To protect his realm, Trehan must eliminate that demon; his Bride would never forgive the murder.

He needed to think. To approach this rationally. Which was impossible when the tears in her eyes affected him physically, and when the memory of her pulse against his tongue still made him thirst for the forbidden.

"I've told you everything I know," she murmured. "I'm begging you to leave Abaddon."

Begging me to leave her.

He didn't need this! He should be grateful for the increase in power his blooding had brought him-and the release he'd stolen with Bettina-then move on with his duties.

He could enjoy other women now that she'd brought his body back to life. He could still father heirs, could repopulate his house. As far as he knew, he was the first of his cousins to be blooded, which meant he'd just become the strongest.

Old longings could still be realized. I could have a female and offspring-and the strength to protect them all.

Trehan would be damned if he'd compete for Bettina's affections, especially not against someone so unworthy as Caspion. As the sun began to spill into her bedroom, he said, "Farewell, Bettina of Abaddon."

"You're leaving?"

The hopefulness in her tone cemented his decision. "I am."

Yet then her face fell. "To try to steal my medallion?"

"I return to my home."

Her eyes widened. "And you'll spare Cas?"

"Not at all. I have no plans to come back for you. But I definitely will for him. It's a done thing, Bettina. Resign yourself."

"Please, no! I'll do anything." Her face flamed as she asked, "Don't you need to . . . to claim me?"

Yes! The temptation to sink into her virgin body-to lose himself in the silky wetness that he'd touched, he'd tasted-nearly had him reaching for her once more.

With a nervous swallow, she dropped the sheet to her waist. "V-vow not to hurt him, and I'll be yours."

His gaze locked on her br**sts, on those taunting ni**les. She'll sleep with me to save him. Gods, the pleasure would be unimaginable. His c**k hardened, twitching within his damp pants. Yet again, his fangs sharpened.

But he refused to force himself on a female who didn't want him. "You're in an impossible situation, girl. The more you plead for the demon, the less I'm inclined to want you." The more she pleaded, the less he wanted to want her. "The next female I take to my bed will be there because she craves what I alone can give her."

When burning rays of sun spilled into the room, he took one last look at her, then disappeared.

After Bettina tossed on a robe and ripped off her mask, she all but dived for Salem's bell, ringing it frantically.

"What's bloody wrong with you, chit?" the nearly empty jug on her coffee table demanded.

"Have you been watching over Cas?"

"I have. I morphed wiv the ceiling directly over the bed of the strumpet he's been pile-driving for hours. He's been doing things to her that you would not believe. I'll just pop off and get back to me post-"

"Wait." Bettina ground her teeth, reminding herself that it wasn't as if she and Cas had any commitment between them.

And it isn't like I haven't been with somebody else tonight.

"Go back to the strumpet's," she bit out, "and tell Caspion that I met the vampire sent to assassinate him."

The air shivered around her, the only indicator of Salem's emotions. No longer was he in the jug. She sensed him occupying a curl of her hair.

Right at her ear, he yelled, "An assassin was in your apartments? Why the bloody-ell didn't you call for me?"

Bettina jumped. "Just go get Cas! I'll explain everything to the two of you."

"I should have been here wiv you. And what if this leech returns? I'll tell Raum-"

"No! I don't believe there's a danger now that the sun's risen. Now go!"

Three minutes later, both Salem and Cas returned to her rooms. Cas was half-dressed, reeking of perfume, his horns and mouth smeared with lipstick. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing flawless bronzed skin and more lipstick all the way to his navel.

What faceless female had enjoyed Cas's body over the night? Gods, the jealousy stung! Sometimes Bettina was glad that she didn't still possess her Sorceri power, could only imagine what she might be tempted to do in a fit of pique.

She gazed down at her splayed fingers; even after all this time, she expected power and light to boil up from her palms. Instead, emptiness tolled inside her.

A hollowness that nothing can alleviate. . . .

"You saw him?" Cas demanded as he pulled on a boot. "He was here?"

"Yes. In the flesh." And in my bed.

"How are you still alive?" Somewhat dressed, Cas laid his roughened hands on her shoulders, much as the vampire had done. "He never leaves anyone alive! It's forbidden for him to be seen by otherlanders!"

She swallowed. "I'm . . . well, I guess I'm an exception."

Salem shimmered through the room, possessing one of Cas's hands, but the demon shuddered, flicking his fingers with disgust.

Salem alighted, settling back into her hair. "Divvy, princess."

"The thing of it is . . . I'm his Bride."

As Cas gaped, Salem said, "So the demon pissed off some vampires, and they hired an assassin who recognizes you as his mate? Oh, this just gets better and better."