Page 12 of Sins of the Succubus

I decide it's time to intervene. Striding over, I clear my throat loudly. They both turn, startled by my sudden appearance.

"Pardon the interruption," I say smoothly. I turn to Neela, meeting her wary gaze. "I'd like to request your companyprivately. For the entire night." I produce a hefty pouch of coins, its weight substantial. "I trust this will suffice?"

Her husband's eyes widen at the sight of the money. He practically salivates, reaching for the pouch. Pathetic. He has no idea of the true treasure standing right beside him. I pull it back, addressing Neela directly.

I hand the pouch of coins directly to Neela, ignoring her husband's greedy gaze. Her eyes widen as she feels the weight of it.

"This is... a lot," she says, her voice a mix of surprise and suspicion.

I lean in close, my voice low and intimate. "You're worth every coin, darling. Now, shall we find somewhere more private?"

Neela hesitates, glancing at her husband. He nods eagerly, practically shoving her towards me. I resist the urge to snap his neck for treating her like property. Instead, I offer Neela my arm, which she takes tentatively.

I follow Neela into the private room, my eyes never leaving her slender form. She moves with a grace that belies her human appearance, further confirming my suspicions about her true nature. As soon as we're inside, she makes a beeline for the window, her fingers trembling slightly as she draws the heavy curtains shut.

I turn and lock the door with a soft click. The sound seems to snap Neela out of her daze. She whirls around, her feline eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and anger.

"You're not the man I thought you were," she spits, her voice trembling with emotion.

I can't help but chuckle, the sound low and menacing. "Oh, darling. I'm no man at all."

With those words, I allow my glamour to fade. My form shifts and grows, skin darkening to a deep crimson, horns sproutingfrom my forehead. Wings unfurl from my back, stretching to their full span in the confines of the room.

Neela's eyes widen, a small gasp escaping her lips. "What... you really are a demon?"

"Do not compare me to your pathetic mortal husband," I growl, my voice now a deep, otherworldly rumble. "And you, my dear, are so much more than you realize."

I take a step towards her, noting how she doesn't cower or run. Instead, she stands her ground, chin lifted defiantly.

"What do you mean?" she demands, her voice steadier now.

I reach out, my clawed hand gently cupping her face. "You are magnificent."

"Don't lie to me," she hisses and, for the first time, there's a tremble in her chin. She bites her pouty bottom lip before snapping her head in a different direction. "You led me to believe that you were different, that you wanted something other than… this."

She makes a defeated gesture at her body.

Incredulity flashes through me, setting my blood ablaze with a mixture of anger and indignation. How dare she think so little of herself? I've seen worlds forged from less fire than the one that burns within her. It's time she sees it too.

I close the distance between us in a single stride, my hand reaching out to grasp her slender wrist. She gasps, her eyes widening as I pull her against me. Her body is rigid with surprise, but I can feel the rapid thrum of her heartbeat, a rhythm that matches the fervor coursing through my own veins.

"Never," I growl, my voice a low rumble that echoes off the walls of the room, "speak of yourself that way again."

Before she can respond, I capture her lips with mine. The kiss is fierce and claiming, a brand that sears away any doubt of my intentions. She's rigid for a moment, then her body melts intomine, her hands fisting in the fabric of my shredded shirt as she kisses me back with a hunger that's been starved for far too long.

I break the kiss, my breath coming heavy as I stare into her wide eyes. "I haven't lied to you, not even once," I say, my voice firm. "You are magnificent, Neela, and I will do whatever it takes to prove it to you."

She tries to pull away, her lips parting to utter another denial, but I won't allow it. I kiss her again, harder this time, my hands roaming over her body, mapping out every curve and contour. She moans, then trying to cover her mouth in shock.

I growl, my voice a low rumble that reverberates through the room. "Let me hear you, Neela. Every sound, every breath. Don't hold back."

Her eyes widen, a mix of defiance and desire swirling in their depths. "You're a liar," she hisses, her breath hot against my skin.

Without warning, I scoop her up, my hands gripping her thighs. She gasps, instinctively wrapping her legs around my waist. I press her against the wall, my lips finding the soft skin of her neck.

"Liar?" I murmur between kisses. "I may be a demon, but I'm not scum like your husband."

Neela stiffens in my arms, her nails digging into my shoulders. "Don't," she snaps. "I don't want to talk about him."

---