Page 13 of Dormeo
A shiver passes down my spine.
“I’m an upper level demon, which means I have some self-control, but anyone else you come across dressed like that wouldprobably rip that pathetic excuse for a gown from your body and ravish you. I'll find you something more suitable to wear.”
Swallowing hard, I freeze as he reaches out a dark finger and trails it oh-so-gently along my collar bone.
“We might look almost like human men, but we’re not. Many of us have… powers… and primal urges that you can’t understand and shouldn’t underestimate.”
Mesmerised by the pulse I see hammering in his neck, I feel my body heat at that tiny little touch. The sparks inside me begin, the ones I’ve kept hidden my entire life, and I flex my fingers to rid myself of the energy building inside me. For the first time in my life, it’s not driven by fear but by curiosity.
“What powers do you have?” I’m intrigued, but I shouldn’t be. Why do I care exactly what ways this dangerous being can destroy me?
His intense gaze lifts to mine, briefly, before returning to watch where his finger trails along the delicate skin of my chest.
“I have the power to make you scream,” he murmurs, leaning in so close, his chiselled face is right next to mine.
My heart stutters, and yet it’s not fear that courses through my veins. Because with the drop in tone and the husky edge to his voice, that sounds more like a promise?
Turning to look him in the eye, a swooping sensation low in my belly has my insides coiling tight. He’s so big, so broad, and nothing like the pampered gentleman who preen and posture when they come to visit my father. All airs and graces, good manners and proper behaviour.
“Ladies don’t scream,” I whisper, and yet I wish that wasn’t true.
But this beast couldn’t care less, as his gaze wanders down to where my gown dips in a deep V at my chest, and the hint of cleavage he can see.
“Yes, they do. In the right hands.”
My breath catches, and my fingers tighten in the thin material gathered around me. I’ve heard my sister speak of the pleasure she’s had by the talented fingers of a local sailor. I can only imagine what a man like this could do.
Something tells me he’s not one for empty threats.
Abruptly, he pushes back, blinking hard, his hands halting in mid-air as he shakes himself.
“This isn’t a vacation you’re on, princess,” he warns. “There are demons here that will fuck you, skin you alive and eat you, in no particular order. Don’t leave this room. And... if anything unusual happens, you tell me. Right away. Anything at all.”
Chest heaving and cheeks flushed, I stare up at him while he regards me with suspicion. Not having any desire to encounter anyone else while I’m here, let alone someone who’d enjoy feasting on my flesh, I nod my agreement.
“What if someone comes for me?” I ask, staring out to sea as the demon narrows his eyes at me.
“Nobody will get by me. And if they do, you tell them you’re under Ash’s protection.” He seems to take my apparent doubt in his abilities to protect me personally. Growing visibly in stature, his eyes flash, and I stumble over my next words.
"What if they’re here to rescue me? What would you do to them?"
He sneers, seeming to find the idea amusing.
“Who would come looking for you, princess? Who would be brave enough to come here?” His expression promises violence on anyone who dares. "Your father made a deal. If he has any sense, he won't set foot here again until it's over."
Figuring honesty is the best policy, I prepare to blurt out the truth.
That my father loves to play games, and take a gamble, which is part of the reason for our recent decline in fortune. I’d love to think he’s not stupid enough to try and pull a fast one on thesedemons, but I’ve seen enough to know he thinks he can outsmart anyone.
“My hand is considered a prize in our realm. The opportunity to rescue me from hell is surely a winning gesture, one my father would have to honour with marriage. And any brave man who accomplished such a fate, well, he’d be a hero, renowned throughout the land.”
Ash stares at me. “And why is marryingyousuch a prestigious thing? You are beautiful, but there are surely other women as fair.”
For some reason, that comment stings, but I say nothing. Though I suspect Father knows something, Clara is the only person who I’ve told about the power at my fingertips. And I plan to keep it that way.
Why do I seem to care that a demon, whose opinion I should happily dismiss, isn’t falling at my feet the way human men do?
I’m strangely intrigued by him, though. His sheer size is both intimidating and attractive at the same time. And despite his gruff demeanour, I’m not afraid of him. I believe him when he says nobody will get past him.
