Page 52 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
Sometimes I hate what I am. It’s not like I ever wanted to be a demon that has to feast on blood to survive, but I made my peace with this part of myself long ago.
My hand smooths over her back until I reach the top of her shirt. I pull it down to her shoulder so her flesh is exposed to me and let my lips coast across her skin. She writhes in my hold as she stirs more.
I sink my teeth into her shoulder. A soft whimper escapes her, and she stops fighting against it. I drink from her, savoring her sweet, gilded blood with each swallow. Feeding is always intimate with her. It has never been like this with anyone else, but it is with her. I hold her closer, shutting my eyes as I gorge myself and feel her warmth against my chest.
It’s the closest feeling to contentment I’ve ever had—the nearest I’ve allowed another person to get to me.
Her hand moves over mine, gently brushing her thumb over my scarred knuckles. I flinch, realizing that my hands are trembling. Is she trying to soothe me?
An empty ache hits deep in my gut. I’m still hungry, but if I keep holding her like this, I don’t know how long I can hold myself back.
Why do I yearn for her so deeply?
Gods help me.
Chapter Twenty
ALIRA
Kalel pullshis hand away like he’s going to retreat from me.
He was shaking. I don’t know what battle he’s fighting in his mind, or if he’s weak from hunger, either way, I catch his hand before he can withdraw completely.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, holding his hand over my chest. When I’m sure he won’t move it, I let go and lift my arm to his head, stroking his hair back a few times while he hesitantly continues to drink from me.
He doesn’t lean into it right away, but with the third brush through his hair, Kalel lets his body relax into me, and the stiffness leaves his arms. This is how I imagine lovers embrace one another. How affection should feel in the dark hours of the night.
After a few more gulps, he removes his teeth from me, licking the bite marks and pressing his lips to them. I’m too tired to try and wriggle away from him while he scents me. I just close my eyes and let him drag his tongue up the side of my neck, telling myself repeatedly that I don’t enjoy it.
But I do, and there’s no hiding it.
“Alira,” he whispers, begging my eyes open.
“Hm?” I mumble sleepily.
Kalel shifts under the blanket, pushing me onto my back and moving on top of me. His palms are pressed heavily into the bed on either side of my head. My eyes widen a little because he has me in a vulnerable position, but also because of the look on his handsome face. It’s too dark to tell if his cheeks are red, but his eyes are filled with heady thoughts.
“Why did you tell the dragons to leave?” he asks. It’s the softest he’s spoken to me, brows pinched with doubt.
Would he believe me even if I told him the truth? He’s been so sure that I’m nothing more than a monster, and he isn’t wrong. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t trust me.
“Because they were hurting your men.” I lift my hand slowly to his cheek. He stiffens at the contact but doesn’t pull away. “Because I didn’t want them to hurt you.”
His eyes dip to my lips before lifting to my eyes once more.
“You could have destroyed my entire army with the four dragons alone. Why didn’t you take the chance? I saw the realization spark in you the moment it crossed your mind.” His voice darkens and he puts more weight down on my hips.
I wince at the pressure.
“Kalel, I want to be here. I want this peace agreement as much as you do.” I plead with my eyes for him to believe me. Now that the demons know I’m a weapon, they could decide to get rid of me, for nothing more than to keep the dragons untamable.
Dark locks of his hair halo his face as he gazes down upon me. I could stare into the fiery embers of his soul all night. This hurt, tame side of him is lulling. Enamoring.
He considers my words but doesn’t reply. Instead, he lowers to my chest, working my shirt up until my breasts are exposed.
I know he’s only scent marking me, but it’s so intimate and sensual that I can’t help but whimper and rub my thighs together as he licks my breast and sucks down on it.
He lets out a long breath, sliding an arm beneath my lower back and pulling my core into his crotch. The air hitches in my lungs as I feel how hard he is beneath the thin pants.Gods help me.
