Page 20 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
A palace? Demons are oddly similar to the mortals in the way their societies are formed. If that’s true, then they must have grand gardens and architecture. Balls and extravagant events.
Sometimes I wish the demigods would indulge in things like they do. To enjoy a little of life. Most things in Alzhor are mundane and gray now. Although I’ve been told by the elders that there was a past where our kingdom flourished with all the societal things. A tale as old as time, everything was dulled when the gods left us. Even more so when the demigods’ numbers dwindled.
I turn and look at Kalel. His hair is as dark as night—the fire’s glow is absorbed into the shadows of it. And yet his eyes flicker like embers lost in the dead of winter.
“And then what? Will I be your prisoner until I die?” I imagine being locked in a dark room for the remainder of my life.
He brushes his hand through my hair, the silver luminescent strands reflecting the warm light of the fire. I try not to flinch at his touch, but his eyes catch the movement, narrowing before he pulls away. “That depends on you, little godling. If you try to escape, I’ll have to place wards to keep you from leaving the kingdom, but I’d prefer not to do that.”
“I’m free to roam thekingdom?” I raise a brow.
He nods. “You’re not my prisoner, Alira. You are going to be my wife. Even if we don’t like one another, I will respect your status as my equal.” His voice lingers like smoke and moves through my chest. I didn’t think he was capable of kindness. Not after realizing who and what I really am.
“Will we be expected to…”Breed.I can’t even finish saying the words. He shifts uncomfortably at my back, knowing exactly what I’m asking.
“Yes, it’s the only reason the King approved the peace offering. It’s why you put yourself up as a sacrifice, is it not?” he says mundanely, but he sounds as displeased with the circumstances as I feel.
I shrink into myself more and let the numbness in my mind take over. He doesn’t say anymore either. He just breathes in a soothing rhythm.
We stay by the fire until the trembling in my limbs finally ceases. Kalel throws a bucket of water on the fire and tosses me the fur blanket. Then we’re heading back to the group and resume the horrid trek across the waste lands. The snow falls heavier now, making visibility extremely low.
By the time the sun sets, I’m frozen to the core again and my back aches. But my mind is the weariest of all, thinking about my future and if I’m willing to endure a life of retribution.
As soon as Kalel’s tent is set up, I groggily go to the pile of blankets on the ground and collapse into the nest. I find a small fragment of solace in it—it reminds me of hiding when I was a child. The knights would often look for me and find me on the floor curled up in blankets. Someplace warm and hidden away from the world. The nostalgia of it soothes me.
Kalel’s elite knights stand at the tent's entrance, speaking in low whispers until Kalel finally enters the tent, resigning for the night and dismissing them. I overheard them talking about their commander visiting the captive demigods and making sure they are accounted for properly. It doesn’t sound like they get nearly as much leniency as I do, but I hold onto the idea that they will be freed after the ceremony takes place.
I watch him carefully as he moves about the tent. His hair is perfectly smoothed to the side and his golden eyes remain empty as he looks through the reports on his desk for several minutes. When he finishes the first batch, he glances my way. It’s dark in this corner of the tent, and I’m peering at him through slittedeyes, so I don’t think he realizes I’m also observing him. He pauses for a few beats before returning to his pages.
There are a thousand thoughts in those burdened eyes. I find myself longing to know what they are. Why does he look so weary and melancholic all the time? Why doesn’t he smile as easily as he did in Florum?
He spends the better part of half an hour reviewing his reports before stretching his arms over his head and standing. My hands curl into the blankets as he approaches me and kneels at my side.
This is the one part I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.
I slowly sit up and tilt my head for him, gathering my hair to one side so it’s out of his way, assuming he wants to feed. He only had a few sips earlier today, so I’m sure that’s what he wants.
He hesitates this time and is slower to bring his mouth to my flesh.
The bite doesn’t hurt like it did earlier. I hardly notice the penetration this time, though he’s also not being as brutal as he was in the cottage. A wave of exhaustion rolls through me, and a whimper flees my lips. He wraps his hand gently under my neck and guides me down to the blankets so I fall backward.
I can hear each draw of blood he takes from my neck. Each savored gulp as his Adam's apple bobs. My eyes fight to remain open as my blood is drained.
Kalel finishes, stroking his tongue over the wound until it’s clean, then releases me.
I drowsily crawl into my blanket nest and curl into its comfort. My heavy eyes stay pinned on him when he doesn’t leave right away.
“I need to scent you, I promise I’ll be quick.” He guides me into his lap, pressing a kiss on the side of my throat beforestroking his tongue over it a few times. A rumbling purr rolls from his chest as he continues to lick me.
It’s much more intimate this time. I writhe in his hold as my body instinctively responds to it. Heat pools in my lower stomach and an ache throbs for him.Gods. Not again.
I swallow the anxiety building in my throat and try to ignore the way my muscles relax in submission to him.
Kalel notices and lets out a low growl as he moves to my wrists. He presses kisses on each before lapping at them with his tongue. My cheeks burn. I want to bury my face into the sheets, but all I can do is watch as this handsome demon marks his scent on me.
He licks his lips when he’s finished and slowly stands.
“Are those the only spots?” I ask with a heady voice, hoping he can’t see the blush across my cheeks.
