Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2) (39 page)

His expression turned wary.

But before he could say anything, she blurted, “I love you. And there is no way I’m letting some magic-obsessed Serakian try and take you away. You belong to me.”

Marik blinked twice, his face frozen in shock. Nadua’s heart skipped a beat, waiting for his response. Then he gifted her with the most brilliantly wide grin, filled with a kind of boyish exuberance she’d never seen in him before.

In a flash, she was back in his arms, feet off the ground, with his lips claiming hers in fevered kiss that branded her to the bone.

Nadua sat in the Sanctuary,
Marada
once again en route to the planet Earth.

After the battle, Ethan had healed as many as he could. For some reason, and maybe it was because of his gift, he could touch the Cyrellian’s skin without any problem.

It was assumed that one of the disloyal guards had freed Tamir. Most of them had been killed or ran off with the rebels, but Nadua feared there might be more traitors still living within the palace walls.

Tamir was confirmed dead but, unfortunately, Nakul was still missing, perhaps plotting another attack.

Ava understood what it really meant to be a queen now, to risk everything for her people, even if there were those who didn’t appreciate it.

And this time, when Nadua said goodbye, they knew it was for good. Nadua needed to look toward her own future, and think of the Faieara.

Marik returned to working in the galley, and Nadua was given the task of looking after the Sanctuary. Pruning, trimming, planting. It wasn’t a difficult job, but she loved it.

She’d experienced one more vision of Ava, but it didn’t reveal much. Only that at some point, Ava would venture into the Caves of Lost Souls.

Shortly after they left, Sebastian had sent a transmission to the Serakians, noting that their services were no longer required. They’ve yet to receive a response and there was no way of knowing if the message had gotten through. They would know for sure in a few days, when a Serakian was scheduled to show and work her spell. Nadua kept a dagger with her at all times, just in case the witch tried.

Nadua had moved into Marik’s room and their physical relationship put the heat of a thousand supernovas to shame. It was like Marik was attuned to her every need and her darkest desires.

One thing continued to bother her, however. Nadua had told Marik she loved him, but as of yet, he had not verbally returned the sentiment. It shouldn’t matter. His actions, and the look in his eyes told her it was so. But still...

Done with her tasks for the day, Nadua made her way to the pub.

Sonya had eventually allowed Ethan to heal her, slapping away his hand directly after.

A vision of Sonya’s past gave Nadua insight into the animosity between them. Ethan reminded her of the men who had brutally murdered her father. Sonya had been but a child, hiding by her father’s orders and made to vow not to come out for anything, as if her father had known what was coming. Sonya had spied everything through a small hole. But it hadn’t been her vow that had kept her in place; it had been her fear.

Now Sonya sat alone at one of the tables farthest from Ethan while he tended the bar.

To see into someone’s past was an interesting addition to her ability, but it felt incredibly intrusive. Analia had been able to learn to control her ability, but was admittedly still discovering new aspects of it. Nadua kept up hope that eventually she too would take command of her gift.

Nadua joined Sonya and was greeted with a smile—an expression she never though she would inspire.

“
Where is Analia?” Nadua inquired.

“
I think Bastian is still trying to figure out a way of keeping her from breaking into the docking bay.”

Soon after their return, Sebastian had added new locks to the area, but Analia continued to prove them useless.

“
He’ll have to use a good old fashioned wooden barricade.” Sonya laughed.

“
Good evening, Princess.” Ethan approached with a glass of her favorite wine. “How is the Sanctuary?”

“
It’s good to be around fresh air and greenery all day.”

“
I can imagine.”

“
Ethan?” Nadua started. “Why do you suppose my father never came to me? Analia told me he projected himself to her when she needed him most.”

Ethan shook his head. “I cannot say, my lady. I have been out of touch with the palace too long. Perhaps he thought you didn’t need him.”

According to the book, the Kayadon kept their father alive to retain the compliancy of their people, but he was nothing more than a prisoner within the palace.

“
Why have they not destroyed us like they had the demons? Just taken slaves and moved on?”

Ethan closed his eyes and his head lowered, yet he didn’t respond. Had he feared this question?

Marik entered before Ethan could answer and sat himself next to Nadua. He placed a soft kiss on her lips, unaware of the sudden tension. Marik’s mirth over the last few days had been like a living thing in her heart. Sonya kept giving Marik strange looks whenever he would smile, as though it were odd to see.

Ethan asked, “So, what can I get for you?”

“
Anything that burns,” Marik answered.

Sonya lifted her glass, indicating its contents by giving a small shake.

When Ethan turned to leave, Nadua barked his name.

Giving her his profile, he mumbled, “We’ll talk of it later.”

Whatever it was he didn’t want to say, Nadua wouldn’t let him withhold it for long. Something inside her hinted that she didn’t really want to know.

They stayed for one more drink and then Marik led her back to his room—their room. It was larger than her previous lodgings, but it was blank. Apparently, the space was only used for sleeping and washing up.

To help it feel less like a dull compartment on a ship, Nadua had brought in a few low light plants from the nursery. Marik hadn’t really said anything on the matter. He’d just watched her rearrange the pots with the same heat in his eyes that he was showing her now.

Nadua teased him with swish of her hips, easing her way to the bed. Marik followed as if it were impossible for him not to.

He caught her at the waist, stopping her in her tracks. Her body molded into his with the first hint of a kiss.

Against his lips she moaned, “I love you.”

Next thing she knew, her back was to the bed and Marik’s shirt was off. He was pressing his hard frame against her. Mind going fuzzy, she arched against him, encouraging him. His hands knew exactly where to go, and when to get there.

Through kisses, she pulled off her shirt while he worked on her pants. His fingers found her core, making her gasp at the contact. At the same time, his lips trailed down her jaw, her neck, then seeking one taut nipple.

She let her head fall back as he did wicked things to her body, driving her to a mindless need for more. Moving down, caressing as he went, his tongue took the place of his fingers and he groaned as though the mere taste of her gave him tremendous pleasure.

Her head thrashed wildly and she gripped the sheets at her side as her orgasm burst through her. He rode her though it, not stopping until she could take no more. He rose over her and she felt his thick shaft seeking her entrance.

Catching her breath, Nadua pulled back from the bliss and placed a palm on his chest. Marik halted, eyes at half-mast and burning with dark promises.

The sight made her shudder, but she had to ask before she lost her nerve. “Marik? Do you...love me?”

His brows drew together. For a moment he just gazed at her.

What if he says no?

Her teeth clenched.

“
How could you not know that I love you?” He paused, seeing the doubt in her mind.

Nadua lifted one shoulder, hiding a satisfied smile. A knot in her stomach eased and she sighed in relief.

“
I’ve loved you since the first time you called me an edisdon dicksucker.”

She snorted out a laugh. “You jerk, I’m serious.”

“
So am I.” His voice roughened. “You’re the most amazing creature I’ve ever beheld. You’re fierce, and wild. Brave, and sexy as hell.” He gripped her thigh. “Your legs drive me out of my head. I think you knew that from the start, you naughty wench, because after seeing them, I was hooked.”

She laughed at that.

“
But it wasn’t until that first night together, when I had you in my arms and your scent branded me, that my heart became yours. And though I fought it hard, I fell in love with you in a dingy cave, under the cloak of darkness. And every time you look at me, smile for me, you cause my addiction to grow.”

At some point during his speech, her jaw had dropped. She closed it and a smile spread over her lips.

“
Satisfied, my love?”

Nodding, she could only reply, “Mm-hmm.”

He kissed her hard, and held her hips as he slipped into her, their bodies joined, their eyes locked. “Not yet you’re not.”

Coming Soon
...

(Shadow Quest - Book 3)

By

Kiersten Fay

To learn more about Kiersten Fay, or to get info about upcoming release dates, go to

www.kierstenfay.com

Or follow her on Twitter @kierstenFay, or on Facebook.