Darkyn's Mate

"Past-Death offered him me, the deity's mate she created, the only chance he had for a mate like every other deity," she said.

"Yes," Zamon said. "His lust for blood, war and women is insatiable. It made him powerful but drove him beyond madness and nearly destroyed my domain. Twice, though the first time is not common knowledge. Can you not see the appeal of a source of appeasement to a creature older than time?"

"I can," she replied.

It was hard to imagine something that fed off depravity wanted peace. He'd pursued her with the cunningness he was known for. Their interactions weren't what she'd generally considered normal, but she was able to see the moment Fate warned her of, when Darkyn decided to keep her. It was the night he provoked her and forced her to say the words that brought her world crashing down.

I'm yours, Darkyn.

"You're his father. How did you lose your deal?" she asked Zamon.

"He knew me better," Zamon replied. "He was stronger."

"Wow. Okay," she murmured, alarmed every time she learned more about why people feared Darkyn. "What did you win in your deal about me?"

"Nothing but the satisfaction of victory," Zamon said, grinning. "I am forbidden from creating deals with material outcomes."

"For my part, I simply wanted you to survive," Fate told her.

"Whatever," she said and rolled her eyes at him.

Deidre. The summons made her tense. She didn't recognize the voice, but she saw the shadow world.

"I've gotta go," she said, dreading another interaction that got her in trouble with Darkyn yet grateful to flee the two creatures that were currently terrifying her. She called a portal when she stepped into the hallway to see who awaited her.

Past-Death.

Deidre hesitated then stepped into the in-between place. Past-Death's features were pale, her blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was dressed comfortably in jeans and a light sweater. She looked far different than Deidre recalled. It wasn't her physical appearance; it was the shimmer of uncertainty and worry around her, emotions the deity hadn't been capable of.

"Hello," Deidre said.

"Hello," Past-Death replied. "My gods, what happened to you? Darkyn turned you into a sex-demon?"

"I guess if you give a man the ability to build his own mate, he'll make her a tramp." Deidre rolled her eyes.

Past-Death gave a startled laugh.

"You called me?" Deidre asked. She looked down and crossed her arms, chilled in the shadow world but also uncertain what to expect. Their first and only exchange hadn't been pleasant. She was torn between anger and pity for Gabriel's mate right now.