Chapter 11 #2
He hesitated, then said, “I released my servants a long time ago. After most of my family died, I had no reason to keep them on. Erlinen and Feron refused to leave, so I allowed them to stay. Then, once I was dead and had agreed to Spiritu Malignos staying on my property, I realized they would be in danger of possession. So I tried to send them away again. But they still refused to go.”
“They are loyal to you.”
“It was foolish. I warned them my protection would be limited, and yet they didn’t seem to care.” He took an agitated step, his wings spreading and then snapping tight.
“You are loyal to those you care about. That seems pretty honorable to me.”
“Yes, but what does it matter if I can’t…” He expelled a fast breath without finishing and ran his clawed fingers through his hair.
“Can’t what?”
“Listen, the only thing that keeps you safe is the system that society sets in place for you. You can’t escape it, but if you live inside it, then it provides safety. Honor be damned.”
“I don’t know about that. I lived every day in the human kingdom trying to live by the system given to me, and in the end it didn’t protect me or my brother.”
He stared at me, his expression turning thoughtful. He cleared his throat. “Do you have information on who purchased your brother?”
I shook my head, a wretchedness overcoming me about how hopeless my chances of finding Gerand were. “All I know is that they sold him a few days after we were taken to the market in Sheraniv.”
“How long ago was this?”
“About nine months.”
He nodded slowly, something like admiration flickering across his face. “And somehow, you survived in those demon camps all this time with nothing but a plan to kill them and escape.”
“I’d failed Gerand. I was determined to make it up to him.”
“Was?”
I released a sigh. In that instant, I had no desire to talk about my convoluted Gerand plans. But I was willing to attempt a little trust in the demon standing across from me. I unclasped my cloak and tossed it onto the bed. Then I took another step toward him and held out my hand. “Dance with me.”
His brow drew together. “Is that all you wanted to learn about me?”
“I wanted to get a better idea of who you are. And I think I did. Will you take my hand?”
He took it and pulled me close, his fingers coming around to my lower back, the sharp coldness of his body surrounding me. “Move with me,” he murmured. He stepped, and I moved. He stepped again and frowned. “You’re still too stiff.”
“I’m doing the best I can.”
“Close your eyes.”
I gazed up into his face one last time and saw the gentle determination there. If Vaelor’s servants trusted him, I could let go and trust him in this instant. I shut my eyes.
“Now, try not to anticipate my movements. Be open to whatever you feel.”
I felt a pressure at my back and I stepped forward—one on my hand and we eased backward.
“That’s it. Again.”
We moved together; me responding to his signals, until it became easy, almost light.
It reminded me of the town festivals. The firelight and the food.
The music. I was rarely asked to dance because I was normally there trying to sell herbs, but also because of my reputation—especially after Mother killed someone.
But I’d watch as the other women were swept around the square, their braided hair pulled up and their skirts flowing in rhythm with their steps.
The men moved to the beat—the tune soft and melodic.
“Are you humming?”
I opened my eyes and Vaelor was staring at me, his eyebrows raised.
“Can’t I hum?” I asked as he turned us into our next step. “This is fun.”
“An army of spirits is out to kill you, and you think this is a time for fun?”
I gave a small shrug. “Life is always going to be hell. The key is to find the moments that aren’t and enjoy them.”
He produced a dark chuckle. “Who would have thought that you would be an optimist?”
“More of an opportunist.”
A wicked grin spread across his lips. “Yes, that describes you perfectly.” He pulled me a little closer and suddenly I was aware of the gentle press of his nails against my spine, the feel of his body so near to mine.
The amusement on his face faded. “Then, by the gods, don’t let me ruin the moment. ” He began to pull away.
I grasped him, not letting him go. “You’re not,” I said softly.
He was so much taller than me that I must have seemed weightless in his grip, like something delicate he could direct however he pleased. My gaze traced the hard line of his neck, the corded muscle there, then traveled upward to the sharp cut of his jaw before meeting his luminous eyes.
A darkness flickered in his expression, and a sudden rush of heat unfurled low in my stomach.
The hand on my back tightened, holding me firm to him as he bent me backward into a slow dip until our faces hovered inches apart.
His breath stirred the loose strands of hair near my cheek.
His body was solid and unyielding against mine, his chest hard beneath my hands.
Gods, he was strong—powerful enough to snap my body in seconds.
The thought should have terrified me. Instead, it made my pulse stutter, that molten warmth inside me twisting tighter.
My gaze drifted to his lips, so close to my own, and I found myself wondering how they’d feel against my fragile skin—whether it would be gentle or if the sharp prick of his teeth would graze me.
Shit. If he kissed me now, I wasn’t sure I’d stop him.
He straightened and withdrew, releasing me. “I must go scouting. See who is in the area before we leave here tomorrow.” He spun away from me.
The loss of his nearness left me empty and confused. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” He refused to meet my gaze as he stalked toward the door. “But I must be going.”
He was lying. I’d done something to upset him. I had no idea what, as I was far from bothered. But he kept moving away, and panic tightened around my ribs. No, I didn’t want him to leave. The thought hit me with sudden, frantic urgency before I could stop it.
“Or you could possess me,” I blurted.
He stilled and slowly turned to face me. Something dark and heated was held in his gaze. He didn’t fully meet my eyes. “Now?” he bit out in a low voice.
I spread my arms and closed my eyes. “Now.”
He huffed a small laugh. “Give me a minute.”
I waited with my eyes shut. And waited.
And waited.
When I thought maybe he might have tricked me—and that he had left while I wasn’t looking—fear gripped me and I opened my eyes.
Vaelor stood in front of me, watching me intently. “Relax and let everything go.”
“Yes, my lord,” I whispered.
The instant he pressed into me, my entire body trembled. Release. Give yourself to him , I told myself.
He advanced further, and I sensed his darkness, his vulnerability—all of him.
I didn’t resist. I yielded to the relentless pull of his presence.
Well done, human. That was almost seamless, he murmured in my mind.
I felt the pressure to step, and I allowed it. Each movement was a beat of pressure and release. As soon as I felt, I gave.
We drew the sword at our waist.
Do you have any familiarity with sword fighting, Denara?
Next to nothing.
Your body is weak and untrained. I’ll show you the moves most often used in fights. The more you practice them, the stronger and more flexible your body will grow, allowing our combat to become seamless.
Show me.
Vaelor guided me through several sword movements, aligning my body perfectly how he desired and showing me striking and blocking poses.
Now we’ll do it again, but faster, he said.
My body responded to his commands in easy balance as one. Each swing was sure and precise. I’d never moved like this, disciplined yet skilled. Despite the stances being sharp and exact, it had its own sense of flow that I found freeing.
How did you learn to fight? I asked.
Every male of Kingdom Aeria is required to serve time in the army. As sons of the nobility, my parents spared no expense in training me and my brother.
After a few more times of running through the stances, he faded out of me into existence.
A small ache gathered in my chest as if I missed him being inside me. “What are you doing?”
“Run the positions again without my help.”
I did, but it didn’t feel as natural nor as clean, and my muscles trembled and ached from exertion.
“Keep practicing, and when you tire, rest. I’ll have the innkeeper send you food.” He headed for the door.
I lowered the sword. “Where are you going?”
“I told you. I’m going scouting.”
My breath caught in my throat. I may have tried to escape earlier that day, but I finally grasped how dangerous my situation was, and the thought of him leaving left me ill. “What if I said I don’t want you to?”
“You don’t command me, human.”
I twisted my hands, nerves shooting through me. “I just…I mean…”
“Denara, I have made you as safe as I can, considering the circumstances we are in. But I must do this.” He stepped away. “I’ll be back. Do not stay up for me. It’ll be late when I return.”
He turned and walked through the door, leaving me alone.