I kick my feet up after an excruciatingly long weekend. Mentally, I am completely exhausted. Fortunately, I have just returned from a solstice celebration smorgasbord. Where I had the pleasure of fucking till my heart’s content, well almost. As a succubus, I am never truly sexually satisfied. I’m browsing the paper when the shop bell chimes, announcing the latest victim in Purdy’s Antiques—I mean customer.

I jump to my feet, ready to slather on the charm when his familiar scent nearly stops my heart. I take three, long breaths, each one melting my resolve. For the intoxicating aroma he is emitting reminds me of what had been and what could be.

I know exactly what to expect when I walk onto my shop floor. That doesn’t mean he still doesn’t make my knees weak, and my pussy wet and wanting. It’s going to take all the energy I can muster to send him away, but I know that is exactly what needs to happen. Then again, there are exceptions to every rule.

His deep-gray business suit isn’t fooling anyone. Hard muscles press against the fine fabric, exposing the warrior within. Although his blond hair is now cropped short, I can still remember a time when it was long and savage. Not unlike the Viking himself.

Dorian brushes his hair back and looks directly into my eyes. I knew something was wrong because the hurt in his glare nearly drops me to my knees. My only defense is to put up a good offense.

“Dorian, I thought I told you I needed time.”

“For someone who is supposed to be my soul mate, you sure-as-shit dropped the fucking ball, Cat.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve been gone all week, dealing with a client. I just went through hell. You have no idea what I had to go through.”

“Don’t I? News travels fast, Catalina. You broke your word. You promised me revenge, and you took it all for yourself.”

“Dorian, you must believe. I had no idea the twins would still be alive. I thought…”

“You didn’t think, that’s the problem. All those years you forbid me to seek out the witches who nearly killed me. For what? A paycheck, glory, or was it all for a good fuck?”

“I never meant for…”

“You never meant for me to find out. Is that what you were trying to say?”

“No. It’s not. Would you please just listen to me?”

“You knew, didn’t you? You knew the twins were alive. I could see it in your eyes the day you had me in your dominatrix den. You chained me up, just like they had me. Was that some desperate attempt at humor? Did you want me to remember that I owe you my life? Did you think I could ever forget that you loved me once, that you risked everything to make me yours?”

“Dorian, please.” Betrayed by my own feet, I now stand nose to nose with my greatest love. His sweet breath saturates my senses, reminding me why I had to have him in the first place. “The last time we were together, Dorian, I had a flashback of that horrible yet glorious day. I cannot, nor will I ever be able to forget how much I care for you. I swear to you, I had no idea I would ever see those evil bitches again.”

“You should’ve called me the second you knew they were still alive. You owed me that much.”

“I’m sorry, Dorian. You’re right. I should’ve let you take your revenge long ago. Before countless innocent lives were lost.”

I can take it no longer. I must touch him, hold him until our pain has been washed away by passion. I place my hand on his chiseled face, and he presses into its comfort. His piercing, blue eyes look up into mine, and I want to ravish him where we stand.

“It’s too late, Catalina. Your wish has been granted. I won’t bother you anymore.”

I can see that it takes enormous resolve, but my Viking warrior takes my hand in his and gently kisses it. “Goodbye, my Queen.” He turns from my sight and then he’s gone.

It’s not like he hasn’t warned me before. I just never thought he would actually give up on me. I guess I finally gave him a good enough reason. I know I should’ve called him the moment I saw the twins living and breathing. It’s just that I couldn’t bear to see him back in that cave. That and I knew it would only end with death and destruction if I let him have his way. Believe me, I’ve seen enough carnage to last a lifetime. I just don’t have the stomach for it any longer.

Maybe it’s a good thing Dorian is over me. That is what I wanted. But if that was so, then why do I feel like my heart has been ripped from my chest only to be diced into tiny pieces?