Page 17 of Deranged Demons

My body reacts to the sight and scent of him, and he gives me a playful smile that makes my insides melt. “The bugs usually only attack if they’re defendin’ their young,” he says, and I blink, reminding myself that he was answering my previous question.

“The chest was filled with eggs, wasn’t it?” I ask, knowing full well that I must be right.

The male nods. “Once they were returned, the bugs were happy to go back to guardin’ their unhatched rather than attackin’. They shouldn’t bother us now.” He gestures to the weaponry and other supplies at my feet. “That was in their nest. I figured you must have been after something considering the way the, uh, prince here was determined to hold on to those eggs.”

“In my defense, I didn’t know there were eggs inside,” Prince Callan points out.

“Gosh, Blake, I hope he’s a shower and not a grower,because if he’s your mate I’m scared for your vagina,”Shade’s voice breaks into my thoughts, and I cough as I struggle to keep myself composed. Unable to help myself, my gaze lowers.

“Holy Lady Fate, what is that?”I hiss back at her. My question is actually serious, because the anaconda I’m looking at can’t possibly be his penis. It’s huge, and I’ve seen a few hung demons in my time.“I mean, is that a shifter thing?”

Prince Callan clears his throat beside me, and I’m pretty sure the anaconda is starting to get hard while I stare, so I lift my gaze only to see the shifter’s shit-eating grin.

“I blame you for that,”I send, and Shade’s crowing laughter sounds in my head.

“Oh phew, he is a shower,”she comments with amusement, clearly still staring.“I really was worried for a minute there.”

I would strangle her if it wouldn’t look so damn odd.“Stop staring,”I hiss, and she only laughs again.

Great.“Anyway, thanks for that,” I say to the stranger. “Uh?—”

“Nate,” he replies, that arrogant smile still on his sexy-as-fuck face. “My name’s Nate. And if I’m not wrong, I think we might be fated.”

The breath rushes out of me at his blunt statement.

“May I?” he asks, holding out his hand. He brings my fingers to his lips, his whiskersscratching my skin as he presses a kiss to my hand, sending a chill down my spine. “It’s my honor, my queen.”

“Your Queen?”Shade swoons.“I hope Prince Callan is taking notes, because Nate is so much better at this.”

“Honor?” Prince Callan scoffs, oblivious to Shade’s commentary.

Nate lowers my hand and slides his slitted gaze to the archangel. The hatred between them is palpable, and I narrow my eyes at them.

“Okay, clearly you two have some kind of history, so will someone tell me what’s going on here?” I ask.

Prince Callan glares at Nate. “The last time I saw Nine Lives was when he was in a cell for trying to steal the prize jewel of Toralyn from the palace. He’d been scheduled for execution the next morning but mysteriously disappeared from the dungeons.”

“And the last time I saw you, you were spurtin’ some bullshit about redemption,” Nate retorts.

“Right,” I say, eyeing them both. I’ve never been a fan of drama, and whatever is going on between them is already giving me a headache. “So, you really are a thief?” I ask Nate.

“I was,” he admits, and then his eyes light up, his gaze heating as he stares at me. “But it seems destiny now has other plans.”

Suddenly my clothes are making me feel much too hot, and my body tingles at the attention.

Prince Callan laughs darkly. “You couldn’t handle ruling a kingdom.”

“Well, I guess I’m goin’ to have to prove you wrong.Again,” Nate retorts. “I’m willin’ to bet I’m goin’ to enjoy being a kingverymuch.” His heated eyes are still fixed on me, and my pulse races at the way he’s staring. Like he’s imagining taking me in every position. Or maybe that’s just what I’m thinking. I become keenly aware of how naked he is, all rippling muscles and tan skin.

I bite my lip, and he tracks the movement, his alert gaze watching me like a predator watches prey. Only…I’m anything but prey, and he’s…

I drop to my knees abruptly and begin bundling up the supplies and tying the leather straps.

Neither of the guys say anything, but I can feel their eyes on me, and the smell of them has my inner muscles clenching.

“Blake, what are you doing?”Shade asks in a sing-song voice.“It was just about to get interesting. At first, I thought you were getting on your knees to give Nate some lovin’, which was unexpected and might have made you look a little desperate, but you’re packing up? C’mon girl.”

“Prince Callan has already made it clear he doesn’t want me, and Nate is a famous thief. Who knows what he wants.”

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