Page 4 of House of Demons and Bones

Last time he’d carried me through that door, I’d been in heat, too lost in clawing at him to notice the view. Lust had ridden me hard, turning my brain to fog.

The canopy bed where we’d last mated was gone. I turned to find his eyes on me, blazing hot, and I knew he was remembering every filthy thing we’d done there. Heat flooded my core at the memory of our wild coupling. I pushed those erotic flashes away before they could sink their claws deeper.

My heart fluttered like trapped wings, and I forced myself to lower my gaze, afraid my eyes would give away everything I felt for him. Like I said, I wouldn’t make this easy. He hadn’t even started groveling yet. Even if he did, his betrayal wasn’t something I could just brush aside.

Sy’s hand flickered in the shadows, signaling her frustration at my stubbornness.

“This way,” Killian said, gesturing toward the table. His muscled forearm brushed mine, sending electric tingles across my skin and igniting that familiar ache in my core. The air between us whipped with tension.

Even with all this space on the rooftop, he’d found a way to touch me—a move too precise to be accidental. I jerked back even as every instinct screamed for me to jump on him, but I shoved down the urge, as I had another concern. I needed to stay sharp, keep this mating heat locked down tight before it could surge back and tear through me again.

A hint of a smirk played on his lips. The chaos heir always found my antics amusing, oblivious to his own bleeding wounds as he guided us to the round stone table circled by four chairs beneath a canopy of white blossoms.

I blinked. The ancient tree had definitely grown since my last visit, its branches heavy with dense clusters of flowers. Magic pulsed from its roots, reaching out to greet me. Through our connection, I felt Killian’s dragon stir, drawn to the magic of his realm.

The table was packed with platters of food. My stomach answered with a growl, my eyes lighting up at the feast. The familiar bite of mountain wind carried the scent of snow that now mingled with the metallic tang of blood.

“Stop,” I called.

Both heirs froze in their tracks, eyeing me warily.

“You two need to clean up first,” I said firmly, wrinkling my nose. “You’re bleeding everywhere, and it’s kind of killing the vibe. Do you know Japanese gentlemen always take off their shoes before they eat?”

The blank looks on their faces said it all. Rowan probably didn’t even know Japan existed. Fae had always hated humans, and before the Veil split their worlds apart, they’d warred endlessly. Now humans dismissed magic as stories and myths, which, honestly, worked out better for everyone.

As the most destructive species, humans had wiped out beings far more powerful than them and obliterated countless civilizations.

Only the Veil stood between the worlds now, but when magic failed, that barrier would crumble. Nothing would stop humans from pouring into this last pure realm. The immortals could face extinction.

But neither side had any idea that my father would devour both worlds when he came.

A wicked smile tugged up Killian’s sensual lips. “I’ve never claimed to be a gentleman, little scorpion. Rowan’s the one who plays nice just to get women into bed.”

Rowan flashed his fangs at Killian, as did Sy.

I left them to their drama and made a beeline for the table, dropping into a chair and sinking my teeth into a cream bun. The sweetness exploded on my tongue.

The knot in my chest loosened as I watched Killian and Rowan heal, their wounds closing like a video on fast-forward. Supernaturals could bounce back from almost anything, and these two were walking, talking regeneration machines.

I grabbed a mug of coffee that was liquid sugar with a splash of cream—exactly how I liked it. No black coffee for me, not since I’d learned that was serial killer fuel. After a long sip, my nerves settled.

I drink gin and whiskey like a real woman,Sy declared.

Yeah, you had your fun while I dealt with your hangover,I said.

The two heirs were still cleaning up.

“How the hell?” Rowan demanded.

“You’ll have to be more specific, Rowan,” Killian said lazily.

“You shouldn’t be able to open a portal alone,” Rowan accused.

It took all five princes’ combined power to teleport, but Killian had become more powerful. He could now slip between places solo—a secret he’d only shared with me.

Killian shrugged. “And yet I opened it alone.”

“What else have you held back from us?” Rowan’s voice dripped acid.

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