Page 18 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
My chest warms at the idea of him making me food just as much as it shifts with unease. He could poison me as easily as he could swing that sword. Or maybe he simply wanted to prove me wrong and show off his academic side. When it’s just us, I can picture him so clearly as a man who prefers studying nature and the rules of the world. How did he become a knight of all things? Why not a fulltime apothecary?
The thoughts bring sorrowful memories of things I didn’t pursue either. I hate reminiscing on the past and lost opportunities. I am what I am.I’m a knight.
Neither of us speak for many moments. The crackling of the fire fills the emptiness of the cottage and our hearts.
When he finally talks, my shoulders tighten at the deepness of his voice. “Why don’t you seem more upset about your situation, Alira?” Kalel asks, sounding genuinely curious.
I let my head rest on my shoulder as I look at him, studying the contours of his cheek bones. My body finally begins to warm, making me relax a bit more. “Should I cry instead?” I mutter mundanely. He only stares at me. Something stirs inside my chest at the idea of him watching me this closely. Cataloging my features as I’m doing to him. “It’s better than dying, isn’t it? You led your army to slaughter us all. I’m only a sacrifice. Many have suffered worse fates.” My cryptic words hold more meaning than he could ever know. He’d probably love to know that he’s successfully killed me many times.
He chuckles. “You would know better than most how ugly death is.”
My eyes flash open and I lift my head.
His brow raises slightly, intrigued at my reaction. “You’ve certainly ended enough lives to know,” he says slowly, letting his attention fall back to the soup and stirring it. He pours a cup and hands it to me.
I take it without question and sip on the warm liquid. It tastes like herbal tea. It’s delightfully pleasant. I close my eyes and drink the whole cup.
Kalel grunts. “I could’ve poisoned that and it would’ve gone unnoticed. You didn’t even check it. You’re just gulping it down like you're starving. Have you not eaten anything yet today?”
The cup makes a sharp sound as I set it down on the stone hearth. I wipe my mouth with my sleeve and side eye him. “If you wanted to kill me, you would’ve made it a public ordeal,” I mutter. I haven’t eaten much for a few days either. He’s been keener on paying attention to that matter. I wonder if Tessa has been keeping him updated. It’s hard to have an appetite when you know you’re only being fed because he needs me to be healthy if he plans on consuming my blood.
What I eat, he eats.Ugh.
“Monster,” I curse under my breath. He flinches at my words.
He’s so easy to upset it’s almost ridiculous.
“Oh, little godling, you’re right about that. I am a monster. Your worst nightmare. I’d kill you in your sleep if I wanted. I’d kill you while fucking your brains out if I so pleased.” My cheeks flush and I’m mortified at how his tone makes my thighs warm.
I glare at him and throw the blanket off my shoulders, making to stand and walk back outside. “Fuck you.” He catches my wrist and drags me down into his lap.
“You need to warm up so we can be on our way. We aren’t stopping again,” he growls. “And I need to scent you again before we leave. You reek.” He can say those words with as much volition as he wants, but it doesn’t change the way that he buries his nose into the crook of my neck like he can’t get enough of the way I smell.
I wriggle in his arms, but he leaves no slack. I don’t want him to know how his hot tongue running up my throat puts a deep ache in my core. I’ve already begun to feel feverish around him. My heat cycle is bound to be in full effect soon and the thought of it coming on when I’m so close to him makes me anxious.
“Stop moving, you’ll only make this take longer.”
My lower abdomen warms, and my undergarments are already wet from his foul mouth.Please if there are any gods left, don’t let him know how my body lusts for him.
Kalel stills, hands clamped down on my waist and thigh. He inhales hesitantly.
Oh. This is bad.
Chapter Six
KALEL
Do. Not.Fuck. The. Godling.I chide myself as her sweet scent nearly knocks me over.
She’s so delicate in my arms, even when she struggles against my hold. I close my eyes and try to will away the blood flow that’s been redirected to my cock, but the bulge inevitably grows under her ass and she gasps when she feels it. Her scent thickens with excitement for it.
No. I’m not going to fuck her.I clench my jaw and bite down on my lower lip with the last remnants of my restraint. Well, maybe if I just don’t knot her, it would be okay, wouldn’t it?
Fuck.
I hate her so much, is that why I want to rut into her so badly? I want to make her scream in pain, but I’m not allowed to hurt her. Fucking her isn’t hurting her, but it would fulfill that dark need I have building inside me. King Achill would have my head if he knew I bruised her precious little knees from knotting her before the ceremony.
As I’m hashing out my internal conflict over her, she starts grinding her hips over my crotch. The breath leaves my lungs and my throat dries. All my control goes to the wayside.
