Page 23 of Of Mercury and Mist

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

There was nothing else to do but strip off my clothes; the girl was going to seriously injure herself. When my belt buckle hit the marble floor, she stopped. I pulled off my undershirt with one hand and her eyes dropped to my groin as I removed the last of my clothing. When she backed away, I opened the door and stepped inside.

“You forget you’re under my control. What I say—you do,” I thrust my hand around her neck and pressed her into the wall. “I want you fresh and clean. We can’t have you looking like a gutter rat.” She never once had, but I wasn’t going to pay her the compliment.

“If you aren't going to do it, you leave me with no choice.” Before putting my own head under the showerhead, I flicked my hand toward the door, sealing us inside. She jumped lightly at the noise but didn’t tear her eyes from my face.

I didn’t often use the magic associated with my demon side; I saved it for special occasions. This qualified.

After I washed my hair, it was her turn. “Come here, pet.” She was curled up on the floor, chin on her knees, staring at the wall.

Her clothing clung to her like syrup, and I carefully slid it away from her skin before kicking her skirt and shirt to the corner. Next, I unclasped her bra, letting her perfect, firm breasts spill into my hands. They were exquisite and not overly large but seemingly made for me. They fit in the palm of my hands as if designed for that sole purpose.

It was all I could do not to sink my teeth into her plush skin, pierce her nipple with my fang. She was a ripe and juicy fruit, locked inside my domain, free for me to consume. My rock-hard cock dragged along her side as I stepped around her to lower her panties.

She shivered when I hooked my fingers in the elastic and began to lower them. She was shaved bare, as I knew she always was. I’d witnessed her dressing more than once and fantasized about burying my face in her pussy. If only I’d known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have spent so much time in the shadows of her bedroom, watching her.

Perhaps I should’ve let her drown that time I found her passed out in her bathtub. I had to wonder what she thought about waking up in the morning tucked under her covers; if she’d puzzled over how she arrived there.

Unable to stop myself, I dipped my head down to her pussy and took a deep breath. As I knew she would be, she was heartbreakingly succulent and sweet. My fangs descended and I let them run across her pubic bone.

Ashley wavered with her eyes squeezed shut, and I gripped her hips. Her hands fell to my shoulders for balance. “Micha, no,” she begged, her voice quiet and soft. Then she said, “I had a dream about you.”

My heart skipped a beat. It was the last thing I’d expected her to say. Dream recall under a demon’s influence wasn’t common. “And that’s where I’ll stay,” I responded, my voice low.

Ashley was silent a moment before she asked, “Why do you have my toiletries here?”

I didn’t have an answer for her; not one I wanted to give. There was no way I was going to tell her I’d spent ages imagining this scenario and wanting her in my arms.

Josiah had opened the door for this to be possible, for me to take her and make her mine. I’d gone so far as to encourage his relationship with Della, insisting he break his own rules. Our clash with the Collective risked everything and his woman could have been killed when they’d taken her.

Retribution wasn’t out of the question since we’d killed one of their board members. I didn’t want to risk Ashley’s life. The recent instability among the Collective and some members of my kind had me biding my time and ensuring I could trust her, while I waited to make my move.

Josiah had risked everything for the woman he loved and took her without apology.

Now I found myself in a similar position, wanting to claim the woman who’d captured me, but I was unable to go against what was written as an absolute in our laws and in my heart. There was no quarter for thieves.

We operated in the shadows, adhering to manmade laws only when necessary. Our secrecy kept us safe and untouchable, combined with the cooperation of other beings such as us.

Our products, innovations, and industries made this world we called the Third Realm go round. Times had changed and more and more demons, vampires, and crossbreeds such as Josiah and I had left our home Realms and traveled here, in search of new territory and the freedom and dominion it brought right along with it.

Theft and betrayal had no place in our lives. Too much was at stake and so much had already been stolen from Josiah and me. We couldn’t throw it all away; everything we’d worked for.

An example needed to be set.

Josiah may have temporarily defeated some of the Second Realm’s rulers, the Collective, but that didn’t mean we were out of the woods yet. The Second, where we were raised, was even less lenient than I.

Rather than answer my pet, I left the bathroom slamming the door behind me. I’d already been too merciful and opened my heart too much.

In my bedroom, I let the towel I’d grabbed fall to the floor after drying myself. A glass of blood was quickly poured, and I drank it down, letting its calming properties soothe a touch of my rage, and then I called my best friend.

Courtesy had stopped me from interrupting Josiah thus far. He knew I was as capable as he to take care of everything while he spent time with his woman. I hesitated to interrupt him or to let him know I’d disappointed him, which is exactly what happened when I didn’t immediately remove Ashley.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, I broke the news. The anger in his voice was palpable over the distance. “She did what?” he raised his voice.

I remained silent a moment, giving him space, before I told him, “Kiam is here to assist me with a matter involving Fulgere Industries. I will have him evaluate the security and key card system, if you approve. Dashiell has been an excellent help as well, lately. I promoted him.” With Josiah away, the extra help was needed.

Josiah ignored the new information. “Ashley is Della’s best friend. I don’t think she’d appreciate you taking her away from her. She’s having some difficulty acclimating as it is.” He laughed lightly, surprising me with his leniency.

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