Page 43 of Demon Demands

Lil stared at York, blinking but unable to say a word. York didn’t crack a smile or anything, just returning her look with one of his own. His expression was what tipped me over the edge, and I fucking lost it like the rest of my guys.

Lucy sighed, but he couldn’t hide his amusement as he stood from the table, wrapping his hand around Lil’s elbow. “There’s a party tonight, my darling monster. Just the important officials…”

That shut me up quickly. Groaning, I leaned over and let my head fall onto the top of the counter. As Lucy pulled Lil out of the kitchen, I turned my head, cheek smushed against the cool surface. “I loath all these ceremonies, but I do love seeing you guys in tuxedos.”

12

York

Wednesday Night

The hellish affair was awful, as expected. No one threw a party like the druids, demons included. I couldn’t wait to take Sloane and the guys to my realm to show them around.

My mother always doted over my childhood friends when I was young. Something told me she’d do the same to my adult friends and my mate. A lavish party would definitely be in order when we arrived.

Sloane looked stunning in the black silk dress she was wearing. The low cut of the front flashed enough cleavage to keep Briggs drooling, her mate marks peeking out from in between the swell of her breasts. A high slit where the fabric folded over exposed her legs as she pranced through the crowd on impossibly high heels.

Every time she caught one of us staring at her, she’d roll her eyes with a shy smile playing over her lips. The red in her irises drowned out the gold and green while we were in the Underworld, and I was ready to see her eyes back to their normal brilliance. Gazing at the tri-colored starbursts was one of my fondest memories.

Striding across the grandiose ballroom, I worked my way through the small crowd to get to my mate. Her silver locks were pin straight, swaying in the artificial breeze within the room. I hadn’t realized how long her hair had gotten until I watched it brush against the middle of her back.

Wrapping a strand around my finger, I tugged gently, murmuring quietly from behind her. “Have I told you tonight that you look gorgeous, Sweetheart?”

She peered over her shoulder, eyes coy as she replied, “You don’t look too bad yourself, Druid.”

Smirking, I teased my fingertips over her bare shoulder. “Would you like to dance?” I extended my arm around her, right hand palm up, offering to take the lead.

“I thought you’d never ask.” She sighed in contentment, grinning as she placed her delicate hand tenderly in mine.

I spun her to face me, placing my left hand on the dip in her waistline as I held our intertwined hands up, my arm stiff, ready to show her off.

The familiar song was dark and mysterious, sounding perfect as the live orchestra played from the balconies above us. The music echoed around us, calling to my mate as much as it did to me.

Sloane closed her eyes as I began to twirl her around. Her back was straight, shoulders squared, and her head leaned to the left, exposing the flawless skin of her neck. I loved how effortlessly she followed my steps, trusting me fully to keep her on the right path.

As we danced a mixture of waltzes, the ballroom floor cleared out. Everyone watched as I led the soon-to-be Third Devil with ease around the entire room.

Her hand tightened slightly as I dipped her, but her eyes never opened. Sloane moved with such grace, it was as if the very notes of the music were a part of her soul.

She didn’t even know it, but she had the audience captivated, gliding across the floor like the song was written just for her. A hushed murmur fell through the crowd of important political demons, and I didn’t know why until I glanced to my right. Lucifer and Lilith had joined us, making it evident where Sloane got her graceful demeanor from.

Lucifer led Lilith as if he’d invented dancing. I’d never seen a more regal and elegant couple. Lilith’s crimson dress flowed around Lucifer’s legs as he kept his pace steady with the music. He dipped Lilith low, the ends of her ebony hair pooling on the dance floor.

The music was played on a loop, the orchestra not stopping the dreamy tune until Sloane opened her eyes some minutes later. Happiness floated in the depths of those glorious orbs that I wished I could see every day.

She appeared so carefree with her flushed cheeks and adoring smile that I never wanted the song to end. We could have danced until I dropped from exhaustion. I’d gladly accept the time we’d had as the center of attention, though.

“What is that piece called?” she asked me, her voice a heady mixture of sweet and raspy.

“It’s called The Last Dance by Peter Gundry, Sweetheart.”

“You should add it to your playlist,” she commented, dragging me off the dance floor. “I could dance to that for hours, but I’d prefer to do it without so many eyes on us.”

“Your eyes were closed the entire time. How do you know they were staring at us and not your grandparents?” I raised a skeptical brow at her, knowing how she knew but still enjoying the moment to tease her a bit. “That’s awfully presumptive of you.”

Sloane tapped her temple with her left index finger. “I wanted to know why the room got so quiet suddenly, so I opened my mind and listened. Something about the handsome Druid Prince showing off the Devil while her Equal ogled them.” She rolled her eyes playfully. “Now, help me find my Equal. We have an official bonding ceremony to attend.”

I scoffed while smiling cheerfully. “Nothing says love like burning each other.”