The sane part of me reminds me that I’m incredibly upset with Rhune. He knew what could happen if we got too close, and he didn’t think to prepare me. Even if he had aninklingthat we could bond, he should have shared that with me so I could decide whether I wanted to be close to him or not.
I shake my head, shoving that last thought away. Ever since I bonded to Rhune, I’ve been dealing with emotions I’ve never experienced before. Confusion. Possessiveness. Anger. All-consuming desire. All of them, all at once. It’s driving me a little mad.
Blowing out a breath, I open my eyes and sit up in bed. I’ve been sleeping in Rhune’s room for the past two nights, becausethe only way I can go to sleep now is when I’m wrapped up in his scent.
True to his word, Nyx is giving me space, and I only see him when he brings me my meals—and even then, he never tries to make conversation. He just gives me a warm smile, places a too-large bowl in my lap, and leaves.
Then there are the gifts…
Every time I sleep—even for just a small amount of time—I wake to a new present from Nyx. Trinkets he’s collected from the human realm, ancient tomes in languages I don’t understand, impossibly beautiful gemstones, and even some gifts for Kevin. So far, he’s found a bejeweled dog collar, an old leather leash, and a T-shirt with a picture of an alpaca on the front that fits Kevin strangely perfectly.
Dravik still hasn’t returned from his hunt, so I spend my days hanging out with Cin in his “workshop” and traversing the tunnel systems. I’ve found several unused “rooms” and others filled with different items I can’t identify. It was interesting at first, but I’m growing bored with the dark, claustrophobic tunnels that lead to nowhere.
Half of me wants to break and forgive Nyx just so I can ask him to take me up to the surface and get some fresh air.
But no. I can’t. Not just yet.
At that moment, Kevin bleats, snuggles up to me, taking my thoughts away from my relationship troubles. I give him some pets, but the smell emanating from his fur brings tears to my eyes.
“Jeez, Kevin. You need a bath.”
Kevin chirrups, turning his face from me as if he’s offended.
“Don’t be like that,” I say. “It’s true. You’re a little stinky.”
Kevin growls and tries to slip away, but I manage to get a hold of his scruff right before he makes a run for the exit. “Uh-uh. We’re going to take a bath.”
Slowly and carefully, I bundle Kevin in my arms and make my way down to the bathing chamber. Not trusting Kevin to go in on his own, I carry him into the water, allowing the magical properties to strip the dirt and grime from his fur.
“See?” I fix his hair into a little mohawk. “All better!”
As soon as I release him, Kevin darts for the edge, pulling himself out of the water and shaking the offensive water from his body.
“You’re so dramatic, Kevin. It wasn’t so bad.”
Kevin bleats indignantly and trots off toward the exit, no doubt needing some space to come to terms with the injustice I put him through. I have a feeling he’ll come around when it’s time for breakfast.
Giggling, I continue wading in the pool, enjoying the warmth of the water and the tingling of my skin as the magic heals and strips away any dirt on my skin.
When my fingers are sufficiently pruned, I carefully climb out of the pool, allowing the air to dry my skin before I slip my suit back on. I twist my drying hair into a quick braid, tying it off with a thin strip of hide before lowering my tired arms to my side.
Wanting to enjoy the warmth of the bathing chamber for a while longer, I sit at the edge of the pool, bracing my palms on the ledge as I dip my ties in the heated water. The beauty and atmosphere of this place reminds me of a natural spa, only more beautiful. It’s soothing. Peaceful. Demon-free and silent.
I should be happy about that, but all I feel is desperate longing for my mate. A deep ache has settled in the center of my chest, and I know the only thing that will help is the demon I’m actively avoiding.Or rather,he’savoiding me…
Bringing my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around them and hide my face, letting out a low groan. “This sucks.”
“What sucks?”
A scream explodes from my chest, and I whip around, my eyes widening comically as they land on Dravik’s severe expression.
Guess he got back from his hunt…
Dravik’s face is covered in splatters of a blue-black substance—blood, probably—and there’s a deep crease between his thick brows that tells me he wasn’t expecting to find me down here. He seems even more massive than when he left. Even more deadly.
I wonder if “feeding” on souls has some effect on him physically—if he didn’t eat, would he wither away to nothing? Is that how demons die?
I make a mental note to ask Nyx about it when I’m done being mad at him.
