Page 66 of Fated to the Demon Lord

“Do you enjoy watching me sleep?” I asked in a sultrier voice than intended.

He leaned close, his glowing gaze sparking to life with a dark heat. “You certainly are needy when you wake, aren’t you?”

I squeezed my legs together, realizing he was scenting my desire. Fuck. “I hate demons.”

A slow smile curled up his lips. “I was going to tell you it was time to rise. Half the camp is already cleaning up, but if you had something else in mind, I can oblige.” He reached out and stroked my cheek with his icy touch.

Gods, the ache between my legs only intensified. I pictured him taking me into the woods where we’d be alone. I imagined the feel of his hands on my body, his lips caressing my most forbidden spots, granting me all the pleasure that a tavern boy couldn’t.

“Time to get up, Denara. We’ll be leaving soon,” Mother called from across the camp.

Vaelor retracted his hand, straightening. I blinked hard and rubbed the sleep from my eyes one more time. A hollow ache in my chest threatened to surface, but I shoved it aside, kicked free of my blankets, and hurried out of my bedroll before I could dwell on it. After a quick breakfast and a brief trip into the forest to relieve myself, I rolled up my bedroll and tied it to my horse, ready to leave.

It was nearly a half-day’s trek by the time we arrived outside Mirvarax’s domain. We huddled at the forest’s edge on a hill that overlooked the valley where the massive walled estate spread. Two burly demons guarded the front gate.

“The servants will be within the compound, near the back,” Vaelor said. “There is the official entrance around the front that I’ll go in and a smaller, guarded rear entrance that allows servants out to work in the fields.”

“There’s a chance Gerand might be in the fields,” Bargoth said.

“We can’t expect that,” Mother countered.

I nodded in agreement with her. “How can we sneak in if guards stand at both entrances?” I asked.

“Distraction,” Vaelor said. “I’ll enter at the front. Once I meet with Mirvarax and make my request, then I assume he’ll pull those two brutish guards along with others to the manor. Two smaller guards will replace them. That is when Bargoth will lead a small skirmish on the south fields and draw any remaining guards away.”

“Hopefully, leaving the compound clear for us to search among the servants for Gerand,” I said.

There were six of us that would enter in pairs, searching for Gerand. Another six would search the fields. We had half an hour to look, and then we’d meet behind the barn. If we hadn’t found Gerand, we’d hope that the field searchers had located him. I’d given a detailed report of what he looked like, but it was dangerous. Who knew how many human boys worked on the estate?

“I’ll go in first,” said Vaelor. “Give me about twenty minutes. Feron will keep watch in the trees above, and when he sees demons moving toward the manor house, that is your cue.” As if he sensed my mounting worry, he stroked a finger across my face. “Watch out for each other and be careful.”

I leaned into him, enjoying his touch. My anxiety ebbed and my fierceness grew. “We will.”

He turned and spread his wings, launching into the sky, circling the estate until he came to the front side before dropping to the ground.

“The rest of us should get into position,” Bargoth said. He and the others left along with the six that were to search the fields.

“We should also get into a better position,” Mother said. We climbed down the hill and made our way through the forest.

As we walked, Erlinen fell into step beside me.

“He cares for you,” she said. “More than he should.”

Warmth curled in my chest at the thought of Vaelor having feelings for me. No one had ever said it aloud before, but hearing it spoken made me realize it was probably true. Yet there was something in Erlinen’s tone that made it sound too much like a warning.

“I’m sorry if you disapprove of your master caring for a lowly human,” I said.

“It’s not that.” She slowed her steps until we were at the rear of the group. “The master has lost too much already.”

A chill swept through me. “You mean his wife and his sister?”

“And his people.”

“His people?”

“Yes, the ones that lived on his land. A neighboring landholder named Creedan.” She spat out the name. “He came in and abducted them into captivity. Vaelor has felt responsible ever since. He’s always trying to free them, to no avail.”

My brow furrowed as I considered what she’d said. “Vaelor has lost quite a bit.”