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"A portal is within this lair? With your power, could you use it without a key?"

She shook her head "If it’s locked, it’s been barred for a reason Against anyone"

"So we could take a key froed toher into Deep Place as well?

He didn’t know enough about the dangers in Pande, which meant she would have to accompany hi Who knehat he could be leading her into?

The only other option would be to spend several more days in hell Away fronizeto claim Melanthe "We search for the key, then We’ll find it I’ll kill any deer When was the last ti off a prison stay, remember We should at least find food and water Maybe spend the day recuperating We can return when they go back to the battlefield"

He couldn’t argue with her logic "Very well" He steered her toward the exit he’d scented

Across a narrow rock bridge, he spied the opening Murky rays of sunlight wavered through it

They were just about to traverse the bridge when a Volar de to remove pieces of his arainst the wall of an alcove

They wouldn’t be able to reach the exit without being seen by that Volar Thronos could take him, but not before the -lost brother--

More telepathy? Yet she’d sounded alive the intrusion, as well as the slight

When she found a flat length of stone in the dim alcove and took a seat, he cautiously joined her From the shadows, he surveyed the Volar Its kind had features in cos were si pulselines, and their claere the sas were all black

The de to await someone Moments later, a small demoness of indeteran kissing

Thronos turned his head away, but Melanthe leaned forith eagerness --An assignation! Oh, darn, Thronos We’re stuck here until they get finished--

"They aren’t about tohere?"

She grinned

"Turn fro an offendment

--You’ve never watched?--

"It isn’t done!"

At Thronos’s loords, the Volar turned sharply, scanning the shadows Thronos held his breath until the Volar’s ht as well read his nore the else, but he couldn’t risk the sound

--This Volar is the leader of the Infernals and is fresh froods for hisa raid on the Abysh that was all well and good, Thronos needed pertinent information He couldn’t believe he was about to do this, buthe lowered his shields against Melanthe, which drew her attention Then he thought the words: --Can you hearto you this way--

--Can you find out from hi he’s thinking about right now!-- She fanned herself

The Volar and the de Melanthe sigh When the male murmured in Demonish, she translated --He told her that he loves her, and he couldn’t withstand this hell without her And she says she feels the same way! They’re desperate for each other--

--She’s no warrior She must have been a camp follower-- A prostitute

--So? She’s with him now--

--But he knows many others have seen his mate They’ve touched her and pleasured her--

--Do you think that round, but answered honestly --I can’t see hoouldn’t--

--It wouldn’t because he obviously knows a very real truth The honor doesn’t go to the first oes to the last male, the one she’ll spend eternity with Hi ten feet tall, superior to all--

Thronos had never thought of it that way --I’ll be the last male you ever bed--

--That remains to be seen-- She turned to his make sense and everyone acts as they’re expected to and surprises are few But outside of heaven, life can be confusing and heartbreaking and dire So most of us take pleasure where we can find it-- She pinned hie anyone who does the same--

Could Thronos ever take pleasure where he found it? For a moment, he considered how easy life would be if he were a mere dee for release He didn’t have to worry about laws or expectations or the Tales of Troth

As a deacy, because he would be in no position to judge As soon as he led her from Inferno, he could find a place to take his de her this very day, without repercussions, was so seductive that he nearly groaned ant

His shaft ached for her, his horns as well Part of hi I need so badly? His mate was in need too Her season was upon her, and he had a driving instinct to pleasure her

A groan drew her attention back to the pair He kept his eyes on her

--They’re so in love-- Yearning eold was "as beautiful as love" Did she want love for herself?

His mate was such a contradiction She was hardened to violence and death But he’d also seen her joy in the tehtful and gentle Her eyes had usually been lit with h despite hione from the dour Skye to that ether

Merry, gentle, thoughtful Could she possibly have retained those traits after all she’d been through?

Before he considered his words, he asked: --Have you been in love?--

--I’ve never known role one of the males she’d been with? --Why?--

With a raised brow, she replied: --I haven’t foundyou are about that--