Death and Desire (Love in Cairo #1)

Chapter Twenty-Two

T he unforgiving, familiar sun shone on her face as the smoke around them cleared. A sigh of relief escaped Violet when familiar greenery filled her vision. The garden inside the courtyard of the Continental.

Violet stared at the man holding her. Gone was the foreboding profile of Anubis, replaced by the stern, stubbled jaw of Khalid. He turned his attention to her, his dark gaze softening in the glimmering sunlight.

“How long has it been?” Violet asked, fear piercing her. “My father will be in an absolute panic.”

“It has been but a moment.” He gestured to the dining area beyond the garden, where the soft strains of conversation drifted to them through the leaves. “Your father and brother are still enjoying breakfast and awaiting your arrival.”

“But how is that possible?”

“Time does not exist in the Netherworld.” Khalid lowered her until her feet touched the ground. Still, she clung to him, reaching up to brush a lock of hair from his brow.

“I...” Violet bit her tongue, stopping the thought before she had a chance to form into words.

Khalid tipped her chin up. “You have questions.”

“This seems to be a recurrent problem.” Violet leaned into his touch, savoring his warmth in the shade of the palm fronds overhead.

Khalid regarded her carefully. “What concerns you most?”

With a deep inhale, she reached into the depths of her mind and pulled her burning curiosity into the light. “Seth stole your heart.” Her voice trembled. “How will you get it back?”

Khalid smiled. Not a small twist at the corner of his mouth, but a complete transformation. He glowed. The action radiated from within, contrasting his warm golden tan with his perfectly white teeth.

Saints, he’d been handsome before, but now he was truly magnificent.

Then a sound she’d never heard burst from his lips. Laughter. Not a rollicking guffaw, but a steady warm chuckle that grew and blossomed to a delightful sound of amusement.

Violet stared at him in awe and blinked. Twice. “You...can laugh.”

The sound faded as he sobered. “Of course I can laugh.”

“But... why are you laughing?”

“I’m touched by your concern for my heart.” The smile remained, muted but present on his full lips. “It is quite safe, I assure you.”

“How is that possible?” Violet sputtered. “Seth took the jewel.”

“He did.” Khalid cocked his head. “But it no longer contained my heart when I returned it to you.”

What in the devil was he saying? Had he...? Violet poked him square in the chest several times before resting her palm over the place where the organ should have been.

Her gaze flew to his when she felt the steady beat of a heart beneath her palm.

“You returned it?”

“Not exactly.”

“Where is it?”

“Somewhere safe.” Khalid took her hand in his.

“Where?” she asked again as his strong fingers cupped hers.

“Here.” He placed her hand over her own heart.

Violet gasped. “You gave it to me?”

“I told you before, my little flower...” He closed the gap between them, releasing her hand and clasping her chin in his capable fingers. “My heart belongs to you.”

“I thought it was a figure of speech,” Violet muttered beneath her breath, knowing this man was far from metaphorical. But no...every word he spoke could be taken a thousand ways. Leave it to him to be quite literal in his confession of love.

“I placed my heart in your care. It was the most logical solution, and the safest place in the world.” Desire and conviction laced his words. “In doing so, we are bound for eternity.”

“Am I immortal?” Violet swayed as the connection fell into place. She ignored his thumb brushing her jaw in a soothing motion.

“Yes.” The heat in his gaze burned into her, igniting a flame inside her she could not—would never—be able to deny. “Unless something has changed? I will take it back if that is what you wish.”

“Nothing has changed.” Violet clung to him, grasping his lapels to steady herself, to keep him close. “I am honored. But don’t you want it back?”

Khalid shook his head. “My heart is where it was always meant to be—in your capable hands.” He cradled her face between his palms and lowered his lips to hers, stopping before they touched. “Fate has a design, my little flower, and it has placed my heart in your care. Who am I to question such a gift?”

“You are Anubis, protector of the dead.” Her breath caught at the ache in her chest. “I am no one.”

“You are human, but you are not no one. Not to me.” He touched his forehead to hers, and she breathed in the scent of him. “You are mine , Violet, and I protect what is mine.”

Her heart took flight at his words, fluttering like a bird. “What could a god possibly want from a mortal?”

“Love.” The solitary word lingered between them.

“You love me?” Violet whispered, afraid to break the spell.

“I love you.” His smile returned briefly, vanishing the moment his lips crashed down on hers.

Violet melted into his embrace, surrendering to the kiss. This man—this god —desired her. He wanted her, claimed her. Fate be damned. She would follow him to the ends of the earth.

When he slid his tongue between her parted lips, she gasped and tangled her fingers in his thick hair.

A discreet cough sounded in the distance, but Violet was loath to abandon the passionate embrace. Another cough, louder this time.

Khalid broke the kiss with a growl. Their panting breaths mingled as he pressed his head to hers.

“I hate to interrupt, but Father is growing impatient.”

Violet cringed at her brother’s pointed words. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing him after being caught in such a position. Khalid’s embrace tightened, his hand stroking her spine.

“We will be there directly. Just give us a moment,” Khalid replied for her.

“You have three minutes,” Isaac said.

Violet turned to see her brother disappear around the corner. She collapsed against Khalid, heat burning her cheeks.

“I thought no one could see us!” She jabbed him in the arm. “Warn me next time, would you?”

“If you wish to remain with me, you will have to reveal the truth.” He brushed an escaped lock of hair from her face and tipped her chin up, bringing her gaze to his.

“You wish for me to remain in Egypt with you?”

“Was that request not implied when I confessed my love?” The corner of his mouth twitched.

“I guess it was, but I hadn’t given it much thought.” She studied him carefully, searching for hidden meaning or duplicitous intent. “If I stay, how can we possibly make this work?”

“It is not as complicated as you think.” He nodded. “So long as we remain in Egypt, I can protect you, but my power does not extend beyond the ancient borders.”

“I can never return to England...” Violet’s heart seized. “Once Seth realizes the truth of the jewel, he will retaliate.”

Khalid snarled, baring his teeth, and a growl rolled deep in his throat. “If he dares touch you, I will tear him into a hundred pieces, then scatter them to the corners of the earth.”

Violet shivered at the violent image, but his promise of retribution gave her an odd sort of comfort. She touched his cheek, and his hard expression softened.

“Should he return, I will bring the council upon him. Once they understand your place by my side, he will have no recourse but to surrender.” Khalid kissed the top of her head. “You will be safe. That is my vow.”

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she clung to him and his promise.

“You will always be free to visit your family in England, my flower, but I will not be able to join you.”

Tears pricked her eyes. She longed to show him the wildflower fields outside her childhood home, and the estate where she grew up. Violet wished to show him the wonders that lay beyond the boundaries of Egypt, the world beyond.

A lump formed in her throat as he held her.

“Come, your father and brother await our presence. I have no wish to prolong the inevitable.” He stepped back, but his grip remained firmly on her arms. “I cannot say whether your father will be pleased by this outcome.”

“You did save my life on multiple occasions. That endears you to him.” Violet grinned, tapping her jaw with a finger. “But it was your fault I was even in those positions in the first place.”

“I doubt you need to reveal everything ,” Khalid grumbled.

“Are you asking me to lie to my father?” Violet feigned shock, pressing a hand to her chest and gasping.

“I would never ask you to do something that went against your nature.”

He smirked when she nudged him playfully.

“Cheeky.” Violet beamed at him and took his hand. “Now come with me.”

She had no idea what her father would say to her whirlwind romance with a handsome Egyptian, but she knew he would never believe her if she revealed she had, in fact, fallen in love with Anubis, god of the dead, and intended to remain by his side in Egypt for all eternity.