Page 17 of Dreaming of Darkness

in a castle full of demons while you decide what to do about the consequences of your own

actions. Excuse me if I do not seem grateful.”

The Demon Lord’s eyes flashed a bright blue once more before quieting. At my side, a hand

slipped across my middle, then a warm body was flush against my side. “If we prove the bond

is real, what will you do to us?” Bailey’s voice seemed to warm the air all around me. Arafel’s head hung, “I had not expected a bond to occur so quickly after the wards and

magic came down. We do not have a final plan in place.”

I snarled at him, “You don’t have a clue, do you?”

The answering noise was a rasping growl that sent warning bells off in my mind. I could

not fight this male. Therefore, I should not be picking fights I cannot win. Even if the words

tasted as sweet as honey.

“It is out of respect that I will let that comment slide,” Arafel said slowly, “Do not mistake

my indecision for ignorance. I know who you are, Traum, and I’m well aware of the power and

prestige you weild among your people.” He turned to the door, “You will stay here, at Castle

Fel until we have a chance to decide what happens next. In the meantime, no dream walking

and try not to spear your way through my borders again, Incubus.”

I nodded, feeling Bailey sag against my side as a slender demon opened the door for Arafel

and then the pair of them disappeared out into the hallway.

Immediately my hands were on her face, turning it up to mine, inspecting every freckle,

every blinking lash. “Are you alright? He didn’t hurt you?”

“No,” Bailey said, her hands rising to cup mine against her skin. She was warm, so soft

against me. My eyes dropped to her throat, to the soft expanse of skin that a mate mark would

adorn someday. If she accepted me. “I’m okay. He wasn’t so bad.” She laughed in a way that

told me just how bad she was at lying.

I dragged her forward, letting her tuck her head up under my neck while we simply stood

and enjoyed the feel of the other being safe.

“I’m sorry you are in danger, I should’ve explained, I should’ve told you.” A wet laugh warmed my throat, “We haven’t had a lot of time to talk. You spent most of

that first night trying to make sure I knew you weren’t a hallucination.”

I smiled a little, laying my cheek against the top of her head, “Time well spent since the

next time I saw you we had very different priorities.” Heat thrummed down my spine,

spreading across my chest and to every part of me that she touched…and some that she didn’t. How could I want her even now? My mouth watered at the thought of being able to taste

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