Page 16 of Dormeo
Even that word,mate, makes my stomach flip.
Sheltered from such things in an effort to protect my value as a wife, or keep me in the dark, I know very little about seduction and satisfaction.
From the lust-filled moans I heard in the corridors last night and the giggles that float in through the open window even now, I get the feeling hell is a place where those desires are indulged.
Pushing down the hedonistic thoughts that are sure to get me into trouble, I move toward the giant wraparound balcony and peer out through the window. I’m simply curious. There’s no harm in having a look, I tell myself, eager to see who’s out there having such a good time.
The grey karst landscape is dark, and yet somehow, still beautiful. There’s a path winding around the base of this structure, lit by tall lanterns casting an orange glow, and while I stare out, the couple I heard laughing meander by, swaying from side to side, clinging to each other, the effects of too muchsomethingmaking them merry.
I smile as I watch them disappear inside a black heavy iron door, the tall, dark demon stealing one last kiss from his red-haired human before dragging her inside. Instead of looking odd together, they look like a perfect fit. His dark gleaming skin is a perfect contrast to her pale glow.
A knot forms in the pit of my belly as a squeal of excitement can be heard, even through the door.
That is what I want, passion and laughter, not a mutually beneficial match driven by acreage and dowries. And the need to find a husband, lest all of my inheritance fall to one of my lecherous cousins instead.
I watch the inky sea, less angry today, and sigh. Maybe one of my suitors will make it to hell and rescue me, proving himself to be more than a mercenary cad who’s only after me for wealth. Perhaps I’ll be sitting here, watching as he battles demon after demon in a valiant attempt to winmyfavour, and not my father’s.
But staring at the sheer cliffs that fall away to the ocean, and the dizzying height of this tower, it would be no easy feat, and this isn’t a fairytale. The best I can hope for is that my father honours whatever promise he made and can bring me home.
And that nothing befalls me in the meantime.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I watch the door the couple passed through. Is it a bar, a home, or maybe, it’s hell’s equivalent of a sleazy motel?
I step up onto the plinth and attempt to get a better view by leaning over the grey stone balcony.
Huffing in annoyance when I can’t get a better view, I stare at the path below. I’m sure there are flying creatures out here that I have no interest in meeting.
But maybe… before I leave, I could sneak down there and see what’s going on. Listening to the upbeat chatter, it certainly sounds like everyone inside is having a good time.
“Do you think they’d let me in?”
I look to the gargoyle for some support, but he’s as still as a statue, and completely silent. Frowning, I look at how he’s perched on the corner of the balcony. I could have sworn he had his back to the wall yesterday.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so. Or if they did, I doubt I’d get to enjoy some quiet people-watching.” Shaking that idea off as ridiculous, and a result of the confusion I feel from my constant grogginess, I admire how the sunlight somehow makes him look softer, despite the foreboding expression on his twisted face.
“So, you're the only person I have here to keep me company,” I say, staring at him intently and pointing toward what I decide must be a tavern. “That also means you’re in charge of stopping me from doing stupid things.”
Like going to a demon bar and expecting to come away unscathed. I gaze out over the lava fields once more and wonder, will I get to see anything other than these four walls, before I leave?
“I wish you could tell me more about this place. It’s almost normal. Not what I expected from the gates of hell at all,” I say, looking at him, but of course, I get nothing in response.
But I spoke too soon.
A scratching noise from outside the door makes me freeze. I turn to stare at the heavy black doors with trepidation. Backing into the corner, I suddenly feel very alone and vulnerable, and not one bit eager to explore.
When the door opens and a blur of black fur and fangs rushes inside, I gasp, stumbling back and knocking my hip on the table beside me. It's only when he leaps up onto the empty sofa, claiming his usual spot, that I can be certain that it's Barghest, the flames surrounding him dying down as he relaxes.
Ash follows behind him, expression stormy, eyebrows drawn down, a pensive look on his chiselled face. He doesn't even look at me as he closes the door behind him, hard. His onyx skin glistens in the light, a sheen of sweat dripping down his body. His ripped abs clench with each breath, moisture runs down every dip and bulge, and down to his black leather trousers. Trousers that were tailored so perfectly, they fit him like asecond skin, showing off every thick muscle in his thighs, and highlighting his firm ass as he strides across the room.
It’s impossible not to notice how impressive he is, I reason, as he turns away from the door and grimaces when he sees me watching him. I debate slinking back into the bedroom, but I’ve spent enough time in there. If I only have an hour of wakefulness, I don’t want to spend it sitting on a bed.
He runs a dark hand back through his messy hair, unruly after what must have been one hell of a workout. I notice that he carefully avoids the pointy horns protruding from just above his forehead. Could they be that sharp, they could pierce even his skin?
Feeling his dark mood, I say nothing, knowing that he's aware of my presence, and that he’s choosing not to acknowledge me as he moves through the room.
It's the height of rudeness really, his refusal to speak to me, but I wait for him to greet me first, as a lady should, still unsure what to make of this man. He’s been nice to me so far, but I somehow doubt that’s the norm.
And that could easily change, as quickly as his mood.
