Page 12 of King's Obsession

Decided to spy on me in person?

The demon wasn’t being secretive about his progress through the forest. And it was Asmodeus in his demon form, Dougal knew that much.

“Company’s coming,” Silas sing-songed, sitting up and stretching. “Did we need to go?”

“No, don’t leave. You have every right to be here.” Dougal was definite about that. Asmodeus might rule the demon realm, but in the forest, it was Dougal who held control.

He stood up as the demon crashed his way through the undergrowth, standing on the edge of the clearing, a scowl gracing his stunning face. “You all need to go,” the demon growled, giving everyone a hard stare.

There was confusion on the demons’ faces, and a bit of fear, too. Peni woke up and yelped as he saw Asmodeus. He clung to Merihem’s shoulders. The Controller was worried and Dakata moved Silas under his arm in a protective move.

“I said go,” Asmodeus roared, making the trees shudder and branches dance. “I must have words with him.” He pointed to Dougal, who got just a tiny bit upset with the demon’s arrogant attitude.

Shifting into his troll form, Dougal stomped over, meeting Asmodeus eye to eye. It was the first time they’d ever met or seen each other that way. “This is a friendly gathering in my realm,” he stated firmly. “These people are my friends. My foundfamily. The people I care about. You will treat them with respect while you are here,” he rumbled deeply, matching the demon’s tone.

“I need to talk to you… about last night.” Asmodeus replied in a stilted voice, as if shocked the troll would face up to him.

Dougal’s heart lurched.Could it be…But no. Asmodeus wasn’t going to run roughshod over his life anymore, and Dougal had been enjoying the peace and the company. “Anything you want to say to me can come later. For now, there is a steak with my name on it, cooking on the grill. You might be king of the demon realm, but here you follow my rules.”

“I have to talk—”

Dougal cut him off. “Later,” he said firmly. “In the meantime, if you have the time to stay and enjoy our picnic with us, you’re welcome. But you sit your ass down on that log,” he pointed to where he’d been sitting, “and you behave in a civilized manner. In this clearing, these demons and their blissful ones are my friends, not your subjects, and will be treated as such. Dakata, throw another steak on the grill, if you don’t mind. Go on.” Dougal pushed on Asmodeus’s chest. “Sit down. We have plenty.”

Taking a chance, especially when Asmodeus still hadn’t moved, Dougal shifted back to his human form, and took Asmodeus’s hand, leading the silent demon over to the log. There was room to share. “You should try one of these peaches,” he said, as Asmodeus sat down.

Dougal grabbed one and handed it to the demon king, as he took his own seat. “Taste it. They are delicious. It’s like eating a mouthful of sunshine.”

Asmodeus looked at the peach as if he expected a worm to come out, but a moment later, without looking at anyone else, he took a huge bite.

Dougal grinned. “Silas, would you sing for us, please? Something lighthearted and fun would be lovely.”

And no, he wasn’t imagining it when Asmodeus leaned against his shoulder mere seconds into Silas’s song.

Maybe…

Ah, heart, you are so full of hope.

Dougal focused on enjoying the sun, Silas’s song, and the heat of the demon’s skin beside him. There were times when the simplest thing to do was enjoy the moment for what it was.

Chapter Seven

Asmodeus

In his whole life, no one had spoken to or treated him like his troll, he couldn’t find his tongue. It had to be the reason he’d quietly gone along with the bossy troll. Why else would he sit and do as he was told?

You can stop kidding yourself. It doesn’t work with me.His human was highly amused by the whole situation and a little envious they weren’t in their human form to snuggle up to the troll.

Did you see how big he is? How strong… all those muscles.

Stop it.Asmodeus shifted on the log, the trousers he wore becoming snug in a fashion that left very little to the imagination. Not that he expected any of the others in the circle to be looking, but still.

No way. I want him to troll out again so I can lie on top of him naked and roll around over his hard body.

To the demon gods, shut the hell up!His teeth ground the steak he was eating to mincemeat as he struggled to not let his human half fill his head with his nonsense thoughts.

Nonsense.He roared with laughter. It filled Asmodeus’s head, making his brain rattle.You want it, too. I bet you’ll be naked and pinned to that gorgeous, thick cock before the afternoon is out.

Enough,he roared, while doing his best to pretend he wasn’t achingly hard and ready to drag Dougal away from his family. The battle was real when he really wanted to show Dougal—tell him—what he was going to declare to everyone that he had a blissful one.

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