Page 14 of Deranged Demons

“Finally!”she says in my mind.“Do you want me to peck his eyes out or go for his balls?”

Her voice is exactly what I need to hear, and it takes the edge off my anger, if only a little bit.

“I’ve got this,”I reply, though for once I’m not sure if that’s true. Traitorous demons I can handle, but a mate who doesn’t want me… I struggle to keep it together and try not to think about his scent of green apples and bergamot that’s still lingering in the air even though he’s moved away.

“Look, whatever is going on here, I need all my mates to seal the fated mates bond so I can unlock my power,” I say, trying to remind myself that in the end, that’s all that matters. “After we’re bonded, you can go back to Toralyn and forget I even exist.” My stomach twists at the thought, but he’s right about one thing. We all have our obligations, and making sure Seral doesn’t fall is mine.

He glares at me like I’ve just insulted his existence. “No.”

My mouth pops open. “What? But we’remates.If we don’t bond, it’s not only me who won’t be able to unlock the rest of my power. You won’t be able to, either, and if I have other mates out there, neither will they.”

“Like I said, girl, eyes or balls?”Shade comments, and I’m half tempted to take her up on her offer.

“I’ll stay with you until this ordeal is over, but then I’ll be on my way,” he says.

“But—”

“You’re not mine!” he snaps harshly, his words burying as deep as any blade could.

For a moment, I can’t breathe. Pain lances my chest, and it’s so unusual, so unexpected, that it takes all my effort not to double over.Not mine.The words ring in my head, cutting deep, even though I hardly know the prince. I know it’s because he’s my mate, but that knowledge doesn’t make it hurt any less. Grinding my teeth, I fight against the urge to sink my dagger into one of his perfect eyes. Because this isn’t just about me…

Never show weakness.Seems the rule also applies to fated mates. “Fine,” I say, feigning indifference.

“Blake?”Shade questions.“But if he doesn’t bond with you, you won’t get your power, and neither will your other mates.”

“I figure at least if the prince is with me, I can make sure he doesn’t die,”I explain.

“Oh, good point. Plus, he’ll change his mind when he realizes how awesome you are.”

I’m not sure about him changing his mind because of me, but I’m hopeful I’ll be able to convince him to bond eventually. I have to. I pin Prince Callan with a stare. “Tag along, but don’t expect me to come crawling when you realize you fucked up.”

The corners of his lips twitch up ever so slightly, and he rasps, “I’d never expect you to crawl.” The words are quiet, and there’s something sensual about them that makes my heart pound faster, but then as if he realizes what he’s said, hislips flatten.

Desire rushes through me, but I push it back down. I’ve lived my life having to deal with the king’s games. I’m not about to let Prince Callan toy with me.

Giving the archangel my back, I speak to Shade.“We should find some provisions.”

“You mean, you need a distraction so you can stop thinking about this ass?”

I blow out a breath.“Something like that.”

She twists her head to the right.“There’s a theater a few streets to the south. Do you think the king has planted something there?”

My feet are moving before I answer.“Let’s find out.”

Chapter

Seven

~ Princess Blake ~

“Istill think you should have let me give him a piece of my mind,”Shade grumbles as we make our way through the ruins with Prince Callan following behind. The housing is denser here, the homes right up against one another, and there’s something about this place that makes me feel like I’m being watched. The back of my neck prickles and I’d rather fly, but until we get provisions, I decide it’s better if we don’t draw attention to ourselves.

“I’m angrier at Lady Fate for picking wrong,”I reason, bringing my thoughts back to the prince. I wonder then whether he already has a lover back in Toralyn. I’ve never heard of any relationship getting in the way of a fated mate bond, but then again, I’m newto all this. The thought of Prince Callan with someone else makes my stomach churn, but I try not to think about it.

“Maybe Lady Fate doesn’t know he’s such a huge asshole,”Shade suggests.“Because you’re amazing! He should be worshipping the ground you walk on.”

I grin at that, and the delicious image of Prince Callan kneeling before me with his wrists cuffed enters my mind. I’m practically drooling when I shake my head, trying to dispel the image.Dammit. Stupid fated mate bond. Keep it together, Blake,I chastise myself.The prince has flat out rejected you, and you still can’t help but fantasize about him.

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