Page 52 of The Princess and the Demon

Balial whips around to face me, her gaze hot. It softens a second later, and I wonder if what I saw was real or not.

“Well, I can assure you, he has.”

Warmth spreads through me at the comment, but I clear my throat, turning back around to reach for a small cloth draped over the side of the tub.

I start to scrub at my body, working from my face and neck downwards.

I don’t respond to Balail’s comment, and I can feel her eyes burning into the back of my head.

I hear her shift, and then her fingers settle on my shoulders as she leans down to whisper into my ear.

“I can talk to him for you.”

I still, and Balail reaches out, plucking the washcloth from my hand. She runs it over my arms and my chest, before dipping it into the water.

“Do- Do you think he can even be interested in someone like me?”

The question comes out before I can stop it, and I cringe inwardly.

“He’s more than interested, child.” Balail says, dipping the cloth to run it over my stomach. “Can you just imagine his hands on you?” She whispers, dipping the cloth between my legs.

I gasp, looking up at Balail with wary eyes.

She smirks knowingly.

“Once you have someone like us, a human lover will never be enough.”

I blush, dipping my head as my cheeks heat. I squeeze my thighs together, cursing my traitorous body.

“Listen, you might as well enjoy your… imprisonment.” She bites out the last word, shrugging. “It’s not like you’re going anywhere, so why not?”

I raise an eyebrow at her, but she had a point.

Why not?

What was the point of guarding my virginity?

I would never marry, never have children.

The life I thought I would have was a distant memory.

Actually…who was I fooling? I didn’t have a future with a doting husband and children. I was a princess. A bargaining tool at best.

Why shouldn’t I allow myself to enjoy the touch of a man that saw me for who I was?

Not a man…

A demon.

I shiver.

Balail was right. If I could convince Amon to become a lover, the nights might not seem so lonely.

I blush at the idea.

Balail tsks. “Come on now, no need to get all shy and princessy on me. I have just the gown for you. Tonight, you’re going to knock his claws off.”

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