7. Elora
7
ELORA
I recoil from Amon, my nostrils flaring as the scent of him permeates my senses. I wasn’t really sure what I expected, but sandalwood and leather weren’t on the list.
I investigate the amber depths of his eyes, and his gaze falters.
He backs away from me before running a hand through his hair in frustration.
Now that I was able to, I took him in.
He was tall, incredibly tall. I had to crane my neck up just to look at him.
He was densely muscled, and swirling black markings and runes cover his chest and upper arms.
I wonder what they meant, and squinted my eyes, trying to make sense of them.
Large hands ended in clawed fingers that he clenched into a fist as he turned away from me, stalking towards the fireplace.
I watch the muscles play along his back as he reaches both hands to set them against the hearth. A deep sigh escapes him, and I shake myself from the trance I was just in.
I was ogling a demon.
I look down at the bandage wrapped around my hand. He had tended to me. So, he couldn’t be all that bad.
Fidgeting with the bandage, I clear my throat as I work up the courage to speak.
“So…. what now?” I ask quietly. I look up in his direction through my lashes.
He’s quiet for a moment, likely thinking about my fate. He slumps, letting out another sigh of resignation.
“Tonight, we sleep. Tomorrow I will find a place for you.”
I frown, looking up at him then.
“But aren’t I-.”
He spins on me then, his face twisted, his fangs bared.
“Would you rather I throw you in the fires then?”
I shake my head, eyes wide.
He turns away from me again, shoving clawed fingers through his hair.
I regard the room we’re in, noticing again the single bed. “Where am I going to sleep?” I ask softly.
Amon gestures to the large bed, and anxiety coils in my belly. He wanted me to sleep… with him? I swallow thickly, my eyes moving to stare at his back again.
The muscles there ripple as he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
“You have my word that you are safe in my care. No harm will befall you, princess.”
He turns to glare at me, his amber eyes catching the firelight as he bares his fangs at me again.
“You made sure of that.”
I place my shaky hands in my lap, trying to calm the tremor that has begun to take over my body.
I didn’t know what to feel right now, and I was second guessing everything about this.
I glance up at him, then over to the large bed.
I didn’t see how I had any other choice tonight, so I stand, smoothing my skirts, and walk towards the bed.
Kicking off my shoes, I sit on the edge, running my trembling hands over the furs. There were no windows in here, so I couldn’t see the sky. I didn’t know whether it was day or night. I had no idea how time was even measured in this place.
I would have to try to get answers tomorrow, but in the meantime, exhaustion pulls at me, begging me to sleep.
Amon regards me as I crawl under the furs, pulling them back just enough to wiggle under them.
My skirts bunch up around my legs, but I ignore it, the alternative wasn’t even imaginable.
Once I’m as comfortable as I’m going to get, I still, my eyes taking in the ornate ceiling above me.
Amon approaches the bed, pausing for a moment before pulling back the furs and crawling beneath them. My face reddens and my lips part as his arm brushes mine.
This close I can feel the heat emanating from him, and it sends a shiver across my skin.
He seems to feel it, because he reaches over and pulls the furs higher over my shoulders.
“Sleep, princess.” He growls out, turning his back to me. He adjusts to lay on his side away from me, and I do the same, trying to stave off the thick lump developing in my throat.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and I attempt to swallow them down, but they fall unbidden, disappearing into my hair.
I clutch the furs to my face tightly, trying to hide.
I felt so sure.
I knew without a doubt that this was what needed to be done.
So why did I feel this way?
Tears fall in rivulets down my cheeks, and I don’t stop them. I sob quietly, curling into myself.
Eventually, exhaustion wins, and I fall into a restless sleep.
Amon
I stare into the fire, listening to the quiet sniffling of the human lying next to me. I shouldn’t care. This female managed to trick me, and I allowed it.
I should throw her into the fires and be done with it.
Better yet, I should return to Delyra and take the child anyway, rendering her efforts useless.
Instead, I feel the need to turn to her and comfort her.
That doesn’t sit well with me, and I frown.
A few moments later her breaths even out, and her sniffling ceases. I turn myself over gently, trying not to disturb her, and I take her in now that I’m able.
Her silver hair spans the space between us, and I lean forward slightly, inhaling deeply.
I would ensure she had all the jasmine oil she needed.
She shifts slightly before rolling to her back, her hand resting beside her face. I freeze, expecting her to startle awake.
She releases a deep sigh, and I relax, letting out the breath I was holding.
I allow myself to drink in her face. She’s breathtaking, with long, dark lashes that lay against lightly freckled cheeks. Her full lips part slightly as she inhales shallowly.
Her skin looks so soft, and my finger twitches with the desire to test the theory.
I grimace at myself.
I’m laying here ogling a human female like it’s the first time I’m seeing one. I’d been with many in my existence.
They’re weak creatures.
I huff out a gentle breath.
So why was this so different?
She’s strong.
The thought crosses the back of mind, but I have a feeling that’s not the only reason. I reach out, brushing a lock of hair out of her face gently.
She had made well and sure there were no loopholes in her spell, and we were bound by blood now. It intrigued and impressed me that she was able to pull off such an intricate evocation spell.
Whatever she was, witch or not, I knew in that moment that I would do anything to protect her.
Anything.
Turning away from her, I close my eyes to sleep.
Elora
I awaken slowly, stretching and yawning. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so well. Memories of last night invade my mind, and I shoot up with a gasp into a seated position, my heart hammering wildly in my chest.
“Calm yourself human.” The deep voice comes from a large, high-backed chair by the fire. I can’t see him, but I know he’s there…
Amon.
Clearing my throat, I pull myself to the edge of the bed, smoothing my skirts and trying to finger my sleep-tousled locks.
“Good morning.” I say softly, although I’m not really sure if its morning.
There are no windows in this room, and from the look of it nothing to keep time, either. I had no idea whether it was actually day or night.
Standing slowly, I let my eyes rove around the room. It was ornate, and beautifully decorated, if not a bit macabre.
The ceiling was ornate, and tapestries hung the lengths of the wall behind the bed and against one side of the room.
I walk slowly, meandering around, fingering the tapestries and peeking behind them.
Ornate sconces bathed the room in a dim glow, but the majority of the light came from the fireplace.
Frowning, I move towards the fire, leaning around to see Amon sitting in his high-backed chair, his head in his hand.
My heart stutters as I take him in. He’s incredibly large, and incredibly different from me.
He’s also incredibly beautiful.
I take in his horns, and ache to reach out and touch one. He rubs at his temple, and sighs heavily before raising his amber eyes to meet mine.
Regarding me silently, he stands slowly, towering above me. My eyes rove down his chest, taking in the black markings that decorate his chest and shoulders.
My eyes rove down further over chiseled muscles, strong thighs, and clawed feet.
“Do I frighten you?” He asks.
I frown at the question, raising my eyes to meet his.
Why would he care if he did? I was his prisoner now.
“No.” I answer after a breath of silence.
Amon searches my eyes, his brow creasing slightly at my answer.
A few moments pass before he turns from me, walking over to the stone table, clasping his hands tightly behind his back.
“You will eat, and then I will ensure a room is prepared for you.”
I turn and look at the fire, the threat of tears stinging my eyes as the realization of my situation once again assaults me.
“Aren’t I your prisoner?” I don’t think before the words spill out of me.
“Would you rather I keep you as a prisoner?” Amon volleys, whipping around. I can feel his eyes boring into the back of my head.
I avert my gaze.
I didn’t really know what to expect, but being kept in a room like a guest wasn’t something I had imagined.
“No.” I whisper with a sniffle.
“Then its settled.” He moves to pull a chair away from the large table. “Sit.”
I hesitate a moment before turning to join him, sitting in the offered seat. Amon pushes my chair, and his fingers brush against my hair. Whether on purpose or by accident I’m not really sure, but that simple touch sends a shiver over me, and goosebumps pebble my skin despite the heat in the room.
The air suddenly shifts, and a dark fog appears in the corner of the room. A second later, a tall, beautiful female demon appears and sashays towards Amon.
Her curvy hips move back and forth, and she stops short when she notices me. Her golden gaze darkens as she takes me in, her eyes roving over me.
“Balail, meet Elora, Princess of Delyra.” Amon gestures towards me, and I notice the way his posture changes.
Almost as if he’s expecting to have to intervene somehow. The demoness walks towards me, and she crosses her arms over her chest as she nears me.
“A princess…here? What an honor.” The tone of her voice is mocking as she turns to Amon. She opens her mouth to speak, but Amon raises a hand, silencing her. The clack of her teeth is audible as she clamps her mouth shut.
“We will need some breakfast, I think. I also need to ready Elora a room please. Preferably the master chamber.”
Balial frowns, her teeth setting on edge.
“Wouldn’t another room be more-.” She starts, but Amon cuts her off with another wave of his hand.
“The master chamber.”
The demoness pouts for a second before scoffing and turning to glare at me. “As you wish, master.” She bites as she portals out of the room.
Amon regards me silently.
“Well, she seems…pleasant.” I say, looking down at my hands.
Amon stifles a smirk, clearing his throat. “That is Balail. She is my servant and will attend to you. Anything you need or want, you have only to ask for it and it will be provided.”
I blush as I wring my hands, looking up at him through my lashes. “I do have one request,” I start. “I have to use the washroom.”