Page 6 of The Demon King's Unruly Mate

“Blood of my blood,” Kaz intoned, his eyes never leaving mine as he spoke the words.

“Fire of my fire,” I answered, the words heavy on my tongue.

“Bound by flame, bound by oath, bound by blood,” King Adron declared, tying off the final inches of cord around our hands. “Let your claiming marks be given before witnesses and seal your bond in our most ancient ways.”

Kaz’s gaze dropped to my wrist, where the pulse of my blood beat visibly beneath the skin. In private ceremonies, mating bites were often placed on intimate areas of the body. But for a public claiming, the traditional location was the wrist.

He lifted my hand to his mouth, his breath hot against my skin. For a moment, the rest of the room seemed to fade away. There was only us, only this moment, only the heat building between us.

He brought my wrist to his mouth, his lips a whisper away from my flesh. I should have been thinking of politics, of power, of all I was losing in this moment. But Kaz lifted his eyes to mine and something passed between us—understanding, resignation, desire—before his fangs pierced my skin.

Gods. No one had warned me it would feel like this.

The pain was sharp but fleeting, immediately replaced by a wave of pleasure that nearly brought me to my knees. Heat spread from the bite, racing through my veins like liquid fire. More heat pooled low in my belly and between my thighs at his tongue soothing his bite.

When he finally released my wrist, I felt dizzy, disoriented. As if the world had shifted beneath me, and I wasn’t entirely certain how to right myself.

“Princess Talia,” King Adron prompted, his voice seeming to come from very far away. “You must complete the bond.”

I took Kaz’s wrist in my trembling hands. His skin burned against mine, hotter than any ifrit I’d ever touched.

His taste exploded across my tongue, making me want more, making me wanteverything. I felt him tense, heard the sharp intake of his breath. I glanced up and saw his eyes had darkened, the gold nearly swallowed by black. He was feeling it too, then, this unexpected, unwanted desire.

My father clapped once, the sharp sound breaking the spell that had fallen over us. “Excellent. Now that we are one happy family again, I have a spot of work for my new son-in-law.”

Kaz tore his gaze from mine, turning to face my father with visible effort. “Work?”

“A simple matter,” my father said, waving a dismissive hand. “A young female of the court, Leona Cadum, has been abducted. It would go a long way toward securing your place if you would retrieve her.”

I frowned, struggling to focus through the haze of sensation still clouding my mind. “Leona? From the Malum clan?”

My father nodded. “A distant cousin of Emil’s. She disappeared from her rooms three nights ago. Her family is quite distraught.”

“And you want me to find her,” Kaz said, his voice flat.

“Consider it your first official duty as crown prince.” The king’s smile turned cold. “I’m sure with your unique skills, it won’t take long.”

Kaz’s jaw tightened, but he nodded once. “I’ll get started right away.”

“Perhaps not too immediately?” The king’s gaze bounced meaningfully between us. “I believe there is a rather pressing matter to attend to first.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. The consummation. Of course. Because this day couldn’t possibly get any more mortifying than my father openly directing my sex life.

“Right,” Kaz replied stiffly. “If you’ll excuse us, Your Majesty.”

My father leaned back on his throne, satisfaction evident in his expression. “Good. I expect a report on your progress with the Cadum girl within the week.”

Just like that, my life had been irrevocably altered. I’d entered this hall as Princess Talia Fitsum, last surviving daughter of the king, secret contender for the throne. I left it as Kaz Kadhan’s mate.

Whatever game my father thought he was playing, whatever advantage he sought to gain by this arranged mating, I would find a way to turn it to my advantage.

I always did.

CHAPTER TWO

KAZ

Ifollowed Talia down the corridor, her hips swaying with a confidence that seemed almost defiant. Each step brought us further from the throne room and closer to what awaited us.

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