Page 24 of Unbound By Shadows
“Does he satisfy you? Pleasure you as a mate should?”
Selene’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“He doesn’t, does he?”
Her mouth opened as if she were going to protest, but she didn’t.Only raised her chin and said, “It’s none of your business.” She took another bite of cavefruit and looked away.
Sam crossed his arms and leaned back against a nearby tree.He fails to please her.A small bud of satisfaction rose up within him at the realization. This man was a fool. Selfish, careless, and undeserving. If Sam were a human—one betrothed to someone like Selene, he would shower her with gifts. Vanquish her enemies and indulge her every whim, especially in their bed. She would feel no uncertainty about her satisfaction.
Not that Sam was experienced in the art of pleasuring females, but he’d be a quick study.
He tried to keep his voice neutral as he asked, “What is your beloved’s name?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you care?”
“Curiosity.”
“It’s Kevin,” she said, digging her toe into a patch of dirt on the ground. “Kevin P. Norton is how he prefers to be addressed both on stage and in life.”
Sam smiled as the perverse pleasure he always felt before exacting vengeance rose.
Kevin P. Norton.When this was all over, and Sam was back in the Underworld, he vowed to put in a word with the Magistrate of Souls. He would tell her to summon him when this human’s time had come so Sam could be the first, the only demon to exact vengeance upon him.
Within the Underworld’s Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude, Sam would stand before the human, close his eyes and feel the impact of every wrongdoing he ever committed in life. Hear every lie Kevin P. Norton had ever told. See every act of cruelty and hatred he carried out. Feel how the man’s neglectful behavior affected Selene—and know of his spiteful deeds that hurt others.
Then Sam would take all that pain, all the suffering Kevin P. Norton ever inflicted and turn it back upon him.He would make his soul experience the pain he caused in life… and maybe with a little extra before he was allowed to transition to the Afterworld.
They ate in silence until Selene said, “What about you, then? Are youmated?”
An unseen spark of energy seemed to course between them as he met her eyes. A current of attraction, of connection—like the one he had experienced in the ballroom—seemed to crackle in the air.
His voice was husky as he said, “I am not attached to anyone… of this world.”
Selene felt frozen as Samael’s eyes locked with hers—like he had pinned her in place with the weight of his gaze.
“We’ve wasted enough time. Finish your food,” he said.
Although it was obvious she had been dismissed, she couldn’t look away as he stretched his arms over his head. His body was so big, so powerful. It was distracting. The moment he caught her watching him, she feigned a sudden interest in her shoelace before he could give her another one of those penetrating, toe-curling looks.
Were all demons sointense?The way his dark eyes fixed on her was disconcerting. It was like he was looking into her soul, making her feel bare and exposed. It was not like he was imagining her naked; it went deeper than that. It was almost as if he could see inside her, straight to all her secret fantasies. And what was worse? His expression seemed to say that he wanted to fulfill them.
Stop this. You’re going home soon.
“How fatigued are you?” Samael asked.
“I feel all right. Better after eating.”
“Good. Are you able to hike for a few hours more or do you want more breaks to rest? I assume humans have less stamina—”
“I’m fine,” Selene said defensively. She sat up straighter, eager to start moving and stop thinking about betrothals and shared beds. “Let’s push through. I feel bad about our late start.”
“That’s not necessary… ”
“No, I insist.” She stood and brushed the crumbs from her thighs. Pulling her backpack on, she snapped the clasp at her hips with aclink. When Samael failed to get to his feet, she prodded, “Ready, Sam?” Then, she blanched with horror. Did she just saySam?Where had that come from? “I’m sorry. I meant to say Samael.”
Samael stared up at her. “What made you call me that?”
“I don’t know. It seemed like a nickname for Samael. It—it suits you.”
