Page 96 of Demon Food

“I am so sorry to disappoint you, my king⁠—”

“Are you?”

“—but if you’ll recall, I expressed my firm disinterest in this human. I told you this was not the one.”

He nodded, something about his smile so unnaturally labored as he beckoned two fingers over his shoulder. “How could I forget?”

My gaze zipped to the guards when they suddenly marched a synchronized step forward.

“The body wants what the body wants.”

I hadn’t noticed him before, but hidden by the bulk of the guards was Lucc, looking…troubled. More so than usual.

I searched his eyes, but he just stared helplessly, like there was something he was dying to say and couldn’t.

On my father’s command, the four guards stepped into a protective circle of bodies around him. Then they marched forward, barging into my room, forcing me to stumble out of the way.

“I hope you don’t mind, Alek,” my father said, cutting his gaze to me as he trailed them. “I need a word with your generous guest.”

My eyes narrowed. It felt like my heart was narrowing. I didn’t know why, but something about this wasn’t right. Didn’t look right. Didn’t feel right.

If I knew him at all, he was so obviously playing a game.

The guards froze once inside my room, the same as my father. They were all stunned still for a moment in time as they gaped at Feloré, where he stood with arms folded, an icy glare for each of them.

“Oh, my goodness,” my father breathed, gesturing to his soldiers to pin themselves against the wall, which they did in uniformity. “Well, look at you.”

Feloré glanced at me as my father continued into the room, something like awe in his expression. I’d never seen him at such a loss for words as he began to circle Feloré’s body, observing him at every angle like he was a prized lamb.

“What a week’s worth of food has done for you, boy.” He stopped in front of him to grip his chin, lifting it. “It’s positively astounding.”

My gaze zeroed in on his hand where it touched my human. I wanted to fucking break it.

“It’s so good, in fact,” he continued, dropping his hand away. “That I won’t even punish you for failing to kneel.”

Feloré looked to me again, and I wished I could stop it, but I couldn’t. My nostrils flared as he lowered all the way down to one knee, the chain spilling over his shoulder as he bowed his head.

My father suddenly halted, his gaze drifting around my room like he was just noticing its condition. He observed the cards spilled over the desk, the half-downed sparkling wine flutes, the clothes scattered everywhere, and the bed a mess.

“My heavens, Alek,” he said, cocking his head. “Well, have you been enjoying yourself?”

I was at an impasse. Telling him that yes, indeed I had, that I’d never enjoyed myself more, felt like showing a weakness he could exploit. On the other hand, telling him I cared nothing about Feloré also felt treacherous.

“I find enjoyment in all kinds of things, Father. I miss when I could pass my time somewhere other than my chambers, but I’ve not denied myself simple pleasures because of your constraints.”

“Simple pleasures…” He trailed off as he plucked a wine flute from the desk, twisting it around to examine it. “Would you say you’ve formed a bond with this whore?”

Something about the question turned my stomach, but I maintained an air of calm.

“A friendship?”

I shrugged. “To my shock, I’ve found it’s not so different than speaking to a vultus. Almost like they have a similarly sized brain in their head. It is you I have to thank for that new perspective, Father.”

He didn’t like that answer. It was why he scowled. “You realize we are not aligned in seeking companionship with them, yes? Just like we do not hand them our trust.”

“We don’t? Surely, there has to be some trust for us to put our cocks in their mouths, Father.” I winced. “What of the teeth?”

“Be serious, Alek. For once in your heedless life, I’m begging you.” He jammed a finger toward Feloré. “He is food. No different from a peach or a pudding or a roasted fucking duck. You don’t ‘enjoy the company’ of the meat on your plate. You eat it.”