Page 61 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
It’s without a doubt a kiss the gods will wage a war over, but how is it that his kiss breathes life into me like I’ve never known? As if all the air before this one has been bitter. His hand moves up my jawline and threads through my hair as he deepens the kiss. There isn't a hint of hatred. Only whispers of our hearts—truths we have not yet shared.
For a moment, I forget that we’re in front of hundreds of demons. Kalel seems to remember himself and slowly pulls away. His brows knit as he holds his face close to mine for a second longer than he should, studying my features and sucking in his bottom lip as if to savor the taste of me.
I swallow and lick my lips anxiously.
The Krinsle announces, “Kingdom of Devicit. I give you your new duchess, Alira Lornhelm.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
ALIRA
The next houris a blur of meeting the high lords that Kalel is acquainted with, accepting their congratulations on the Lornhelm name, along with the disapproving looks they cast me before heading to the banquet.
I’ve never felt so insignificant in my entire life. It’s evident that I’m worthless to them.
A mirror along the far wall reflects the disarray of my appearance. My hair is mussed, and demon blood smears the side of my face where Kalel touched me. A burnt, ashy mark is left behind on my neck where the devilstone touched me. Pain still thrums lightly through my veins, but my body is slowly healing.
As Kalel speaks with an older couple, I look over my shoulder and spot the Krinsle watching me. I spare a glance at Kalel; he’s deep in conversation, so I leave his side to speak with the demon that bound us.
It is still just as intimidating as before, but the magic I felt from the demon beckons me to believe that it can be trusted.
“Half-god, I was hoping you would come and speak with me.” It crouches down so I don’t have to angle my head up to look at it.
I offer a weak smile. “You don’t loathe me? I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” I murmur, gazing down at the woman who tried to kill me with a devilstone. It’s still clutched tightly in her hand. The worry blooms in my chest once more.Where are all these new stones showing up from?
The Krinsle follows the path of my vision and takes the stone from the woman. It holds the rock up to the light and inspects it carefully. “I have no reason to dislike you, Alira. I am a tired, old demon who will return to the underworld soon. There are centuries of wars that have come before you, and likely more to follow long after.” Its voice isn’t as eerie now that it isn’t filling the room with it. The white dots beneath the hood shift to me as it crushes the stone in its palm. Dust as fine as sand filters through its fingers and trickles to the floor. “You are different from the other half-gods.”
My brows pinch together. “Different how?”
It stares at me for an uncomfortable stretch of time as it considers its words.
“Alira, we are departing for the banquet,” Kalel calls to me, extending his hand for me to come to him. I smile again at the Krinsle before turning to leave.
It wraps its long hand around my wrist, stopping me dead in my tracks. I shudder and look over my shoulder at it.
“The gods watch you closer than the others. Be careful,” the Krinsle mutters its warning before letting me go.
The Krinsle’s warning puts ice into my veins. Mercury has already warned me too. What will the deities do to me now that I’ve married Kalel?
It bothers me through the carriage ride to the banquet and further into the celebratory supper.
“Must you look so miserable?” Kalel sighs, and it brings me from my thoughts.
I sit straighter and plaster a fake smile on. The banquet hall is bustling with gossip. It’s not the jovial type either. It’s clear that hardly anyone in attendance is happy about the marriage.
“I’m not miserable.” I take a sip of my wine. I catch my reflection in the glass and am relieved that Nikolai was able to fully heal the burn on my neck before we arrived here. He is a saint for bringing maids to redo my hair and wipe the blood from my face too.
I quickly find him in the crowd, speaking with a group of royal knights and laughing, before his eyes flick to me. I offer a smile at his warm gaze before returning my attention to my husband.
Kalel takes a few long swigs from his cup.Is he drunk?I blink at him, shocked that he would allow himself to be this intoxicated when around his peers. He’s usually so put together and in control. Everything he does is always with purpose.
“Come on, I’m your monstrous husband now, you can be honest,” he grumbles as he sets his cup down, throwing me what I think he intends to be a scathing look, but it’s heated and filled with a craving to give in to his desires. His cheeks are flush, and his fangs dig into his lower lip.
He hasn’t had any of my blood yet today, so he might be hungry.
Great. Hangryanddrunk.
I turn my head and look away from him. He’s trying to toy with me, and I’m not in the mood.
