16. Elora
16
ELORA
W eeks passed and I hadn’t seen Amon at all.
Amara would pass through every day, and we kept to our normal routine. Breakfast in the morning, followed by time in the garden to get Nyx outside.
Afterwards I’d practice with my bow, and found I was getting better rather quickly. I was getting closer and closer to the bullseye every day.
I explored the castle as much as I could but didn’t dare go near the gilded door again. Partly from fear, mostly because I was afraid Amon would follow through on his threat.
I quickly noticed I was able to do things I hadn’t been able to previously. I felt stronger, and I didn’t feel as though I needed to be as careful.
I wasn’t sure how much of that was due to practicing with the bow, and how much of it was the blood bond between Amon and me.
I had a strong feeling it was the latter, but it didn’t care to test the theory.
I did, however, realize that I missed Amon... terribly. If I let my mind dwell on it too much it would trigger an ache deep in my chest.
I tried to dash the thought away.
Instead of focusing on it, I focused on the things that brough me joy.
Today was one such day, and I found myself in the library. Since Amara and I had cleaned it up the space felt different. The furniture that had been eaten up was removed, so the furniture that was left was incredibly sparse.
I meander along the bookshelves, stopping every now and then to pull a title from its space. I would flip through it briefly before putting it back.
With a sigh, I settle on a book about botany and seat myself into a large chair by the fire.
It’s impossible to keep my mind on the text, and instead am bombarded by thoughts of Amon, and I lose myself in the flames dancing in the hearth.
I don’t know how long I stay like that, but distant footsteps have me closing the book and listening intently.
Anytime someone walked through the castle I waited, hoping it was Amon.
The footsteps draw nearer, and I sit up, looking over the back of the chair towards the entrance of the library.
Amon rounds the corner about five seconds later, and my stomach flips from excitement.
He looks around before he spots me, and a dazzling grin lights up his face.
It makes me weak in the knees, and I stand up slowly, setting the book on the chair. Smoothing my skirts, I clasp my hands in front of me.
“I was wondering where you were.” He says walking into the room.
I look around me. “There’s not many other places I would be.” I say softly.
Amon shakes his head as he walks up to me. He’s wearing a pair of tight leather breaches that hug him deliciously. The black tunic shirt he wears is open slightly at the neck, and the black markings on his chest peek out teasingly.
I wet my lips as his scent invades my senses.
“I am so sorry I left you alone for so long. I tried to get back.”
I shake my head, clasping my hands tighter so as not to give into the urge to reach out and touch him.
“Don’t apologize. I’ve been perfectly fine.”
Amon reaches out, taking one of my hands in his. The spark between us is palpable, and I gasp softly.
“I am sorry.” he says, running his thumb over the back of my hand. The simple movement sends shockwaves of sensation through my body, and I pull my hand out of his.
He regards me, his expression unreadable.
I smile at him. “You’d be proud of me.” I say as I pull myself up a little taller. “I was able to hit the target twice this week.
Amon nods. “I knew you would be able to. You’re a natural. It won’t be long before you’re able to hit the bullseye every time.”
I feel my cheeks heat, and I look down at my feet. Amon reaches out, chucking a finger under my chin.
“Don’t hide.” He says, his voice slightly gruffer.
I look up at him from under my lashes, and his eyes darken.
“Elora I…”
I watch him expectantly, and smile when he shoves a hand through his hair, shifting uncomfortably.
“I think I would like it if you… joined me for dinner.” The last part comes out like a question, and I giggle.
Reaching up, I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
“I think I would like that too.” I say softly.
Amon smiles wider, fangs and all, and my stomach leaps.
“I’ll… have someone come fetch you later.” He says before turning away from me.
I nod, watching him as he leaves the library.
After he’s out of earshot, I plop back down into the chair.
Amon wanted me to join him for dinner.
I jump back up as soon as my rear end hits the seat, making my way to my chamber.
Elora
By the time I made it back to my room, a steaming bath was already drawn, and a small bottle of oil sat on the ground next to the tub.
I reach down and pick it up, pulling the stopper to lift the bottle to my nose.
I inhale deeply, closing my eyes and smiling.
It’s jasmine oil, and my favorite scent.
Amon must have figured it out. When he brought me here.
To stay… as his prisoner.
I dash the thought away, refusing to let my circumstances sour my mood. Tonight, I would enjoy his company, and I hoped to get to know him more.
Quickly stripping out of my gown, I step into the water, groaning gratefully as the heat starts to seep into my muscles.
Once I’m fully submerged, I reach for the bottle, tipping it to pour a generous amount into the water.
The oil mingles with the steam, and I smile as the scent of jasmine permeates the room.
I lean back, submerging myself up to my chin.
Excitement courses through me, and my stomach summersaults.
Amon’s molten eyes enter my mind, and I close mine, envisioning him. His horns, the way his eyes darken when he looks at me…
I don’t even have to be near him, and my body responds in a way that makes my cheeks heat.
I chalk it up to the heat of the water.
Denial doesn’t suit you.
I scoff at my own inner monologue, dipping below the water completely.
When I resurface, the air shifts, and Balail walks in a moment later, setting a large towel on the wash basin.
“You found the oil.” She says simply, coming to stand at the side of the tub.
She gazes down at me, her eyes roving over my body. I cover my breasts with my arms uncomfortably, and she chuckles.
“Relax, you don’t have anything I haven’t seen a thousand times over.”
I smile awkwardly, but frown. I don’t know what she’s supposed to mean by that.
“Would you like me to wash your hair, princess?” She holds out her hands, flexing her claw-tipped fingers.
“No, that’s ok, really.”
I smile up at Balail, but she kneels behind me anyways, dipping her hands into the water. “I insist.”
The words come out slightly snappy, and I still before she places a hand on my forehead, leaning my head backwards.
She scoops my hair up onto the top of my head, and reaches down to grab another bottle, pulling the stopper to pour the soap directly onto my hair.
The demoness starts to lightly scrape her claws over my scalp, and I groan, closing my eyes and slumping against the tub.
She laughs, scrubbing the soap into my tendrils. Several minutes of silence pass, and after she rinses the soap from my hair, she stands to dry her hands on the towel at the wash basin.
“I see Amon has taken a liking to you.”
The statement catches me off guard, and I frown, turning in the water to face Balail, making water slosh over the side of the tub.
“I’m…not sure what you’re talking about.”
Balial whips around to face me, her gaze hot. It softens a second later, and I wonder if what I saw was real or not.
“Well, I can assure you, he has.”
Warmth spreads through me at the comment, but I clear my throat, turning back around to reach for a small cloth draped over the side of the tub.
I start to scrub at my body, working from my face and neck downwards.
I don’t respond to Balail’s comment, and I can feel her eyes burning into the back of my head.
I hear her shift, and then her fingers settle on my shoulders as she leans down to whisper into my ear.
“I can talk to him for you.”
I still, and Balail reaches out, plucking the washcloth from my hand. She runs it over my arms and my chest, before dipping it into the water.
“Do- Do you think he can even be interested in someone like me?”
The question comes out before I can stop it, and I cringe inwardly.
“He’s more than interested, child.” Balail says, dipping the cloth to run it over my stomach. “Can you just imagine his hands on you?” She whispers, dipping the cloth between my legs.
I gasp, looking up at Balail with wary eyes.
She smirks knowingly.
“Once you have someone like us, a human lover will never be enough.”
I blush, dipping my head as my cheeks heat. I squeeze my thighs together, cursing my traitorous body.
“Listen, you might as well enjoy your… imprisonment.” She bites out the last word, shrugging. “It’s not like you’re going anywhere, so why not?”
I raise an eyebrow at her, but she had a point.
Why not?
What was the point of guarding my virginity?
I would never marry, never have children.
The life I thought I would have was a distant memory.
Actually…who was I fooling? I didn’t have a future with a doting husband and children. I was a princess. A bargaining tool at best.
Why shouldn’t I allow myself to enjoy the touch of a man that saw me for who I was?
Not a man…
A demon.
I shiver.
Balail was right. If I could convince Amon to become a lover, the nights might not seem so lonely.
I blush at the idea.
Balail tsks. “Come on now, no need to get all shy and princessy on me. I have just the gown for you. Tonight, you’re going to knock his claws off.”