Page 64 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“Can she at least portal?” Bellamy asked, his voice breaking. The way he said it did not sound angry any longer, but rather fearful and grief stricken. Ranbir offered a hesitant nod, and that was all it took for the demon to haul me up once more. “You can all meet us one mile past the edge of the forest, we will be far enough out that setting up camp there should be safe. Just head to the Northwest sector of Sophistes.”

And then we were gone, the feeling of time and space ripping my body apart, sending shockwaves of pain through me. When we landed outside of the Forest of Tragedies, I nearly heaved up the hefty dinner Calista had fed me earlier in the night.

Had that truly been this evening? It felt as if it were days ago. The events of late have weighed on me like decades rather than mere weeks. That small voice in my head reminded me that it would only get worse. It was right of course.

“Rest, Princess. You are safe,” Bellamy whispered to me, his breath a caress against my hair. My enemy, the one I should despise, but still somehow found myself comforted by. Though I knew he had been truthful about the royals, I also was well aware that he had plenty of his own lies and half-truths.

If I had been born here, or he had been born in my realm, then I think Eternity would have brought us together. Instead, we were placed on opposing sides, bred to battle one another. And no matter what revelations I had, there was still a nagging thought, or perhaps a premonition, that only one of us would survive.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Bellamy scouted out the best area he could find about a mile from the forest edge. When he finally decided on a spot, I promptly sat in the grass, hugging my knees to my chest and trying to resist thinking. Or feeling. As much as I hated to admit it, Bellamy was a good companion. He let me be, content with giving me the space I needed. The demon asked nothing of me other than to drink water.

I sat there, staring at the star-filled sky while he made a fire, casting a dull light to break through the darkness. Then I watched as he somehow wove shadows into shelter and bedrolls. Words were inadequate to explain my utter shock at the magic. Bellamy must have noticed, because he let out a low chuckle and a quick explanation.

“Think of it like portaling, but rather than using the raw magic to transport myself, I am calling onto items I have laced with my essence.” He smirked, the first smile I had seen from him since we entered the forest. It seemed he was over my near-death experience now that we put some distance between us and the battle grounds.

In fact, the demon looked almost energized. As if the fight had recharged his spirit. Or maybe, based on the way his eyes raked over me, it was the fact that we were alone. He was sorely mistaken if he thought anything would happen between us again. Ever.

“You better stop looking at me like that. If not for the fact that I have the distinct urge to murder you, then simply because I have somehow vomited more in the last couple of weeks than in my entire life, and I just might do so once more.” Bellamy’s stare suddenly felt heavier, full of concern. I could not stand seeing him look at me that way, with fake compassion. “Do not think I am unaware that you are the common factor, demon.”

It seemed nothing could break his mood. Instead of responding, he simply pointed to the largest tent in the clearing. I looked over at it, raising a brow.

“Are you telling me to go to my room, Your Highness?” I asked with an eye roll.

“Merely suggesting. If not to rest, then to wash up. As much as I would love to clean every inch of you with my tongue, I imagine you would prefer the hot water.”

His gaze raked over me once more, making my skin flush and my stomach knot. Then he was up, walking over to the tent right next to mine. I counted five in all, which meant I would likely be sharing with someone, but as long as it was not him, then I would be fine.

“There is warm water inside,” he said over his shoulder.

I got up, my body cracking with each movement. The training had left me sore, but the fighting had done no favors. It seemed Ranbir’s power did not extend to discomfort. I made my way to the tent, parting the fabric and stepping into a wonderfully warm enclosure.

There was a cot on either side, furs piled on top of both, and a small bath in the center. I struggled to see with the lack of light. I would need to either bathe in the dark or take a chance with allowing the flap to remain open. Unwelcome thoughts tended to find me without the light, so I opted for leaving them open.

I made quick work of the bath, which had warm water as Bellamy had said it would. My stare stayed trained on the opening of the tent, not trusting the demon to keep his eyes to himself. But he did, not once walking by the entrance.

When I was done, I dressed myself in the long-sleeved tunic and thick trousers that were folded in the corner, both all black. I could not find any undergarments apart from a small band that would support my breasts, which would have to do. I laced up my boots and latched my cloak before once more finding my way outside. Bellamy sat there, facing the fire with a small pile of dried meat next to him. I quickly swiped a piece as I passed, opting to sit across from him. Every part of my body cried out when I bent over to sit, a groan leaving my lips.

“The only moans that would escape that pretty mouth would be of pleasure if I had anything to say about it,” he said, standing and moving towards me like a predator on the hunt. My eyes grew large, his insinuation sparking a fire in my core that I had been steadily snuffing out.

Stupid demon was being far more bold tonight than normal.

“In your wildest dreams you would still never have me beneath you,” I hissed at him. Of course, that wicked smile appeared, as if he enjoyed the chase. Despite that, he still seemed to be assessing me, checking my wellbeing. Was he distracting me with banter?

“Well I can definitely confirm that you are wrong, but that is beside the point. You owe me your thoughts,” he said, closing the distance between us and sitting beside me.

Black smoke curled around my shoulders, the smell of him stronger. For a moment I thought he was going to dump me somewhere, but then the smoke suddenly had weight to it. As it disappeared, a blanket emerged, covering my body.

I looked at him, noting the crinkles at his eyes and his soft smile. Who admits to having sexual fantasies about someone to their face, and then smiles like that? His confidence with me was jarring, as if he was just waiting patiently for me to submit.

Clearly, he thought that he was some irresistible prince that even his prisoner would fall for. He was sorely mistaken. Two could play at that game, and I did not plan on losing.

“You want to know what I am thinking?” I asked in a sultry voice. I allowed my eyes to float down to his lips, not having to fake the response of my body. I had tasted him before, and I knew that if I did it again, I would not be able to stop.

The demon gave a nearly imperceptible nod, his body otherwise stiff. Arousal radiated off of him when I leaned in, my own breath quickening. I maintained a slow pace, stopping just inches before our lips touched.

Heat filled the air between us, and I knew that I had him, though I also had myself unfortunately. A quick glance down told me that he was eager to see what I would do next, his leather pants straining against the size of him already.

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