The Dark King (21 page)

Like most women, Taylor had considered having children, but she'd never felt emotionally safe enough to bring the subject up with any of her ex's. Taylor had been diligent about her use of birth control. She never slept with any of her boyfriends without a condom unless they'd been tested, and even then she made them wear one.

Did Phantoms even have condoms?

She looked at Hades. He would protect his child, even if the child were initially unwanted. Taylor might not be able to trust him with her heart, but she would trust him implicitly with their child’s safety.

He took one last lick, then slid onto the bed beside her, pulling her into his arms. "Do not worry. You cannot have a child with me or any other warrior without being bound."

His words should've been a relief, but all Taylor felt was disappointment.

Hades gathered her close and nuzzled her. His tongue unerringly found the spot where her shoulder met her neck and he lapped at her skin.

"You're going to wear a hole in that spot if you're not careful." Taylor kept her voice light, but thanks to Perseus, she knew that particular spot had significance to the Phantom people and to Hades.

He stopped immediately and kissed the spot. "Get some rest," he said, but she noticed that his tension had returned.

Taylor shouldn't have said anything. She should've just kept her mouth shut. “I’m glad that you’re okay,” she whispered.

Hades kissed the side of her head. "Sleep, little one. I will protect you through the night," he said. And she believed every word.

The heat from his skin made covering herself in furs unnecessary. Despite wanting to stay awake and talk about what had just happened, it wasn't long before Taylor drifted off. She dreamed of tawny-haired boys and blue-eyed girls, snuggling on Hades’ lap while he sat on his hard metal throne.

***

Taylor awoke at dawn. She wasn't sure what had disturbed her sleep, until she saw Hades by the door.

He grinned. "I was trying not to wake you."

She yawned. "I've always been a light sleeper. What time is it?"

Hades gave her an odd look.

"Sorry, I forgot you guys don't have watches."

His brow furrowed.

"Never mind. I need to get up anyway," she said.

"Why?" he asked.

Taylor hesitated. "Um, Opal and I are meeting up this morning. I don't want to be late."

Hades' frown deepened. "Make sure if you go anywhere to take an escort. I still haven't captured the Slavers."

She brightened. "I will."

He continued to stare, regarding her quizzically.

"I promise."

Hades nodded hesitantly. "I will see you later?" He made it a question, even though it wasn't one.

"Sure, we'll catch up, when I return...from seeing Opal."

Hades looked like he wanted to say something more, but seemed to change his mind. "Until then." He slipped out of the room.

Taylor stretched and couldn't keep the grin from spreading across her face. Her body felt deliciously spent. Hades had woken her during the night and they'd made love again.
Had sex,
she told herself quickly, but it was a lie. A lie she’d concocted to protect her heart.

Love was the only way to describe the slow joining she'd experienced with Hades. He'd been so thorough, so caring, and tender that her heart had nearly swelled with the giddy emotion. He had murmured things in another tongue that she had no doubt were endearments.

Taylor hadn't asked what he'd said because part of her didn't want to know in case she was wrong. She had not wanted to destroy the precious moment. She wasn't naive enough to believe that making love would make a difference outside of the bedroom. Taylor was the definition of a realist. She'd stopped believing in happily-ever-after long ago, but that didn't mean she wouldn't hold the memory in her heart forever.

A knock sounded on her door.

Taylor jumped out of bed, grabbing a fur as she did so to wrap around her. Had Hades returned? What would that mean if he had? She opened the door to find Opal standing in the doorway. The King’s Righthand was frowning.

"I thought you'd be ready by now," Opal said.

"Uh.” Her gaze shot to Kon. She blushed, when he smiled. “I just woke up," Taylor said. She wasn't about to mention that the only reason she had was because of Hades. If she hadn't heard him leave, she'd still be out cold.

"I can see that." Opal crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "How long will it take you to get ready?"

"Can you give me forty-five minutes?" Taylor asked.

Opal's frown deepened.

"Make it thirty. I'll be ready as quick as I can," she said.

Opal nodded. "Fine! But hurry. We don't have all day."

Taylor shut the door and raced to her bathroom, determined not to keep Opal waiting for long. Her mood was already questionable. But nothing would ruin Taylor's day. Not after spending last night in Hades’ arms.

Opal was standing in the hall, when Taylor walked out of her room twenty minutes later. She seemed surprised, but she didn't say anything.

"Ready?" Opal asked.

"More than ready," Taylor responded.

"Good, let's get out of here."

Kon stepped in front of them. "Where are you going?"

Opal's temper flared. "That is none of your concern, warrior."

"It's my job to watch over her," Kon said.

"Correction," Opal said. "Hades gave me that duty. Your job is to watch over her when she's in her chamber. If you have a problem with that, then I suggest you take the issue to the King."

Kon's face flushed.

Taylor mouthed the word ‘sorry’ to him.

Opal didn't wait for a response. She led Taylor out one of the side entrances of the Keep, bypassing the main guards at the front.

"This way," Opal said. She opened a door that Taylor hadn't noticed before.

They traveled down a side path that wound its way into the city. The sun was rising quickly in the light green sky, but the air remained comfortable and wonderfully scented.

"I still can't get over the color of your sky or the fact that you have two moons," Taylor said.

"Doesn't Earth?" Opal asked without looking at her. Instead, she continued to scan the area around them.

"No.” She shook her head. “We only have one moon. Our blue sky is just as pretty though."

Opal wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I hate that color."

Taylor didn't ask her why, since it was obvious. "This trail is handy," she said instead. "I'm surprised it's not heavily guarded like the rest of the Keep."

Opal glanced at her. "I use this route often, when I want privacy. Even if someone wanted to storm the Keep from this direction, they wouldn't make it through the Walled City without being spotted. Someone would sound the alarm."

Something didn't feel right. The trail was isolated and devoid of life. Taylor looked around nervously. It seemed like they were sneaking. And there was only one reason to do that. "I thought you said we wouldn’t get in trouble?"

“We won’t,” Opal said.

“Then why are we using this route?” Taylor picked her way over the uneven stones. “Wouldn’t going out the front take less time?” She stumbled.
And be less dangerous.
After the night she'd spent with Hades, Taylor really didn't want to jeopardize the intimate gains that she’d made by breaking the rules.

“Going this way lets me avoid unnecessary questions.” Opal gave her a pointed look. "Besides, I thought you of all people would appreciate skirting regulations."

"I would have in the past, but the Pit challenge put things into perspective. Hades almost died last night. He needs time to recover. I don’t want to do anything that’s going to upset him and delay his healing,” she said. Not something silly like sneak into town to go shopping. Taylor glanced around again. “Are you sure it’s safe for us to journey without a guard into the Walled City? Hades said it was dangerous."

Opal scowled. "I am a guard. Less you forget."

Taylor held up her hands. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just think we should’ve told Kon where we were going."

Opal glared at her. “You can go back if you want, but I’m going to the sale booths.” She pointed to the top of the mountain. The trail zigzagged up the rock face, growing steeper and steeper the higher it got.

Taylor did not look forward to that climb. She’d barely made it going down. “Maybe I’ll stay for a few minutes,” she said.

Opal rolled her eyes. “Come on, we’re almost there.”

They reached the Walled City, which was blissfully flat, and weaved their way through the various stalls. The place reminded Taylor of a Renaissance Faire she'd attended a long time ago—if she overlooked the advanced technology humming in the booths.

Rows and rows of stalls lined the main road that led to the Keep. They were four deep and didn't stop until they met the three story dwellings that ringed the massive wall enclosing the city. Handmade goods were advertised on holo-screens. 'Not Replicated Materials' bulletins were posted everywhere.

Taylor stopped and examined the clothing closely, doing her best to ignore all the curious glances coming her way. "What does the 'Not Replicated Materials' signs mean?"

Opal left the stand she'd been browsing and walked over to her. "The Phantom people have special clothing requirements. They need to be able to absorb the fabric into their bodies at will, allowing them to shift any time they like without having to constantly replace their clothing. Handmade natural fiber clothes are better for absorption. Hence the signs and the different prices. Buy whatever you like. Hades won't mind." She picked up a shirt and held it to the sunlight. The iridescent green turned to blue. Opal dropped it onto the table like it had singed her fingers. "It doesn't really matter what you choose because in all likelihood you're going to end up mating with an Atlantean anyway."

"Excuse me?" Taylor arched a brow. Did Opal know something that she didn't? "Why would you say that? I haven't even
met
any Atlanteans." Her exclamation brought even more stares from the crowd around them.

Opal glanced at the people, her gaze narrowing. Most hurried away.

"Atlantean warriors are quite handsome, if you can get past the blue eyes and other physical limitations." She shrugged, then gave Taylor a calculating smile. "As to your question, Hades and I were discussing your tenuous situation this morning in bed. We decided that you mating with an Atlantean was best for everyone involved. That way you'd get to live in New Atlantis near your sister and there would be no need to
ever
return to the Walled City. His words, not mine."

Taylor turned away from the stall. "What do you mean you were discussing
my
situation? I don't have a
situation
." She did, but that wasn't the point. How dare Opal bring the subject up in public! No one was supposed to know that she was here.

She mentally replayed the rest of what Opal had said. The woman had claimed they’d been in bed while having this conversation, but that was impossible. Unless he had a twin, Hades had been in her room all night. "Where exactly were you, when you were discussing this?"

Opal's smile broadened. "I didn't mean to tell you in quite this manner, but I spent the night in the King's chambers after the challenge," she said. "I told you before, Hades needs a warrior in his bed to fulfill all his animalistic urges."

Didn't mean to tell her...
Was she for real? The bitch had enjoyed every second of jabbing that knife into her gut.

As for Hades' needs, Taylor had more than held her own in bed with the Dark King, thank you very much. Just how gullible did Opal think she was? "We are talking about last night, right?" Taylor asked.

"Yes," Opal said without blinking an eye. "I'm surprised I made it to your door on time. As you know the King is quite vigorous."

Yes, he was,
Taylor concurred.

Hades had spent the night in her bed. The whole night. Opal was
lying
. If she hadn't known the truth, Taylor would be crushed. No doubt that had been Opal's intent. The question was why had she gone to so much trouble? Opal could've just as easily passed the lie off at the Keep. She didn't have to waste her entire morning shopping with Taylor, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.

Maybe it was a cat thing?

Taylor rolled her eyes. Whatever game she was playing, it didn't make sense, but it did confirm what she already suspected. They would
never
be friends. No matter how hard she tried to forge a relationship with the woman, no matter what Taylor did, it would never be enough.

She decided not to call Opal on the lie. There was no point. The woman was delusional. Highlighting the fact would only make their time together in the city unbearable, and Taylor was determined to enjoy herself. She kept her expression neutral, when she said, "I'm glad the King won't care if I spend some of his credits. I need to pick up a few things."

Opal stared at her in confusion. "I told you that I spent the night in the King's bed," she said. “Why aren’t you upset?”

"Why should I be?" Taylor asked, steeling herself. "He's not 'mated'. I have no legal claim on Hades."
But she wanted one
. The thought escaped before she could stop it. Oh man, she had it bad, so bad. And nothing good would ever come of it.

Opal's expression cooled. "That is correct. Hades is not and will never be—
yours
. It's best that you remember that, though it hardly matters now."

Okay...crazy, table for one. "Are we going to shop or what?” Taylor asked calmly, though her heart was pounding. “If you've changed your mind, we can head back now."
Please say yes. Please say yes.

"No!" Opal's panicked tone startled Taylor.

“What’s going on?” she asked, grateful that there were still people around. She might need a witness if Opal went off the deep end of the galaxy.

"Nothing! Everything’s on schedule," Opal said, her outward countenance calm once more. "I'd planned to stay out all morning. Besides, you haven't found anything yet. You don't want to go back empty handed." She indicated to the row behind the booth they were in front of. "Come.” She motioned with her hand. “I know where the best clothes and ornamentations are located. I'm sure you'll find something there that you like."