Love is the ultimate game changer, and this time it's winner takes all.
Now that Vasily is back in his arms, Belphagor's in no hurry to say the words they both long to hear: You're my boy. He's savoring the sweet torture of driving Vasily into a frenzy of unfulfilled need-and seeing just how much both of them can take.
Vasily secretly enjoys their increasingly edgy play, until Belphagor auctions him off for a night to the seductive Silk, setting in motion a chain of events that neither could have anticipated. Tight-lipped about the abrupt end of his relationship with the sweet submissive Phaleg, Silk may be at the heart of a conspiracy against the pregnant queen of Heaven-and Phaleg is the angel investigating it.
Though Belphagor couldn't be less interested in the games angels play, angelic and demonic intrigues soon overlap, drawing him in against his will until he's forced to break his one inviolable rule: never gamble what you can't afford to lose.
There are worse things to lose than a good name.
Belphagor is used to being on top-at the gaming table and in the bedroom. But as a boyfriend? He's pretty much out of his element. Temperamental firespirit Vasily has stuck by his side so far, giving Belphagor some of the most intense sexual experiences of his life. But their relationship is far from perfect. Vasily's rebellious nature exposes trust issues that can't be ignored-and playing games with his safeword adds fuel to the fire.
When Belphagor uncovers a nefarious smuggling ring that spans both Heaven and Earth, Vasily jumps at the chance to help shut it down. But Belphagor hasn't told him everything, and Vasily soon finds himself in mortal peril. The Prince of Tricks may have finally pushed Vasily too far, putting one more crack in an already fragile foundation.
With love, honor, and his life on the line, Belphagor will need every trick up his sleeve to dismantle the smuggling ring for good. But winning Vasily back will take more than tricks. It's time to lay all the cards on the table-or risk losing everything.
When desire rises, angels will fall.
Over the past century, Belphagor has made a name for himself in Heaven's Demon District as a card sharp, thief, and charming rogue. Though he's content with his own company, he enjoys applying the sweet sting of discipline to a willing backside-angel, demon, and even the occasional human. He's not particular. But when a hotheaded young firespirit steals his purse-and his heart-all bets are off.
Vasily, a former rentboy and cutpurse from the streets of Raqia, has never felt safer than in the arms-and at the feet-of the Prince of Tricks. He's just not sure if Belphagor returns his feelings. The attentions of a rich, angelic duke provide the perfect opportunity to find out whether Belphagor is willing to fight for him, but the foolish game backfires-spectacularly.
When the duke frames Vasily in an assassination plot, Belphagor will do whatever it takes to clear his lover's name and expose the real traitor. Because for the first time in his life, the Prince of Tricks has something to lose.
