Life was good indeed—he’d worked his ass off to change his entire existence—so when would it feel good?
Maybe when he’d reclaimed the honor he’d lost in the Iron Ring? Cas turned to Mirceo. “How did you find me here?”
“I heard you were heading to the Plane of Lost Years—for some kind of self-inflicted punishment—and figured you’d stop at this outpost for a last lay.”
You’re a little late, prince. Cas had already been there for centuries, now returned. As a death demon, he derived strength from his every kill, and he’d made thousands on Poly; at last he was ready to fight Trehan again. Cas had simply needed a way to send a challenge to Dacia.
Which meant Mirceo’s presence might actually be a boon.
“I was right as usual,” the vampire continued. “I’m well aware of your immense sexual appetites, because I enjoyed them.”
Cas shook his head. “You watched me with females.”
“We watched each other. And then there was the night of our kiss.”
That night had fucked Cas up for ages! He had never desired another male before or since Mirceo. “Just tell me why you’re here.”
“Testing a theory.” The vampire’s gaze rose. “Look at your gorgeous horns, Caspion.”
The way Mirceo said his name was like a graze of lips across his throat, making Cas’s pulse race. Godsdamnit, what hold did this male have over him? I’ll fight it to the death!
Mirceo continued in that hypnotic voice, “I loved to watch them straighten and swell, transfixed by the sight. I still fantasize about kissing them. Licking them. Clutching them as I straddle you, riding that mouthwatering shaft of yours.”
Fucking seductive vampire! Now Cas would be picturing those mental images for another eternity. “What do you want?” he demanded, his words embarrassingly thick.
“Are you heading to the Plane because you’re still in denial about what happened between us? I know how much it affected you.”
“What your assassin uncle did in the tournament affected me!” Though Cas had known Bettina wasn’t his fated one, he’d entered for her hand to save her from some of the more monstrous entrants.
One problem: Trehan Daciano had sensed his mate in Bettina. The ruthless assassin had entered as well.
“Was the tournament really so bad? You fought hard, and you made it to the very end. People loved you.”
Cas clenched his fists.
“I secretly watched you win an early match. All the demonesses threw their garters at you, screaming for your attention. At first, I thought I was jealous of your acclaim, wanting it for myself. Then I realized I was jealous whenever you smiled at those females. You were obviously enjoying their adoration.”
“Oh, I did enjoy it. It felt ungodsly good to be respected and adored by my people.” Crowds had cheered for him, chanting his name. The same demons who’d disdained Beggar had called Cas the first son of Abaddon! Until the final round had pitted him against Trehan. “Yet then your uncle wiped the floor of the ring with my face!”
Trehan had been poisoned by persons unknown, but he must have suspected Cas and Bettina. In his rage, the Prince of Shadow had annihilated Cas.
Snippets of that match flashed through his memory.
Trehan hurtling me against the side of the Iron Ring. A rusty spike breaking off inside my skull. Unimaginable pain. Vision fading to black. Where will the vampire strike next??? Can’t see! Can’t hear over the roar of the crowd! Blindly taking the attack, helpless to fight back. The snap of bones as the beating went on. And on. Choking on blood and humiliation. Bile. My own people cheering for Trehan.
When it’d ended at last, a deafening silence had reigned. Then the Dacian had renounced Bettina in front of all, leaving Cas the “victor.”
The Abaddonae believed—rightly—that in a match to the death, someone must die. Instead, Trehan had left him to live in shame. . . .
Mirceo didn’t look disturbed by Cas’s anger whatsoever. “How could you defend yourself against my uncle? He’s a blooded Dacian—who happens to be a millennium older than you are.” Not anymore. “Would it help if I told you Trehan regrets his actions?”
“He saw reason?”
“You haven’t heard? He discovered a malicious squire had poisoned his blood mead. Trehan and Bettina are reconciled and happily wed now.”
King Trehan of Abaddon? Godsdamn it! Though Cas had finally gotten strong enough to defeat his enemy, could Bettina bear it?
As if reading his mind, Mirceo said, “My uncle worries for his delicate Bride. She would be torn apart if you two fought.” And she’d already been through so much.