Chapter Fourteen
Beneath the Willow Tree
Birds sang their morning songs as I walked around the castle grounds.
The late-night fuck-fest with my men had resulted in me feeling like a zombie, even after three mugs of coffee at breakfast. I hoped stretching my legs would release those energizing endorphins or whatever the gym people said when trying to convince people to work out.
Pretty sure they were full of crap. Walking made me sluggish. Physically and mentally exhausted.
The sex wasn’t the only reason for my lack of energy.
Once they’d fallen asleep, I had lain in bed wide awake.
Obsessing over the future, mostly, and wondering when my destiny as the Hallowed Saint would sweep me away.
Briar had said people like me rose in times of great conflict. That we helped turn the tide in wars.
When would that war reach us?
An adorable bark drew my attention to Oreo. He stood on his hind legs at the foot of an oak tree, his front paws up on the trunk and his tongue sticking from the corner of his mouth. A squirrel with a huge bushy tail sat on the branch above him and cheeped.
“I don’t think they want to play with you, buddy,” I said, half laughing. Those cheeps sounded like a warning. “Come on.”
Woof. The puppy padded back over to me.
We continued our morning stroll: trekking through the garden, passing a small pond, and, much to my horror, spotting more monster flowers with teeth.
“You won’t bite me, you evil things.” I inched past them. “Muffin isn’t on the menu.”
Oreo lunged at one. Like the last time, it did a creepy swaying thing before opening its little mouth, revealing sharp points. The puppy woofed at it before returning to my side. Smart boy. Those flowers meant business—of the chomping variety.
As we walked, I had no direction in mind.
Just went wherever my legs took me. A feeling drew me to the left, and I went with it, not second-guessing anything.
Maybe a bad idea considering my directionally challenged ass.
The castle grounds weren’t small, and we’d made quite a few turns down winding paths and through sections of trees.
I might not be able to find my way back.
“If we get lost, you’ll have to save us,” I told Oreo.
He looked up at me, and that one ear flopped.
“I’m counting on you.”
The path ended a few paces later, leading to an overgrown courtyard.
Dead grass crunched under my feet, not yet having shaken off the winter cold, and thin vines snaked up the trees.
A stone bench sat weathered and cracked in places.
Weeds took over the flowerbeds and sprang up around a small wooden shed.
Though beautiful, much of the castle was desolate like this. Forgotten with the passing of time. Rooms left unoccupied and hearths that hadn’t been lit in what looked like years. Lord Onyx once said that a dwelling reflected the soul who inhabited it.
If that were true, what did his castle say about him?
Honeysuckle tickled my nose, growing stronger with the breeze sweeping through the trees. I sneezed so loud it echoed. Freaking allergies.
“I’m sure there’s a tonic that can help with that.”
I froze.
Oreo wiggled his butt in excitement and darted toward a nearby willow tree. The long branches swallowed him a moment later, but I caught blurs of his dark fur through them. Also saw the shape of a man resting against the trunk. Black hair and pale skin. Red eyes.
“Are you stalking me?” I asked.
“I was here first,” Lord Onyx responded casually. “I’d say you’re the one stalking me.”
“I didn’t know you were here.” However, I wondered if subconsciously, a part of me had known. Like the tether between us had led me right to him, guiding my feet. “What are you doing anyway?”
“Reading.”
“Oh.” Not what I’d expected. I stepped closer to the willow tree, bringing him more into my sight. He sat with both legs stretched in front of him and ankles hooked, a book in his lap. A picture of total relaxation. “What are you reading?”
“A tale about sailing across the sea.” He gently closed the book. “There’s magic in reading, wouldn’t you agree? Allowing one to visit places and go on countless adventures without ever leaving home.”
“I feel the same.” Definitely felt something else too: a flutter in my heart. He was a bookworm like me. “I love to read too.”
“Perhaps I can show you my collection someday then. My library is quite extensive.”
“Music to my ears,” I said with a smile. “Belle has always been my favorite Disney princess for that reason. Who wouldn’t want a massive library?”
He frowned. “I’ve not heard of this princess you speak of.”
“She’s not from around here.” I rocked on the heels of my feet, feeling awkward all of a sudden.
“No reason for you to keep standing all the way over there.” Onyx motioned to the grassy spot beside him. “Would you like to join me?”
“In there?” I asked, nerves swarming my stomach. “Beneath the tree?”
“Unless you’re afraid.”
“Why would I be afraid?” I scoffed and put a hand on my hip, tapping my opposite foot. “Are you going to bite me or something?”
“Or something.”
Heat prickled down my neck. I did my best not to visibly react to the R-rated scenarios suddenly burning into my brain. “There might be a spider in there. They like to hide in the leaves and drop down for surprise attacks. I should probably stay out here where it’s safe.”
“A spider?” Lord Onyx sounded amused. “That’s what frightens you?”
“They’re scary.”
“I assure you, little bird, I’m far scarier.” He patted the spot beside him. “Now come. If a spider should appear, I’ll tell it to go away.”
Hard to say no without telling him the real reason: that being so close to him did strange things to my head and nether regions. My men knew about the demon lord being one of them and had given their blessing, but that didn’t mean I needed to jump the guy’s bones.
I’d probably faint the moment our lips touched. He was criminally hot.
I took a breath and stepped forward, moving aside the long branches of the willow. With my sight no longer obstructed by the tree, I was struck by the full force of him. A beauty that was deeply masculine and magnetic. Just being in his presence made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
“Hi,” I squeaked, once again frozen in place.
“Hello.” Lord Onyx tipped his head back against the tree trunk and looked at me, his lips slanting into a playful smile.
His unwavering gaze did nothing to help my feet move.
In fact, I might grow roots and stay there for the next hundred years.
“Why do you hesitate? Worried I’ll bite you after all? ”
“Um.” Heat fanned my cheeks. “No. I’m not worried about anything.”
“Then have a seat.” His red eyes seemed brighter in the shade of the tree. Burned hotter. “There are no spiders, I promise.”
So why did I feel like I was in a trance and being lured into a big web? Not the sticky situation I wanted to find myself in.
After an internal battle where I weighed the pros and cons of possibly being eaten by him, I finally managed to uproot my feet and make my way over to him, sitting against the tree. The view was pretty as rays of sun came through the gently swaying branches.
“Thanks for letting me into your secret hideout.” I smiled over at him. “Guess it’s not too bad in here.”
“I’m pleased you think so.” Onyx raked a gaze over me. “Rough night?”
“That obvious, huh?” I laughed. It sounded as tired as I felt. “Guess I’m in my head. Being in your realm feels safe, and I’ve grown close to some of you. It’s easy to forget sometimes what’s waiting for me outside the barrier. And the life I left behind.”
Softness touched his expression. “You miss your home.”
I nodded and wrung my hands together in my lap. Even if I wasn’t ready to tell him about me being the Hallowed Saint, I could still confide in him. “I went from an ordinary, coffee loving bookworm to public enemy number one. Not only that, mercenaries are on my tail. It’s just… a lot.”
“I disagree.” He focused on the long, leafy branches in front of us. “You have never been ordinary. Quite the opposite. Since the day I first laid eyes on you, I sensed a fire in you, Evan. A quiet intensity that drew me in. Here I am still, unequivocally drawn to you.”
Hope budded in my chest that, maybe, he did feel our fated bond.
“You’re drawn to me, huh?” I found myself grinning. No poker face whatsoever. “Why, milord, I do believe you’re smitten.”
The edge of his mouth hitched upward. “Smitten? I’m not sure that’s the right word.”
“What word would you use then?” I kept a playful tone despite the sudden flurry of butterflies.
His subtle smile vanished. “Haunted.”
The butterflies crammed between my ribs. “Well, that doesn’t sound like a good thing.”
“It’s a curse like no other.” A wistful expression crossed his face. “Like the moth drawn to the flame, this attraction is destined for ruin. Fate is a cruel mistress. Placing you in my path.”
“Oh.” I swallowed hard, not sure how to take his words. “I can leave if you want.”
“Don’t,” he said, placing a hand on my leg before yanking it back. That touch, though brief, sent electric zaps through my veins. “Stay.”
There was no way I could move even if I wanted to, especially when he looked at me. His gaze held me prisoner.
“You haunt me too, you know,” I said, voice softening. “You have ever since we met in the dark wood. I can’t get you out of my head. And I’m not sure I want to. Being here with you feels… right.”
“Is that wise?” The red in his eyes became more apparent. “Your lovers have only begun to accept that we demons may not be the monsters they once believed, yet I’m sure they’d rage at the thought of you succumbing to a demon’s touch.”
“Actually…” Tingles poked at my sternum, and I felt hot all of a sudden. Fluttery too. “About that. They—”
“I do find it strange now that I consider it,” he said, brows knitting together. “The ease in which they all share you without jealousy.”