Page 25 of Demonchild

“I saidleave it.” Then, in a softer voice he added: “I want him to watch.”

CHAPTER 14

“You want him towatch?”

“That’s right. I want him to see the expression on your pretty little face when I make you come.”

The words made Malissa’s cheeks fire with shame, but she obeyed. She didn’t dare defy Beliath, not now. She still could not see him, but a few moments ago, when she had mentioned Jaeger, she had caught a fleeting glimpse of the demon’s form, like a shadow towering above her, winged, horned, and huge.

Not the sort of creature she would want to anger.

Besides, it was only a painting.

She returned Wulfgang’s portrait to its previous position, leaning against one of the tall pillars of the darkstone ring, facing inward, toward the altar at the center.

“That’s better,” Beliath’s voice purred. “Now climb onto the altar and get on all fours. The time has come for you to be bred.”

Those words should have angered her, and perhaps they did a little, but her anger was not directed at Beliath. It was directed at her own body for the shameful way it responded to the demon’s crude command. The tips of her breasts stiffened and throbbed, and between her legs, desire leaked profusely.

“The altar,” Beliath growled. “All fours. Now.”

Shivering with fear and excitement, Malissa moved to the center of the circle and climbed onto the round altar on her hands and knees. Even though she could not see him, she could sensethe demon’s presence towering over her, exuding raw masculine power and domination.

“Turn around,” he said. “I want you to look your husband in the eye while I take you.”

“You wish to shame me,” Malissa said hotly.

“On the contrary, woman, I mean to free you of your shame. It is not part of our original agreement, but I am doing it as a favor—a favor I recommend you accept. Now, turn yourself round, wench. I’ll not tell you again.”

Malissa did as the demon told her. It was not fear of punishment that compelled her to obey. It was something in his dark, rumbling voice that made her want to be good for him, even if it meant her own damnation.

She turned and faced the portrait of Wulfgang. Though the image had not changed, the king’s expression seemed subtly different, as if he were appalled by what he was now witnessing.

Behind her, Beliath rumbled approvingly.

“Perfect.”

The demon’s opinion should not have meant anything to her. He was not her lover, and what he was about to do to her was not an act of love. It was an exchange, pure and simple—her life for his freedom. Nevertheless, Malissa could not deny the thrill of excitement that simple word of praise sent racing through her body. Her skin heated with anticipation, and her readiness leaked from her center, slick and warm.

Was the demon ready too? Malissa could not see him, but she knew that he was.

The altar trembled slightly as the beast took up his position behind her. He slowly lowered himself to his knees, and Malissa felt his enormous testicles glide against her backside. Then she felt the underside of his erect shaft, hard and thick and throbbing with arousal.

Malissa shivered and gasped aloud.

“Are you afraid?” Beliath asked as his hands settled around her hips. “Tell me the truth, wench.”

Malissa nodded. “I am.”

“Why?”

There were any number of perfectly good answers she could have given to that question. It was the witching hour, and she was alone in a clearing in the middle of the woods, surrounded by ancient stone pillars and flickering candles, with an invisible demon who was every bit as naked as she was, and every bit as aroused. Before the night was over, his seed would be inside her, and she would be damned for all eternity.

But the real source of Malissa’s fear—theimmediatesource—was much simpler than that, and much more shameful.

“It’s so…big,” she whispered.

Behind her, Beliath chuckled.

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