Darkyn's Mate

"There were two who attacked my mate," the demon lord said. "I'm taking the dealer who hurt her." He paused. "My … spies report that you can't keep dealers and have no idea what's going on in the underworld. The other dealer you can have."

"This sounds like a favor," Gabriel said, frowning.

"It is."

"What do you want in return?"

"Harmony. When you find her."

Deidre glanced at Darkyn in puzzlement. Why would he want the dealer behind those who hurt her? A strange sense went through her, one she might think was jealousy. How insane was she to be worried about Darkyn drinking the blood of another woman?

"By letting them attack you, Harmony made a personal affront to the Dark One," Gabriel explained. "I can't imagine that will go well for her."

"What does that mean?" Deidre asked uncertainly.

"I imagine an eternity of punishment as only the Dark One can devise. Same for the dealer who hurt you today."

"But I'm okay. He didn't hurt me," she said, looking at Darkyn with renewed fear. "An eternity? For one mistake?" She couldn't fathom the idea. The reminder of what her mate was left her trembling harder.

"Even I won't go to bat for him," Gabriel said. "Either of them. Mates are sacred."

"But it's my fault," she said. "Darkyn, I never should've come here. I don't want him paying for something I did."

"He will pay for drawing your blood," the demon lord growled in a tone that made her jump. "Anyone who raises a hand to my mate also raises a hand to me and will be dealt with accordingly."

"For once, I agree with Darkyn," Gabriel said.

Deidre was quiet, troubled. The two deities were bristling. She sensed it was because of her. Were they talking in their heads to one another? She couldn't tell, except that the tension in the room was increasing.

"Has he hurt you?" Gabriel asked, looking at her once more.

"No," she replied. Her distress was rising with their tension. Darkyn motioned to her.

Deidre crossed to him quickly, almost relieved. She leaned into his body. Sensing her anxiety, Darkyn rested a hand on her hip. His cool energy worked through her, calming her. She sighed and breathed in the scent of his warm skin and the lingering, faint smell of blood.

"Agreed," Gabriel said. "Harmony for the dealer you have."

"I'll have him brought to the shadow world and summon you," Darkyn said. His low growl vibrated against her.

Deidre twisted her head to see Gabriel. Tense and rigid, he was watching her with no small amount of emotion in his features.