Page 63 of A Dark and Lovely Devastation

He threw back his head and laughed, his sharp teeth flashing in the dull light. “That tired of Dagda already, are you?”

“Do you even know the answer?”

He regarded me. “I do. But that is a closely held secret of demons. I will require something as rare in return.” He reached out and touched the token. “I accept.” It flashed out of existence.

His head tilted, his expression cool and calculating. “You are in luck. It so happens that I can break even the most ancient of bonds, but it must be part of the power of the wish.” He nodded toward where I stashed the last token in my dress. “Only the power of that token is powerful enough for me to grant your request. I cannot do it on my own.”

I flopped back in my chair, a lightness rushing through my chest. I’d been preparing for the worst, but I could sever the bond with my sisters and end it all right now. I reached into my dress to retrieve the last token.

“So eager. You forget, it is now my turn to exact my demands of the bargain.”

Shit. That lightness guttered, and nausea pulled through my stomach. I left the token where it was. “What do you want?”

The inky blackness of his eyes turned ashen. He lifted a finger, beckoning me to him. This was my bargain, so I rose from my chair, closing the small distance between us. His long fingers enclosed around my hand.

“On your knees,” he murmured.

Inwardly, I balked at the request. How dare he. But I had one more token that I needed to use desperately, and if I broke this deal, Ornan would never let me make my last wish. Once this was over, I’d use it and save myself. Save everything.

And then I’d go home to my human life and forget this ever happened.

My knees bent and I dropped to the floor in front of him. A dark thrill filled Ornan’s eyes. He sat there, glaring down at me like he was a king and I was no more than a groveling subject, except for that sensuous smile.

“I want you,” he said, running his nose along my arm while breathing in. “To lick both my feet, from toe to ankle.”

“What?”

He pointed toward his feet. “Make it slow and enjoyable, Morrigan.”

With a snap of his wrist, he thrust my hand away from him. I glanced at his feet. My lips peeled from my teeth and I considered letting loose the string of insults building in my mind. But I couldn’t.

Break the bond with Macha and Badb early and they’d be gone for good. At least, that is what Illya believed. And that last wish was my only chance. I swallowed, feeling my dignity go with it.

I braced both my hands on the floor and bent low. My stomach rolled, and my lunch almost appeared on Ornan’s feet instead. I shut my eyes as my tongue slid between my lips and met his big toe.Don’t breathe. Just get it done.

I dragged my tongue over his rough skin.

“Slower, Morrigan.” Ornan’s sharp voice held a warning.

I slowed, a fiery anger shot up my throat. Badb, someone should have taken over by now, but I felt them holding back, drawing a sense of vengeful delight at my humiliation.

I went inch by inch, the extra drool spreading over his foot from my slow movement.

“Now the other one,” Ornan commanded.

I proceeded to his other foot, ignoring the rancid taste overwhelming my mouth, a taste I somehow knew I’d later be scouring my tongue to expunge. I started again. Ornan wriggled his big toe, and it slid into my mouth. Ornan groaned.

I jerked away, coughing and gagging. “Finish,” Ornan snarled.

So I did. Trying not to think about his sandpaper skin. The way he kept moving his foot to make my tongue take longer to reach his ankle. How he threatened to force me to start over if I skipped ahead. Or the sensual sounds coming from his throat.

When I finished, I reared back, working my tongue over my arm, trying to remove his tang. Ornan reclined, a superior expression on his face.

“I never thought I‘d see the day when the great Queen Morrigan would debase herself at the feet of the lowly demon king.”

I shot him a glance of pure loathing, still trying to get him out of my mouth, even while knowing the attempt was futile.

A deadly glitter came into his eyes. “Now back to your bargain…”

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