Page 33 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“Careful Asher, it almost sounds like you care.”

“I do not, demon. Now please, can we get to a Healer before the pain makes me throw up all over your extravagant cloak?” Each word took more energy than I seemed to have. His dimpled smile did not falter as he strode back towards his home, brushing my shoulder as he passed. Pivoting, I followed him.

Just beyond the castle, I saw the sun rising over the sea, slowly casting the sky a vibrant orange. Around the large manor were bright red flowers that seemed to glow in the light of daybreak. “What are those flowers called?” I asked. Bellamy looked to his left and smiled, eyes quickly darting my way then back to the delicate flora.

“Those are called Salvia Splendens. Of all the places I have been, I have yet to see them anywhere but here.” Bellamy leaned down and plucked a long red stem, turning around to fully face me.

Slowly, he reached up and tucked it behind my ear, running his finger gently across the flat top. His caress felt almost…loving. But I knew that with Bellamy, nothing was real. Everything was calculated and planned. So I shook off his fingers, tossed the flower to the ground, and walked up the black stone steps to the red double doors.

Before I could reach the handle, Bellamy was there. He grabbed my chin, lifting my face towards his.

“Beautiful creature, how I wish you knew the power you held.” His whisper sent a wave of excitement through me, but his fingers reminded me of another night full of sorrow, forced affection, and so much pain—of Sterling.

I flinched at the memory, and just like that I was inwardly begging to be released. I held back the tone in my mental voice that made it an order, but barely.

Decades, that was how long it had taken me to control the way my power demanded obedience. Sometimes when I was flustered or overwhelmed, I slipped. This might have been one of those times, because Bellamy let go of my chin, ushering me back into the castle of night and blood with a wave of his hand. I could see the hurt and anger on his face, but he said nothing until we walked through the doors.

“I am afraid I need to take a page from your book, Asher,” Bellamy said. My eyebrows knitted together at his declaration. Gazing over my shoulder I saw he was wearing the same devilish smirk he seemed to prefer. “So here are the conditions I have if you want to train with my subjects, roam free in my lands—”

“What I want is to go home,” I corrected. My left hand laid limp in my right, healing in a way that made it appear crooked and deformed. Even through the pain, I still felt that spark of anger in me that the male seemed to enjoy lighting.

“Regardless, you will not attack any of my fae or demons with your powers. You will take no minds under your will to harm them in any way unless your life is threatened,” Bellamy ordered. Though he did not have the power I did, he knew I had no choice but to listen. To follow his commands.

Guilt washed over me, because I did this to others. I took away their free will and forced their hand. It was cruel. It was evil.

It was me.

So I nodded, knowing I deserved the leash.

“I need to hear you say it, Asher,” Bellamy ordered. The wording and the tone brought my mind back to the changing room in Pino’s booth, and I felt the blush on my cheeks before I could get myself in check.

“Fine, I will follow your rules and will not use my power to harm any of your fae or demons unless my life is threatened,” I huffed, adding, “I will play the good captive as long as I am allowed to train daily.”

Taking no time to consider my condition, Bellamy agreed. “Absolutely. Despite what you think, you are not a prisoner here.”

I thought back to what Lian said about being saved from a prison disguised as a sanctuary. No matter how this male attempted to spin my situation, I was a hostage—a pawn. One thing I would not be, was weak.

Chapter Twenty-One

Navigating through the maze of a home was not as difficult in daylight. The arched windows allowed for the golden rays to shine into the manor, making the black and red seem significantly less ominous. The paintings were impossibly more captivating at this time of day as well. The rich and vibrant colors brought character to the black walls and life to the home itself. When we came upon hallways without a view of the outside world, what I assumed was demon light floated in the air.

Eventually we stopped in front of a red door that looked exactly like the rest to me. I was surprised anyone could find their way through the confusion.

“Do you live here alone?” I asked. Bellamy continued staring forward, not so much as glancing my way. “Is that really something I am not allowed to know? What would I even do with the information?”

His eyebrows lifted, amusement lighting his face. I knew though that he was afraid to tell me anything that was not necessary, which proved that he trusted me as little as I trusted him.

The door cracked open and a pair of jet-black eyes met mine before going wide and scanning over to Bellamy. He opened the door fully, showing his equally black waist length hair and scruffy facial hair that slightly came off his chin. The male was wearing all white clothing that covered nearly every inch of his dark skin, seeming to light up the hallways with his presence alone.

“My Prince,” he said, bowing low. I caught his eyes flick over to me again before he straightened once more.

“Ranbir, there is no need to bow for company’s sake.” Bellamy chuckled, clapping the male on the shoulder with his clean hand. Ranbir looked at Bellamy’s nose and clicked his tongue, shaking his head slowly. The sight of the demon prince covered in blood was clearly not surprising.

“What happened this time, Bell?” Definitely a regular occurrence then. Bellamy smiled, flashing his deep dimples and crinkling his freckled cheeks, looking every bit the part of a mischievous youngling rather than a grown male. It was so familiar to me for some reason.

“Ah, the beautiful Asher punched me square in the nose,” Bellamy said.

Idiot.

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