Page 58 of Love & Heart Braking

Unfortunately for me, I had to sign this deal to keep up appearances, and he was trying to convince me to do otherwise. After hearing that news, any sane person would refuse to go forward.

The water nymph snarled, “You’ll do what you’re told. You know what happens otherwise.”

I inhaled slowly, glancing at the fire mage. “So you do have a way to control him? Because why the hell would I sign if you can’t?”

The daemon’s voice floated out the window. “They keep tabs on my wife.”

“Enough!” she spat.

I nodded, looking into the carriage again. “They’re the kind of bastards who would do that.” Talking wasn’t getting us anywhere. I took in the daemon’s clothing. The material was dark, shiny almost, and filthy—which I could assume was normal for a prisoner. I gripped the bars, pressing my face against them. Damn the twelve for doing this at night.

The daemon shifted slightly, and one of his feet came into view.

His feet were bare and purple scabs and cuts marred the red skin there. Poor guy. They hadn’t even given him socks or shoes. If we got this guy free one day, I hoped the daemon got his revenge on these cruel bastards.

“What did you do to be locked up like this?” I asked to keep the ball rolling.

The Plorex growled. “You’ve seen the daemon. Time to go.”

I ignored her.

His lips curved, but the humor didn’t reach his eyes. “I dared to have power. That is enough for the twelve, don’t you think?”

“Got a similar shituation myself.”

The daemon shifted again, and his other foot slid forward. It was as sad in appearance as the other, but my heart skipped a beat at something else there, stuck to the side and curling over the top.

Making sure the water nymph couldn’t see, I flashed a grin at the daemon, letting him see my triumph.

A hand wrapped around my arm, and the Plorex dug her nails in.

“What’s your name?” the daemon called out.

“Cerys Concordia,” I answered. “Yours?”

The daemon’s reply was quiet. “Concordia…”

“You know the name?”

“Of it.”

Is that so?

“Enough. You have your proof.” She tugged hard.

I just managed to save myself from face-planting on the cobbled driveway. There were no goodbyes with the daemon as the water nymph shoved me ahead of her. Anger seeped through my chest. “You know, normal people just ask nicely.”

I walked back to the other carriage, easily able to ignore her yapping threats.

How had the daemon known my last name? Concordia had meant something to him, and I knew of only one interaction between a daemon and my family to my knowledge. But I would find time to explore that later.

I folded my arms and glanced up at the Plorex woman.

“You think this is a game—” she was saying.

“Jaeke,” I announced.

She cut off, pressing her lips together so hard that they turned white. Oops, did I cut off her rant?

---