Page 22 of Dating the Dealing Demon

“I told you. Mating magic. If you keep close, the rest of my injuries will heal as easily as yours did. My wounds are deeper so they’ll require more contact and more time.”

“Nuh uh, I’m not buying into this mystical mates connection thing. I get you’re used to people doing whatever you say, but I’m not falling at your feet just because you think we’re destined for each other.”

“The magic doesn’t lie. We wouldn’t have healed each other if we weren’t fated mates.”

“So that’s it? Bleed on you andpoof, we’re mates? You should’ve putthatin your messed-up matching contract.”

“True mating takes more than swapping blood.” He doesn’t offer information about whatever that extra might be, and I’m done playing by his tight-lipped rules.

I won’t allow myself to give in to the fact that snuggled up to a demon is the safest and best I’ve felt in a while despite the surreal situation.

If only my heart wasn’t so torn over leading my friends into a trap.

If only he’d been honest with me from the beginning—although I wouldn’t have believed him.

If only fated mates existed in the real world and he could be mine. I might even tolerate a fraction of his bossiness.

But no. I push away to stand, missing the heat of him and taking comfort in Monty flying so close. “You say mating magictakes more, but then you go all cryptic. That ends now. You want me to consider whatevermoreis? Well, your mom already made me a different kind of offer. She and I had a long chat. I know why you’re obsessed with finding a mate, and it has nothing to do with you getting a case of the insta-love when you saw me.”

He sits up. “Val, my mother?—”

“Nope, not finished. She made detailed promises with specific conditions. You want to talk about negotiating a real demon deal? You’re gonna need to go big.” I pause for a second to let that sink in. “Or your mom will help me go home.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Theo

Managing to make it through a shower, put on pants, and prop against the counter drained every bit of my strength. I could slide to the marble bathroom floor and sleep right here.

I hurt everywhere. The healing potion helped, but I knew the moment Val stopped touching me and took away the mating magic, that she was what made the real difference in me being able to function instead of being stuck in the infirmary downstairs.

She’s my mate.

I can’t let her go. Without her, there’s no way I’ll have a chance at keeping the kingdom intact once my father steps down.

My mother knows this. She helped my father take the crown with the two of them being fated mates. So what the hell kind of deal did she offer Val that would include us being kept apart? Does she hate the Bonetti family enough to jeopardize the futureof the throne? Or does she have a bigger reason behind her political machinations?

I put aside those questions for later. First, I need Val to tell me what the offer was so I can raise the stakes.

My mate takes that moment to yell from my bedroom. “Do you need help in there? If you say yes and I come in to find you naked, all talk of truce ends. I have a dagger with me, and I’ll finish whatever your family started in those fights earlier today.”

I let loose a long exhale. The Fates must hate me to match me with someone so determined to kill me. I still don’t believe she intends to hold to the temporary truce she offered after she threw down the challenge to make her a demon deal she couldn’t refuse. Her viciousness shouldn’t be so intriguing. Or so sexy. I can’t afford to show more weakness in front of this woman.

“I don’t need assistance,” I lie.

The door leading from the bedroom into the attached bath opens a few inches. Val’s face appears in the opening—gorgeous blue eyes, messy brown hair, long lashes, and the pouty mouth that makes me fantasize all sorts of devilish things. Despite the exhaustion that leaves me feeling as though I could sleep for a year, both my cocks rise in appreciation.

Until Montejanus flies into the space above her head. Nothing like a judgmental soul guardian who hates my kind to kill the mood.

“You look like shit,” my mate announces.

So much for good impressions.

At least she doesn’t wield a blade when she comes striding into the room—although she has one holstered against her thigh, and where did she find those shorts that barely cover her ass? The matching silky top dips over her chest in a tempting neckline that makes me imagine how her bare skin would look if I stripped the fabric off her. Of course, I’d have to be able todo more than prop against a countertop to take advantage of the situation.

“Come on.” She lifts my arm over her shoulder and takes hold of my waist. Gods, she smells delectable. Like sugar, soap, and warm spices mixed in the most seductive scent. “I’ll help you into bed. Then you’re on your own.”

Not if I can help it. I lean on her a bit more than I should. Who knew wet hair was a turn on? Apparently everything about my mate has my brain skipping to sex. Which won’t be happening anytime soon. I go with the most surefire way to kill my libido—discussing my mother. “Will you tell me what my mother promised you? It seems unfair to force me to bet against my own prior deal without knowing her counteroffer.”

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