Chapter 14 Annika
Annika
While the nobles were enjoying the annual New Year’s Eve soiree in the Domum, the assassins and hunters and king and queen were having our own celebration in the residence’s ballroom.
The place was packed with food and champagne and music. The king and queen dance alongside Avi and Hawke, with Lachlan and Valor rounding out the dance floor.
Hunters and their mates were scattered about, drinking and chatting, some of them—mostly Talon—laughing.
It had been a debate after last week’s unsuccessful mission to find Samuel whether we should celebrate at all, but we all ultimately concluded that a small night of reprieve had been well earned.
Not only was Olivia and her baby, Selene, healthy, but I’d only gotten better at controlling my powers, Daphne had crushed her finals, and our queen was pregnant.
There’s more to celebrate than not, and that was a good thing.
Dagon looks annoyingly handsome where he chats with Talon and Cassandra and Ajax and Grace across the ballroom, a drink in one hand, the other casually in his suit pocket.
It wasn’t often the hunters wore suits, but they all coordinated tonight.
Even Saint, which is a shock. Though, he doesn’t seem too invested in the festivities, content to sit in a high wingback chair near the hearth, nursing a whiskey while he tracks Aurora’s every move.
She looks happier and healthier than I’ve seen her before. The island escape had truly done wonders for her morale. She’d even danced with Ajax and Benedict when they’d asked.
Dagon hadn’t asked me to dance, not that I was waiting for an invitation or anything. He hasn’t touched me since the night Olivia gave birth. I thought our venture into the demon club would’ve prompted a little something from him, especially with the outfit I’d chosen, but…nothing.
I wore this male’s mark on my back and nothing.
Not that either of us had acknowledged it further than that first initial shock. We were both being cowardly. I knew more about mating bonds than most, thanks to all my initial pestering questions to Olivia when she first brought me here. A mating bond could be rejected. It was rare, but possible.
My stomach churns at the thought. I know Dagon doesn’t want this bond.
That’s why I’ve been so hesitant to speak to him about it.
When we first discovered it, I’d told him it didn’t have to mean anything.
I didn’t want him to run away. I thought I would be strong enough to manage the bond without accepting or rejecting it.
Take our time and figure out what was best for both of us, but the instincts are relentless. All I want is to be with him.
If I’m being honest with myself, I’ve relished his company long before the mark showed up. And now…I don’t know what to do. I only know that I don’t want to lose him. But I’m terrified that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
“You look stunning,” Daphne says as she heads across the ballroom to join me. “Have I told you that?”
I smile at my friend. I’d chosen a gown tonight that did well to cover my lower back—a long-sleeved silver number that made me feel like a million dollars.
“Thank you,” I say, then motion to her. “But have you seen yourself? You look like a queen.” And she really did, the black glittering gown she wore hugged her body in all the right ways, accentuating her slight curves. “Black looks amazing on you.”
She grins. “Thanks.” She scans the room, almost like she’s looking for someone.
I furrow my brow. “You know the demon king would never crash Alek’s personal party, right? Even if he can break the wards with half a thought.”
Daphne gapes at me. “I know that,” she breathes the words then sips from her champagne flute. “I wasn’t looking for him.”
I hold back my smile. “Sure,” I say, nudging my friend. “And this dress? You maybe had hopes of him seeing you in it?”
Daphne snorts and shakes her head. “I’m sure he already has.”
I raise my brows.
She shrugs. “He pops in and out of my dorm building all the time. Never my room,” she hurries to add. “But, I spot him in the shadows sometimes.”
A shiver races down my spine. “That doesn’t bother you?”
She sighs, her eyes on the couples dancing. “No,” she says. “Not after everything he’s done for me.”
“You don’t owe him anything,” I say, not for the first time. We’ve spent many nights trying to deconstruct the motives of the demon king when it comes to her. All to no avail.
“I know that,” she says. “And you know he drives me absolutely crazy.” She takes another drink of her champagne. “But I can’t explain it. I like it. Knowing he’s watching. It excites me. Does that mean there’s something wrong with me?”
“Not at all,” I assure her. “You know I don’t think that. You can’t control who and what you like. Who and what steals your breath.” I glance across the room toward Dagon, then back to her. “I just want you to be safe.” I nod to the flute in her hand. “I don’t want us to be a bad influence on you.”
Daphne laughs at that. “Do you know how much the other students in my dorm drink?” she finishes her champagne. “It’s a hell of a lot more than a glass of sparkling wine.” She eyes me. “Speaking of wearing dresses for attention,” she motions to me.
I laugh, then shrug. “Yeah,” I admit. “I had hoped Dagon would take one look at me and be desperate to peel this off my body and spend the rest of eternity with me.” I emphasize the dress. “It’s still on.”
Daphne laughs.
“He’s barely looked my way tonight,” I continue.
“Ugh, men can be so ridiculous,” she says. “Even vampires.”
“Or demons?”
“Especially demons.”
We both chuckle, and my heart warms at spending time with her. I missed her while we were gone, despite the fun I had on the island. I yearn for those nights when things weren’t as complicated between Dagon and myself.
I sip my champagne, hating that nothing has quenched my thirst lately. Even before the mark showed up, feeding had been difficult, and now I know why.
“You okay?” Daphne asks, noting the shift in my mood.
“Yeah,” I answer. “Just hungry.” I flash her a predatory smile. “Want to give me your neck?”
Daphne bursts out laughing, then dramatically exposes her neck. “Go for it,” she says. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to get bitten.”
I laugh. “I can’t decide who would kill me first,” I say. “Valor or the demon king.”
Daphne shakes her head. “They’d have to go through me first.”
I grin down at her. “You’re really the best,” I say. “Do you know that?”
“Not even a little bit,” she laughs, then nods toward Valor, who is waving her over to the snack table. “See you later,” she says before heading that way. “Try to eat something good tonight,” she teases.
“I’ll do my best,” I tease.
And despite her joking offer, I really do need to figure out how to feed.
Thirst burns the back of my throat so much it’s hard to concentrate.
I absently trace the column of my neck as if that might soothe the pain.
Dagon likely has to feel the same way, with the thirst at least. I hadn’t seen him feed much on the island and now I’m wondering if it had more to do with the bond than either of us knew.
Or…does he not feel anything at all? Was he distant because he was trying to find a way to let me down easy? To reject the bond without ruining the friendship we’d built on that island?
Could I handle that?
I don’t know.
Honestly, when it comes to Dagon, I’m not certain of anything beyond this insatiable need to be near him. To hear his voice and make him laugh. To touch him and make him growl. To infuriate him and soothe him. To…
Fuck my life. I’m in love with the prick.
I shake my head at myself, the realization hitting me harder than the appearance of the mark on my back.
I knew it. I fell in love with him long before the mark appeared.
And I’m so mad at myself for it. Because why?
Why would my heart latch onto a male who outwardly expressed his disdain for all things love and mates? He thinks of it as a weakness.
A liability. But…it’s only a liability because you care about the person, love the person, and are terrified of something happening to them, right? Could that be it?
I straighten at the thought, studying Dagon from the distance separating us.
Does he care? Truly care? Is that why he’s staying away? Does he think being attached to him would be something I wouldn’t want? Does he believe I think he’s not worth the risk involved with mating a hunter?
Could he be waiting for me to show him, prove it to him?
The more I ruminate on the idea, the more sense it makes. He’s mentioned what happened to Talia several times. Spoken about how it devastating things almost were for her and Zachariah. Watching that first hand would certainly make mating a terrifying thing.
Maybe he needs to understand how I feel about him in order to make his own decision.
There’s only one way to find out.
I finish the rest of my champagne before I head across the room.
“Dagon.” I urge him away from the group.
He excuses himself, and I’m slightly relieved his eyes go a little molten when they trail my body. “You look beautiful,” he says, which melts my heart a bit.
“Thank you,” I say. “I like you in a suit.”
He laughs, tugging at the dress shirt beneath his jacket. “Not my favorite.”
I swallow hard, nerves threatening to steal my courage. “Can we go somewhere more private?” I ask.
His smile dies and he shakes his head. “Annika, I don’t think that’s the best idea.”
I sigh, wetting my lips as his scent hits my nose. He smells divine. Delicious. He…he smells like mine.
“Please, Dagon,” I say, my need overtaking all sense of pride. Everything I need to say empties from my mind as my thirst takes over. It’s so hard to concentrate when I’m this close to him. His smell, it’s making my mouth water and my fangs throb. “I’m so hungry.”