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I did as he said, imagining the magic like serpents uncoiling from within me. It was easier, visualizing it as something alive, and Carnon’s hand over my ribs was a reminder to pull the magic back when it got too excited. By the time the sun was high in the sky, I was drenched in sweat and barely able to pull the magic back, but I had successfully completed Carnon’s task five times without fail.
“Good,” he purred, planting a kiss on my neck as a reward. I turned and rolled my eyes at him, hiding the shiver of desire that sparked from that gentle touch. “Tomorrow you should be ready for a larger circle.”
“Not if I can’t even stand,” I said, stifling a yawn. “Does it make you this tired? All the demon magic?”
Carnon smiled, looping an arm around my waist to steady me as we headed back to the horse, who was sniffing at the ground hungrily. “It used to,” he said, “but not for a long time now.”
Akela butted my hip in what I sensed was approval, and I gave him a quick scratch behind the ear as Carnon readied the horse for us to leave.
“Thank you for your praise,” I said to the wolf, earning a huff in response that I took to be a ‘you’re welcome.’When I rose, Carnon was watching the exchange with interest.
“I have a strong feeling that there are some secrets you are not telling me, Red,” he said, boosting me up into the saddle and swinging up behind me. The horse neighed in gruff protest, and Carnon reached around me to pat his neck. “Maybe you’ll tell me all your secrets if you accept the bond someday.”
He said this seemingly without an agenda, but something went icy in me nonetheless. I knew, of course, that Carnon wanted me to accept. But the way he said ‘if’ made me feel anxious and heartbroken for Goddess knew what reason.
“How did Artemis pick you?” I asked, wishing to change the subject away from our unclaimed bond. “You said she chose you as a baby.”
“She did,” Carnon confirmed. “And nobody really knows why the strix choose who they choose. Some theorize it’s the strongest demon, some believe it’s fate, or the gods. It’s rare that a demon who isn’t a Lord or the child of a Lord is chosen. Rarer still for an heir to be recognized as young as I was.”
“Who is your heir?” I asked, realizing I had no idea who was next in line. Since Carnon was chosen as a child, it made sense his heir would already be known.
“Like I said, I was rare,” Carnon replied. “Most heirs are not identified by the strix until the former king dies. The Daemon Lords are responsible for identifying the next king from among their people.”
“Why were you chosen so young?” I asked, feeling confused about this system of succession but not wanting to appear foolish. “What makes you so special?”
Carnon hummed darkly behind me. “Thatisthe question, isn’t it, Red?” he said, giving me a squeeze around the waist.
Chapter 19
Carnon left me to nap that afternoon while he met with Herne to discuss the witches in the Bloodwood. I wanted to go too, but I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to climb into bed, let alone focus through a strategy meeting.
“If you accept the bond, there will be plenty more meetings for you to attend,” Carnon said, tucking me in and kissing my brow. “I’ll relay the important details later.”
I didn’t ask what would happen if I didn’t accept. I knew it would mean leaving, hopefully with Mama, and trying to find freedom and safety elsewhere. I pushed down the knowledge that I was increasingly feeling free and safe right where I was, with Carnon.
Cerridwen woke me late in the afternoon, knocking tentatively at the door. She brought tea, and I sat up eagerly, suddenly ravenous.
“I think Carnon spent the first month of his kingship napping,” she said, after I had forced myself to sit up and drink a big gulp of the tea. “He was exhausted every day, for the first month or two.”
“I presume he got over it?” I asked, giving her a rueful smile.
She nodded, looking at me expectantly. “So?” she asked. “What’s going on between you two?”
“He knows,” I said, grimacing at Cerridwen, who paled noticeably. “It just sort of slipped out. But he’s not angry with you, I swear!”
“How does something like that just slip out?” Cerridwen asked, panic lacing every syllable. “I thought you were going to lie and pretend not to know.”
“I was sort of…” I hesitated, blushing furiously. “In a compromised position.”
“He orgasmed it out of you?” Cerridwen said, crossing her arms and looking irritated. “Really?”
“Clearly you don’t understand what he’s capable of,” I said, still blushing wildly.
Cerridwen’s lip twitched for a moment, until a giggle burst out of her, followed by a grimace, then another giggle. Soon we were both laughing so hard, tears slipped down my cheeks. I brushed them away, still laughing as Cerridwen shuddered.
“Maybe I don’t need to know that much about your relationship with my brother,” she said, clearly more amused than she was horrified. “So he knows. Now what?”
“I don’t know,” I said, shrugging with a sigh. “Now I decide if I’m going to accept.”
