Page 35 of My Demon Desire
Hope stirs inside of me that Annalise is the heir and maybe, just maybe, this blood ritual works and frees us of Morrigan's curse.
We return to the kitchen and I add more seasoning to the stew.
Kaden chuckles, shaking his head, and leans against the wall watching me with a sidelong glance.
"You really like her, don't you?"
I turn away, adding another log to the fire to stoke the flames. I'm not sure how to answer that. There's an undeniable attraction between us. A living thing almost, but it's more than physical.
"I think, if she is the queen's descendant, she'd be a good choice for our queen. She seems to have a strong will and is willing to fight for what she believes in." I glance at him, only to see a barely contained smirk. "What?"
"You know what I'm thinking."
"Aye, but I don't want to." I roll my eyes and when he reaches for the ale, I use my magic to whisk it out of his grasp and it sails into my hand. I take a long swig of ale.
"Go let Thorne and Annalise know the food and ritual are ready." I'd go myself, but I don't want to hear their sounds of pleasure and not be able to watch them or have my turn driving Annalise to pleasure over and over. It's my name I want to hear her shout the first time I make her come, not Thorne's or Kaden's.
Would Annalise even accept that she would have three lovers if we remained in our current form and the ritual didn't work?
I knew there was no way to guarantee she would choose me— or any of us.
I take a deep breath and stare into the flames.
Everything is beyond our control and no matter Annalise's decision, I would fight for her.
"Why don't you go?"
I lick the ale from my lips, allowing the burn to linger on my tongue. "Because I want to make sure the ritual is ready." It's a lie and Kaden knows it, but he doesn't call me out on it.
He gives me a weary look, pushing away from the wall. "Hope you know what you're doing."
"Me too." I sigh. "Fae or human, the ritual will tell us which." And it will draw Morrigan's attention. Using this much magic is dangerous and she might even feel the break in the curse if we're not careful.
Kaden finishes the last bit of ale, then leaves the kitchen. I can already hear Thorne and Annalise's screams of their climax through the walls.
For better or worse, I won't have long to wait until I know if Annalise is one of us or not. My heart thumps in anticipation and fear that we might have sealed her and us to our doom.
* * *
Annalise
With my stomach churning from the stew and nerves, I stand before Thorne, Kaden, and Reis in the living room. All the furniture has been pushed out of the way with candles and crystals circling us.
My heart pounds in my chest. Reis is across from me with Thorne on my right and Kaden on my left. Their eyes gleam in the candlelight, catching the light like gems, and chills race over my body.
I know that this ritual is important, that it will determine whether or not I am the rightful heir to the throne.
Reis steps forward. "Are you ready?"
I nod, trying to steady my breathing. "Yes," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He holds out his hand and I place my hand in his, palm up. Our eyes meet and energy spikes between us that have me nearly leaning into him.
He must feel it too because he inhales sharply. Then he pulls out a silver knife that glints in the light.
He makes a small cut on my wrist. My blood wells up, and he catches a drop in a small chalice.
When I move to pull my hand away, he hisses, and panic twists in my chest.
