Page 41 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
“Okay, watch one round and then join in!” Tessa says as she grabs hold of Nikolai’s arm. He winks at me before letting go and trotting into the dancing circle with her.
The hymn the demons sing is sad and filled with longing, but grows happier and more uplifting as they call their fallen friends home. Chills spread over my arms as the sound works its way through my bones and immerses into my own soul.
Nikolai’s voice is lovely, carrying over the rest. His eyes catch mine as he loops back for another round. He waves for me to join. I hesitate. This isn’t my place, but demigods died last night too. I should be a part of this for them.
I take the leap and merge into the bodies of dancing, singing demons. Nikolai catches me, his warm hands meeting mine and offering me a charming grin. “For a second, I thought you wouldn’t even try!” he shouts. It’s so loud in the crowd that I barely hear him.
“Your voice is enthralling,” I say loudly, but he doesn’t hear me, so he dips in close, letting his ear brush against my lips. My heart leaps in my chest at the contact. I repeat what I said, and he pulls back, smiling,reallysmiling like he appreciates it more than I thought he would.
“I can sing any creature to wealth or ruin. It’s my ability. So count your blessings that I like you, Alira.” He winks at me again. My cheeks warm and a giddy smile that I’m sure is more alcohol than not, has me shadowing his movements and dancing among the demons.
It’s intoxicating. A feeling so strong and overwhelming that I lose myself to the song and the orange glow of the fire. My gaze drops down from the sky and lands directly onhim.
Kalel.
He must’ve just spotted me, because his eyes fill with rage and he bares his teeth with what I’m guessing is a shout of fury.
Nikolai sees it too. His features flash with worry, and he glances down at me with horror. “I’m sorry.” I read his lips because his voice is too low to hear the words.
My chest sinks, and as I turn around to look back at Kalel, I’m met with his broad chest. I tilt my chin up and find his amber eyes lit with hellfire.
Chapter Fourteen
ALIRA
Kalel’s griparound my wrist is firm, and he practically drags me behind him. The blood drains from my face as he leads me away from the bonfire and into the dark corner of camp.
He hasn’t said a single word to me this entire time.
When his tent is in view, I jerk my arm from his hold. He whirls on me—teeth grit together tightly.
“What’s your fucking problem?!” I snap, leveling him with a lethal glare. I credit the charmed ale for my bravery tonight.
Kalel’s eyes are empty. He’s the most frightening when he’s like this. There’s no telling what he’ll do when he gets that blank look.
“Myproblem?” He says it with a sarcastic laugh, his fangs showing from his manic smile. “My fucking problem?” he shouts. It makes me shake, but I hold firm, fisting my hands at my sides and staring up at him defiantly.
“That’s what I asked you.”
Kalel works his jaw, veins protruding from his neck. “How dare you participate inourritual.” His voice is lower now, yet no less horrifying.
My lips press together. “Nikolai said I?—”
“Howdareyou, when you… You’re the reason so many of my knights are dead.” He swallows the rest of the words he wants to say.The reason his mother is dead.
A knot forms in my throat. “Kalel, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
His eyes are unwavering and cold. “No. You weren’t. You never do.” He bites out and sharply looks away from me.
“Don’t act like it was all me. Nikolai and Tessa?—”
He cuts me off again, pushing me back with his chest. “They were baiting you. They knew I’d get pissed off.Stupidlittle godling.”
My eyes widen. They were baiting me? Is that why Nikolai said he was sorry? My cheeks warm with the ale and the heat of their antics. I doubt it was meant to be malicious. My eyes trail back up to the dancing and I catch Tessa and Nikolai watching, big grins on their faces before they laugh at my scowl.
They’re worse than the knights in Alzhor.I hold back the smile that threatens to pull at my lips, because Kalel certainly doesn’t find any part of this to be entertaining.
He didn’t miss them laughing either. After a moment, he lets out a long sigh. “Let’s just get some rest for the night. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Kalel drags a weary hand down his neck before letting it fall to his side.
