Page 65 of The Female

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.” His hushed words make my heart race.

I gulp, nodding for him to continue.

“Before I tell you, I want to promise that Silas will be with you the whole time and he won’t let anything bad happen,” he starts, his words only worsening my anxiety. “There’s an annual gathering tonight. It’s essentially a dick-measuring contest among the demon leaders. Word’s gotten out that Aziel bought you, and it’s expected you make an appearance.”

Gray grabs my hand, his grip tight as he pulls it to his mouth and presses a soft kiss to my knuckles. I try not to let my nerves show as I sit up.

“Where is it?” I ask.

This isn’t ideal, but it’s far from the worst thing I’ve ever had to do. I trust Gray and Silas to keep me safe, and I knew I’d be expected to interact with others at some point.

Gray grimaces, his expression making my heart race. Why does he look so nervous? I tighten my grip on his hand, already knowing I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.

“It’s held in Lust this year, which I’m sure you’ve gathered is where I’m from. I, well… There’s something I haven’t told you.” Gray frowns and shoves a piece of hair out of his face. “Asmod, the king of Lust, is my dad. He’s got like a thousand children and I’m far from being one of the oldest, so it’s not a big deal, but being a direct descendant means they’ll be keeping a close eye on me. I need to keep my distance from you tonight.”

My blood runs cold. If he’s not going to be accompanying me, then who? He mentioned Silas would be with me the whole time, but his wide, panicked eyes and nervous explanation tell a different story.

I gnaw at my bottom lip. The story is Aziel purchased me. I shake my head, refusing to believe it. There’s no way he’d ask me to go with Aziel. The Wrath threatened to send me to an incubi den the last time he saw me.

“Who am I going with?” I ask, wanting verbal confirmation of my assumption.

Gray’s hand tightens around mine. “Aziel. But Silas has promised to remain by your side the entire night, and you only need to stay for an hour or so. Silas will stay with you until I come back later. He’s promised.” Gray sounds almost nervous.

My anger flares, and I scramble back in bed to put some distance between us. Aziel has already threatened to hurt me, and I highly doubt he’s one to make empty promises. I’m not dumb enough to believe Gray or Silas could hold back the Wrath should he decide to attack me.

“Why can’t you take me? You don’t live in Lust anymore, and you don’t have to listen to everything they tell you to do,” I snap.

Gray reaches for me but freezes when I jerk away from his touch. He sighs as I wiggle out of bed and put more space between us, and he politely averts his gaze as I realize I’m naked. I rip the sheet from the bed and wrap it around myself.

“Because they won’t ask, Charlie. They’ll grab and teleport you to some hidden location before taking turns raping you until you’re a shell of a fucking person. The issue isn’t me not listening to them. The issue is they don’t respect me.”

My jaw clenches, and I push down my fear so I can continue being angry. “And what’s the difference if Aziel takes me?” I ask, knowing there isn’t one.

Gray scoffs before sitting up and throwing a pillow at the wall. “Because people don’t fuck with Aziel. What do you want me to say, Charlie? I’m a weaker demon and don’t command the same respect that he does. Do I need to spell it out for you? Aziel is strong. People don’t touch what’s his. I am not. I can barely teleport you places, and my family won’t think twice about stealing you away if they know you’re mine.” Gray’s cheeks turn red as he voices his insecurity.

I lick my lips, remembering the story he shared with me yesterday. His family already took away one woman he cared for.

Gray grabs the comforter at the end of the bed and yanks it over his lap. The visible vulnerability cracks my anger, and I find myself suddenly desperate to console him. He refuses to meet my eye as I climb on his lap, but he still opens his arms and welcomes me into them.

His shoulders slump as he pulls me into a hug.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I promise Aziel isn’t going to hurt you,” Gray murmurs, kissing my temple. “He has to go because he’s the king of Wrath, and I have to go because Asmod is my dad. If we don’t make an appearance, the other leaders will find some reason to come here and inspect our relationship themselves.”

I sigh. I still don’t like this. “Can’t you just turn them away?”

Gray shakes his head before tightening his arms and pulling me further into his lap. “Not if we want to keep the peace. You must understand the influence Aziel holds. He’s a king, and he must maintain good relationships with the other royals. He’d be doing bad by his people if he didn’t.”

As much as I’d love to pretend I don’t understand and continue arguing, I know what Gray says is the truth. Aziel has responsibilities, and by extension, so do Gray and Silas. I suppose that means I do, too.

“Silas and I tried to get them to postpone, but too much was already in motion,” he says. “I was avoiding telling you until I got a final confirmation, which just happened to be yesterday afternoon. And with our date, I was scared to ruin the mood by telling you beforehand.”

I nod, having no response. I know I don’t truly have a say in this, and if I continue my arguing, it will do nothing but stress both Gray and me out. It’s just one hour. I can suck it up for one hour.

“Do you want to see the dress I picked out while you were sleeping away the morning? It’s very expensive and very comfortable,” Gray whispers into my ear, his attempt to lighten the mood incredibly apparent. “And if you let me, I’d love to do your hair. I’ll deny this if you ever bring it up in public, but I went through a cosmetology phase about seventy years ago and am pretty good at an updo.”

I choke back a laugh, my interest piqued as I pull back and look into Gray’s eyes for the truth. He seems nothing short of earnest, his eyebrows raised as he waits for my response.

This man is such an enigma. Not having the heart to tell him what was fashionable seventy years ago is no longer going to be popular today, I agree to his request. He’s clearly excited, and it’s not like I’d be able to do any better. The most I’ve ever done to my rat’s nest is throw it up in a loose, scraggly braid.

---