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    Darkyn's Mate (#3, Rhyn Eternal)
    Darkyn's Mate (#3, Rhyn Eternal)
    Darkyn's Mate (#3, Rhyn Eternal)
    Ebook182 pages2 hours

    Darkyn's Mate (#3, Rhyn Eternal)

    By Lizzy Ford

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    About this ebook

    Caught between Fate and the Dark One ...

    Stuck in Hell, human-Deidre struggles to hold onto her hope that she can change the course of events that landed her as the mate of Darkyn, the Dark One. The chances of her leaving Hell plummet when the Dark One takes a drastic step to ensure he never loses his latest possession and blood binds her in an ancient rite from the time-before-time. In doing so, he is forced to share his power with her. Rather than despair, she begins to see that she has unexpectedly found her place in the world: protecting innocent souls from the bloodlust of the demon she's forever bound to.

    Rather than accept her place at his side docilely, she begins to use her newfound influence to help those she cares about, including Gabriel, the former lover she's not yet ready to let go of, even knowing she'll never leave Hell.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLizzy Ford
    Release dateJul 4, 2013
    ISBN9781301165513
    Darkyn's Mate (#3, Rhyn Eternal)
    Author

    Lizzy Ford

    I breathe stories. I dream them. If it were possible, I'd eat them, too. (I'm pretty sure they'd taste like cotton candy.) I can't escape them - they're everywhere! Which is why I write! I was born to bring the crazy worlds and people in my mind to life, and I love sharing them with as many people as I can.I'm also the bestselling, award winning, internationally acclaimed author of over sixty ... eighty ... ninety titles and counting. I write speculative fiction in multiple subgenres of romance and fantasy, contemporary fiction, books for both teens and adults, and just about anything else I feel like writing. If I can imagine it, I can write it!I live in the desert of southern Arizona with two dogs and two cats!My books can be found in every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords.

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    Book preview

    Darkyn's Mate (#3, Rhyn Eternal) - Lizzy Ford

    80

    Darkyn’s Mate

    #3, Rhyn Eternal

    By Lizzy Ford

    http://www.GuerrillaWordfare.com/

    Cover design by PhatPuppy Creations

    http://www.PhatPuppyArt.com/

    Smashwords EDITION

    Darkyn’s Mate copyright ©2013 by Lizzy Ford

    http://www.GuerrillaWordfare.com/

    Cover design copyright © 2013 by PhatPuppy Creations

    http://www.PhatPuppyArt.com/

    Typography Copyright © by Regina, Mae I Design

    http://www.MaeIDesign.com/

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

    This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.

    Prologue

    From Gabriel’s Hope

    Suddenly, Past-Death’s words about how Deidre became Gabriel’s mate clicked. Would the reverse also work? If Past-Death was dead again, was Deidre next in line to be Gabriel’s mate?

    Deidre faced the door, mind working quickly.

    Wait! she called. Your soul. If you can’t do what I did in a week, I get your soul.

    Fuck off, human.

    Who’s the coward now? Deidre demanded. You’re incapable of loving him the way he deserves, and you know it.

    Past-Death froze at the door. Her face was red, her eyes glittering. You will wager your soul as well?

    Yep, Deidre said. Deal? She held out her hand and drew near. One week. Your soul and mine on the table.

    Past-Death shook her hand. Cold energy shot through Deidre, and she flinched. The door opened, and they both looked towards it.

    Which one of you is mine? Darkyn’s growl made her blood run cold.

    As I promised. My payment for your services. Past-Death snatched Deidre’s arm and yanked her to the side for him to see the tattoo.

    The demon lord smiled. Past-Death pushed Deidre towards him.

    Deidre dug in her heels before she reached him. The heat of her anger vanished, replaced by fear.

    Deal settled, Darkyn said, stepping aside. With regards to our arrangement about reviving you…

    We’ll talk later, Past-Death said and brushed by him.

    Darkyn watched her go. Deidre saw the look on his face, the same one Past-Death gave her when admiring the product she created. His attention returned to Deidre. His fangs were lengthening. She backed away, unable to fathom the idea of being trapped with him in Hell for eternity.

    Rules, he reminded her and entered the chamber. He closed the door behind him.

    No running. No fighting.

    You must obey him, no matter how much you do not wish to. Your life is not the only one dependent upon this.

    She stopped in place as Fate’s words returned her. Unable to quell the panic flying through her, she wasn’t willing to test the waters to discover if demons were restricted from harming their mates like Immortals. In a week, when Past-Death lost her end of the bet, Deidre would be free.

    She just had to survive.

    Deidre closed her eyes as Darkyn’s arm snaked out to grab her neck. He dragged her against him. Breathing ragged, she tilted her head in submission.

    One week.

    Welcome to your new home, love, the Dark One said a moment before his teeth sank into her neck.

    For Gabriel.

    Day One

    Chapter One

    In Hell, human-Deidre sat next to the hearth hours after she made the deal with the goddess who stranded her. She hadn’t seen her new mate, Darkyn – the Dark One – since he drank his fill of her hours before and left. Her lightheadedness was gone and she was grateful his bloodsucking was pain free. Not by his choice, which was clear. If she hadn’t bartered for a painless existence, she’d be trying to kill herself to get away from him.

    If, for some reason, she was stuck here forever, at least he wasn’t going to hurt her, as long as she followed his rules.

    No running. No fighting.

    Either of them was too much of a turn on to a demon that reveled in causing pain. The idea made her panic. How long would it take Gabriel to find her and rescue her?

    Would he be able to, if he thought the goddess Past-Death was his mate?

    Her stomach growled. A look around her bedchamber with its black, stone walls, ceiling and floor revealed nothing remotely edible. The large bed was set in a similar stone bed frame and covered with dark coverings. The room was allegedly the most comfortable Hell had to offer. She wasn’t able to tell what time it was in Hell. There were no clocks and she had no cell phone. Her room was made of black stone and quiet with no sounds except the crackle of fire.

    It wasn’t bad. She had no intention of spending eternity there, though.

    She stood, hungry. Made of material softer than silk, the black dress she wore pooled at the top of her feet. Her back was bare to display the name of Darkyn amid the Immortals’ geometric writing that marked her as an Immortal mate.

    She put her hair down to hide the mark, horrified by the idea of belonging to the devil.

    Deidre’s hand went to her neck, where Darkyn had placed a slender collar. If his name scrawled across her shoulders didn’t mark her as his, the collar did. She didn’t think any demon in Hell was going to mess with the Dark One’s mate. At least, she hoped not.

    She stood in front of the door nervously for a long moment, not certain it would open.

    It did.

    There were no longer demon guards outside her door, maybe because Darkyn knew she couldn’t leave. If her bond to him was like hers to Gabriel, he’d be able to find her no matter what.

    She couldn’t think about such things without wanting to break down and weep. First things first: she needed food to survive. Bracing herself, she stepped into the hallway. No one attacked her or told her to stop. She also had no idea where to go.

    Deidre closed the door behind her and walked down the hallway. The dress moved with her like a second skin, draping her curves and swishing silently around her legs. She rubbed her mouth. It was dry and her gums irritated. She could use some water, too.

    She walked for ten minutes, carefully remembering where she went, so she was able to find her way back. The first demons that crossed her path made her freeze in place. They didn’t notice her, and she released her breath.

    Deidre continued through the halls lined with torches bearing black flames. She reached a stairwell and descended to a floor with wider, taller corridors, as if she’d gone from the wing with private chambers to a more public area. There were more demons on this level, a couple of which eyed her before moving on, leaving her a bit more confident she wasn’t going to be eaten. The stone doors lining each side were all closed.

    One of them yawned opened as her eyes fell to it.

    With an anxious look around to make sure no one was watching, Deidre peeked into the open door, hoping it led to a McDonalds or some other place with food. What she saw puzzled her.

    Hell had a library?

    At the far end of the library was a creature that made her think twice about entering. White-gray fur covered a body with moth-eaten wings, a hideous face and yellowed fangs. It was hunched over a book large enough to cover half the black stone desk at which it sat. As she watched, the creature rose and hobbled from the desk to a nearby shelf. It wheezed, its body bent by time. The small book it hefted made its stooped posture almost double over. He staggered.

    She had the sudden urge to assist him. Whatever creature it was, it had to be ancient. She hesitated then crossed the library.

    Do you want help? she ventured timidly.

    The ugly face turned towards her, and she slowed.

    What are you? it asked in a voice as old as its leathery face.

    Uncertain how to explain things, she turned and swept her pink-dyed hair from her back to show him the mating mark.

    Ah. It said then concentrated on holding onto the book.

    Deidre reached him just as he dropped it. The tome was far heavier than she expected, made of something much different than cardboard and paper. The two of them toppled to the floor with the book.

    "It only looks small, the creature said, peering at her. The Dark One’s never had a mate."

    Ever? she asked. She stood and bent. The book was the size of a paperback she’d buy at an airport but had to weigh fifty pounds. With a grunt, Deidre lifted it and carried it to the table. She returned to the creature, which was climbing to its feet with difficulty. She took its arm and helped him up.

    Ever, it answered with a wheeze. But … there has only been one other Dark One before Darkyn. Its breathing was labored, and it sighed when they reached its chair. Was the oldest … deity remaining. Very powerful. Don’t know …how Darkyn did it.

    Maybe he made a better deal, she suggested. That is what he does, isn’t it? Makes people horrible deals that screw them over for eternity?

    This is true. Darkyn is smart. He doesn’t make …mistakes.

    She shivered, not wanting to imagine what Darkyn was capable of or how hard it might be to outmaneuver him to leave Hell. As ugly as the aged creature before her was, there was something about him that left her feeling safe for the first time since arriving to Hell.

    Do you have a name? she asked.

    Do you? It looked irritated at her question. Of course demons have names.

    Sorry, she murmured. I’m Deidre.

    A human mate and so soon after he’s taken command. The ancient demon shook his head in disapproval. You can call me Zamon. My real name is too hard for you to say.

    Nice to meet you, Zamon.

    There was a time … young girls ran when they saw me, he sounded annoyed then sighed. That time is gone.

    If it helps, I’m scared. Deidre rubbed her upper lip again. Her gums were irritated, reminding her she hadn’t eaten or drunk water in a while. Do you want me to run away so you feel better?

    No. Zamon growled. He pushed the small book around then opened it.

    What kind of library is this? she asked with a glance around.

    I keep our histories, record bloodlines, manage the deals that come in. I will record you now, Zamon said.

    She watched him turn a page and touch it. Strange writing appeared.

    You are recorded, he stated, reading the words. The Oracle says you made your first deal as his mate. You learn fast. He nodded in approval. Your deal holds the power of the Dark One to enforce the debt, since you are his.

    That doesn’t sound good, she said. Her first deal was made more out of emotion than anything else. She’d challenged Gabriel’s new mate to win him over in one week, or one of them lost their souls.

    During the quiet time she’d had since then, Deidre began to think she’d made a bad bet. Gabriel and Past-Death had a relationship that spanned thousands of years. He’d chosen to stay with her that long, and she’d broken Immortal laws to take her place as his mate. Gabriel’s intense hatred was born of intense love and pain, and he’d clearly never made up his mind about her in the time they were together.

    In a week, Deidre would be dead or back with Gabriel. At least, this was what she hoped when she made the deal.

    It is dangerous. You should not make deals, until you learn how, Zamon said sternly. A bad deal by a deity or its mate will ruin the universe.

    Okay, she said, startled by his calm statement. I’ll be careful. How do I learn?

    Darkyn.

    She frowned. Since he was the one

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