Page 90 of Chained to the Devil's Daughter

Searra

Iblinked against a blinding light. My throat was a dry, a hollow tube running through my chest to my belly, which ached like no hunger I’d experienced before. Blinking again, I tried to flex my heavy muscles. On the next blink, it wasn’t quite so bright but felt like I’d been wandering the void for days.

When did I fall asleep? A battle, my father. . . I had the distinct sense that Devil was dead but couldn’t recall the body. Nor could I remember seeing Ash’ren alive above it.

“A-Ash?”

There was a squeal nearby and then Fara’s worried face filled my vision. She bit her knuckle, tears quick to fall. “Searra!”

I tried to chuckle, but it devolved into painful coughs, my mouth too dry. I reached for Fara, who immediately grabbed a water cup from the bedside table. Fara brought the water to my lips, and I was grateful, for I could hardly hold up my head.

“I’ll send for your mate. He’s going to be pissed, he hasn’t left your side until half an hour ago. I finally convinced him to bathe! I feared his stench would affect your condition—well, erm, never mind that!” Fara faltered and replaced the empty cup. She rushed to the door to mutter hurriedly at the guard. Then she was back by my side, sponging at my forehead.

“How long?”

“You’ve been out for five days, Your Highness. Sir Ash’ren has been a complete mess.”

I snorted—well, tried to. I could only imagine his worried state. “And the others?”

“From what I’ve heard, your council of laborers and nobles have put their best feet into the dance. Only you would have envisioned something like this, my friend.”

I placed my hand atop Fara’s on my shoulder and sighed. There was only one more matter I needed information on, and Fara must have seen it on my face, for her tone went stony.

“Your father—”

“Firefly!”

Ash’ren barreled through the door. Fara jumped out of the way just in time as he dropped to his knees by the bed, grasped my hand in both of his, and kissed it, rubbing it with his head and nuzzling into my legs. Little trails of black leaked onto my lap.

“Ash.” I tugged his hand, and he climbed onto the bed by my side, manhandling me with special care until we sat against the headboard. The door clicked closed behind Fara, and I snuggled deeper into his arms, my head tucked below his chin as he ran his fingers over the messy leftovers of my braids. “What if we ran away?”

“Where would we go? The never-never land of fairytales?”

Unease pulsed through my sore body. The portal. What Devil had shown me. All that devastation where people used to live with their loved ones. Had my real family made it to some semblance of safety? I thought of the laborers taking refuge in the rings. Had any of theirs?

Ash’ren leaned back, tipping my chin to meet his earnest gaze. “It’s over, Firefly. Devil is gone. The book wouldn’t burn, but Geysis came up with a solution. It’s over.”

“What he showed us. . .” I bit my lip against the flood of emotions. “I thought I’d regret it, but I’m relieved. Even if the portal opens again, I don’t want to pursue it.”

Silently, Ash’ren rubbed his hand along my collarbone, compassion and understanding burrowing into my pores at his soft touch.

“Part of me will always grieve for the family I never got to know. But my family is here now. You, Geysis, Filly, Fara, and. . .” I quirked a brow and brought his hand to my stomach.

My mate’s eyes narrowed. “You knew?”

“I suspected. Wait, you know?!”

“The healer told me, all casual-like, right after saying you were battling your fucking soul.” He softened, casting a loving gaze downward to where he petted my stomach. “I’ll never be grateful to Devil for a flames-damned thing, but knowing you’ll have the lifespan of a demon, and I won’t have to watch you grow old before our children. . .”

Silence settled between us. I wasn’t willing to agree out loud. Honestly, if I did, it might be a lie. I wasn’t sure I could truly say I wasn’t grateful to Devil for a single thing, having known no other parent.

I cleared my throat. “So, in conclusion, since I’m pregnant, you have to rule in my stead while I frolic in the gardens like a buffalo in Lande. Your neck muscles are much stronger than mine for that flaming heavy crown, anyway.”

His thumb began loving circles on my belly. “No one will wear it, my love.”

“Hell can’t be a lawless place. That might be worse. Almost. Well, no.”

Ash’ren rolled aside to dig in the nightstand. “Hell needs its queen.”

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