I couldn’t help but smile. That sounded just like Cyrene.

Aisling winked at Gabriel before turning back to me. ‘‘I may not be the savviest person on the face of the earth—one word, Jim, and it’s the Akasha for you!—but I know a good thing when I see it, and you two definitely have it. I hope whatever it is that’s troubling you can be easily overcome.’’

I waited until the door was closed behind them before meeting Gabriel’s gaze. There was sympathy in his eyes, as well as warmer emotions, but there was also a tinge of pity that made me sick.

‘‘Do not turn away from me,’’ he said as I made a move to get off the bed.

‘‘Don’t,’’ I protested as he pulled me across the breadth of his chest, his warmth and scent sinking into me. ‘‘Tipene said you shouldn’t use your arm for another day just to make sure everything has healed properly.’’

He smiled against my lips. ‘‘It would be worth a little pain to reassure you that no matter what you are, no matter what happens to us both, you will always be my mate, and I will always desire you.’’

I gave in to the demands of my body and kissed him, my head spinning with the taste and feel of him. ‘‘I’m losing the battle, Gabriel. The dragon shard is just too strong.’’

‘‘My fierce little bird,’’ he said, stroking back a strand of hair from my face. ‘‘It is a battle, yes, but not one we will lose. We have one shard, Drake and Bastian will lend us theirs, and Chuan Ren has sworn to give us access to the Song phylactery. That leaves only one for us to find, and I have no doubt that the dragon we encountered has that. It just remains for us to put a few plans into place, and you will be able to bring the dragon heart together again.’’

I let his calm confidence soothe my frayed nerves, resting my forehead against his as I smiled. ‘‘And what will we do if we can’t get that last shard?’’

‘‘Then we will both remain in dragon form, and I will make suggestive comments about your tail.’’

I couldn’t help but laugh a little at the twinkle in his eyes. The dragon shard, to my surprise, allowed me to enjoy the moment without demanding immediate mating. ‘‘You already do make suggestive comments.’’

‘‘Yes, but these will be very specific about what I want you to do,’’ he answered, his lips hot on mine. ‘‘Don’t worry about what we must face. You have fought the biggest battle of all, and won.’’

‘‘Escaping Abaddon, you mean?’’ I asked, my hands unable to keep from stroking the heavy muscles of his bare chest.

‘‘No.’’ His tongue invaded my mouth, doing a fiery dance that was impossibly sweet and arousing at the same time. ‘‘You won the battle for my heart.’’

I froze for a second, not sure if he was saying what I thought he was saying, but it was there in his face and eyes, and I just wanted to purr with joy despite the coming storm.

‘‘I love you,’’ I told him, generating a little fire of my own.

‘‘You see? How can our future not be a happy one when you love me as much as I love you,’’ he said, his hands starting to roam.

I was just considering whether or not I could keep the dragon shard’s presence minimalized so I could make incredibly hot, sweaty love to Gabriel when the door to his bedroom was thrown open with a vengeance that made me jump.

Magoth stood in the doorway, a gorgeous red shirt open nearly to the waist of his black leather pants. ‘‘I hope you’re happy!’’ he said, hands on his hips as he glared. ‘‘I just hope you’re both happy!’’

‘‘Magoth,’’ I said, astonished to see him. ‘‘What are you doing? This is Gabriel’s bedroom. Get out.’’

He stepped into the room, waving someone in. Three bellboys staggered in with a vast array of expensive-looking luggage. Magoth stalked into the room until he stood glaring down at both of us. ‘‘You just had to tell Sally what you were up to, didn’t you? I told you not to, but did you listen to me? No, you did not, and the little backstabbing bitch ran straight to Bael with the details in an attempt to ingratiate herself, and what did he do but excommunicate me! Me, the sixth prince! I’ve been in Abaddon for more than a millennium, and poof! It’s all gone, thanks to you, former consort.’’

‘‘Former consort?’’ I asked.

The look of scorn he shot at me would have stopped a rhino in full charge. ‘‘You don’t think I’m going to keep a consort who has me kicked out of Abaddon, do you? I’m divorcing you, May.’’

‘‘But . . .’’ I looked at Gabriel. He appeared to be just as surprised by Magoth’s sudden appearance as I was. ‘‘But what are you doing here? With all this stuff?’’

Magoth plopped himself down in a chair and put his feet up on one of the suitcases, smiling. The mirror behind him shattered. ‘‘I’m powerless in both worlds until the excommunication has been finalized. So until my powers are returned to me, sweet May, you’re back to being my servant.’’

‘‘If you’re no longer a demon lord,’’ Gabriel said, a little frown between his brows, ‘‘then May is no longer your consort or servant.’’

‘‘Consort, no. But servant . . .’’ Magoth’s smile turned truly appalling. I wanted to throw something at him. ‘‘She was bound to me, not to my position, so she is most definitely mine to command again. And she can start by getting me something cold to drink. Something tasty. Champagne will do nicely.’’

I felt my jaw drop as the horrible realization sank into my brain. ‘‘You don’t mean—’’

‘‘That’s right,’’ he said, leaning back, his hands behind his head as he gave me a sultry look. ‘‘Until my powers are returned, I’m staying with you. Shall we discuss the sleeping arrangements? I like boy, girl, boy, for aesthetic reasons, but if you absolutely insist, I can take the middle spot.’’

Gabriel and I exchanged identical horror-stricken looks.

‘‘So much for a happy future,’’ I said, sighing as I slumped back against the headboard.