Page 59 of Devil's Doom

No one respects me here, and they have their reasons.

“But?” I ask.

He tops off his goblet, black claws clicking against the crystal.

“But I know you. You are strong, capable, and you learn fast. You have sharp instincts when it comes to people. You will prove them wrong, and when that happens, I won’t allow you to speak of me the way you just did. These are narrow-minded people, Jaga. They have certain expectations of what power and authority mean. A god who lets a woman have his blood does not meet those expectations, and if you keep running your mouth, it might weaken my position. Now that you’re on my side, try not to work against me.”

He drains his goblet and sends it away, his gaze lingering on my face. I am flabbergasted. Not only does he sound reasonable, explaining things patiently for my sake, he’s also very open about how I can hurt his interests. It’s a trap, but I don’t see the trick.

“Am I on your side, though?” I ask, considering his words. “And you? Are you on my side?”

His sharp, white teeth flash in a roguish smile. “Had it been anyone else boasting they mademetheir blood bag, I would have snapped their spine in half. Consider my restraint to be proof of my loyalty. I am on your side as long as you don’t hurt my goals. As for you, my love, answer that yourself. Why are you here?”

I raise my eyebrows, watching him with utter disbelief. “Because you won’t let me leave.”

He laughs, his eyes crinkled, the sound rich and happy. The skin on my nape prickles, and I take a hasty sip of wine. Woland’s laughter is my weakness, especially when it’s so unbridled and honest.

When he speaks, warm amusement lingers in his voice. “Are you chained to the floor like you expected? No. Are your hands bound? Also no, although if you’d like to explore rope play with me, just say the word. I am more than capable.”

He winks, and I take a heavy breath, doing my best to look unimpressed.

“And now that they know you’re my consort, no one will stop you if you try to leave. I’ll even promise not to hurt your friends if you do.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

He laughs again. “I’m serious. But please, consider the things you’d throw away by leaving. I’m giving you the chance to learn real battle magic, to go to war at my side, and make a difference in the world. I have witches and warlocks here who know secrets hidden from most. One of them might tell you how to travel to the past, in case you’re still interested.”

I hiss under my breath, shooting him an angry look. I don’t believe it for a second—he’s teasing me with what he knows I want the most. And yet, I can’t afford to discount that completely. I’ve neglected my goal long enough, and I’m not getting any younger.

“And if I leave right now? Despite all the things you tempt me with?” I ask, jutting my chin in a challenge. “Will you truly let me go?”

He inclines his head with a knowing smile. “I don’t think you’ll go. After all, you want to stay by my side despite everything I did. You missed me so much, you crafted the illusion of my face every night before bed. Well, pet. Now you get to have the real thing.”

Rage stiffens my spine when he throws my words in my face. I said them because he begged me, but now, he makes it sound as if I am the desperate one.

“The next time you beg me, you’d better do it on your knees,” I say through clenched teeth.

He nods with a grin, completely unfazed. “I already did, remember? We had so much fun after that.”

Yes,I remember. He cheated and lied, tricking me into sucking his cock because I swung at him with a knife when he knelt at my feet. Now, as he sits more comfortably, spreading his thighs, my anger gives way to confusion. Just like when I wrapped my hands around his throat, Woland doesn’t seem to mind when I tell him to kneel. He doesn’t mind feeding me his blood, either—as long as other people don’t know about it.

“You care about power a lot,” I say slowly. “But if you kneel for somebody, you’re powerless, aren’t you?”

He snorts softly, running his hand along his tail that rests on his muscular thigh.

“Love, a truly powerful man doesn’t mind being on his knees, because no position ever limits him. Many people don’t understand it, but if I fall to my knees in front of you, I am still stronger. I’m still in control. Make sure you remember that the next time you tell others about what we do in private.”

I watch him with a frown, considering our conversation, but Woland seems to be done with it. When he raises his arms over his head, yawning widely, I snort with a surprised laughter.

The bed and eating were strange enough, but the yawn makes him seem utterly domestic. I realize with a jolt he feels comfortable around me. This is the devil without his mask on, and it confuses me even more than his behavior earlier.

It’s like another layer of him has peeled away to show more depth underneath. I asked him once to be just one thing, and he laughed at me. Maybe if a person lives as long as he does, complexity is inevitable. Maybe simplicity bores him.

“I’d love to take you to bed,” he sighs, stretching his neck. “But that will take hours, and I’ve neglected my tasks long enough. Think about what I said, will you? Your training starts tomorrow. You’ll have a chance to show off.”

“Why are you so insistent I learn?” I ask.

It’s one thing to keep me here so he can control me, but giving me tools to get stronger is an unexpected show of trust. Especially since he seems to think highly of me. Woland’s words of praise, though not meant to flatter, feed a hungry, neglected place inside me.

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