Chapter eighteen
Elrien was young again—hopeful and desperately in love. He was carrying a bloodstone amulet he'd crafted himself, its dark red surface etched with protective runes in the ancient demon tongue. It was meant to bind their souls together for eternity, a proposal gift worthy of the woman he wanted to make his queen.
He pushed open the door to her chambers, eager to see her face light up when she saw his offering.
"Lilith," he called softly.
But the scene that greeted him shattered his world completely. Lilith lay entwined with a human man, both of them naked and peaceful in their sleep. The amulet fell from Elrien's numb fingers, the bloodstone cracking as it struck the stone floor.
"LILITH!" he roared.
They jerked awake, and Lilith's face went pale when she saw him standing there. She quickly pulled a blanket around herself, but made no move to distance herself from her lover.
"El," she said calmly, using his old childhood name. "You didn't say you were coming."
