Page 24 of King's Obsession

“I never pout.” He didn’t look in the mirror because he didn’t want to be proven to be a liar when it felt like he was pouting.

“If you say so.”

Shit, I am pouting.

You aren’t even human right now.

Do be quiet.

Don’t worry, I won’t let you forget about this.

A groan came a second later from Dougal, distracting him from the argument with his human side. “I think you might need to help with this thing.” Dougal waved the red silk cravat ends at Asmodeus.

“That thing is a cravat.” Asmodeus’s lips quivered at how Dougal was going cross-eyed, trying to look down at his neck.

He knocked Dougal’s hands away and quickly fixed the cravat, then stood back to admire his blissful one. “You scrub up well.” He stroked a hand over the broad chest, admiring the fit of the black shirt and the red cravat that was just the right touch of color for an outfit entirely of black. It gave Dougal an air of sophistication that caused some conflict inside Asmodeus because this wasn’t his blissful one. The one he’d fallen in love with.

He shook off the disconcerted feeling and stroked down to the waist of Dougal’s slacks, then slipped his hand around to cup a globe of his meaty ass, giving it a firm squeeze and a saucy wink. “Later, I’m going to peel these off you and bite this.”

Dougal’s arousal scented the bedroom before he groaned and shook his head. “You don’t play fair.”

He gave him a toothy grin. “Maybe you should have given me that kiss.” He glanced down at the bulge in the front of his slacks. “Now we both have something to think about besides the stuffy party.”

His smile remained all the way back to the demon realm, right up until he entered the ball and felt the atmosphere inside. Hostility.

His gaze swept the room, masterpieces hung from the walls from many realms. Priceless and displayed to show the wealth the king's family had acquired over the centuries. The tables and chairs sitting around the edges of the room were full of demons having already started in on the humongous tables laden with food and beverages at the end of the ballroom. More demons dressed in white, circulated with trays of champagne.

Dougal clutched his hand.You sure know how to put on a show and don’t let them spoil your evening with their envy.

Since they’d had sex in their true form, they now shared a mind link. His blissful one was right. He brought their joined hands up to his lips and brushed a kiss over Dougal’s knuckles, enjoying how he blushed, paying no attention to those who were staring at them and not hiding their interest.

“So, you have graced us with your presence,” Vito snipped from behind him.

Asmodeus heard a few indrawn breaths as he slowly turned with Dougal, not letting go of his hand. He eyed Vito, and those who stood with him with undisguised contempt. As he suspected, Randal was with him, along with Bryson, Nicholas, and Peregrine. The most outspoken of the demon nobility families. “I would watch your tone if you do not wish me to flay the skin from your bones.” His smile was pure evil, his intent to do exactly that in the look he cast down Vito’s suited body.

Vito coughed and choked on the sip of champagne he had taken, which Asmodeus had timed to perfection with his comment.

Asmodeus guided Dougal through the group, making a point to give each demon a look they could not fail to understand. Their cards were marked. He would see how brave they were in his chambers when this was over.

He moved unhurriedly towards the appointed throne seats in plush red velvet, which he had ensured were in the most prominent position in the room. They could see anyone approaching them. Asmodeus was not taking any risks with his blissful one.

“There you are, King Asmodeus. So, is it true, you have found your blissful one?” A vapid female asked, her over-large breasts nearly spilling out of her fitted gown. She placed a hand on Asmodeus’s arm, red talons taping on the sleeve of his formal wear.

Dougal eyed the hand and then the female, his smile held no warmth, and Asmodeus waited to see what his blissful one would do. “He has. And if you know your lore, touching a mate, particularly mine, could result in the loss of a hand.”

The woman sniffed indignantly but moved the hand off his arm pretty sharpish. As much as Asmodeus wanted to grin and puff out his chest at Dougal’s possessive show, he nodded at Lady Flora. “Yes, as you can see, Dougal, my blissful one is a little tetchy about personal space and boundaries.” He ensured his voice carried, so that word would spread quickly through the room. “As am I.”

He inclined his head and continued on through the room, the crowd parting, giving them space much to Asmodeus’s amusement.

Holding his head high, ensuring he towered over everyone, he walked slowly, meeting everyone’s gaze as they passed. He nodded politely and stopped occasionally to introduce Dougal to those he had more tolerance for.

When they reached the seats, Asmodeus got the sense that he’d made a huge miscalculation. The families with ‘true’ bloodlines had banded together on one side of the room. Asmodeus never took his eyes off them, even while assisting Dougal into his seat and sitting himself after getting drinks for them both. The official announcement would take place in the next hour and already Asmodeus wanted this over with. His senses were screaming at him, regardless, he could not leave and show a sign of weakness, not now with all the posturing going on from Vito.

The orchestra played in the background, the music not loud enough to force anyone to shout. He could see that everyone there had come dressed in their finery, showing off their wealth in the expensive jewels they wore. Many wanting to gain one-upmanship on others, much like demons loved to do.

“Is this what all balls are like?” Dougal asked, the glass held in front of his lips concealing them in case anyone attempted to lip read, his eyes narrowing as he glanced about.

A clever move, one that Asmodeus copied. “I don’t hold them often, but yes. If you look about, you will see the alliances within the realm.”

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