Page 40 of Demonic Cage
He puts his hand on his hip, defiantly straightening himself as if offended.
“But it doesn’t matter,” he declares. “You’ll be mine, eventually!”
His eyes flirtatiously flash at Kripot, who seems unsure how to handle the situation. Of the three of us, only Nárs appears to be enjoying himself.
“It’s true, Darya sent Lizander,” Nárs interjects.
I cannot help but notice that, besides me and Léthé, only he calls him that – everyone else says Kraldem.
“But I heard Lotte was practicing with you, and by Diávolo’s fire, I wouldn’t have missed that! I screamed until that dirty Lizander was on the ground, begging Darya to bring me to the surface! But you, Kripot, I looked down on you! You big, stern giant!”
He shivers and strokes his face with his long, black claws, causing me to clear my throat.
“Oh.” Nárs looks at me as if just noticing I’m here. “Right, work first!”
He blows a smacking kiss in Kripot’s direction before turning towards me. Shaking his head, he appraises me with pity.
“Diávolo’s fire! They didn’t spare you today!”
“You don’t say…” I reply, laughing mockingly.
“Enough fun for today! Let’s go!” He unfurls the enormous wings protruding from his shoulder blades and reaches out both hands to me.
“No,” I assert, realizing what he wants. “I won’t fly with you anywhere.”
Nárs looks offended.
“So, you’ll limp with an injured ankle all the way to your room?”
I shrug. “Yes.”
“Oh, Diávolo, burn me, Flower. Don’t make this drama! Maybe you’re afraid I’ll lick you again? You know I promised not to!”
“I don’t trust you. And yes, I’d rather drag myself there.”
“Alone among the demons?”
I stare intensely at him. Demons would kill me before I reached my room. Nárs inches closer.
“Or maybe the problem is… that I’m notthe oneyou’d like to travel with?”
His suggestive smile makes me blush. I slowly inhale. Exhaustion pulls me down. I just want a bed, a hot bath, and some solitude. I sigh deeply.
Nárs, understanding my decision has been made, starts dancing with clenched fists. Extending his arms, he invites me towards him. Reluctantly, I step closer, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He effortlessly pulls me into his arms, then turns to Kripot.
“Don’t be jealous, my love. You know I’m only yours!” He winks, leaving the blue giant swallowing hard. I roll my eyes.
I hiss as we ascend, and soon we’re gliding above the fluffy sheep-like clouds. I try not to look down, but of course, I do so instinctively. In the distance, I spot a blue dot taking massive leaps through the mountains.
“He’s…”
“Kripot,” Nárs responds. “He can’t fly.”
I look at him in surprise.
“Not everyone here is a demon?”
