Darkness Unbound by Zoe Forward Read Free Book Online

heat shot down his spine. The bitch attempted to activate his desire? Nothing stirred in his groin. Thank the gods.
    She whispered, “ She could not have remained with you forever. You’d have watched her grow old and wrinkled.”
    Deception flashed in her eyes. She knew Astrid lived. If Astrid was his senariai, then she would survive as long as he without aging. His disgust for Ibioni flared into a fierce need to annihilate her once and for all. Fear took up residence in a dark corner of his mind that she or Min might target Astrid in retaliation, if he failed to kill Ibioni.
    He sent up a quick plea to Amun-Ra to protect Astrid. Although unlikely, he hoped his father might listen to his petition.
    Courtesy of his photographic memory, he mentally scanned the contract he’d signed less than an hour ago, coming to the part he hadn’t even given real consideration to. Breaking the agreement. He announced, “This is not happening.” He stepped away from her.
    “I can help.” She reached for him again.
    He pushed her hands away. “I have decided. My answer is no.”
    “You will violate our agreement before we give this a chance?”
    “Yes.” He watched her curiously, careful to maintain an apathetic mask.
    “You do understand what happens, if you do not uphold your part? You’ll lose this cushy prison.” She waved at his surroundings.
    “Yet, I avoid the part where I get to be your whore forever.”
    “Until I am with child, of course. In exchange you get a period of freedom in the Human Realm.”
    So, this was about conception. Again. Loathing flared. He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
    She stepped into him; her breasts bumped his crossed arms. Her hands roamed his body as if that would activate sensation. “Maybe in a few days you’ll change your mind.”
    He trapped her hands in his, stopping their southern trek. “Stop.” He pushed her away from him and stepped backwards again.
    Panic flashed through her eyes. “You will go to the underworld. To the executioner who will slice your body and shred your flesh. Forever. There’s no Mesquet reincarnation chamber awaiting you.”
    “I apologize, but I...I cannot do this.” He shook his head. “It never worked when we were together for years. I know the only reason Min had you marry me was to get you with child. It did not work then, and it probably will not work now. Is there not another that can father your child? Why cannot Min give you this desired child?”
    Her eyes narrowed. “Was this all some sort of game to humiliate me? You know he wants you to be the father.”
    Zannis sighed. “My decision is not about you. I thought I wanted time in the Human Realm. Now, I cannot do this.” Beyond his distaste for his ex-wife, he pitied her. Softly he asked, “Do you love him, Ibioni? Enough that all this…all the duties he requests of you make what he gives you worthwhile?”
    Her hand shot to her throat. Emotion drifted through her eyes.
    “Are you a slave like the rest of us?” he asked.
    She glanced around as if Min watched her. She whispered, “You never pleased me, Zannis. Not like he can.” Her eyes shifted away from direct contact, indicating otherwise.
    “You lie.”
    She hissed, “Only a god can grant us a divorce, which you will never get. You will remain mine forever. Eventually, I will get what I need. I hope you enjoy real hell.” She disappeared.
    His townhouse prison vanished.

Chapter Four
    “Wake up, Astrid!”
    Astrid’s brain throbbed inside her skull. She fought alcohol-induced lethargy to bat at the hand gripping her arm. “Quit.” Her lids drooped closed. Ah, relief.
    “Come on. Wake the fuck up.”
    She managed a clumsy sit and blinked from the car’s backseat into the dark driver’s seat at Christian. “Whaaat?” she slurred. “My head hurts.” She massaged her temple with one hand. The motion sent the world around her into a slow spin.
    “Shit. Stay awake. Stay in the car. Do not get out of the car. Did