaking the curse had once been all he’d cared about, he would rather endure a thousand more than lose this woman. “Please.”

  “It is done,” Reyes said grimly. “Let us hope her sacrifice was not in vain.”

  Maddox buried his face in Ashlyn’s hair and rocked her in his arms.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  MADDOX CRADLED HIS lover for what seemed an eternity, willing her to awaken. He could not stand the thought of life without her. Would rather die himself.

  Lucien and Reyes hovered behind him, silent.

  “Take my spirit to hell for eternity,” he cried to the heavens. “Anything but this. Bring her back. Let me take her place at death’s door.”

  All eternity? a voice purred. It was not Sabin speaking in his head this time, but a female. Now that’s commitment.

  He did not hesitate. “Yes. Yes! Forever. All eternity. I cannot live without her. She is everything to me.”

  I like you, cowboy, I really do.

  “Do you hear a woman in your head, too?” Lucien asked, his shock clear.

  “Yes,” Reyes said with equal bafflement. “Who are you?”

  Your new best friend, sugar.

  “Help me, then,” Maddox pleaded.

  Silly immortal. For days I’ve been breaking the rules—which is kinda a hobby of mine—to help you. Not sure I want to keep it up, though. You and your woman are serious time-consumers.

  “Please. Help her, and I’ll never need another moment of your time. I swear it. Just give her back to me. Please. Please.”

  You insulted the big dogs last week, Violence, and I really liked that. Made me sit up and take notice, to be honest. Not many people break from the mold anymore, you know? And for a Lord to do it…rockin’! Know why?

  “No.” And he did not care.

  Awesome. Lesson time.

  “Ashlyn is—”

  Not going anywhere. Now hush it. I need to lay some background so you understand exactly what I’m risking for you.

  As he rocked Ashlyn in his arms, he pressed his lips together, fighting his desperation, his urgency.

  So anyway, the Titans are in control, the bastards, and they totally plan to take the world back to what it was in their heyday. A place of peace, a place of worship, blah, blah, blah, where humans bow and sacrifice to them, and all that shit. In a few days, two temples will suddenly rise from the sea. You just wait. It will be the beginning of the end, for sure. She paused dramatically. I don’t know whether the Tities want you guys dead or not in the big scheme of things, but I do know they plan to use you to get what they want.

  “The women. Danika,” Reyes said.

  Bingo. Something about her bloodline, maybe a prophecy. I’ll have to study up ’cause I’m mostly drawing a blank. But you can see my dilemma, right? By helping you, I’m really going to piss off the new management.

  “Do you wish me to kill them for you?” Maddox rushed out. “I will do it. I will.” However much time it took, whatever he had to do. He would find a way.

  “Maddox,” Lucien warned. “Stop. Before you bring a far worse curse upon our house. She’s going to help you. She’s just pretending she’s got to bargain. Right, goddess?”

  Oh, a Smartie McSmartpants, she purred. You’re a sexy one, I’ll give you that. She uttered another sigh, dreamy this time, before collecting herself. No time for that. Unfortunately. Like I was saying before, the little woman really impressed me. I didn’t think she’d do it, truth be told. What a show, though, right? Chuckle. If I had bodily functions, I think I would have peed my pants.

  “Goddess. Focus. Please.”

  “Maddox,” Lucien warned again.

  Anya. My name is Anya. And I’m not, technically, a goddess myself, just the daughter of one, so stop lumping me in the same category as those jackoffs. Angry sigh now.

  “What can I do? Tell me! I will do anything.” Maddox thought Anya might have been sucking on a piece of candy, for there was a slurp and a pop and a strawberry and cream breeze.

  Your woman gave up her life for yours. Are you willing to do the same? Because you should know, my powers are contingent on others’ actions and I can’t do anything unless you do. Oh, and there’s the little matter of payment.

  “Yes. I will sacrifice anything for her.” Again, no hesitation. “I will give whatever payment you ask.”

  There was another sucker-slurping pause. All right, here’s the scoop. I’ve got Titans chasing me down. Don’t ask me why. It’s a long story. Anyway, they’re hunting me like a freaking animal and have been for, like, days. If I ever come to you for help, you’re going to give it. Understand?

  “Yes. Anything.”

  Not just you, sweetness. All of you.

  For a moment, neither Lucien nor Reyes responded. Maddox was close to leaping at them and cutting both their throats. Then, “Yes,” they said in unison.

  Okay, then. A deal is struck. Your woman will wake up, and she’ll be bound to you. She’ll live as long as you do. Not a bad deal for a mortal, really. But if one of you dies, you both die. Got it?

  “Yes, yes.”

  If you try and renege, know that I’ll kill you, which will kill her. Her voice dripped to a sugary hum. I’ll cut off your heads and feed them to the gods on a silver platter.

  “I understand. I accept,” he said immediately.

  One heartbeat passed. Another. Then there was a purr of satisfaction and Maddox was suddenly caught up in a whirlwind. Ashlyn was ripped from his bloody arms and he bellowed, reaching for her. She still lay motionless, but her blood seemed to be flowing back into her body.

  Maddox was thrown back on the bed and the chains once more banded around him, his wrists and ankles healing in seconds. Reyes and Lucien walked to the center of the room—but they were walking backward.

  Time was reversing at an accelerated speed, Maddox realized, shocked. He’d seen many things in his long life, but never this.

  Reyes stood in front of Ashlyn, pulling the sword out of her rather than thrusting it in. Rather than falling, she rose.

  As suddenly as the whirlwind began, it stopped. Everyone looked around in confusion.

  “What happened?” Ashlyn asked, incredulous. “I was dead.” She held up her arms, looking them over, then felt her stomach, searching for wounds. “I know I was. I can still feel that blade cutting through my—Oh my God, Maddox, what did you do? Did the curse reverse, too?”

  “That was…I do not have words,” Reyes said, frowning. “I stabbed her.”

  They had all retained their memories of the event, yet as of now the event had not actually happened. “Free me,” Maddox shouted. “The chains.”

  Expression confused, Lucien obeyed.

&nbs
p; Maddox leapt to his feet and pulled Ashlyn into his arms, kissing her face and squeezing as tight as he could without crushing her. She laughed, then drew back to study him. “But the death-curse—”

  “Is broken. I swear it. I feel its ties no more.”

  Enjoy yourselves, boyz, ’cause now you’re free from Maddox’s curse, as well, Anya’s voice suddenly sang. Don’t worry, though. I’m sure your demons will keep you plenty miserable. Just don’t forget our deal. Ta-ta for now.

  Reyes’s body jolted and Lucien’s head was thrown back. They shook, their knees gave out and they fell to the ground. Both remained there, panting, for a long while. They looked up at the same time, their eyes meeting.

  “I do not have to kill Maddox anymore,” Reyes said, awed. “The pull of his death is gone. Gone!”

  “The death-curse truly is broken,” Lucien said, his tone as close to joyful as Maddox had ever heard it. “Thank you, Ashlyn. Thank you. You are a remarkable human.”

  “I’d like to say it was my pleasure,” she teased with a grin.

  “You died for me,” Maddox said, claiming her attention and blocking his friends from his focus. Only one person mattered right now. And he was shocked and overcome and furious at her. “You died for me,” he growled.

  “I’d do it again,” she said. “I love you.”

  He swung her around and she squealed happily. “Never again, woman. You will never leave me again.”

  “Never.”

  “Reyes, Lucien. You will leave,” he said without taking his eyes from Ashlyn.

  They quietly exited the room, gifting him and Ashlyn with privacy. Maddox stripped her and kissed her stomach, where she’d been stabbed.

  “I need you,” she breathed.

  And he needed her. Now and always. He penetrated her, unable to stop, and moaned at the pleasure.

  “I love you,” he told her, slowly pumping inside her.

  “I love you, too.” She sighed, her head thrashing from side to side.

  “Thank you. For what you did, thank you.” No one had ever sacrificed so much for him. “Just…do not ever let yourself be killed again. Understand?”