Page 24 of Demon's Prey

Dazirus's arms snake around me, pulling me against his chest. My breath catches, his warmth seeping through my clothes. The fireflies dance around us, their crimson glow painting shadows across his face.

"Do you like it?" His breath tickles my ear. “I had a feeling you might fancy it.”

I swallow hard, trying to steady my racing heart.

"It's beautiful," I whisper. “Thank you, Dazirus.”

“You are most welcome,” he whispers, breath soft as velvet against my skin.

His body presses against mine, solid and unyielding. The contrast between his strength and the delicate beauty surrounding us makes my head spin. I feel drunk on sensation - the cool night air, the pulsing light of the fireflies, the heat radiating from Dazirus.

"Why are you showing me this?" I ask again, my voice barely audible.

His arms tighten slightly, and I feel the rumble of his voice in his chest.

"Maybe I wanted to show you that beauty still exists, even in the darkest places."

I close my eyes, overwhelmed. Part of me wants to melt into his embrace, to forget everything but this moment. But I can't. I won't.

"I can't afford to think about beauty," I say, my voice stronger now. "Not when there's so much ugliness I need to face."

Dazirus doesn't let go. His thumb traces small circles on my arm, sending shivers down my spine.

"The two aren't mutually exclusive, Narina,” Dazirus says. “Sometimes, acknowledging the beauty makes facing the darkness easier."

I turn in his arms, looking up at him. His crimson eyes reflect the dancing lights around us, making them seem alive with fire.

"How can you say that?” I demand. “You're a demon. Aren't you supposed to revel in darkness and pain?"

A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth.

"We're more complex than your stories make us out to be.” He says with a shrug. “Just as humans are capable of great evil, demons can appreciate beauty and kindness."

Dazirus takes my chin gently in his clawed hand, lifting my gaze to meet his own.

"You're a novel experience for me, Narina. Something that brings color to my world." His crimson eyes search mine, intense and questioning. "What are you, Narina?"

Before I can form a response, he steps closer. His hand slides around my waist, warm and sure. My heart races as his gaze locks onto mine, unyielding and filled with an emotion I can't quite name.

Then, without a word, he kisses me. It's slow, deliberate - a mix of passion and restraint that sends shivers down my spine. His lips are soft yet demanding, coaxing a response I'm not sure I'm ready to give.

My mind spins as Dazirus's lips move against mine. The warmth of his body, the intensity of the kiss - it's overwhelming.I don't know what to do, how to react. My hands hover uncertainly, caught between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

As the kiss deepens, a whirlwind of emotions sweeps through me. Fear tightens my chest - he's a demon, dangerous and unpredictable. Confusion clouds my thoughts - why is he doing this? What does it mean?

But there's something else, something I'm afraid to name. A spark of heat low in my belly, a fluttering in my chest that has nothing to do with fear. My body betrays me, leaning into his touch even as my mind screams to pull away.

Is this because of the contract? Has our bond twisted my emotions, making me feel things I shouldn't? Or is this something else entirely?

I break the kiss, gasping for air. My lips tingle, and I can still taste him - spice and something darker, intoxicating. I search his face, looking for answers, but find only more questions in the depths of his crimson eyes.

"What are you doing?" I whisper, my voice trembling. "Why are you acting this way?"

Dazirus's hand cups my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower lip. The gentleness of the gesture contrasts sharply with everything I thought I knew about demons.

"I told you, Narina. You're something new, something I've never experienced before."

His words should frighten me, but instead, they send a shiver down my spine. I'm torn between desire and duty, between the warmth of his touch and the cold reality of why I'm here.

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