Chapter 23
W ithin the courtyard, it’s as though nothing has happened. A few chairs are charred and eaten by fire. Ash lies here and there, but besides that, the entire party is still in full swing.
Faerie eyes trail me as I’m thrown back through the oak doors. Dae stalks past me, grabbing a glass full of golden liquid from a passing table before throwing himself onto his armchair. The Faerie from earlier tries to claw at his crotch, but he shoves her aside. “Party’s over. Everyone out.”
As humans set to work, the sounds of clattering chairs and busy hands fill the courtyard while Jinn, demons, and Fae stealthily climb the stairs. They go the long way around, avoiding Dae.
My gaze snags on the wall behind him, heart quickening with a dangerous purpose. I force myself to look away, busying my hands with the discarded remnants of the feast. Half-eaten pastries, gnawed bones, and spilled wine paint a picture of chaotic indulgence.
Dae’s eyes, sharp and predatory, follow my every move. I can feel his gaze burning into me, a tangible weight on my back. Let him watch.
He remains sprawled on his throne, swirling the golden liquid in his goblet, Obi’s blood still painting his face. Each time my eyes flicker back to the object hanging above his head, a surge of adrenaline pulses through me, urging me to action.
The guards’ harsh orders cut through the fading din. Nervous glances are cast back at Dae as the remaining humans shuffle out. The oak doors swing shut, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.
We are alone.
A grim smile twists my lips.
Stomping across the wildflowers, I don’t head for the staircase, but veer sharply back towards Dae. His eyes, glittering with a mixture of amusement and suspicion, lock onto mine as I approach. He unfolds himself from his lounging position, legs sliding off the table, leaning forward with an intensity that makes my breath catch. A smirk plays on his lips, a flicker of predatory anticipation, but it vanishes as I stride right past him, my focus fixed on something beyond.
“Elly, love. What are you doing?”
I ignore him.
Heart pounding, I leap over the armchair and, with a rallying cry, grab hold of the large, red snake canvas.
“No!” Dae shouts, fingers grasping my ankle, branding my flesh and pulling me and the canvas down. We tumble to the ground. I roll, a guttural roar leaving my lips as I ram my elbow into the centre of the snake. The canvas is tougher than I thought it would be—the tear I’ve ripped barely makes a difference to the large painting. My lip curls as I attack it again, tearing at it with my nails, destructive glee ripping through my veins.
“No! Stop, Elly!” Dae pants, climbing over my hips, his palms digging in as he clambers. Tight pain lances through my muscles as he clasps my wrists away from the snake.
My vision tunnels as I struggle, pressing my body back against him in the battle. With a yank, I pull myself higher, my throat dry as the blood pounds in my ears. I’m not close enough—I can’t reach the painting. Can’t destroy it. Dae pants, breaths coming out in short gasps at my neck.
I twist about, flailing like the snake in the painting. His painting. “Urhghhghghghhgh,” I scream in frustration, my wrists far from the canvas as the sound of Dae’s laughter tickles my ear, his chest vibrating against my back with the movement. “Arghghghghghh.” I flail, dragging us both backwards and forward as I fight his punishing grip, unable to make even a dent.
“Finished?”
I cry out with renewed fervour, rolling chuckles rumbling through my back. “It’s not fair,” I pant, my face red, nostrils flaring. Finally, my arms fall beside me, Dae’s grip still tight and firm around them. “Fine. I’m finished.”
Dae doesn’t let go. His waist presses into me, warmth leaking into my back, thighs and arms. Hardness pressing against me.
“I said it’s over. Let me go.”
He lingers another moment, lips so close his breaths tickle my neck before he jumps up and reaches a hand down to help me. I jump up, baring my teeth, and glare at my handiwork.
My efforts have been pointless. Two small holes protrude from the centre, barely making a dent in the stupid, badly painted snake. The flaps of the holes almost completely fall back down to their correct places. At first glance, it’s impossible to tell the painting has been broken. I dash forward, arms outstretched, to throw myself at the painting again, a hole burning its way through my stomach.
Lean arms quickly rope around my waist, holding me firmly against him. Another hand reaches up and coils itself through my hair. I scream, stomping my feet to the ground. A frustrated wail leaves my lips and I thrash about as he lifts me into the air.
“Let it out, love. But that painting is mine.” His voice is soft as he yanks my hair back, exposing my neck. Bright spots shine in my vision and fire tears through my scalp.
“Let. Me. Go.” I shove another spurt of might into my struggle, almost toppling us both over.
“Are you going to behave?” He asks between breathless pants.
“No. Weakling.”
He chuckles, dropping me to the ground. I fall in a heap and scowl up at him. Trailing a finger against my cheek, his lips part in a smile as hunger floods his eyes.
Leaping up, I rush towards the staircase in a fury. With a playful smile and light laughter, he dances to the side, blocking my way.
With every ounce of strength, I pull my leg back, feel the fire in my veins, and swing it forward, striking his shin with a firm kick. He cries out, grabbing his leg and falling to the floor. I try to sprint from the room, but his hand circles my ankle and I fall to the floor again.
He climbs on top of me and flips me over with a growl. “Fuck, Elly. You’re impossible.”
“Fuck off.”
“Kiss me, please. Let me taste your betrayal on your lips.”
I sneer. “ My betrayal? You’re the one with another woman’s spit on your cock. And my friend’s blood on your face. And who knows what else?”
Drawing in a shaky breath, he asks, “Why didn’t you stop me? You know I hate it here.”
“I didn’t know I could.”
His forehead rests against mine. “You can always stop me, Elly. You’re my moral compass.”
I try to shake my head, but he places both hands on either side of my face, trapping me in. “That’s not fair. I can’t be.”
He takes my lips without permission, consuming me with a kiss. Tingles spread from my mouth all the way to the core of me as I arch my hips up, up towards him. “You are anyway,” he mutters against my neck, trailing kisses down, down, down. Yanking up my dress, he presses a kiss against my centre.
“Stop, Dae.” I grab his head and pull him back up.
“Just kiss me one more time, please.”
I sigh, releasing his head and resting mine on the cold ground. “Fucking hell, little demon, what am I gonna do with you?”
“You can let me save you.” He places kisses on my ear, my neck, my fingers. “And then spend forever locked in a war with me. Love me, hate me, I don’t care. Just live, please.”