Page 14 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
“Why do I smell like you?” I sound as mortified as I feel. “Where are my clothes?”
Kalel doesn’t blink. “Unless you want to be torn to shreds by the demons outside this tent and the ones when we reach Devicit, then you will carry my scent. Demigods smell like death and rot. We can detect the odor of all those you’ve slain, and Alira, my little godling, you smell worse than a fresh graveyard. I’ll need to scent you frequently to get the tarnish off your skin and to make sure everyone knows you belong to me.”
I flinch. I didn’t know that was something that stayed with us… I also wasn’t aware that demons had such a strong sense of smell.What else can they smell?My chest twists with worry.
“Scentme?” My voice is mortified.
Kalel grins. “Yes, I prefer it while you sleep. You don’t struggle at all.”
Oh, my gods what did he do?I blink away the fear that moves through my chest. “How long was I asleep?”
He shifts in his chair. “One day. We are moving out to return to Devicit tomorrow.” His voice remains even although there’s a heavy hatred in his gaze. Whatever version of him I met in Florum is not the version I get to converse with now. It puts a weight on my heart, because I liked him. I changed my path because of him.
“Look at me, Alira.”
I shift in the bed of blankets I’m sitting in, like a pet, and face him. My expression absent of emotion.
His lips curve, clearly pleased that I’m obeying him so easily. I don’t wish to fight my fate, and struggling will only make matters worse. If this is penance for what I did in Thornhall, then so be it. I’m so tired of fighting.
“Come here.”
My knees tremble as I force myself to stand, gritting my teeth against the pain that claws at my insides. Placing the sacred oath took a toll on my body. I’ve never used so much soul essence at once before. His brows perk up with satisfaction at my inability to conceal my discomfort.
I stand on uneasy legs before him.
“Pity, you look as if you’re in a great deal of pain.” He unbuttons his shirt more until he’s revealing bruises he has from a recent battle. “Care to tell me why the royal family would have you serving as a knight?”
I don’t respond because I don’t know what he means.What, because I’m a daughter of Venus?He reads my expression just fine.
“You’re a demigod from one of the highest bloodlines. Why have they treated you this way?” He taps his finger on the armrest of his chair like I’m testing his patience.
I shake my head. “Well, it’s not like I told anyone until I had to.” I rub my arm nervously and avoid looking at his face. “I would’ve been sold off to a royal family the moment I came of age.”
His brows twitch, but he keeps his expression vexed. He stands and leans in closer to me, curling a lock of my silver hair with his finger. “You know, you really are such a pretty little thing for being so vile. Far more broken and ignorant than I thought you’d be. Tell me, have you heard of me?”
Broken?My brows knit with disagreement. He has no idea what I’ve been through.
“Of course, I’ve heard of you. You are the most revered knight in all of Faultore.” I fist my hands at my side. It feels unfair that I’ve known him far longer. Perhaps it’s why I’m so pliant to him. I know what the end of his sword would do to me. “You are the Blood Knight.” All the demigods this man has killed and takenprisoner, likely to feast on, and here I am as his soon to be bride. How could Inotknow who he is?
“That’s right, and you’re the knight that led the raid on Thornhall.” He pauses before looking at me like I’ve let him down. I certainly feel like I have. I’ve regretted that day since the moment I let my troops down into the valley and chased down fleeing families. His voice shakes me back to the present. “Why didn’t you tell me who you really were when we met that night?” Kalel lets his hand brush across the top of my shoulder, making me shudder.
“Why didn’tItell you? You told me you were anapothecary. And why did I have to tell you if you could just smell it on me anyway?” I scowl at him as he appraises my lips.
He glowers at my tone and shakes his head. “I wasn’t lying to you. I am an apothecary.” He pauses to consider his words before lifting his eyes back to mine. “I knew you were there, but not that you led it. Not until I saw your armor.” His gaze narrows with anger.
My lips press firmly into a line, and I choose to ignore his latter remark. “An apothecary when you aren’t cutting heads off?”
A flicker of emotion passes through his eyes before he hardens them. “You lied about being in Thornhall. I saw you with my own two eyes in your ebony armor. It was practically red by the time I arrived, and you were already out of reach.” His fists clench and the muscles in his jaw feather. “I wish I would’ve arrived five minutes sooner. Then you’d be dead and none of this would be happening.”
My heart dips at his harsh words. I bite my lower lip to keep the quell of emotions in control.
“Ineverwanted to be there.” My admittance sounds pathetic. It doesn’t change the fact of what I did. I know that.
“But you were,” Kalel says coldly. I only nod with a trembling lip.
He looks down at me, and I have to force my gaze to meet his. He towers above me, making it uncomfortable to lock eyes with him. He runs his freezing hand down my neck. Goosebumps prickle across my arms and my jaw flexes.
His silence is something I’m going to have to get used to. I clear my throat and ask, “Why am I marrying you out of all the high lords? You loathe demigods more than any of your kind. I’ll happily switch to someone else.”
