Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2) (27 page)

“
Right?” She prompted. “You don’t actually...want me? Forever?”

Keeping his voice steady, he replied, “Of course not.” Marik’s heart sank the moment her shoulders relaxed. Up until he had claimed her, Marik had been looking forward to the time they would spend together, not just on Undewla, but on
Marada
. Even though he hadn’t realized she was his mate, he’d been excited to have her to himself for as long as he could.

Had she been imaging the opposite? Being away from him? With other males? Ethanule?

Feeling himself slip toward the Edge, Marik lowered his eyes so she wouldn’t see them change and worked to pull himself under control. He should have realized early on that he was falling for her. Perhaps things would have gone differently if he had. Now he would need to woo her.

But there were two problems. First, he’d never wooed anyone in his life. The second was his little problem of blacking out at the worst possible times. If he was going to make love to her again, he needed to be fully conscious.

A knock sounded at the door.

Nadua called, “Come in.”

Collet eased the door open and peeked in. “Hello miss, I have clothing for you and your...male.”

“
He’s not my male,” she grumbled.

Marik stifled a protest.

“
I can help you dress if you require assistance.” She held out a formal gown. The fabric looked beautiful and elegant, just like everything else in this place.

At the woman’s question, Marik thought he noticed Nadua cringe and recalled that female garments could be difficult to get into, requiring a lot of touching. She had probably been burned many times by those who helped her in the past.

“
I’ll assist her.” He crossed to accept the clothes, forgetting that his eyes had reddened.

The frightened girl backed up so fast she knocked into the wall.

Nadua moved between them. “I’ll take the clothes. Thank you for—”

Before Nadua had finished the sentence, the girl thrust the bundle at her and darted into the hallway.

“
You’re real good at making friends, aren’t you?” She separated the gown from the rest and tossed Marik his clothing. Then she ducked into the bathing room. “And I won’t be needing your help.”

She slammed the door.

* * *

The gown was nice, but a bit old fashioned with its low cut and crisscross laces on the back of the bodice. She contorted her body for what felt like eternity, first trying to reach over her shoulder, then behind her back while bending forward. With a huff, Nadua admitted defeat.

She poked her head out the door while holding the dress up at her breasts.

Marik sat on the edge of the bed, already dressed in his new outfit. They’d guessed his size well. The dark top hung like a robe and flared at his midsection. Defining his waist was a strip of fabric that split in the front and was decorated by a pair of silver clasps. His dirty boots should have made the pristine black trousers look out of place, but on him it looked...sexy.

Damn it.

When he spotted her, he tried to hide his smile but it showed in his eyes.

She narrowed her gaze at him. “I need you to tie the back of this.”

Instead of making a snarky comment as she expected, he rose from the bed and made his way toward her as if trying not to seem too eager.

Nadua gave him her back. A soft rumbling sound escaped him, followed by his finger running down her spine. She clenched her teeth to keep a shiver in check.

“
Just tie, no touching.”

The gods knew what happened last time he touched her. And this time her body sprang to life at that tiny hint of contact, making her remember in perfect detail how his body slipped easily into hers, his hands running over her heated skin. She mentally shook herself.

At the base of her back, he started pulling the strings taught, slowly moving his way up. Every now and again a finger would graze her flesh. She suspected on purpose, but it affected her nonetheless. When it happened again, just below her shoulder blades, she couldn’t prevent a small shudder of pleasure. He briefly paused, then continued.

When he neared the top, Nadua lifted her hair out of the way. She felt a current of air brush her neck, as though his lips were close. She looked back and he gave her an innocent expression that screamed guilt. He was enjoying this way too much, and it was like sensual torture for her. And it wasn’t over.

With the strings tight, he now had to do a second pass, and secure it with a knot at the bottom. Grinding her teeth, she remained still as he went even slower this time, having to slip his fingers under each crossing strand against her skin.

Nadua gripped the fabric of the dress, convincing herself that she was doing a wonderful job of steadying her breath.

Finally, the knot was tied. She turned and caught his eyes, glowing with barely contained passion. She gulped because she liked it. And so did her body. Way too much.

“
Thanks,” she choked out, and rushed back into the safety of the bathing room.

* * *

Marik shifted in his pants. Such a normal act had turned into something so damn erotic he couldn’t think straight. Each stolen touch had his shaft lengthening, growing hard as steel. He had hardly kept himself from pulling her to the bed, lifting her skirts, and working himself inside her.

By her responses, he was sure she had felt it too. The scent of her arousal still mingled in the air. Just before she scurried away, her eyes had been heavy with lust and glossed with a sheen of iridescent sapphire.

She still wants me
.

But she had practically dove to get away from him. It was going to take a long time for him to make things right between them, but he was up for the task. Time, he had. Patience, he could fake. Yet, becoming the man she deserved? To be worthy of her? He wondered if it were even possible.

His thoughts turned dark as old memories assailed him. His sister, Misha. How she had begged him to save her. Shadowed glimpses of the arena, and the screams that still echoed in his mind. Losing himself to the pain of his later tortures, and selfishly enjoying the mindlessness it eventually brought. There wasn’t a moment in his life where he had proven his worth.

But he was stronger now. Trained. Hardened. No longer the helpless young boy. For Nadua, he would prove himself. Every day if he had to.

One thing was certain: she could never know of his past.

Eventually, Nadua calmed enough to re-enter the room. Almost immediately, another knock at the door saved her from having to finish the conversation she’d started with Marik.

A different woman stood on the other side, holding a small box. She was much older and tougher looking. Collet must have refused to return.

Without invitation, the woman barged into the room, eying Marik as though she would put up a hell of a fight if he tried anything.

Holding out the small box, she said, “Cyrus offers a gift to the lady.”

Inside, a gorgeous necklace sparkled at her. Twisted silver vines wrapped around golden flowers, each with a different colored jewel at its center.

Long ago, Nadua would describe the plants of her home to Cyrus and he would paint wonderful images based on her words. This looked straight out of one of his paintings.

“
Beautiful.” Her voice was breathless.

The woman continued. “Cyrus requests that you wear this at the evening’s meal.”

“
When might that be?”

“
Soon. I will return for you when it is time.” Curling her lip, the woman added, “He says the demons are welcome as well.”

Without taking her eyes from the gift, Nadua replied, “Thank you.” But the woman had gone. Throat tight, Nadua ran her fingers over the smooth metal.

In a strange tone, Marik observed, “This makes you sad. Would you like me to destroy it?”

She clutched it to her chest. “No! Why would I want that?”

His only response was an irritated shrug.

Was this jealousy? Marik saw her as belonging to him, which probably meant he didn’t like that another male had given her something so beautiful. Good thing he didn’t know how instantly dear it was to her. She slipped it on. The cool metal slowly warmed against her skin.

Telling a demon to check his attitude was probably like telling a rock to speak up. Still, she asked, “Is this how you plan on acting from now on?”

“
Do you plan on wearing that from now on?”

She raised her chin. “Look, we’re going to find a way out of this eventually. Until then, why don’t we just go back to the way we were before...the incident.”

“
You mean when I made you come with a stroke of my tongue?”

Warmth flooded her cheeks, then between her legs. “I mean before that.”

“
When you were frightened and running from me?”

Is that what she was doing now? Running from him again? No. What he did was a betrayal. A dark part of her mind wondered if they could still enjoy each other now and end it later.

Mimicking her thoughts, Marik edged, “Since we know we will be parting ways, why not just use each other for pleasure? As a mated male, I crave it like you wouldn’t believe. And I can tell you’re in need.”

Her jaw dropped. A nervous laugh bubbled up. “What? I am not.”

With a knowing curve to his lips, he continued. “Plus, I could use your help.”

Nadua raised a suspicious bow.

“
As you’re aware, I sort of have a problem with...blacking out during sex.”

“
Quite aware.”

“
Well, once we break the mate bond, I’ll be able to slake myself on other women again.” He paused, watching her.

Waving him on, Nadua decided not to analyze why the thought of him with another woman pained her.

“
And I don’t want to make the same mistake I made with you. You could help me. Like sexual training.”

Another woman writhing in ecstasy with his fangs in her flesh?

“
How could I possibly help?”

“
With you, I felt I could have stayed myself, if...” He trailed off.

“
If what?”

He looked like he was about to say something, then changed his mind. “I think, if I had another shot—”

“
Another shot? Like I’m some kind of game?”

“
No.”

“
You’re just trying to trick me into sleeping with you again.”

“
Why would I need to trick you? You’re dying to sleep with me again.”

“
Is that so?”

“
Yeah, I can smell it on you.”

“
You crude...I can’t believe you!”

“
Believe it, luv. You can deny me, but you can’t lie to yourself.”

He was right, and it pissed her off. But she couldn’t stop from contemplating all the “training” they could get in, until what he called the “mate bond” was broken.

* * *

She’s actually considering this
.

Marik hadn’t meant to be so abrasive at the end and was afraid he’d just ruined his chances. He held his breath as he waited for her next response. She fiddled with a lock of her hair. Their eyes met.

He wanted to throttle the person when, once again, there was a knock on the damn door.

That old snooty wench, who had looked at him like he was worth less than dirt, greeted Nadua. “Cyrus would like you to join him for drinks before your meal is ready.”

“
That would be lovely.”

“
Yes, lovely.” Marik sneered.

They both slanted their heads at him.

Nadua must have registered the determined look on his face because she reluctantly said, “Of course, Marik will be accompanying me.” Then she shot him a look that said he’d better behave.

As the old woman led the way, he followed behind Nadua, eyes riveted to her smooth open back, the slim arch of her neck, the soft sway of her hips. He needed to get it together, before he forced her back into the room and threw her on top of that convenient bed.