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Lila was in love with the idea of having as much control over her own life as possible Of not constantly looking over her shoulder for the Morior

Being a ruler would give her the most safety and control she could ever hope for "Are you stillword from you"

A hint of a grin played on his lips "Has little Calliope developed an even tarter tongue since she's been away?"

Tarter? You have no idea, cousin Her exile had only fueled her temper

"And yet I wager it will taste so sweet" He grasped her shoulders and drew her closer To kiss her?

She'd wondered what this would be like for far too long Especially of late Even when she'd kissed other guys, she'd dreamed of Saetth, unable to deny he was probably her ideal match, socially, royally--and sexually

Had he imprinted on her in some way?

He leaned down As their lips made contact, fireworks exploded

The eight-o'clock fireworks show Not soout with the mortal who played Goofy

Saetth groaned, slanting his ue to hers

That was better, but nothing she'd write home about Not that I could ever write hoodsdamned dimension and they don't make stamps for that

She broke away and pushed against his chest

He wasn't discouraged at all Releasing her, he murmured, "Sweet as honey"

So that was the extent of their first kiss? Howanticlimactic

With a s to take in the fireworks blazing across the sky

She'd seen this show so y cascades came next

"Clever to use mortals as your cover from the archer," he said "And to masquerade as a fairy princess is the boldest choice you could have made Why am I not surprised?"

I can't believe I just kissed Saetth "Are you here to take me back or not?"

He straightened and faced her "I am not"

She bit back a string of insults How er?

"I traveled here with a friend to discuss so with you Ah, here she is now"

A stunning black-haired feolden eyes strolled out onto the balcony She rocked a scarlet sheath dress A live bat perched on her shoulder like an accessory

Was the creature eating a tuft of cotton candy? A package of it jutted fro

Saetth said, "Calliope, this is Nix the Ever-Knowing, the Valkyries' soothsayer"

Nix? She was one of theon your alliance--immortals alive "I've read about you in my Book of Lore" Lila's only connection to the immortal world, the book updated itself with every major battle or power shift "It's a pleasure to meet you"

Though Nix was a crucial leader in the Vertas alliance, the Valkyrie was also ru, Nix said, "Have you ever wanted to dance with the devil in the pale ht?"

Huh?

Saetth said, "I think what Nix ainst the Morior"

Also known as the Bringers of Doo from their side of the universe to invade this one Their archer had already arrived in advance of them

Since she'd been old enough to understand what a bogeyman was, she'd lived in fear of them all

Growing in lockstep with her fear was fury, the two eoes by that I don't think about them I've forfeited so much to re my exile"

Saetth arched a blond brow "I told you that you could return horeat personal sacrifice to prove your loyalty Are you ready to?"

Lila stilled, working to calain

Anything "Yes, how?"

"Nix has assured ainst the Morior on a battlefield is impossible, but she's also provided us a unique opportunity to deal that alliance a blow"

Nix drew a dossier fro and handed it to Lila