The Never List

by Jade Presley

To the readers who always struggle to pick a favorite book boyfriend. Don’t worry—here, you’ll never have to choose. It’s okay to love them all.

“These aren’t just any men,” Ivy says. “They’re the Legends of Chaos. The part-god royal princes of Lumathyst.

The demis—descendants of those blessed by the goddesses—had fallen out of favor with the kings centuries ago, back when they’d each ruled over their own territories, like the Legends do now.

Kal’s has rubies, Pierce’s has emeralds, and Axl’s, sapphires. Mine has black diamonds, a nod to my Obsidian city.

“Well, I most certainly am,” I manage to say, my voice cracking slightly. “And I must do my duty.” I bow slightly to him. “And submit myself to the Legends as a potential choice.” Those eyes grin like a cat catching a canary. “With all the other sheep?” I’m already backing away, but I don’t break his gaze. “Baa,” I say, then wink at him before whirling around and losing myself in the crowd.

Goddess, he feels good, maneuvering us around the floor as if no one else is here. His motions are effortless, like shed silk pooling on the floor.

The rubies, that’s Kal Erhart. Sapphires is Axl Dawson. Emeralds is Pierce Bertrand. And the black diamonds…that’s Jax Lavine.

Axl smiles at me. His lips are full and wide, that grin absolutely infectious as he walks up to me. He’s so damn tall, with bronze skin over tons of muscle, and his energy is just as large. It’s a marvel there’s space enough for him in this room; it makes me wonder what else about him might be big.

Men like that don’t need a silent princess; they need a sharp warrior, someone who will fight by their side and not cower in fear when their darkness comes out to play.

But the princes need someone who is not only intelligent but strong, brave, and passionate. Someone who isn’t afraid to check them if they get out of line. That takes more than love.

“When I fuck you, Rylee Gray,” I say, kissing the top of the lace undergarment that still covers her, “it will be in a place where you can scream my name.”

And for some reason I can’t explain, something tight inside my chest eases when I set eyes on each of the Legends.

Goddess, I’m in trouble. These men are slowly sinking their hooks into me, and I love the way it stings.

“Now be a good girl and come on my hand,” he demands, pressing the heel of his palm against that sensitive bundle of nerves. It throbs against the pressure, sending jolts of lightning throughout my body.

“Fuck me,” he growls. “Is she always like this?” He aims the question at Kal. “You mean fearless, compassionate, smart, and downright fuckable at all times?” Kal asks, making my heart swell and my cheeks blush. “Yep.”

“You want to come, kitten?” Axl asks, working his fingers in tight circles over my swollen flesh. I nod, breathless.

“I can handle it. I can handle you.” Her words are my undoing. I glide into her wetness, sinking to the hilt only to pull out and do it all over again. She locks her ankles behind me, clinging to me as I pound into her hard and fast. Mine, mine, mine.

I will choose them. No matter what is offered. No matter the risk. I’m going to choose them. And it could kill me.

“The minute I heard your voice, the minute I sensed your emotions, you felt like mine.”

My Legends of Chaos. The princes of Lumathyst.