Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2) (36 page)

Sonya could only gape at him. “Even? How does this make us even?”

“
I hurt you, you hurt me. Hence we’re even.”

“
Is that a pirate thing?”

He shrugged.

“
Well, there’s nothing to make even. I’m a big girl and I knew what I was doing.”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her close. “Well, I didn’t! If I had known I wouldn’t have...I would have been—”

“
Enough!” She pulled away from him, suddenly embarrassed by their audience. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. So fine then, we’re even. Go away.” She paused. “But clean up this mess first.”

She turned, resolving to ignore him for the rest of the night. Maybe the rest of the month.

By the glimmer of light refracting off her bar, she knew he was finally rejuvenating. A strange kind of relief had her stomach unclenching. She decided not to analyze that too closely.

Stupid pirate
.

The ship reminded Nadua of a luxury boat her family used to own. The rooms were comfortable, decorated in warm colors. The people were friendly, and always greeted her as if she was already one of them. Marik had been correct when he said she would like it here.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t the one showing her around. Analia was. In fact, she hadn’t seen Marik since they’d been separated a day ago.

Nadua didn’t know what to think about that. She had wanted to talk to him about the Serakian thing, but she had no idea what she would say. She should by happy about his compliance to break the bond. Should be.

The constant debate in her head had kept her up most of the night. It could have also been because she was in her room alone. And though the bed was comfortable, it felt like something was missing. A surly demon, perhaps.

Was he avoiding her?

Analia led her to their next stop on the tour: The Demon’s Punchbowl. They had just come from the Sanctuary, a mesmerizing wild garden that encompassed an entire deck of the ship. Nadua had been brought to tears by the sight. Until then, she had truly forgotten what a leaf looked like, the smell of flourishing life, the soothing sound of trickling water.

Analia had understood what she was feeling without even asking and allowed her to stay as long as she wanted. They both sat on a tuft of grass and took it all in. Trees and vines reached the ceiling, where false light provided warmth like a sun. A small stream of water curved and crisscrossed with a walking path.

It had reminded her of home. Evlon was a lively planet. Green and lush. Almost no land was barren, but for a few isolated spots. Nadua didn’t know how she survived so long without it.

As they sat there, Analia had asked her about her life, if she had been happy and well treated, obviously hoping it was so. Nadua recanted her favorite memories. Memories of Fineas, Wren, and Cyrus. Then how Ava came into her life and had quickly become the main focus of her world.

Nadua wondered if her happy stories caused sadness in Analia, but her sister had remained quiet and attentive the whole time, never showing the slightest bitterness in her expression.

Now they entered the pub. Nadua followed Analia to the bar, where that woman, Sonya, stood serving drinks. Their first meeting had been intense, and she still felt uneasy around her. Once Nadua had calmed down, she could understand the mistake. She probably would have done the same, if Ava had been in a similar situation. But she and Sonya wouldn’t be hugging it out any time soon.

Whenever Sonya glanced her way, Nadua got the sense she was imaging slitting her throat. Naturally, Nadua returned the look in kind.

Sonya had been incredibly fast. So much faster than Marik. If it came down to a fight between them, Nadua would most definitely lose.

Sebastian occupied one of the many stools surrounding the bar. At Analia’s approach, his face lit up.

A twinge of jealousy spiked in Nadua’s veins. Had Marik ever looked at her like that? She mentally scolded herself and pushed the thought away. Analia deserved her happiness, more than anyone.

Ethanule emerged from a back room, causing Nadua’s mood to greatly improve. She hadn’t recognized him right away, in the docking bay. Now she could see hints of his former self in his features. He was somehow harder, rougher, especially around the eyes.

Analia had informed her that their father sent Ethan to find them, and to bring them all home. To do this, Ethan had to team up with a brutal pirate faction and fight his way to become their leader, in order to utilize their powerful influence. So, for over three hundred years, Ethan had been masquerading as a pirate. Something from that way of life must have stuck with him. How could it not?

Nadua still felt like a Cyrellian in ways. Being here with Analia, calling herself Faieara once more, felt strange, like a dream. And being without Marik felt oven odder.

Where was he? She thought about asking Analia, but decided against it. She should just enjoy the company of her sister for now.

Sonya looked up, smiling at Analia and sparing Nadua a brief glance. “Hi, Anya. Can I get you something?”

Analia put her finger to her chin in thought. “A virgin.”

Both Ethan and Sonya straightened, gaping wide-eyed at Analia.

“
What?” they said in unison.

Sonya’s eyes swiftly darted to Sebastian, Ethan, then back to Analia.

Interesting
.

Sebastian didn’t seem to notice, his attention was still riveted to Analia, who replied, “That drink you made for me once. You said it was a virgin.”

Sonya’s shoulders dropped and she let out a laugh that sounded a bit nervous. “That’s not the name of the drink. That just means there’s no alcohol in it.”

“
Oh. Well, whatever it was, I’ll take that.”

“
Sure.” Sonya turned to Nadua. “And for you?”

Nadua couldn’t help but flash a knowing smile.

Immature? Maybe. But she suspected something was going on between Sonya and Ethan and, for whatever reason, they were pretending otherwise. Sonya’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Oh yeah, they were going to be the best of friends.

“
I’ll take anything that isn’t a virgin.”

* * *

Marik had been on his way to show Rex the exercise room when they walked past the pub and noticed everyone gathered inside. Showing only the slightest hesitation, Marik entered. Nadua was going to be on this ship for a long while, and he couldn’t avoid her forever.

Sebastian raised his hand in greeting.

“
Care if we join you?” Marik asked.

Nadua took a long gulp of her drink.

Sonya huffed. “I don’t need you all crowding my bar. Pick a table.” After they settled, she brought them a round of drinks before plopping down next to Rex. “Rex, how are you finding the ship? I hope everyone is being nice to you.”

That was an understatement, Marik thought. At least where the women were concerned. They practically drooled every time he walked by. Marik hadn’t noticed before, but apparently Rex was good looking. Cale might have some competition when he returned—hopefully with the last sister intact.

Marik mused that the way things were going, Cale might return with a mate of his own. He frowned, remembering Cale’s fallen mate. There were no second chances for demons. The dark thought had his mind spiraling back to his own dilemma. He had claimed Nadua as his, but he didn’t get to keep her.

Nadua’s eyes were avoiding him as she played with the ice in her glass. Marik couldn’t keep from studying her from the corner of his eye. A cute white top that stretched over plump cleavage made him remember in painful detail the sounds she would make if he fondled them just right. Her skirt was a mix between blue and green, and showed off her luscious, soft legs, bringing back images of her wrapped around him. Her red hair was loosely pulled back, and curled down the delicate curve of her spine.

She was so breathtaking, his heart ached. One look at her had him craving her touch once more, but he would have to hide it. He didn’t want her feeling guilty about her decision. That’s why he had been avoiding her for as long as possible. Well, that, and he didn’t want to stoop to begging for her love. He feared he was too close to that point already.

Marik realized he wasn’t following the conversation and had missed Rex’s response to Sonya’s question. They were on a different topic now. Ethan was talking about what he’d learned from the book.

“—
your father suggested that the Kayadon may be close to learning her location.”

Sebastian added, “That’s why Cale was sent ahead, to find your sister and act as her guard till we arrive.”

Nadua asked, “What do you know of Earth?”

“
Not much. Our database shows that it is inhabited by a primitive people.”

Ethan continued. “In the book, your father gave us a location. A land called New York.”

“
And this Cale? Is he capable...” Her gaze flickered to Marik. “I mean, he must be a powerful warrior to have been sent alone.”

Sonya snorted. “Actually, I was supposed to go with him, but the ass left without me.”

Marik thought he understood why Cale went on his own. Seeing Sebastian and Anya so happy must have been heart wrenching, reminding him constantly of the love he had lost. At least it was for Marik.

“
He is capable, though,” Sebastian assured. “Your sister should be just fine.”

Nadua smiled at him. “Thank you, everyone, for all that you’re doing for us.”

“
Your gratitude is unnecessary. We are all eager to face the Kayadon in battle.”

“
Ah, yes, Marik told me what happened to your home.” Nadua looked to Ethan, “Is Evlon still intact?”

“
As far as I know. I haven’t received news otherwise.”

Nadua’s frame relaxed a little. The need to comfort her was strong, but Marik resisted. Distance was what they needed now.

Suddenly, Marik felt exhausted. He finished his drink and stood to leave, telling Rex that he would continue showing him around in the morning.

* * *

Nadua watched Marik as he left, a growing sense of emptiness gouged a place in her chest. He had barely looked at her, and hadn’t even spoken to her. Was this truly the end of their relationship? Nadua hadn’t wanted to believe it, but could it be that he really did want the Serakians to work their magic?

So deep in thought, she didn’t notice everyone’s eyes were on her, silently watching her.

She absently asked Sebastian, “Have you contacted the Serakians?” Her tone sounded hollow in her ears.

“
I have.”

Her heart sank farther. Until now, she had been holding onto the hope that Marik would change his mind. She expected him to declare some measure of feelings for her, something that went beyond the mysterious mate bond. But she knew she was clinging to an empty fantasy. After all, he hadn’t really meant to bond with her in the first place.

Sonya pushed away from the table with a noise that sounded much like disgust, and storming her way back to the bar.

Rex followed her with his eyes, blatantly ignoring Ethan’s killing look. If she wasn’t feeling so terrible at the moment, Nadua would have found the scene humorous.

Sebastian leaned over to give Analia a tender kiss on her forehead. “I need to get back to the control room.” Then he whispered something in Analia’s ear that made her blush furiously.

“
Jade!” Ethan called to a woman walking past the pub.

The woman entered with a sly smile. “Good evening, Ethan.” Her eyes traveled the table’s occupants, finally coming to rest on Rex. Jade’s smile grew wider as she noted his horns. “Please introduce me to your new friends.”

“
This is Princess Nadua, and Rex,” he offered.

Rex nodded in greeting, thoroughly distracted by the short, tight clothing that Jade draped herself in. The kind of clothing that begged for a male’s attention.

“
Rex hasn’t seen the whole ship. Why don’t you show him around a little?”

“
I would love to.” Jade grabbed Rex’s hand and pulled him from the room.