Page 13 of Magic and Mayhem

How mates are formed is complex and unique to each demon. I don’t even know what would need to happen for our bond to be sealed, but it is supposed to come naturally. So long as neither of us fights the pull between us, then it will make itself known.

As I walk up to the bed and stare at Evolet’s sleeping form, I can’t help but think that she might try to fight the mating bond binding us together.

She didn’t cower from me, and the only time she screamed was when she thought my flames would hurther. I have this feeling that they don’t wish her harm, though.

They’re drawn from me to her, like calling to like. It’s as natural as rain falling when a forest thirsts for water. Knowing who she is to me now has made it clear why my powers reacted so wildly.

My flames wanted to go to her, to caress her and accept her as one of its commanders. That’s why it kept wrapping itself around her even when she tried to push away.

It’s likely why I lost control. The fire that lives inside me felt its mate, its other half, and it was determined to bond with its commander.

I lay next to her, my body feeling complete with her skin pressed to mine. Reaching out, I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers grazing her cheek and admiring her beauty—the freckles on her nose, the slight pink of her lips, and her dark eyelashes. I memorize every detail, soaking in her beauty and this moment.

When she begins to stir, that stale scent of blood lingers in the air. But I tasted her life force, and it’s not just her blood in here with us.

Sitting up with a startle, I growl deep in my chest, the shift of my demon wanting to take over so badly that my skin burns. Evolet wakes, pushing herself up to look me right in the eyes.

I try to cover up my anger at the thought of someone else’s blood on her, but it won’t listen to me.

“What is it?” she asks, her sleepy voice dazed and confused.

My hand wraps around her throat, pulling her close to me as the beast within tries to claim her.

“Whose blood is on your skin?”

Her hand touches mine on her neck, trying to pull me off. But I can’t give her control. I need an answer and fast, before my true form shows itself and she never wants to be in the same room with me again.

“Tell me who, Evolet. Or I swear the world will fucking burn until they are dead.”

Her large, dark eyes widen, the galaxy of purple in their depths swirling with spite and defiance.

“The man who tortured me for as long as I can remember. Mymaster.”

I breathe through my nose, trying not to let my flames loose because Ijustcreated this space for her, and I would hate to turn it all to ash again.

But thatname, the way she says it with fear, and the scent of her terror in the air, makes it impossible to breathe. And contrary to popular belief, demons do need to breathe.

Evolet reaches up, her thumb sliding over my jaw, aiding to slow my racing heart. The panic within her begins to fade as she draws closer to me, my hand now just a light hold on her neck.

“Why do you need to know?”

My forehead presses to hers and my arms fall limp at my sides. She pulls back, hesitant to move towards me again.

And as much as I want to sweep her into my arms and tell her she’s destined to be mine, I can’t. Not yet. So I say the only rational thing that comes to mind.

“Because you smell weird.”

Chapter 5

“I smell weird?”

I thought I would wake up on the floor covered in glass with my body aching, but apparently this dream about a demon that looks like he wants to devour me was true.Well, for now at least.

Waking up to the sound he made had my chest aching, but once I saw that he wasn’t going to harm me, I relaxed. Then he said I smelled weird.

Is this all a joke?

“I’m sorry I don’t live up to your standards,” I quip, biting back in reflex before wanting to flinch away. These retorts in my head never come out of my mouth; Master would beat me for them. But for some odd reason, with Eryx, I don’t hold back.

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