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QUINN
I should have known from the moment I tumbled into Asher’s world that it wasn’t going to be a lifestyle that I was accustomed to. Considering that I had been bought as a personal pet at the start of it all meant I wasn’t given a handwritten copy of all the rules that were expected of anyone associated with the royal family. Now I was staring down a dinner with the king himself and I found myself absolutely terrified.
My stomach churned, threatening to turn against me. There weren’t any aromas in the air yet and I was already doubting that I would be able to get anything down before I made a fool out of myself. Stifling a groan, I stared down at the black dress that had been given to me. Where one of Asher’s demon lords managed to find something appropriate in such a short amount of time — not to mention something that looked extremely revealing — baffled me.
Nothing else to do than get ready…
I nibbled on my lower lip and reluctantly shed my clothing. As soon as I started tugging the sleek material over my legs, I realized it was going to be a tight-fitting dress that hugged every curve I owned. My heart threatened to jump up into my throat when it barely covered my breasts enough to conceal the nipples. It certainly didn’t attempt to hide Asher’s family emblem tattooed onto my skin. Hell, it was going to be on full display for the demon king to see.
A whine almost escaped my lips when I turned to study myself in the mirror, which had mysteriously found its way into the guest room. Although there were still healing cigar marks littering my back, they were more faint than they’d ever been before. I tugged on my bottom lip, keeping it trapped within my teeth as I studied the faint marks. Did this have to do with my demonic blood overtaking the human side?
I jumped as a quiet knock came from the door. My frantic nerves immediately jumped into overdrive as it slipped open. I quickly turned to conceal my back as Santino’s tall form was exposed.
The demon lord snickered softly, easing into the room just enough to make his presence known. “Relax, doll. I’m not here to stake a claim. No one touches the boss’ property and it seems he’s laid a mark on you in more ways than one.” His purple eyes shifted toward the emblem.
My cheeks grew hot with embarrassment. I started to raise my hands to cover it up when a quiet “tsk” from the demon lord stilled me.
“You are now bonded to the prince himself. It would be wise not to show shame of his mark in any way or you might just risk the rage of his father.” Santino cocked his head to the side and jammed his hands into the back pockets of his pants.
Anger surged through my veins. My nostrils flared as I glared at him. “I’m not ashamed.”
“Salvatore isn’t going to see it that way,” he countered.
I curled my fingers until my nails started digging into my palms. The sudden burst of pain pulsing up my arm helped override the yearning to keep my chest concealed. I reluctantly lowered my hands. “I’m being put on display for a man that I don’t know. It’s intimidating enough that he’s both Asher’s father and the king of the demon kind. Forgive me if I’m used to wearing clothes two sizes too big, overlooked every fucking day.”
The demon lord chuckled and drifted further into the room. From the way his lips were twitching, I knew that he could sense my overwhelming desire to back away with every step he advanced. He did seem impressed that I had managed to control myself before I did. It wasn’t long until he stood before me and he reached out to brush my bangs away from my eyes. “I think we both know that the life of a bastard child is behind you now, doll. How you lived no longer matters because that world doesn’t exist for you anymore. By accepting the bond that Asher initiated, you’ve embraced ours. So you might want to start acting like the demon royalty that you are.”
“Y-You know,” I stammered softly. My throat had gone painfully dry and that only seemed to emphasize the nausea swirling within my stomach.
Santino dragged his fingers along the side of my face until he could brush a thumb over my lips. “Hard to miss when your entire scent seems to have changed. The Faxiss family were known for their exotic aromas. Which only brings me right back to my point. You’re a demon, doll, and it’s time for you to start acting like it.”
I drew my head back with a scowl. “How do you suggest I do that? Raise up my skirts and ride Asher’s cock in front of his dad?”
The demon lord stared at me for a moment, completely taken aback by my word choice. When they finally sank in, he tossed his head back and released a laugh that echoed off the walls. “I knew I liked you from the moment he had you delivered to the club. You’re feisty and vocal. But no, I wouldn’t recommend that. Asher doesn’t mind an audience, but he draws the line where his father is involved. I’d consider a few rounds of sex once tonight is said and done.”
A familiar heat haunted my cheeks as he gestured at the dress hugging my body.
“I merely suggest that you embrace what your blood already has. You belong in the demon world. No more cowering at the feet of others.” Santino returned his hands to his pants pockets and drifted backwards. “Convince Salvatore that you are loyal to Asher — willing to die for him, doll — and you stand a chance of being accepted into the family. How your blood was mixed will no longer matter in his eyes.”
The moment I had locked gazes with those eerie silver eyes, I didn’t think I would end up getting advice from him not even a week later. When our paths had crossed, Santino had stared at me like I was prey just waiting to be consumed. Now, he seemed genuinely eager to ensure tonight went smoothly all the way around — not just for the prince.
As his words started to sink in, I reluctantly lifted my jaw and let my hands fall beside me. All it took was a small breath before I felt my frazzled nerves starting to relax. I wouldn’t be walking into this completely blind, nor would the majority of the room be against my presence there. That alone brought a comfort that I didn’t realize I needed.
A pleased expression washed across the demon lord’s face. “Thatta girl,” he murmured. Gesturing at the small bathroom nearby, he added, “Finish getting ready. Preparation for dinner has begun, and you’re expected to be at the table with Asher by the time it’s finished. It wouldn’t look well for you if you were late.”
I responded with an irritable growl that only seemed to encourage the playful look. The way the demon had followed some vital advice with some harsh criticism left me with whiplash and all I could do was turn on my heel to heed his suggestion. I had my back against the bathroom door by the time I heard the guest room door shut softly. My eyes shifted toward the small mirror hanging from the wall.
I hadn’t spent much time taking in just how much I had changed since the first time Asher had taken me, yet now I couldn’t overlook it. A healthy glow graced my skin and the gray in my eyes had become even more dominant. Even the mahogany red hair dye had started to fade to reveal the natural black underneath. It didn’t even seem to matter that I had attempted the brunette look in between.
My gaze dropped to the tattoo hugging my breast. Excited chills trickled down my spine with the way it seemed to peek out of the top of the dress. Seeing Asher’s mark on my body was pleasing, but knowing that I had left one of my own on his skin left me on fire. I dug my nails into the wood behind me, moaning softly.
The ache in between my legs certainly didn’t matter. I lusted for him even in the middle of the tensest situation of my life.
Releasing the air that I had trapped in my lungs without realizing it, I approached the mirror and started brushing my hair into submission. There hadn’t been enough time for the demon lords to figure out what makeup I would actually use — not that I knew myself yet — but they’d also delivered a necklace that caressed my throat and dipped down in between my breasts.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that the primary reason for that piece of jewelry was to further attract attention to the emblem.
I paused when the bathroom door eased open behind me and a pair of familiar golden eyes stared back at me in the mirror.
