Page 9 of The Demon of the Wood

Was that humor in his voice?

She swung it again. “I will not bear your children of misfortune! Be gone!”

He stepped to the side, gesturing to the open door. “You’re welcome to leave, fair maiden. I have no intention of making you a broodmare.”

There was ire on his face now, and she trembled, true fear overcoming her, and a sob escaped her throat.

“I-I’m sorry,” she whispered, her old instincts from dealing with her uncle overriding any rational thought.

Apologize, keep your head down, do as you’re told.

His face softened, the look so human and kind she took a step back in surprise, her rear bumping against the stove. “Why are you sorry?”

She wasn’t sure, only that he was angry, and she didn’t want to be hit or hurt. She shook her head, blinking wildly. His shoulders relaxed, and he strode to her slowly. Her hands and legs trembled as he came nearer, and she closed her eyes. He carefully removed the skillet from her, their hands brushing, and a bolt of something unfamiliar and pleasant coursed through her. This would be her downfall. She would gladly surrender her virtue to him, and he wouldn’t have to force or manipulate her. Their powers truly were masterful.

“What is your name?” he asked.

She clamped her eyes shut tighter, balling her fist into the nightshirt. She realized this must be his nightshirt and her body filled with heat. It was surely indecent to be wearing a demon’s nightshirt, one he probably slept in, his bare body touching. She covered her face with her hands to hide the color on her cheeks.

“Melina,” she whispered.

“A pretty name. Mine is Kaemon.”

She nodded, so he knew she heard, but she still didn’t dare look. Couldn’t eye contact with them cause her to open herself to him? The finer details of their seduction were lost to her, but she’d never thought she’d meet one, much less be alone with one, in the woods, in a cabin.

When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Now tell me, Melina, where is your home? I can take you there.”

She peeked through her fingers at him and saw an amused expression. Her face paled. Would he try to kill her family with that knowledge?

The amusement fell off his face, a careful expression taking its place. “I see. You don’t have to tell me. If you wish, I can give you a cloak, food and water, and point you in whatever direction you desire to go home.”

She let her hands fall from her face. He stood almost a foot taller than her, his head craning down to gaze at her. There was a deep and stark sadness in his eyes, but his face was neutral. Other than his horns and wings, his appearance was not that of a monster. More like an angel of sorrow and she had to curl her hand at her side to keep from reaching up and touching his perfect face. She thought over his offer. He might follow her, but this was her best chance to leave and be done with his thrall. She nodded.

“Yes, please.” Her voice was barely more than a squeak.

He left her side to pull out a fine, if overlarge, fur cloak with a hood. He handed it to her, keeping his distance. She grabbed it away with a swift jerk of her hand, afraid of touching him again. He filled a leather pouch with water, then another one with nuts and smoked meat. Warring emotions fought to take the helm within her. A tenderness at seeing his care filled her.

Her very mouth watered at the sight of the food, and she cozied up in the fur cloak, feeling more warmth than she had in a long time. Kaemon made no move to harm or touch or seduce her, and it felt oddly calming. Calm was something she only felt in the presence of some men, like Mr. Collie. Suspicion still slithered through her, though. He could use care as manipulation. Gregory had seemed so kind at first, too. Her eyes pricked with tears, and she wiped them away, only to see Kaemon regarding her with compassion.

What an odd way for a demon to look.

She steeled her face. Surely it was a strategy. She knew demons were obsessed with impregnating their victims and she had no intention of being one. But he was letting her go. Her head swirled with so much information. She knew she needed to leave, and quickly.

Kaemon handed her the water and food, then mitts for her hands. They were so large that she could fit both of hers in one. He pulled out a small dagger, and she stepped back. It was contained in a leather sheath attached to a belt. He placed it over both his palms and held it out for her. She glanced from him to it skeptically. He pushed his hands closer, encouraging her to take it. She took it swiftly, pulling it back against her chest, and looked at him warily.

“To protect yourself in case you ever need it. You can hide it in your skirts.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He gave her a slight smile, then gestured for her to follow him out, pointing towards the forest behind the cabin. “That’s north. The city of Thon is that way.”

She stood in silence for a moment, at a loss. She’d already thanked him, and she should go home, but uneasiness filled her. He cocked his head to the side, as if waiting for her to say what was on her mind.

“Thank you, goodbye,” she said hastily, then turned and trotted towards the wood.

She trudged through the snow in the forest. Her footprints from the night before remained in the snow, with Gregory’s nearby. Her stomach turned, and she felt the despair like a heavy weight in her body. She realized she couldn’t go home. Many people had seen her at the tavern and leave with Gregory. It was at least mid-morning by now, so her uncle and cousins would have gone looking for her and heard about it. Maybe even hearing Gregory’s version of the story. They would never believe her, not over a man. And if she told them about the demon? It would not matter that she said he had done nothing to her. They would harm her or send her to the convent of the Holy Mother to cleanse her. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

The river wound off to her left, and she went to it. She had nowhere to go and no plan. Maybe Mr. Collie would help her, but for how long? She belonged to her uncle and even Mr. Collie would want her to go through the cleansing rituals in case Kaemon had done anything to her.

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