Page 33 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
The possessive words slipped out before I could stop them. The mating bond hummed in approval, even as I cursed my lack of control.
"You can't scare me away that easily," she stepped closer. "I know what you are, Aldaine. I've seen your true form. I'm still here."
I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You have no idea what I am, Rosie. What I'm capable of. The things I've done." I turned back to her, letting her see the coldness in my eyes. "I'm not good. I meant that. I'm dangerous, especially to you."
"Why especially to me?" she asked, her heart rate picking up.
The mating bond surged, urging me to tell her the truth. To explain why I'd reacted so violently to another man touching her, why I couldn't seem to maintain my carefully crafted control around her. For a moment, I almost did.
Instead, I locked everything down, retreating behind centuries ofpracticed indifference.
"I need space," my voice flat. "Go back to the party. Or to our room. I'll return when I've regained my composure."
"Aldaine, I.."
"Please." The word felt like broken glass in my throat. "Just go, Rosie."
I watched the hurt flash across her face before she masked it with dignity. "Fine. Take all the space you need."
She turned and walked away, her head high, shoulders back. Every step she took away from me felt like physical pain, the mating bond stretching thin and taut between us. But I remained still, watching her disappear into the darkness, knowing this distance was necessary.
Because the alternative was claiming her completely, binding her to me for eternity. And I couldn't do that to her. Not when she had no idea what being mated to a demon truly meant.
Not when I knew I would eventually destroy everything good in her.
The pain in my chest was excruciating as I watched Rosie's form disappear into the darkness. Each step she took away from me felt like someone was driving a burning blade between my ribs. The hurt I'd seen flash in those green eyes, hurt that I had caused, made me want to tear my own heart out. If I still possessed such a human organ.
I had come dangerously close to revealing everything. The mating bond that had snapped into place that first moment of contact. The possessive rage that threatened to consume me whenever another man so much as looked in her direction. The terrifying realization that after centuries of existence, I had finally found the one being in all the realms who could bring me to my knees.
Theone who could destroy me completely.
"Fascinating," a cultured voice drawled from behind me. "I've lived a long time, friend, but I don't believe I've ever seen a demon in love before."
Every muscle in my body tensed as I turned to find Blackwood leaning against a nearby oak tree, a champagne flute dangling elegantly from his manicured fingers. His eyes twinkled with amusement in the darkness, like he was privy to some private joke.
"Blackwood," I acknowledged stiffly. "I didn't hear you approach."
"No, you were rather distracted." He took a deliberate sip of his champagne. "I must say, your little display back there was quite impressive. And careless."
My fingers twitched with the urge to wrap around his throat. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I think you do." He pushed himself away from the tree and strolled closer. "The way you materialized across the lawn in the blink of an eye. The way your eyes flashed that rather distinctive shade of magenta. The way the temperature dropped ten degrees in your immediate vicinity." He waved his free hand dismissively.
I remained silent, calculating my options. Killing him would be simplest but that would bring unwanted attention.
As if reading my thoughts, he chuckled. "Don't worry, I've taken care of it. A simple memory charm. The guests will remember a misunderstanding, nothing more. Your secret is safe."
"Why would you do that?" I was suspicious of this unexpected assistance.
"Let's call it professional courtesy," Blackwood gave a cryptic smile. "Besides, I like Miss Thompson. She deserves better than that drunken lout Roger pawing at her."
My jaw clenched at the mention of the human who had dared touch Rosie. "You know what this means to her."
"That she's your mate?" His eyebrows rose. "Oh yes, that was quite obvious from the moment you two walked in. The way you look at her is rather touching, actually. Like she's the sun and moon and stars all rolled into one deliciously curved package."
"Don't speak about her that way," I growled, feeling my control slip again.
"See? That's exactly what I mean." Blackwood finished his champagne with a flourish. "Protective. Possessive. Willing to risk exposure to keep her safe." He paused, studying me with suddenly serious eyes. "Does she know?"
