Page 112 of Fated to the Demon Lord

Denara, run, Vaelor thought frantically.

I tore into the forest, my heart hammering against my ribs. Trees flashed past in a dizzying blur as I sprinted, every breath ragged and desperate. Part of me recognized it was useless, but I couldn’t stop. The mist slithered between the trunks behind me, spreading faster with each second. Panic surged through me, and I pushed harder, legs burning as I fought to stay ahead of it. I knew what would happen if it caught me.

The sound of flapping wings sounded above. I gasped, my desperation spiking. The mist enveloped me.

Something struck me from behind, and I tumbled into the leaves and twigs, the rocks scraping off the flesh on my hands and knees as I tried to catch myself.

A foot slammed into my ribs, forcing me onto my back. Two winged Spiritu Malignos demons glared down at me. Their cracked skin and wicked smiles made my stomach roll with sickness. They each took me by an arm and carried me to the demon army. The sea of monstrous forms parted for me as we passed, nothing but raging death in hundreds of angry glowing eyes.

Oh gods, they recognized me.

I was dumped in front of Throk. I winced as my torn hands contacted the splintered wooden dais. Creedan observed, now with interest in his expression. Mira stood behind the demons with a bowl of stew, along with several servants. They hadn’t delivered the food to them. Why hadn’t they brought them their meal?

Vaelor watched with agony visible on his features as he clutched his cloth to his wounded abdomen. Denara⁠—

Whatever happens, don’t intervene, I thought. He was still under Throk’s powers. One misstep and his existence could be ended for good.

Vaelor’s entire body was tense and corded. Like he was physically holding himself back.

Throk took the bowl of stew from Mira and walked up to me, his expression as hard as stone. “Eat.”

He thrust the bowl toward my face, and I instinctively turned my head away. Throk growled and tossed it aside. “I want everyone to note that there are some loyal servants in this army.”

He glanced at Mira, who refused to meet my eyes.

My heart sank. Mira had outed me. I knew that my fears that day when I had escaped had been justified. She had been the one who outed the woman who had tried to flee. I saw the fear and despair on her face.

But the betrayal burned bitter on my tongue. I was pretty sure I was about to die.

“This is your slave, is it not? Trying to poison us all,” Throk asked Vaelor. “So, before we grant you your rightfully earned place, I have one more order.” His hungry eyes glinted with malice, a sneering smile curling around his massive tusks that jutted up from his jaw. “Give your precious Denara to us as an offering.”

Thirty

Vaelor turned to face me. I tried to run, and he lunged and snatched me by the arm.

I will kill them. Each of them, he growled in my mind.

You can’t. The moment you turn on them, you’ll die.

I won’t let them touch you.

You have to.

His eyes narrowed, and his hand on my arm shook. I’d rather die.

No. Do as they say.

Some sacrifices were worth making. Some systems worth breaking. Some moments were worth wagering everything on in the hope that love might survive.

This is the only way, I thought.

He staggered over to the post, dragging me along with him. With a swipe of his claws, the dead human bound there fell loose and onto the grass. Even with his wounds and the poison lingering in his system, Valeor was functioning remarkably well. He grabbed the hanging rope and jerked my hands above my head. He thrust his thigh between my legs to lift me and hold me still as he tied me to the harsh wood. The rope was rough, and when he backed up, they pulled on my joints as my feet didn’t touch the ground.

I clenched my teeth against the ache already seeping into my arms and wrists. Gods, this was bad. Fear twisted in my chest, but I fought not to show Vaelor, although he probably could smell it on me anyway.

I held his gaze, wanting to be certain he’d follow through. You have to let them hurt me.

Watching them inflict suffering on you would be worse than death.