Page 24 of Demanding Discord
Somewhere in the distance, a bell tolled, muffled by layers of stone and enchantment. The sound tugged at some primal part of me, a warning or perhaps an invitation. I forced myself to breathe, to anchor in the present, to resist the urge to flee back into sleep’s oblivion.
Cinder tightened her embrace, and I rested my hand atop her shoulder as she whispered my name—not with accusation or pity, but with quiet certainty. The syllables curled in the air between us, tentative, raw, making the core of my being ache with need.
But bitterness simmered just beneath my skin. I would not forget what was taken from me. And as Cinder’s eyes fluttered open, soft and luminous in the dim light, I made a silent vow: the reckoning would come. For now, though, I clung to the smallest mercy—a moment of peace in the bed we shared, deep in the heart of Hell.
A soft smile played on her features as she pulled her head back, her gaze flowing from my eyes to my mouth. She moistened her lips, the quick dart of pink slipping between them making blood rush to my groin.
She blinked, sucking in a quick breath as she awakened fully. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” She started to pull away, but I tugged her closer.
“Don’t apologize.” I slid my hand to her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “It’s an honor that you still take comfort in my embrace.”
“An honor, huh?” She laughed. “You’re a strong, sexy demon, who just saved my life. Why wouldn’t I?”
I frowned. “Because of the multiple times you have had to save mine.”
Her brow furrowed as if my words confused her. “We’re a team. Of course, we look out for each other.”
“I am not accustomed to showing weakness.” I rolled to my back and dragged my hands down my face, humiliation returning in full force. “You should not have to save my life.”
She propped her head on her hand, her expression bewildered. “Why? Because I’m a woman?”
“Because I am…I was…a Prince of Hell, my power unmatched by all except Lucifer himself.” I pushed to sitting and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my back facing her.
“We must continue our quest.” I reached for the clothing on the bedside table. “Tell me what you saw in your vision at the temple.”
“Hold on.” Cinder rose to her knees and slid her arms around my chest, pressing her front to my back. Warmth radiated through the thin fabric of her shirt, and I froze, my body unwilling to end the close contact.
“I have debts to collect.” My voice sounded gruff, even to me. “Lucifer and his lot will pay for what they’ve done to you.”
“What did I tell you about acting like I’m a damsel in distress?”
I laughed dryly. “This time, it was I who needed saving.”
“And next time, it’ll probably be me, so let’s take a moment and enjoy the peace in this invisible house. It could be our last chance to breathe.” She released me, moving to my side and sitting cross-legged next to me.
A soft smile tugged at the edge of her lips, a stark contrast to the gravity of our situation.
I exhaled, tension easing from my shoulders. “I promise to see you home safely, but…”
“I know.” Her gaze lingered on me, sharp and steady as always, daring me to look away. Silence stretched between us, words unspoken saying everything we needed to say. She felt our bond as I did…worried about the inevitable. Even if we made it out of Hell alive, neither of us would survive our parting.
“What did you see at the temple?” I asked again, quieter this time.
Cinder’s eyes darkened, the memory of her vision flickering in their depths. “Hecate in chains. I couldn’t tell if they were real or metaphorical, but she’s in pain.”
A chill bristled along my spine, hope and dread mingling inside me. “Do you know where to find her?”
“I ran out of time. I’ll try scrying again in a bit, but…” She shook her head.
“But…?” I angled toward her, and her gaze bounced from my exposed manhood to my face and back again. “My nakedness still bothers you?”
Her lips parted, but she missed a beat before she replied. “No. I’ve seen plenty of dicks in my life. Yours is nothing special.”
It twitched, and her cheeks flushed. Nothing special, indeed.
I suppressed a smile and pulled the sheet into my lap. “You said you could scry, but…?”
She blinked twice, the tension in her posture easing. “You’re not the only one whose powers are out of whack.”
