Page 75 of The Princess and the Demon

The courtyard was small, with a few blooming bushes and a wrought iron bench. It was small and walled off on all four sides by tall castle walls, but at least it was outside.

I walk around, leaning over to smell the flowers before sitting on the bench.

Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and I move to lay down, tucking my elbow under my head.

I don’t stop the hot tears that fall unbidden.

I missed Delyra, and I missed Amon.

Elora

I had no idea how long I slept, but when I woke it was dark as night. Startling, I sit up, looking around me before remembering where I was.

The courtyard was dark, but a faint glow filtered through the glass door from the corridor.

I stretch before placing my hands next to me on the bench. I let my head fall back, my eyes roving over the sky.

I gasp softly.

There’s stars here.

I didn’t see anything in the skies of Amon’s realm. No sun, no moon, and definitely no stars.

It was like the sky was always overcast.

It was refreshing, and I smile. It brought me a sense of peace. Like maybe I wasn’t as far away from home as I felt.

I didn’t hear the door open and close, nor did I hear the footsteps of the demon behind me.

A gentle hand brushes the hair away from my neck, and I start, turning to see Amon standing there, looking like a god.

His face is shrouded by shadows, but the amber depths of his eyes seemingly glow in the dim light.

“You’re back.” I breathe. Standing, I walk around the back of the bench to throw myself into his arms. He wraps his arms around me, lifting me from the ground and burying his face in my hair to inhale deeply.

I grasp his forearms as he sets me back on my feet.

“I heard you and Allocer hit it off.” He says, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. My eyes fall to his lips, and I lick my own.

When I look back up again, I notice his eyes have darkened significantly. Desire blooms within me.

“He’s wonderful,” I breathe, “You two are nothing alike.”

Amon chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist to pull me closer to him. “You noticed, huh?”

My heart skips a beat as he places a hand at the small of my back, pressing me against him gently.

“Allocer is more humanized than I am. He’s spent more time on Earth.” He brushes his lips across my temple.

“I’ve only ever dealt with people when I’ve had to.”

I listen, but my attention is on the way his thumb rubs up and down against the small of my back. I look up at Amon through dark lashes, searching the shadows in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from his face. Amon grasps my hand, bringing it to his lips. He doesn’t respond, instead planting soft kisses against my fingers.

Flattening the back of my hand to his palm, he lifts my hand to place it against his face.

My heart swells as I run my thumb over his cheek. He leans into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed.

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