Page 47 of The Demon's Secret Baby

I can't stop this unease rooting through me, begging me to answer, how well do I really know her? I spent a week with Zylpha before she disappeared, and I assumed she was kidnapped by those minotaur but she was walking across the deck — free and unchained — when I saw her.

Have I been played for a fool?

She takes a step back, her hand instinctively moving to where I know she keeps a hidden dagger. The gesture only fuels my anger.

"It's not what you think," she snaps, her voice tight with emotion. "You have no idea what just happened here."

I advance on her, my towering form casting a shadow over her smaller frame. "Then enlighten me," I snarl, baring my fangs. "Because from where I'm standing, it looked like youwere awfully close with a demon who's made no secret of his ambitions."

Zylpha's face flushes with anger, her green eyes flashing dangerously. "How dare you," she hisses, jabbing a finger into my chest. "After everything we've been through, you think I'd betray you? Betray our family?"

Her words sting, but the image of Azrathel's hand on her face is seared into my mind. It does something to me, unleashing the pit of anger and violence that appeared when she disappeared.

This woman is the only one that can get under my skin and make me act this way.

I grab her wrist, my grip firm but not painful. "Then why was he touching you?" I demand, my voice dropping to a low, menacing growl. "Why did he look so damn pleased with himself?"

Zylpha tries to wrench her arm free, but I hold fast. "Let go of me," she says, her voice trembling with anger and.. fear? "You're not thinking clearly, Volezimir. You're letting your jealousy cloud your judgment."

Her accusation cuts deep, and I release her arm as if burned. We stand there, chests heaving, the air between us crackling with tension. I can see the hurt in her eyes, mirroring my own, and for a moment, I falter. But the doubt, the fear of losing everything I hold dear, surges back.

"Tell me the truth," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "What did Azrathel want?"

"He didn't want anything," she snaps, and I snarl at the response. "He wanted to come over here, to mess with you, and it's working!"

I glare at Zylpha, my chest heaving with barely contained rage. "That's why he was so cozy? Why you were letting him touch you like that?" I take a step closer and she steps away tokeep the distance. "Why you keep staring at him, talking about him, every time he is around?

Zylpha's face contorts with disbelief. "Are you serious? I was watching him because he was staring at us all night! I was trying to protect our family!"

"Protect?" I scoff, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that what you call letting him put his hands on you?"

"He threatened us, you idiot!" Zylpha shouts, her eyes blazing. "Even you have said as much."

My mind reels, but the jealousy and fear won't let go. "And why should I believe you? I barely know you, Zylpha! A week together before you disappeared for years, and I'm supposed to trust you completely?"

The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them. Zylpha's face crumples, tears welling in her eyes. "How dare you," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I endured years of captivity, raised our son alone, and you have the audacity to question my loyalty?"

"And how do I know that's even true?" I roar, my demonic nature surging to the surface. "You were walking free when I found you on that ship! How do I know you weren't working with them all along?"

Zylpha recoils as if I'd struck her. "You think I'd willingly stay away from you? That I'd choose that life for our son?" Her voice rises, matching my intensity. "You have no idea what I've been through, what I've had to do to keep Kaelox safe!"

"And you have no idea what it's like to live in this world!" I snarl back. "The constant threats, the politics, the danger that surrounds us every day! How am I supposed to protect you both when you won't even tell me what's going on?"

Our shouting echoes through the garden, neither of us noticing the small figure that's appeared at the entrance. It'sonly when a potted plant crashes to the ground that we turn, seeing Kaelox standing there, tears streaming down his face.

"Stop it!" he cries, his little hands balled into fists. "Stop!"

To our horror, we watch as various objects around the garden begin to levitate – rocks, gardening tools, even a small bench. They shake violently in the air, mirroring Kaelox's distress.

"Kaelox," Zylpha gasps, taking a step towards him. But her movement seems to upset him further, and a pair of pruning shears whizzes dangerously close to her head.

I move instinctively, pulling Zylpha behind me. "Son," I say, trying to keep my voice calm despite the chaos. "It's okay. We're not fighting anymore. You need to calm down."

But Kaelox just shakes his head, more objects rising around him. "No fighting!"

Mara drops down to a kneel next to him, looking up at me. "I'm sorry. He wanted to see the gardens, and I didn't…I didn't realize."

I shake my head, looking over my shoulder back at Zylpha. "It's okay, Mara. We're finished now."

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