Page 46 of The Demon King's Destiny

“The only other time you’ve dared to not be truthful with me was when you spoke of him, the day he pushed you off the rocks.”

“He didn’t push me.”

“It doesn’t matter. It was his fault you fell.”

Evelyn tilted her head and crossed her arms, looking dream Jasper up and down with contempt. Her animosity towards her alleged friend was still fresh. “You’re right.”

Marrok glanced down and her. “About what? The fact you lied to me or the factyour injury was his fault?”

“Both. Though, I don’t know that I lied. This time, I mean. Which part did you find untruthful?”

“Youdo, personally, think it’s important. Whatever it is you’re getting ready to tell me is important to you.”

“Huh. I didn’t realize I wasn’t being truthful. Maybe I just thought it wasn’t important enough for you to react how I knew you would react,” she admitted. “You can feel it even when it’s something I’m being dishonest about with myself?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Istina nikad ne umire.The truth never dies. It’s not just a saying. It’s a demon gift—or curse, at times. Words hold power. Something about our magics can always discern truth from lie, no matter what the person speaking believes.”

“I would think that would be very useful.”

“It can be.”

No longer concerned with Jasper, he turned to face Evelyn and she reflected his stance. “Now, stop evading and start talking. Then I’ll decide whether or not the male needs to die.”

“I would laugh if I thought your weren’t serious.”

“I am serious. Talk.”

“Fine,” she conceded, just short of rolling her eyes.

As succinctly as she could, Evelyn relayed what happened during her morning training session. By the time she finished, he’d gone so still she wasn’t sure he was breathing.

“Marrok?”

Ignoring her inquest, Marrok approached Jasper, who was still standing there with his hands in his pockets and his irritating little grin plastered across his face. The harmless male reminded Marrok of a statue, lifelike, yet somehow eerie in its near-perfect imitation.

Unfortunately for dream Jasper, he was the only place Marrok could put the rage roiling deep inside. Holding out both hands, he summoned two short swords. An evil sneer appeared as he took a moment to test the weight of his weapons. Then he attacked.

Evelyn gasped when the two blades appeared out of thin air. Though she had conjured blankets and books a thousand times, she hadn’t been expecting the swords. A punch to Jasper’s face was a fitting penalty. Stabbing him seemed a bit much.

“Marrok, don’t you think …” She trailed off, watching in awe when he spun almost too fast for her to follow his movements.

He twirled and sliced, reminding her of a windmill gone out of control. His black hair swayed as gracefully as hisactions.

The blades slid through Jasper over and over and over again. Unlike in reality, the cuts did nothing but glide through his body as though he were made of smoke. Evelyn waited for Marrok to slow. He didn’t.

The less he was able to harm Jasper, the more worked up Marrok became. Hisexertionscame faster, he struck harder. He was within a hair of trying to break into Jasper’s dreams and inflict a great deal of pain. His demon spirit lunged forward and touched the apparition.

Dream Jasper dissolved immediately, floating away in particles on the breeze. Marrok watched them drift until they were completely gone. If the two ever met, he feared he would react in the exact same manner.

Out of breath, he drew air into his lungs, scrambling for some semblance of control before he dealt with his mate.Be calm, his demon warned. Marrok flung the swords to the ground and closed his eyes, concentrating on his inhalation. Once his pulse normalized, he turned to face Evelyn.

She opened her mouth to speak and he raised a hand to cut her off. “Don’t.”

Marrok sidled closer as he spoke. “You evaded him once and it damaged your face, but you evaded him. This time, you restrained him with your powers. Easily, yes?”

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