Their king.

My Chosen stands alone in the center of the carnage, his chest heaving, blood painting his skin and dripping from his wings to stain the sand at his feet. He raises his head, his eyes seeking mine across the distance.

I wrench free from Alexios’ grasp and run down the balcony steps, vaulting over the low wall that separates the stands from the arena floor. I try not to focus on the bloody sand as my feet hit the ground.

Evander meets me halfway and crushes me against him. The metallic tang of gore fills my nose, but I hold him tightly anyway, my fingers pressing into the matted feathers of his wings. He groans softly.

Alexios’ voice sounds from behind me. “Nice show, Wolf.”

Flames flash in Evander’s eyes as he angles his body between me and the god-king. Then he sags against me, his face finding the crook of my neck as he drags my scent into his lungs like he’s starving for it.

His teeth find my pulse and dig deep enough to sting. I gasp as I clutch him closer. He bites down again, a firmer pressure.

When his hand circles my wrist where his Claim should be, I understand. The severed bond is an open wound that needs tending.

Alexios watches with a smirk. “An Eternal fresh off a victory needs to mark his mate,” he tells me. “It’s as necessary as air. He just killed and bled for the right to keep you. Let him bite. Let him know you’re his.”

“He knows I’m his,” I say. “That I’ll always be his.”

“But do they?” He jerks his chin at the silent crowd. “They’re not bowing for you, girl.”

I freeze.

He makes a thoughtful noise. “You’re a human asking to be his queen. How do you think that plays out if the demis don’t see you both earn each other?” He doesn’t wait for my reply before he’s striding forward to pry Evander off me. “No biting,” he says sharply when Evander’s lips peel back from his teeth in a snarl. “She’s coming with us. And you?” His nose wrinkles. “You’re getting washed down before you step one foot in my palace.”

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54

BRYONY

WHERE ARE WE going?” I ask Alexios.

The god-king doesn’t turn as he leads us down the dark tunnel below the arena. There’s no ornamentation along the walls, just glittering black stone and the rush of water in the distance.

“There’s a spring under the palace. The magic will heal the Wolf while those shackles keep his power locked down.”

The passageway opens into a cavern. Crystals cover the walls, refracting the luminous turquoise of the waters as if we’re standing inside a geode. Steam rises in lazy tendrils from the surface, carrying the scent of salt and minerals. And in the center of it all is a pool, perfectly round and glowing from within. So clear, I can see straight to the bottom.

Evander leans into my side with a pained grunt. His breaths are harsh and labored. Fresh blood oozes from the vicious slashes and punctures littering his skin.

“Is he okay?” I ask Alexios. “He’s not speaking.”

“He goes nonverbal when he’s like this.” His gaze drops to where Evander’s fingers dig into my hip. “Strip down, Princess. Your soulbond’s blocked, and he just slaughtered fifty demis for you. He needs skin contact to ground himself.” When I hesitate, he sighs impatiently. “There’s only one female in this realm whose body interests me, and it’s not you. Just do it.”

I grit my teeth and reach for my dress’ collar to undo the buckle. The gown falls to my feet, and cool air kisses my skin. My nipples pebble in the chill.

When I look up, Evander’s pupils have blown wide, only a thin ring of molten amber visible around the edges. The weight of that burning gaze rakes over me. His hands flex at his sides, as if barely leashing the urge to grab me.

“Now him,” Alexios tells me.

I step closer to Evander. The bond may be shuttered between us, but I swear I can feel him—the dissonant thrum of hunger vibrating through him. The need.

Holding his fevered stare, I ghost my touch over his chest and follow the valley of his sternum down until I snag on the fastener securing his weapons low on his hips. I hesitate when a growl rumbles out of him.

He seizes my wrist and squeezes in warning, the pressure just shy of pain.

I’m not in control, that movement says. Don’t let me hurt you.

“Damn,” Alexios mutters. “Of course you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Then why don’t you show me?”

“Fine.” He moves behind me. “There’s an art to dealing with a feral god. Follow my lead.”

He pries Evander’s fingers loose. I inhale sharply as his chest presses to my back. He reaches around me to slide his hands over mine, guiding me to the complicated clasps.

“First thing to remember,” he breathes in my ear. “Showing fear makes us want to chase. Without the bond, he’s running on instinct, and right now, you smell like prey.”

I hold still, letting Alexios guide my hands. He’s quick, almost forceful as he shoves a sheath off Evander’s shoulders.

“Any hesitation makes us think you’re weak.” Alexios forces my hands lower, to the fastening of Evander’s trousers. “Weak things get eaten.”

Evander’s eyes track every movement, muscles coiled tight. Lethal and utterly beautiful.

Alexios’ breath is warm against my nape. “See the way he’s looking at you? If I hadn’t cut your bond, he would have fucked you in all that blood,” he whispers. “That’s what we do.”

A shiver goes through me. “Trying to scare me off?”

“Just preparing you for reality.” A pause as we push Evander’s trousers down his hips. “You’re doing good.”

Heat crawls up my cheeks, but I say nothing.

Together, we divest him of blood-splattered leathers and weapons until he stands bare. My mouth goes dry at the sight of him. Even naked and covered in blood, he’s beautiful. His cock is hard, and he’s staring with the sort of desire that says he wants to consume me.

Alexios gives Evander a light shove toward the pool. “Get in the water while I teach your princess how to handle you.” He glances at me. “You too. Keep eye contact with him.”

The water is warm as I ease into it, like sliding into a bath. Evander’s wings drag along the surface as he moves closer, his stare holding mine, ravenous. I back up until my spine hits the pool’s edge, trapped between stone and six-plus feet of barely controlled god.

“Stop running.” Alexios settles on the pool’s edge, rolling up his sleeves. “He needs to know you won’t fall apart right now.”

“I’m not—”

Evander’s hands slam against the stone on either side of my head, caging me in. This close, I can see the thin ring of gold still fighting against the black of his pupils.

“Hi,” I whisper, reaching up to touch his face.

He turns into my palm, dragging his teeth across my skin. Not quite a bite, but close enough to make me shiver.

“Wash him,” Alexios tells me, sounding bored. “The water will heal the injuries.”

I cup my hands and sluice some liquid over him, soothing the hurts as best I can, cleaning his skin and wings with careful strokes. Some of the minor wounds begin to close under my ministrations.

Alexios reaches down to card his fingers through Evander’s wet hair. A shudder rolls through my Chosen at the touch, his eyes squeezing shut like it’s almost too much. The god-king’s grip tightens in silent reprimand when Evander tries to twist away.

Alexios’ molten gaze cuts to me, pinning me in place. “An Eternal fresh from slaughter needs someone strong enough to bring him back. Show me you know how to kiss your Chosen.”