Page 54 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
“Are you so relieved that you won’t have a filthy demon’s child yet?” His voice is hardened back up, and he withdraws from me. More liquid than I thought possible for a male to come leaks from my center.
“That’s not what I said.” I sit up to look at him, but he’s already up and securing his pants back around his waist.
“You didn't need to.” His eyes are dull and filled with anger. “I’ll be in the other suite. Tessa and Nikolai will be here in the morning to collect you.” He storms out of the chambers and slams the door behind him, the sound making me flinch.
Did I… hurt his feelings?I look down between my legs and frown at the mess we made. I’m tired, but not ‘sleep in Kalel’s come’, tired.
The bathroom is larger than I thought it would be. Vaulted ceilings and stone finishes from the sinks to the steps that lead to the built-in bath. It’s more like a hot spring than a bathroom.
After figuring out their faucets, I let the hot water run until the square stone tub is filled, and then I find some soaps and salts to make the water smell like fresh blossoms.
No matter how long I bathe and try to find some peace in my thoughts, I can’t. All I can think about is Kalel. The way he touched me and how hurt he looked when he left. He hates the demigods so much, more than I ever despised the demons. But I don’t think he hates me, even if he wants to. Is that why he always has that anguished look on his face?
That thought brings a hopeful smile to my lips.
I hope for more nights where he holds me, and I can run my fingers through his hair.
“Kill her.”
My eyes flash open at the strange voice, and the next thing I know, a dagger is thrust into my shoulder, pinning me to the mattress. Adrenaline rushes through my body and spikes my pulse.
I’m being attacked.
My training kicks in, and I tear the dagger from my shoulder, lashing out at my attacker. I cut into someone’s flesh, but it’s still too dark to see clearly.
They stumble and fall to the ground. In the next second, all the candles are lit at once, and Kalel is kicking and shouting at the door, attempting to get inside. Three people are standing in the room. Two men and one woman. I slashed the shorter, younger male across the chest. He’s writhing in pain on the floor and bleeding profusely.
I don’t recognize any of them, so I doubt they are a part of Kalel’s army, but it’s clear that I’m not welcome here. So muchfor Kalel’s scenting being enough of a warning to keep them away.
“She cut me!” The young male screams.
The woman glares at me and unsheathes her sword. “Demigodswillbe extinct. If you think we’re going to let you survive and marry Duke Lornhelm, then you’re fucking insane!” She charges at me.
I chuck the dagger at her, striking true straight through the center of her neck. Her eyes widen, and she chokes on her blood. She falls to the side of the bed before slipping to the ground. The clatter of her sword rattles on the ground just as Kalel bursts through the door. He takes me in briefly to make sure I’m okay, then he looks at the two remaining intruders.
“How dare you.” Are the only words Kalel says as he unsheathes his sword. “How DARE you try and kill what’s mine.”
“Wait, Sir Lornhelm, we were only trying to free you from this fate!” The wounded male shouts, eyes teary.
The other one nods. “We can all kill her, right here. Right now. Let us get rid of her for you—” Kalel cuts him in half before he can finish his sentence.
The wounded intruder only has time to let out a sharp cry before Kalel swings his arm sharply and lops the man’s head off. His body follows the heavythunkof the head landing on the ground.
Kalel breathes heavily, his eyes are weary, and have dark marks beneath them. He curses under his breath. “I shouldn’t have left you alone.” He lets his eyes meet mine before he focuses back on my shoulder wound. “I’ll get Nikolai.”
“No, I’m fine. There’s no need to wake him. He can check me in the morning.” I rise and make my way to the bathroom. My reflection is unsettling. The white night gown is drenched ingolden blood. Sections of my silver hair are sticky and cling to my neck.
Great, this won’t come out for a while.I frown at my hair.
Kalel lingers by the doorframe, leaning against the wood with his arms crossed. “Are you sure you don’t need him now?”
I roll my eyes and slip out of the ruined gown. I ignore that he’s staring at my naked body and check my wound to make sure I don’t need Nikolai. “Yes. He needs his rest too, and it’s not so bad. It’s already sealing up.” At least our holy blood heals us at a small rate.
I’ll need another bath, though. I make my way over to the tub and start it again. Kalel’s presence starts to wear on my patience, so I give him an annoyed look. “Don’t you need to report them as deceased or something?” The edge to my voice is lost as I take in how he’s looking at me.
There’s a well of guilt in his eyes and more conflict than I’ve ever seen in another’s gaze.
“Just get in the tub,” he says with a tight jaw. Kalel kneels beside me and rolls up his sleeves. When I don’t move right away, he tilts his head to the bath. “Get in, or I will set you in there myself.”
