“Then you are most foolish, Ma Petite Princesse. Your lover’s soul is the price you must pay to right a wrong and change the past.” He moved toward the portrait.

Her pulse leapt, her heart skipped a beat. Her vision went fuzzy around the edges as light-headedness overcame her. She couldn’t let him harm Zarek and steal his soul. She wouldn’t allow it. She’d fight to her death to protect him. He had died because of her, and now she would die to give him back his life.

She gathered every ounce of courage inside her. “No!” She challenged with an unwavering stare as she took a threatening step toward the dark shadow.

“No?” There was amusement in his voice.

She knew she was no match for the Keeper of Darkness. She did not possess the strength or the wisdom needed to defeat him. He would leave here tonight with a soul and there was nothing Caira could do to change that.

“No. Let him live. Take mine.”

“Bella, no. Let him take mine.”

There was a long moment of silence before the cloaked darkness spoke. “You will sacrifice your life for your lover’s?”

“Yes.” Her voice was unwavering.

“Very well then.”

“Bella, I love you.”

“I love you too, Zarek.”

She took a step closer to the Keeper of Darkness and stood proud. “Take me.” The last thing Caira saw before she fell to the floor was the sharp blade of his sword cutting through the air.

“Wake up, Bella.” Zarek touched her cheek and ran the pad of his thumb over her lips.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. “Zarek. Am I in hell?”

He gave a soft chuckle. “No, Bella, look around, you are in your apartment.”

Her voice was not quite steady. “I don’t understand.”

He held his hand out to her and she eagerly accepted it. “The Keeper of Darkness could not take your soul.” Zarek brushed her hair from her eyes.

“Why?”

“Because you showed him the true meaning of love.”

Her beautiful eyes softened as they met his. “I did?”

“Yes, sweetness. You were willing to sacrifice your life for mine.”

Her blonde brows puckered. Panic rushed across her features. “I couldn’t let him hurt you, Zarek. I love you too much to allow anything happen to you.” Her voice ended in a soft whisper.

Zarek’s body shook as his heart filled with the love he felt for her.

Her small, shaky hands reached out to touch his cheek. “You’re no longer blue.”

He smiled and gathered her into his arms. “That is because the curse is broken. I am here, Bella. In the flesh. To stay with you. Forever.” He carried her to the bedroom and laid her on her bed.

Her eyes fixed on his mouth. “What we did last night. The lovemaking. It was all real.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes, Bella. It was all real.” He moved in beside her, resting his chin on his palms.

She laughed softly. Desire flickered across her face. “So that is why my body hurts all over.”

He laughed with her. “Perhaps I should kiss your aches away.”

Her eyes opened wide. She pushed her pelvis into his and he immediately hardened as heat and desire whipped through his blood. “Yes, perhaps you should,” she purred.

Zarek planted his mouth over hers and kissed her possessively. She matched the passion and intensity of his kiss.

Joy sang through his blood. He’d waited a lifetime to claim her, to have her back in his arms, his life, and his bed.

And now, armed with the gift of true love, they would have the power to fight and destroy any evil that tried to come between them.

He inched back to gaze at her beauty. “I love you, Bella.”

She gave him a wry smile and whispered into his mouth. “The name is Caira.”

He chuckled. “Yes, of course, Caira.”

She grinned. “But you can call me Princess.”

This time Zarek laughed out loud and smothered her smirk with a kiss.


***

CATHRYN FOX graduated from university with a Bachelor of Business degree, majoring in accounting and economics. Shortly into her career Cathryn quickly figured out the corporate life wasn’t for her. Needing an outlet for her creative energy, Cathryn turned in her briefcase and calculator and began writing erotic romance full-time. Cathryn enjoys writing dark paranormals and humorous contemporaries.