A Promise of Fire

Now that that's settled, you're coming with me." "Never in a billion suns. Not even if Zeus showed up as a swan and tried to peck me in your direction. I wouldn't go with you even if my other option was Hades dragging me to the Underworld for an eternal threesome with Persephone.

Have I cheated death again? Hades must be allergic to me.

Happiness is a strange, frightening, fragile feeling when you're not used to it.

I conquered a kingdom and found a treasure." His voice turns gravelly, low. "I won't let you go. Not now. Not ever.

People talk about fight or flight? That's nonsense. It's fight and flight.

The ice inside me melts. Suddenly, I'm burning up and terrified, scared I'll be too weak to resist. Scratch that - I'm petrified I've already given in.

I've known all sorts of fear - fear of pain, fear of discovery, fear of capture. This is new. This is the kind of fear that teaches me the difference between trying to stay alive, and wanting to live.

Let go,” I demand. “No.” My eyebrows snap together. “Why not?” “Because your gut reaction is always to punch, and I don’t like being tickled.” Tickled? Tickled! Indignation swamps me. I’ll show him a tickle.

I dread this power he has over me. It makes me want to tell him all my secrets and see if he still wants me.

How can people be so blind?” I shrug. “Don’t overestimate the masses. They love you until they hate you. They hate you until they love you.

The warlord pierces me with a hard stare. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way." "Or no way, " I retort.

That's what it comes down to for everyone. How much use we can be.

For some reason, the strength and deadliness he keeps so easily leashed make him the most compelling man I've ever met. I envy his self-control.

Temporary homecomings are bittersweet. Sometimes it's better not to go back at all than to have to leave again.

She talks big, but she’s made of custard.” “Fluffy and full of cream?” Kato wiggles blond eyebrows at me. Carver grins. “Think she’s sweet, too?” My eyes spit fire. “Bite me. You’ll find out.

I want him everywhere. I burn for him in places he hasn't even touched.

Who are you to decide what needs to be done? That's subjective by nature. No two people think alike." "Someone has to decide. Without, rulers, there's chaos.

I'll show these people how a curtsy is done, even if I am wearing soggy boots and a bloody pair of pants. Literally. There's blood on them, and I can't get it out, no matter how hard I scrub. At least it's not mine.

Make a decision, and don't turn back." "What if it's wrong?" "I don't know." He winks at me over his shoulder. "It's never happened.

Maybe I'll trust him to fight my monsters while I sleep. Maybe I don't have a choice. His voice is fierce in my ear. "You're mine now, Cat. Don't you dare die on me.

Unless they're utterly heartless, people put a certain value on human life. It keeps us from killing each other off for no reason. But for leaders like you and me, a moral high ground is too absolute. There are choices to be made.

Never promise things you can't deliver," I whisper. "I can try," he whispers back, and I hate myself because I smile.

Hades, Hera, and Hestia!" Flynn curses, pointing up. "What in the Underworld is that?" "A She-Dragon." Everyone turns to me, and as much as I love having four handsome men gape at me in stupefaction, right now, I could do without.

Griffin leans closer, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive rumble only I can hear. "There are things I could boast about, but I'd rather show than tell.

His tongue swirls against my skin, and I gasp. His voice rough with passion, he rasps, "You're living fire. I burn.

I want you. I need you. For as many hours as possible, I don't want to think about anything but you.

You’re intelligent, brave, skilled, and lethal. You’ve got Poseidon and Hades looking out for you. I don’t believe you’ll die young, and I don’t believe they’d let you. And even if they’re not paying attention, then I am. I won’t let you. I told you I was keeping you. I meant it.

I swallow, thinking I might pity myself a little bit right now, too. “He abducted me. He threatened my friends. He kept me tied to him with a magic rope. I couldn’t even pee by myself. He’s awful.” “You’ll get over it.” Jocasta cheerfully throws my own words back at me. “See you at dinner.

The man with the gray eyes is a born leader, and only an idiot would mistake him for anything else.

Butterflies tickle my insides. “You either have an Olympian-sized sense of self-importance, or you’re overcompensating for a lack of confidence.