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her? For a brief moment in time, she had Dev. When he was gone, she would never again want anyone else. Only him. A shudder rippled down her spine.
    He held her a little tighter. “Are you cold?” Wrapping her cloak back around her, the Devil nuzzled her hair. “I want you to get to know my kingdom. To see why I love it. Come, there’s more I want to show you.”
    She wanted to tell him she already loved it. Wanted to tell him she wanted to stay in his kingdom, with him, but she couldn’t force the words out past the blockage in her throat. Once they were said, he would have to respond. She didn’t want to hear his deep voice reminding her of their bargain. The Prince of Darkness wasn’t going to tie himself to one woman for eternity…and there could be no pleasure for either of them if he let Jess stay here to yearn endlessly for what she couldn’t have.
    “I’m fine,” she lied, pinning a Cheshire cat smile to her face. “Let’s go see the rest of your kingdom.”

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    “I’m going to take you to the Fantasy and Gothic Department.”
    As he spoke he led Jess to a huge, arched gateway leading into a crenellated, tower-topped castle. The walls surrounding it were dark, built of solid stone and decorated with a variety of grotesque gargoyles. Jess looked up at them, distaste and a frisson of fear causing her nose to scrunch up and her lips to wobble.
    The entire effect was ruined when one of the gargoyles abruptly straightened, winked at Jess and moaned. “You have no idea how bad it is for your back, holding that pose for hours.” He stretched then looked down and saw the Devil. He snapped to attention. “Good afternoon, Sir.”
    The Devil spoke, but Jess paid no attention. She stood stock still, looking at the sight in front of her.
    The wide, sunny courtyard, covered in a manicured lawn and surrounded by flowering garden beds, was beautiful and inviting, but the creatures scattered all over the grass, lounging in groups and basking in the sunshine, took her breath away. Unicorns, griffins, centaurs and dragons dozed or conversed quietly among themselves.
    More than anything else, Jess’ attention was caught by the dragons. Their scaly bodies winked and glittered in a vast array of colours and sizes. One particularly large specimen roused itself and shook out its wings. Flashes of gold and emerald light blazed out as the sun hit the shimmering surface.
    Jess marvelled at the dragon’s beauty as it lifted its head and shot a river of blue and gold flame into the sky. “Fire breathing creatures from Hell,” Jess sighed. “How absolutely perfect.”
    “It certainly is.”
    Jess spun around to see who had spoken. Making his way towards her, his gaze locked on her, was one of the most darkly handsome men Jess had ever seen. His face could have been carved by a master. His full, shapely lips defined the word ‘sensual’.
    His bare chest was golden, lightly dusted with hair and rippled with muscles. His hips were…not human.
    From the waist down, he was a goat.
    Suddenly the Devil was planted firmly between Jess and the satyr. His voice was taut with controlled threat. “Back off, Pan. This one is not for you.”
    Jess poked her head around the Devil’s wide back.
    The satyr hadn’t spared the Devil a glance. He stalked towards Jess with deliberate intent. He licked his lips and said, “They’re all mine. You know that.”
    Threat and lecherous desire emanated from the being. The acid taste of fear soured Jess’ throat.
    The Devil reached behind him and tucked Jess more firmly out of sight. “Not this one. This one’s special.”
    The Devil’s words, this one’s special, covered her like a cloak, and she snuggled into his protection.
    The satyr took one more step forward. The Devil’s back stiffened. He uttered one word, low and powerful. “Stop.”
    The satyr halted in mid-stride, one foot hovering in the air. The other creatures in the courtyard stilled.
    The satyr took