Page 14 of Magic and Mayhem

“It has nothing to do with my standards. But pardon me, princess, for being curious as to what substances are on your body while you’re inourbed.”

The way he saysourhas me clenching my jaw.

“I can just sleep on the floor.”

“Like Hell you will.” Eryx grabs my wrist, right over the mark that appeared with our deal.

An electric energy radiates from it, but I don’t want to give in to its pull. While the nature of it is enticing, it’s also terrifying.

Everything about him and this place is all consuming. I’m afraid if I explore it, then I’ll fall in so deep that I won’t find a way back out.

“I have no idea what ended up on me while I ran through the woods, fearing for my life and begging my body to keep taking the next step,” I practically shout in his face.

He doesn’t get angry, his eyes don’t turn cold, and his hold doesn’t become punishing. Instead, the demon fuckingsniffsthe air. “You should really try to watch where you’re running then.”

Ripping my hand free from his grasp, I try to create space between us.

“I hate you.” It’s just a whisper, but he grins like a maniac.

“Well, if this is hate I feel between us, then loathing couldn’t cover how I feel about you.”

I move away from him, refusing to think about his words as I begin crawling out of the bed, pushing back a thin veil to reveal a room decorated in the finest fabrics and textiles I have ever seen.

Did we teleport to a fucking palace or something?

Getting to my feet, I can’t help but be fully mesmerized by every detail. The firelight reflects upon gold surfaces and purple jewels, the flames dancing in the gems making the whole tent appear to be consumed with fire. It’s liketaking a step into the Milky Way, as if the galaxy itself were right here in front of me.

Just to check, I pinch myself. Eryx is behind me in an instant, batting my hand away.

“Why are you hurting yourself?”

“Because this has to be a dream.” My mouth is hanging open as my eyes struggle to take everything in.

Eryx sidles up closer to me and wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind. It’s oddly comforting, the heat of him warming me to my core.

“I made you a deal that I would give you a space fit for a queen. And I always follow through on my deals.”

The bookshelves surrounding a cozy couch make my chest squeeze with longing, but the steaming bathtub catches my eye. I can’t remember the last time I took a bath, if ever.

“Is that for me?”

He’s silent for a moment before turning me in his hold.

“Who else would it be for?”

I shrug and avert my eyes, a habit I developed with Master. He preferred I play dumb instead of defiant, but he also hated that too because he saw right through me.

“You.”

Eryx shakes his head. “No, Love. This space is yours. I will use it too, but it was created foryou.”

Emotions claw at my throat as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. I look away, trying to compose myself because this isn’t anything to cry over.

Sure, it’s all beautiful and one of the first nice things I can really remember anyone doing for me. So why am I crying? A single tear escapes, but Eryx wipes it away in an instant.

“Come on, Love. Let’s get you clean. Then, we can sleep.”

I want to fight him, to say no to all of this because it’s absurd. None of this can be real, it just can’t.

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