Page 65 of The Demon King's Destiny

Chapter 16

His vision clearing, Marrok shifted his weight and rolled until his hip hit the bed. Still semi-erect inside his mate, he kept her close, not quite ready to break their union.

He nuzzled Evelyn’s cheek, feeling her grin against his skin. Marrok’s nose drifted to just below her ear and he inhaled. The air was thick with the smell of sex. Their lovemaking created a unique scent, heady and dizzying.

Like a drug, he wanted more of it. More of her. “How do you feel?” he asked instead of attempting her again.

“I feel wonderful. That was … more than I could have imagined.”

“I’m glad. I wasn’t sure, being where we are, if it would be uncomfortable for you. I only ever want to bring you pleasure,moj draga.”

Evelyn’s face flushed, unused to speaking so frankly about anything sexual. Marrok obviously had no such reservations. She found herself liking the fact he spoke this way, as lovers did.

“Maybe a little at first, though I’ve nothing to compare it to. I suppose I’ll have to let you know once we’re together. Truly together.”

Her fingers traced the thin scar on his face, down the side of his throat. They grazed his collarbone,then stroked the skin between his pectorals. Everyinch helped her gather the courage to make her heart’s inquiry.

“Any idea of when that may be?” she asked, trying to be nonchalant about it.

“Within the year. Two at most.”

Evelyn’s face fell and Marrok nudged her chin upward with his hand.

“When I say at most, I mean it. I’ll build us a home on sacred ground, if necessary.”

“You’ll house me away at the Temple of Sanctus Femina?”

“If I must. I also need a plan to approach your father. That will take time, especially if he is resistant. I assume I’ll need quite a few months to pursue diplomacy with him.”

Sensing her disappointment, he kissed her soundly, then told her, “Though, I’ll not be deterred. If necessary, we’ll come clean about the dreamwalking.”

Evelyn’s mouth popped open and he lifted her jaw to close it. “As a last resort. But mark my words, Evelyn, I intend to have you. No one, not even your father, is going to get in the way of that.”

Her eyes lit up. Marrok was committing to their future. One or two years was nothing for a being who lived forever. If her life was going to be prolonged by being his mate, she would not make things more difficult by pouting.

The subject of her father was another matter altogether. He’d dealt with demons many times and encouraged trade with Sundari. She didn’t think he would take issue with a betrothal to Marrok, but trading with a demon was far different than arranging a marriage to one. Evelyn decided to remain optimistic.

“I’m going to have to test the success of our system’s new security measures,” Marrok continued. “We have to start over with the introduction stations. A large group of rogues, who have apparently been banding together and hiding out in remote areas, decided to destroy them. They were so far gone, they couldn’t understand they could be saved.”

“Did you … what happened to the rogues?”

“Rounded them up and took them to the peninsula. It took this entire time.”

“You didn’t kill them?”

“I knew you didn’t want me to. I also knew if I’d turned, I would want the chance to heal. Or, at the very least, to atone for whatever I’d done without my full knowledge while I was crazed.”

Evelyn’s heart filled. The more she knew of him, the further she fell. How could she not? His promise to come for her, to build a life with her, had her lips stretching so far across her face she thought she might crack.

“You’re happy then?” he questioned.

“Very.”

She traced his brow with her finger, then his squared jaw, now covered in a thin beard. Having dreamt of his parents, Evelyn knew he strongly resembled his father, but the shape of his eyes, accented by those thick, dark lashes, came from his mother.

She wondered what their children would look like.

Evelyn froze. Her hand tremored slightly and she quickly balled it into a fist.

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