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“If you don’t mind helping me get my facts straight.”
“Not at all. I want you to know the truth.” He splashed a bit of brandy into his own tumbler. “Actually, I’m not any particular species of demon. I’m immortal by birthright. It’s hereditary in my family. A rare gift bestowed upon a distant ancestor for saving a high-ranking demon, his wife and their children from an unjust death sentence.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “You don’t take animal form, suck blood or grow horns?”
With a shake of his head, he said, “Nothing like that at all. What you see now is what I always am. I might only look to be thirty-five, but that’s because after a certain point, the aging process slows dramatically—even over the course of two hundred years.”
She studied him closely, then teased, “Just two gray hairs?”
“Where?” he quipped.
Her laugh, fragile though it was, warmed his insides. “Just kidding,” she said. “You’ve managed to keep them at bay.”
“Surprising.” He stood and paced alongside the bed.
In a quiet voice, Jade said, “I imagine it’s not easy ruling an entire continent that’s in constant turmoil.”
“No.” He turned to face her. “Especially when it was something I never wanted. Those are my trials and tribulations.”
Her brow knitted. “When we were at the library, I made it sound as though you haven’t a care in the world because you’re a demon. Obviously, that’s not the case. I’m sorry I was so cavalier about your…kind.”
He gave this some thought, then resumed his position next to her. “Don’t apologize. We’re just as guilty. The demon viewpoint of humans is that you’re weak of mind and body. But that’s not true. The slayers and witches have proven it, the reason I have to be so diligent in keeping them in line. But leaders of villages—and particularly you—have also demonstrated how strong the human spirit can be.”
“I’m a little different than most humans.”
“Yes, you are.” He considered her abilities. “Do you understand how you ended up with your particular gifts?”
“I only know that, similar to you, they were passed from my father.”
He gazed at her, finding the sentiment intriguing. “We share a number of connections.”
Jade leaned toward him and trailed her fingers over his temple, whisking away strands of hair. “Yes, we do. You were in my head again last night.”
“I couldn’t help it,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I needed to do something to alleviate as much of the physical ache as I could, so you’d be able to rest.”
She smiled softly. “It worked. I felt at peace. Comforted.”
“I really should have more control when it comes to you. But you are unbelievably irresistible.” He inched forward and his lips touched hers.
A whisper of a kiss at first. But one that quickly turned passionate.
Her fingers curled around the material of his shirt, just above his pectoral muscles. She returned the kiss with equal fervor. Her lips were supple and her mouth warm and inviting. A moan lodged in her throat and it made him hard for her.
He eased her back against the pile of pillows. He deepened the kiss as his other hand shoved the cloak away and slid under the hem of her sweater. His fingertips grazed her silky flesh and she jolted.
Tearing her mouth from his, she gasped. “Davian.”
His cock throbbed at the way she said his name on such a lusty sigh. Yet he pulled back. “You still need recovery time. I’m overwhelming you.”
“Yes,” she said. Then shook her head. “No.” She seemed to fight for a breath. She held up her injured hand and inspected it. “Some tenderness still and bruising. The bones are healed, though.” She wiggled her fingers to prove her point. “But I’m a complete disaster.”
The bed was too.
“Sheena,” he said in a low voice, knowing his assistant would hear him with her acute senses. She appeared instantly. “Have Jocelyn change the linens.”
“Of course, my Lord.” She left them as rapidly as she’d joined them.
Davian gently lifted Jade into his arms and carried her to his spacious bathroom. He set her on the ledge of the tub, encased in marble.
