Page 45 of Demon Demands

“Those sixteen people that you’re so scared to love will be the ones protecting you when you need it most. Even if we have to protect you from yourself. You feel like those people hold power over you because you love them. But you don’t seem to notice the power you hold over each of them because they also love you.

“Love isn’t black and white, Sweetheart. Stop trying to put it in perfect boxes and on timeframes. Stop trying to make it make sense. It might take a week or ten years to fall in love. It could happen at first glance or after hating someone. You can have different types of love too. What you feel for Hyde or Grim is totally different than what you feel for me or even your parents. Doesn’t mean that it’s not all love. And this is all stuff that you know, but I don’t mind reminding you when you forget.”

She pressed her forehead to mine, whispering, “I love you. But I’m not ready to admit that all the time.”

“You don’t have to. You show me — in big ways and small. Sometimes actions do speak louder than words, Sweetheart. I know how you feel, that’s all that matters.”

I set her on her feet, standing as I did. Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I pulled her into a deep kiss. Her body molded to mine, arms draped over my shoulders as her fingers brushed against my hair.

Seconds or minutes could have passed us by; time always stood still while Sloane was in my arms.

When I broke away from the kiss, I hugged her closer to me, one hand tangled in her hair and the other around her waist. “I love you,” I whispered in her ear before clearing my throat. “Now. Stop overcomplicating and overthinking things for one night. We can do that tomorrow. Let’s go find our demon and get this ceremony over with. Then, if Stone doesn’t want to dance with you, I’ll show you off for the rest of the party.”

She smirked at me. “Do I get an ass slap with that pep talk too?”

Grinning, I shook my head at her. “If it’ll help get my point across, then by all means, please do turn around.”

Instead of swatting at her when she turned her back to me, I gave her ass a firm squeeze. Briggs was a breast man, but I loved everything about the view of Sloane from behind. Her narrow shoulders, the toned muscles of her exposed back, the way her dress cut low enough to see the dimples at the base of her spine.

Mmm.

That silk dress was so snug, it could be a second skin, perfectly accentuating the dip in her waist and the flare of her hips.

The roundness of her ass had me transfixed as she swayed to the melody of the new song playing through the doors.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to dance with her again or fuck her against the wall to the tempo of whatever the orchestra played next.

A naked waltz. But we could save that for the greenhouse.

We found Stone standing with Samuel and Lucifer near a stage. Sloane reached back, giving my hand a squeeze as she glided through the crowd to her demon mate. She moved as if she was water. There was a natural elegance and fluidity to her motions that I adored.

But she wasn’t water. She was an azalea, thriving in the shadows with her toxic honey. A long-lasting bloom that would drive a man mad. Beautiful and deadly, capable of taking down armies all on her own.

Sloane was something to be admired, to have sonnets written about her. As she placed her hand in Stone’s, I felt inspiration like no other.

Sloane and Stone both stood on the platform in front of a large, jagged, black quartz bowl. Samuel called hellfire into his hand, dropping the flame inside, and a chilling silence fell over the room at once.

“That was weird.” Novak bumped his shoulder against mine, taking his place beside me at the edge of the dais.

“I want to touch the fire too,” Vaughn whispered from behind Novak and me. Palmer shushed him as Briggs grabbed a handful of the fae’s tux jacket to keep him from wandering off.

No words were spoken as Sam and Lucy posted themselves on either side of Sloane and Stone. My mate and my best friend made eye contact, probably having a short mental conversation, and Stone gave a barely perceptible nod.

With Sloane’s right hand tucked into Stone’s left, they dipped their opposite hands into the flaming bowl together. Stone tightened his jaw as my mate seemed to relax, both of them pulling away from the hellfire simultaneously.

Flames crawled up to their elbows, their hands only bone as Stone placed his against Sloane’s chest, over her heart. As she did the same to Stone, I watched his fingers sear her flesh and heard the sizzle of burning skin.

Their demon forms violently ripped forth from their human appearances, Sloane’s wings nearly hitting Lucy as she opened them. Across her ivory skin, a single mark marred her flawless features.

Where Stone’s hand had been, a black handprint was left, the exact shade of the pitch black demon with his back to me. I wondered what color his mark would be, but as I observed my mate pull her hand away, I realized what I had just witnessed.

The handprint was left over as they both healed, the melting skin of her chest soaking up the newly reforming flesh of his hand. Stone’s mark would be the same beautiful ivory of Sloane’s demonic form.

Her eyes shifted from solid black to a vibrant red as she addressed the crowd. “The Third Devil has chosen an Equal. As the new rulers of the Underworld, we ask that you continue to represent your territories’ best interests. We will be present for all assemblies and treaty signings, but smaller issues should be taken up with our council. You will defer to Lilith, Lucifer, or Samuel for any and all matters. Those issues needing our immediate attention will be addressed in order of importance as we establish ourselves in our new roles. Official scrolls will be sent out to each of you when we pick out the rest of our council.”

From the front of the crowd, Sloane’s grandmother stepped forward.

“It is an honor to witness the ascension of the Third Devil and the Devil’s Equal.” Lilith’s voice rang throughout the room as she curtsied, tipping her head down.