Page 28 of Demon's Prey

"Won't I get burned?" I ask.

He chuckles, the sound sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

"Only if they want you to." He replies.

Swallowing hard, I approach the nearest horse. Its eyes, burning embers in the night, regard me curiously. Slowly, I reach out, my fingers trembling as they make contact with its fur. It's impossibly soft, warm but not scorching. A small gasp escapes me.

"They're beautiful," I whisper, unable to hide my awe.

Dazirus' hand appears in my periphery, outstretched towards the carriage.

"Shall we?" He asks.

I take it, allowing him to help me up into the coach. The interior is a shock of crimson velvet, softer than anything I've ever felt. As Dazirus climbs in beside me and shuts the door, I can't help but marvel at the luxury surrounding us.

The carriage lurches forward, and my stomach drops. We're moving at an impossible speed, the landscape of Glacies blurring into a smear of dark colors outside the window. I grip the velvet seat, my knuckles white.

"How are we moving so fast?" I gasp, unable to tear my eyes away from the dizzying view.

Dazirus lounges across from me, utterly at ease.

"We are not bound by your mortal limitations." he says.

I swallow hard, trying to quell the nausea rising in my throat. A thought strikes me.

"Wait, why don't you just teleport us to Saturus' lands?” I ask. “Wouldn't that be faster?"

Dazirus raises an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his crimson eyes.

"My, aren't we impatient?” He asks. “It's considered quite rude to teleport into another demon's fiefdom without permission. Not to mention illegal."

I huff, crossing my arms.

"How long will this journey take, then?"

"Many hours," he replies, stretching languidly. "We have quite a distance to cover."

My heart sinks. Hours trapped in this carriage with him? I can barely handle being in the same room for five minutes.

"You can't be serious," I groan. "There has to be a faster way."

In an instant, Dazirus is beside me, his face inches from mine. My breath catches in my throat.

"Oh, I'm very serious," he purrs, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "But I'm sure we can find a way to pass the time."

Before I can react, his lips crash into mine. The kiss is fierce, hungry, stealing the air from my lungs. My mind screams at me to push him away, but my traitorous body responds, heat blooming in my chest.

I smooth down my dress, fingers trembling as I try to erase the evidence of our... activities. Dazirus' hand remains on my thigh, a possessive weight that both thrills and unnerves me. His claws flex, pricking my skin through the fabric. A reminder of what he is. Of what I've become entangled with.

"Don't tell him we're coming," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "I want to surprise Claudia."

Dazirus raises an eyebrow but nods.

"As you wish." he relies.

The carriage slows, and my heart races. This is it. After all this time, all the pain and sacrifice, I'll finally see Claudia again. My palms are slick with sweat as I peer out the window.

And there she is.

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