Page 48 of Married to the Devil

I shrug. “It pays to have multiple informants in other territories who have been around for a long time.”

Stoneheart’s eyes narrow as if he’s going to demand to know my sources, but he holds back. He’s a careful beast. I’ll give him that.

No matter howflexiblethe situation is, becoming enmeshed with them is a conflict of interest.

16

STELLA

“That explainswhy Ariel thinks using violence won’t win over the territory,” I breathe. Poor Mom being stuck in that situation. I’m comforted that at this moment she’s having the time of her life with spotty cell reception. She deserves it.

My marriage of convenience pales in comparison. I just have a gargoyle who is as hot and cold as a spring day and a demon I want to clutch like a safety blanket.

I turn the gift from my husband in my hands. Stoneheart leans over me, and I still. The power of his body pulls my attention as he picks up the granola bar I dropped on the couch and offers it to me again, but I shake my head.

I’m hungrier to marvel at the gift in my hands than food. He frowns but tosses it to the coffee table.

The gem hums sweetly against my palms. Labradorite can be used for many things in charm making, but generally is thought to enhance intuition and bring strength during times of change. It’s a common gem that I’ve been needing to replenish my supply of, but I’d hesitate to cut up this one. It’s a high-quality piece with strong electric blue and contrasting black veining that just makes me want to marvel at it.

And it’s meaningful. Labradorite is a stone of transformation and clarity. It’s exactly what I’d have picked for myself to rival the last couple of days.

Is my husband trying to romance me?

I shake my head, needing to focus on our situation and what would be best for the territory rather than this confusing gargoyle. “She mentioned that our relationship needs to be viewed as solid.”

Stoneheart shrugs. “We expected that.”

“Everyone seems to know that we haven’t…done the thing.”

Ben coughs, and it sounds suspiciously like a cut off laugh.

Stoneheart rolls his eyes. “We won’t fuck just to put people at ease. If we give in to the demands of terrified people, there’s no telling where it will end.”

Apparently with a baby.I can’t quite let myself voice that sentiment. I’m still mulling it over. It’s not like I’m against the idea of having kids, but risk is biting at our heels. This is hardly a stable situation.

Sex, on the other hand, isn’t an unexpected requirement for our situation even if I don’t like other people dictating my actions outside of the dominance play I’ve done with this gargoyle.

“It seems childish not to,” I say. And strange to discuss this in front of Ben who seems on the edge of leaving us for the night, but I want this conversation to involve him.

I want him to be as interested in this as I am even if he does remind me how temporary he is at inconvenient moments.

Stoneheart arches a brow. “As you’ve told me a time or two, you are not a pawn to be dictated to. And I am not someone who will be forced into action to appease the crowd. There are other options than us hopping into bed together.”

“Like what?” Ben shuts his eyes like he regrets voicing his question. “Never mind. I should be going.”

“Stay.” Stoneheart sets his glass down and addresses me next. “Perhaps we can appease them a different way with your demon’s help. There are ways around shifter noses. No one is going to check who puts my seed inside you.”

I nearly drop the damn rock. “What?”

Does Stoneheart’s gaze dance, or is that a trick of the fire? “Don’t misunderstand me, wife. I do want to fuck you, but call me selfish in that I don’t want it to be to assuage the masses. Especially not your aunt. She’s received enough of a show.”

My lower body tightens when he mentions wanting to fuck me.

“But you’d use me to do that same thing.” Ben’s voice is husky with a mix of exasperation and humor.

Stoneheart’s lips twitch as if he’s satisfied that he’s drawn Ben into the conversation. “I didn’t say you had to fuck her, but she likes you more than she likes me, so it’s up to the two of you.”

Ben and my eyes meet, and I wet my lower lip, thinking. The nap took care of the worst of the energy drain from charm making, and in the presence of Stoneheart’s words, awareness enters my limbs. No one has even touched me yet, but my skin prickles with sensation. A longing echoes through me, hitting each surface of my soul and amplifying in force.

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