Page 20 of The Demon King's Destiny

“Evelyn.”

“Alright, alright. Yes, I believe he meant to plant his mouth upon mine.”

His eyes bled completely black, covering even the whites. Evelyn swallowed. Marrok didn’t like the thought of Jasper kissing her. Her body grew tingly all over. She felt his jealousy, innately knew that was what he was experiencing.

“Where might I find thisJasper?”

“That, I will not tell you.”

“You are but a child, Evelyn. This male should not be attempting you. His actions caused you harm and I will seek retribution.”

Her excited tingling quickly turned cold.

“I amnota child. I am a half year past eighteen now. Old enough to marry. Old enough for … other things.”

The black shrunk, making him look less demonic. Amber burned bright along the edges of his still-large pupils. So bright, she wondered if it reflected upon her skin.

“Just what do you know ofother things?” his voice rasped, seizing her with its power.

Instinctually, she arched towards him. “I—”

“No,” he shook his head, knowing he was close to crossing a line. “Do not answer that. I am centuries older than you. I should never have asked such a thing.”

He moved away and Evelyn had the urge to follow. “I don’t mind, Marrok. Shouldn’t we be able to speak freely with one another?”

The dumbfounded look on his face made her want to laugh. Did he think she knew nothing of coupling?

Marrok cleared his throat. “You hardly know me well enough to have such conversations, little one.”

Evelyn clasped her hands, trying not to fidget. Theron had whispered a single word to her two years ago.Saatus. Mate. She’d felt the truth of it. Surely, Marrok knew it as well.

“While it is true I don’t know you very well,” she conceded, “I also think it is true that, at some point, Iwillknow you. Very well. How else can I explain your return to this place?”

She bit her lip. A lifetime of insecurities bubbled up. She didn’t have feminine wiles to throw at him. All she had was her honesty and faith in their destiny.

Evelyn dug deep for courage. She worried she may not have many more chances to speak to him, especially if they went years without being in the same dream. “Am I not—do you not know what I am to you?”

Marrok cocked his head. “Of course, I know what you are to me. I knew it the first time you pulled me here. I’m wondering how it is you came to know.”

“Theron. The last time you were here, he, well, communicated with me.”

“Ah, of course. The meddling priest.”

“Why … why have you not come for me?” Evelyn couldn’t hide the tremor of her voice. Wasn’t finding one’s destined mate something magical? Wonderful? A blessed gift to be cherished? He was acting so cavalier about it.

She understood she was still a teenager. She didn’t understand why he had not taken steps to ensure he would have her once he considered her an adult.

Marrok could hear the disappointment in her tone. She wanted him to come to Gwydion and claim her? Goddess help him.

Marrok could skirt the issue or he could be truthful with his mate. He respected how bold and honest she was with him. He could only do the same in return—to a degree.

“You’re too young.”

“I am of age.”

“Eighteen is still too young, Evelyn.”

“My sister is to be married at age twenty. It is commonplace for females in Imperium to be married by then.”

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