Page 9 of King's Obsession

Swallowing hard, Dougal said softly, “You claim to be seeking answers. So was I, and even though I might not have liked the response I got this evening, I know it to be true, for those who are mates cannot lie to each other. I guess that means our time is done.”

Under the demon’s gaze, Dougal transformed his hand into that of his troll’s, his chunky fingers closing over the shiny orb, covering it, crushing it, the way Asmodeus’s indifference did to his heart. When the orb was nothing but dust, Dougal brushed his fingers off on his coat. “Go. Be well.”

Asmodeus, still in his demon form, shimmered and then disappeared.

Alone once more, Dougal stood, much like Asmodeus had done, frozen in time, not daring to move even a finger, so certain that if he did, his heart, body, and soul would shatter apart into a million pieces. Throughout the night, Dougal stood rigid, alone, clinging to his sanity with every ounce of strength he and his troll possessed—not to break down. Not to let go. Not to scrabble among the leaves and debris on the forest floor for a speck of the dust from the one tangible gift Asmodeus had given him. The one thing he might have had left apart from his memories.

It wasn’t until the sun’s rays started to color the horizon beyond the trees that Dougal moved stiffly and quietly to his cabin, closing the door firmly behind him once he was inside.

Chapter Five

Asmodeus

“Go. Be well.” The words tumbled through Asmodeus’s mind like daggers cutting and slicing. His thoughts were so chaotic at the sudden change to his world, he’d not found the words he needed to make it right.

Pain—it was all he could feel at seeing the crystal turned to sand in front of his eyes. Losing the connection stole his sanity, and he left before he did something utterly ridiculous, such as weeping like a child on his knees.

He didn’t go far, just to the edge of the forest, to the small peach orchard. He couldn’t bring himself to leave… yet, despite the breath-stealing crushing weight of loss that came with Dougal’s actions.

His scent was everywhere. Every breath filled his senses, taunting him.

What have you done?

His large body shuddered violently at the wrench, and wetness clung to the frozen skin of his cheeks. He dashed at them with the back of a shaking hand, struggling to draw in another breath as his heart bled, sliced open by reality. By harsh words. When he stared at the orchard floor, he expected to see his blood shimmer in the moonlight.

Go back, now!His human half became incensed, pounding at his skull.

It’s too late. He’s rejected us.

Fuck, did you not listen? Did you not hear?

I heard everything. I feel everything.He did. Even the gentle breeze touching his skin hurt.

As do I,his human half snapped back.He’s ours. We claimed him the moment we touched each other all those years ago. Centuries we have waited, his troll and I, for you to come to your damn senses and see that it doesn’t matter what the damn historians find, we have never needed the answers. You’ve always had them. It is your fear for our troll that controls you.

I have nothing to fear. I am the king of the demon realm.

Stop lying to yourself, because we both know different. You fear everything about the demon realm and what it will do to our sweet troll. Yet here we are, alone, because fear is governing your actions. Do you want to lose him eternally?

If the histor—

Fuck that nonsense. Accept Dougal is our blissful one. Admit it and find a way to move forward. Say it, he is our blissful one.

He’s…

Our blissful one, say it or you’ll find out exactly how bad things can get. The pain you feel now will be nothing to the torment I will inflict on top. He deserves to be acknowledged, can’t you see that?

Asmodeus sucked in a breath, resisting letting his human side take the lead. He had always wanted them to show Dougal that they accepted him. Yet, the fear of someone taking Dougal from them had grown into a monstrous beast of terror. It ruled Asmodeus’s demon and was stronger than their human half.

The fear, your terror, over the realm, it’s gone now, you win.

What are you saying? How do we win, he doesn’t want us?

Exactly, your stupid fear means they never will know about how blessed we were, because you’re too blind to see.

“Is there a reason you’re standing there like a statue in the moonlight?” Wanda asked softly as she appeared as if out of nowhere. Her dress was demure and landed on top of bare feet as she walked towards him, hair swaying over her shoulders, making strands glimmer in the moonlight as she moved. Eyes as green as the forest pierced him and he sensed she saw more than he was willing to share. “My trees are nervous even when I know you mean us no harm.”

“We do not,” he rasped, doing his best to keep his emotions in check. The dryad had suffered enough at the hands of demons. He knew her, and at Christa’s request, had come to make restitution for those demons who had attacked her. Their deaths had not allayed her fears, his actions had.

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