Page 25 of King's Obsession

“Vito, he is with a large group of demons. Are they the snobby ones?”

Asmodeus masked his chuckle, pretending to take a sip as he eyed Dougal with amusement. “They are.”

A demon approached and bowed. “Your Highness. I would like to thank you for the invitation this evening. I’m so happy for you. A blissful one is what we all wish for,” he said in an excited voice.

“Why Nir, thank you. It is indeed an honor, one that you may be blessed with, too, if you choose to venture beyond the realm.”

Nir’s eyes widened and got a feverish light. “You think so, Your Highness.”

“Yes. Dakata, Merihem, Christa and Scott, all demons who have ventured beyond our realm, all have found their blissful ones. That is not a co-incidence.”

His response, he ensured, was loud enough for many to hear. Heads turned, and he didn’t miss the interest, just as he had hoped for.

“Is that so?” Nir asked excitedly, forgetting himself in his eagerness.

“Yes. Demons who remain fixated on keeping bloodlines pure are missing out on the opportunity of finding their blissful one.”

“You spout nonsense,” Vito hissed, having moved through the crowd, knocking those blocking him out of the way. His human features flushed, his eyes glinting with malice.

“I believe you forget yourself, Vito, once again. Remember who you are addressing,” Asmodeus growled menacingly, rising off his seat, placing his glass down on the tray of the server stood to his left who visibly shook.

“I think it is you who forget yourself. Saying such drivel about demons mixing with other species. You have weakened yourself with this…troll. The bloodline should remain pure to give strength to our realm. To our kind.”

He kept his gaze on Vito, sensing that the stupid demon would not back down. “Is that what you think?” His glacial tone made the air snap with its chill. Those close by took a step back.

Dougal came and stood right by his side, his presence reassuring, but also worrisome if Vito and his cronies attacked. The hostility, Asmodeus could taste, and he prepared, drawing his power to him.

“It is. You are no longer fit to rule this realm. Your trollweakens you.”

Asmodeus roared, just as Dougal did, his troll emerging. He didn’t have time to enjoy the ‘oh fuck’ look on Vito’s face because all hell broke loose.

Chapter Fifteen

Dougal

The fight was inevitable. Despite Asmodeus’s efforts at pretending to be unaffected by the blatant hostility as they did the rounds for the meet and greet, Dougal could feel the tension in his demon, and his troll responded. The outright challenge came earlier than Dougal anticipated—he had hoped to eat first. Some of the titbits being served looked and smelled amazing.I’ll get some later,he thought as his troll form ripped through the immaculate clothes Asmodeus had provided for him.

Pulling on the bonds of his family, bonds that transcended time and space, Dougal grinned showing all of his teeth, as Dakata, Merihem, and Scott all appeared in an instant by Asmodeus’s side—their teeth showing, flexing strong demon forms under the bright lights. No words needed to be said. The time for posturing was over.

Rushing forward en-masse, Dougal broke away from his mate’s side as they led the charge. Vito was Dougal’s first target. Yes, he would probably regret the move later, given how Asmodeus would likely claim the right to strip the flesh from that pathetic weakling’s bones and pout about having the opportunity taken away from him. Dougal’s troll had a sensitive side, and there was a limit to his patience. Vito had pushed right past it.

“Fight me,” he snarled, grabbing the hapless demon around the waist one-handed and lifting him clear off the floor so they were face to face. “Do your shift thing, you’ve got two seconds. Show me your demon so we can play fair.”

“I can’t… it won’t…” Vito was struggling madly, slapping his silly human hands against the troll’s beefy fist as though it would do something.

“I saidshift!” Asmodeus’s power was behind Dougal’s words—the power he claimed, the power Asmodeus gifted him through their mating.

Vito was helpless to resist, his screams rang through the air as his shift came through. Dougal watched in growing horror, even as the carnage was going on around him. Asmodeus and his fellow mated demons were taking on the demon families that doubted him and the rights of blissful ones—they were fighting for the ones they loved, and Dougal would’ve liked to have nicked a tray of those hors d’oeuvres so he could take in the details. His mate was kicking ass.

But Vito’s demon was… sick? “What the hell’s wrong with you?” Dougal shook the form in his hand. The demon’s skin was a motley gray, and he had no muscle definition at all.

No horns.

No hair.

Its eyes were big, wide and showed his terror. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I can’t fight this. I truly feel sorry for you, so believe me when I say I’m doing you a favor.” Wincing at the taking of a life, Dougal snapped the demon’s neck, dropping him to the ground as someone hit him from behind.

He stumbled but didn’t fall, turning to fight a huge female demon with attitude. “That was my husband,” she snarled as she lunged forward, hair flying and her claws extended.

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