Page 41 of Ashes to Ashes

He hadn’t intendedto tighten his grip on her hand, but her words struck him off guard.

“You’d be by my side—ruling at my side. You would never lack anything, ” His voice trailed off as it should have been enough to convince her to stay.

And why do you want to stay here so badly?Leviathan scoffed at his thoughts.

She was stunning and one of a kind, it made perfect sense he wanted the halfling to stay. Her beauty and passion were previously unmatched from any realm. It made sense that she stayed. She would be a fair rival for the throne and one the other princes would agree to.

He’d not spent a great deal of time with her, but her presence was not unappealing to him. He had no doubt that in time,Leviathan would grow more attached to her, the way a human believed love to be.

For a demon it was more. It was an all-encompassing connection that many were too afraid to give. But not Leviathan. He told himself long ago if he ever found a demon that could be his equal, he would see to it that their lives were forever entangled.

Which is what you are attempting to do.

“I need more than that,” she replied honestly. “I need someone who loves me for me, not for what I can give them.”

“And what about what I can give to you? What I’ve already given to you—three times if I’m not mistaken.”

She did not smile as he’d assumed.

“The sex is amazing. It’s better than amazing with you, but I want to be more than a toy someone throws in his bed when he needs to spill his seed or prove he’s the most important.”

“You want someone who worships you,” he stepped closer, leaning down to speak directly into her ear so only she would hear his next words. “You want me to tell you that no other woman has drawn my eye except for the human version of you since the night I fucked you in front of half the kingdom.”

She shivered when his words brushed over her skin, and Leviathan found himself once again filled with the need to make her scream, this time behind closed doors where he could be the only one in envy.

“Do you feel that,” he took her hand and set it over his erection. “There’s only one creature that I will ever be envious of, and that’s myself knowing that for all eternity I will claim you as mine.”

She was silent, but the hitch in her breathing was what he needed to hear. The dilation in her eyes when he looked into them was damn near akin to her hand stroking over his cock.

“Stay here with you?” She asked, her eyes trying to look away from his.

“Stay here with me.” He was on the verge of grabbing her and tossing her where she couldn’t escape when a smile played over her lips.

“I think I need a reminder - what happened on the balcony that it would be enough for me to leave behind everything I know?”

His low growl was almost followed by a smile of his own. She was playing with him, leaning into a very different kind of torture than he ever employed himself, but one he was not opposed to.

“Those memories are absolutely not enough to make a decision with.”

CHAPTER 21

Leviathan’s massive body moved with the speed and agility of a bolt of lightning, effortlessly lifting Ashe from the ground and soaring toward the heavens. The rush of wind past their ears and the distant cries of crows were the only sounds. With each powerful wingbeat, they climbed higher and higher, leaving the world below them behind.

It wasn’t normal for him to wait for such approval, but there was something about Ashe that drove him to treat her differently. He never cared about humans before, but suddenly he wanted her to feel accepted for what she was and part of that was delicate and human.

The cold night air rushed past their faces, and Ashe held on tightly to Leviathan’s strong body, her nails digging into his skin. His heartbeat raced where she pressed against him and he wondered if she was afraid of heights or him. The stars twinkled above them like diamonds scattered across a pitch-black velvet sky, casting shadows against her features when he glanced down, curious to learn more about the compelling creature in his arms.

Landing gracefully on his balcony wrapped in gilded ironwork and ornate railings that overlooked the city below.Leviathan inhaled her rich scent, knowing now that she smelled of roses likely because she was, in fact, human.

He didn’t set her down as he opened the heavy wooden door to his bedroom and stepped inside. The room was lit by candles that flickered softly in dark onyx sconces, casting an ethereal glow over everything. Dark green drapes covered the walls, adorned with intricate embroidered designs of sinners being punished for their transgressions. In one corner stood a large four-poster bed, its black iron frame carved with images of writhing figures. In another corner, a marble tub filled with steaming water just big enough for two. Water he would cleanse her with when he was done.

“It’s very impressive in here.”

Leviathan glanced down at the human to see her eyes were drawn to the massive fireplace where hot coals glowed beneath a thick layer of ash, casting dancing shadows on the wall behind it. There were books upon books stacked around the room—tomes about magic and history and forbidden arts—as well as trinkets from different realms throughout time. He watched as her gaze moved to his sculptures. Some grotesque representations of demons feasting on human flesh while others showed demon lovers locked in passion.

“I may be a demon, but I am not without my riches.” He moved with deliberate steps toward the bed. “Riches that will be yours, should my reminder not be enticing enough to remain here.”

When he placed Ashe down on the bed, Leviathan couldn’t help but notice how painstakingly gentle he’d been. Something very unusual for him, but seemed right when dealing with Ashe.

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