Page 46 of My Demon Desire
"We'll get them back, I swear it." Kaden traces his thumb over my lips and for a brief second, everything but his touch disappears.
My lips part and he kisses me intensely like this might be the last time and all I can do is kiss him back and hold onto him, feeling like my life depends on it.
My fingers splay against his muscled chest and the steady thump of his heart comforts me.
He pulls away and lays his forehead, careful of his horns, against mine. "Make your own rules, Annalise, and fuck everyone else. You have more power than you know."
"Thanks." I give him a watery smile. Whatever happens, I will always remember him, Reis, and Thorne.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask, feeling a mix of fear and courage. I may not know a lot about this world or have any real royal blood, but I will fight for the people I care about. No matter what.
I have never been in a fight before, let alone a war. But if it means protecting those I love, I will do whatever it takes.
“Of course.” He grins and my heart rate speeds up. “The two of us against the queen and her entire legion of guards? How do you humans say it… a piece of cake.”
“I’m serious.” I place my hand on his chest, his heartbeat is fast under my fingertips and I realize he’s just as scared as me. “We can’t expect to walk in there, grab my dad, Reis, and Thorne, and skip away.”
He brings my hand up to his lips, kissing my fingers. “Which is why I have a backup plan.” Then he turns and pulls another box out from under his bed. Opening it, three glowing orbs swirl with a gray light.
“What are those?”
“Our insurance policy.” He places one in his palm and it sinks into his skin. “Something Reis crafted for me in case of an emergency. One of these will immobilize anyone within three feet of her.”
“What’s to keep it from doing the same to you and me?”
He leans down and plants a quick kiss on my lips. “The blood ritual. We’re bonded and the magic is made to not harm me or the others, so now that applies to you as well.”
“Then why haven’t you used these before to entrap the queen?”
He looks away. “I talked Reis out of trying. That everyone seemed to agree with Morrigan and support her. We were taught to bow to whoever sat on the throne and there was no alternative.” He meets my gaze. “What is it you humans say? Better the devil you know? But I know better now.”
Still, at Kaden's bedroom door, I hesitate. It feels like we’re going up against a tyrant and a sinking feeling hits the bottom of my stomach.
"No matter what happens, I'll be with you," he says, wrapping his arm around my waist. His voice is soft and reassuring, sending warmth through my limbs.
"Thank you," I whisper, my throat tightening, but I just hope I'm not rushing me and everyone I know to our deaths.
CHAPTER16
ANNALISE
With the iron knife tucked into the rope belt, I hike beside Kaden toward the castle that looms above us like a giant sentinel. Kaden holds my hand as we walk, reassuring me with a gentle squeeze. Tension suffocates me and I feel like I can't take deep enough breaths.
As we approach, there is a clank of metal and shouts in a foreign language.
Guards patrol the walls and watch us with suspicious gazes. We reach the front gate and Kaden stops me, then speaks in the same language. After a few tense moments, they open the gate, allowing us entrance.
"What did you say to them?" I ask, my throat tightening. I haven't asked about etiquette in this place. Though I have the feeling none of that will matter. That I could do all the right things and say the proper words, and we'd still be walking into a death trap.
"That we were here to negotiate for your father, Reis, and Thorne."
"Thank you."
He nods, but there's a haunted look in his dark eyes that I've not seen before.
Inside the gates of the courtyard is even more impressive than it looks from the outside. We pass by storehouses filled with supplies, armories where soldiers sharpen their weapons, and stables containing powerful horses. Everywhere we go, the guards look at us with a wary eyes and I can't help thinking that even if my dad was the rightful heir, we wouldn't be welcomed here.
Finally, Kaden and I reach our destination. We enter a grand hallway lined with tapestries that tell stories of adventure and mythical creatures, which some appear to be unicorns while others I can't make heads or tails out of.
