Page 41 of The Demon's Discovery
“Okay.” Under his gentle touch, the ache eased. “That’s better.”
“I’m sorry, Greta. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His palms were hot against my bare shoulders, and I felt his lips brush against the back of my neck before he righted my shirt as best he could, tucking the torn halves back together.
I sat back, book still clutched to my front. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Mm.” He made a displeased noise before getting up and grabbing a small throw. He draped it around my shoulders, gathering it together at my front. He glanced up and stared deep into my eyes, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he moved several steps away.
“Apologies, I?—”
My heart thudded in my chest, and a slight waver in my voice kept my words from sounding as confident as I wanted. “You don’t scare me.”
Vassago’s hands were suddenly in my hair again, the braid loosened and his fingers gently combing through. “I’ll buy you a dozen new shirts.”
“This one has seen better days anyway.” They all had, if I was honest, but what kind of man worried so much about a torn shirt? “What will you do about Lara?”
I heard the cold smile in his voice. “She will pay. They both will, and dearly. I will spend hours fantasizing about their punishments, in fact. But not today. Today my concern is you.” I leaned my cheek against the side of his knee, my head too heavy to hold up any longer. “Rest, Greta. You’re safe here with me, I promise. I’m not going anywhere.”
Sleep came for me in earnest then, and I was powerless to stop it.
Chapter 18
Vassago
With my fingers pulling through her hair, Greta had been deep asleep in no time at all. The heavy book on alchemical theory she’d been looking at after lunch landed on the floor with a soft thud as her cheek pressed into my thigh. She had responded positively when I’d braided her hair before, and I loved that such a simple touch eased her tension. The sensation of the silky strands against my skin certainly wasn’t a deterrent for me and did a much better job at quelling the rage I’d felt seeing her scars than I expected.
I frowned. I didn’t even recognize myself when I had the kind of thoughts I only ever had around her. I was almost painfully compelled to drag my mouth along her throat while I inhaled the concentrated scent that lingered at the curve where her neck and shoulder met. I’d kissed the soft space between her shoulder blades without even stopping to think about it. I’d wanted to lavish every part of her back with remnants of an old hurt with such affection.
It didn’t help one bit that it was possible for me to determine exactly what had happened to her back if given the chance tosink my fangs into her flesh, to taste the memories in her blood. I would have to suggest it, despite my hesitation to invite my curse to rear its head on purpose, especially now that my rage had been provoked.
Lust, as always, was an enthusiastic companion to anger. I forced myself to sit back and breathe as I trailed my fingers through her hair. Once I had myself fully calmed, I lifted her onto the chaise and covered her with her favorite blanket.
While she slept, I went up to my room. I took an extra dose of my bloodlust tincture and retrieved a new shirt for her from my armoire. When I returned, I scoured my books for any mention of lost shifting ability, blocked wings… anything that could be helpful. There was nothing much, though several high-powered curses were thought to have similar effects.
Before I realized much time had passed at all, she was sitting up.
“Is it ready for the next phase?” she asked sleepily.
“I’m sure it’s well dissolved by now,” I agreed, glancing over at her worktable. “Here.” I handed her the shirt. It was one I rarely wore, as it was a bold blue, but I thought it suited her. She gave me her back to remove her destroyed one, and I also turned away to provide her some modesty. My blood surged hot, my ego unreasonably thrilled at how she looked in my garment when she turned back around.
Greta tossed aside the blanket, hastily drinking some more water.
“There’s no rush.” I chuckled at her enthusiasm.
“Yes, there is,” she replied brightly, no trace of the heaviness we’d shared before remaining. “I want to see if we’ve done it properly!”
“As you wish, Little Dragonfly. Shall we continue?”
“Yes, please. And thank you… for before.”
“You’re welcome.” I rubbed my knuckles across my heart, trying to soothe the ache her words brought to life. Now that my rage had cooled, my concern was more for her than seeking vengeance on her behalf.
Though that would absolutely happen as well, and it would be spectacular. I could hardly wait, in fact, but I had lots of planning to do to ensure the Belettes’ suffering was adequate. Someone had delighted in marking up as much of her lovely skin as possible. I was not always a good man, so I would find joy in repaying the dishonor in kind.
Together we read through the next and final set of steps, agreeing that we weren’t missing anything and that we had everything at hand that we could possibly need.
“Alright,” she said, inhaling slowly as she moved the whole container over the flame.
“Four drops of the essence of life. That’s it,” I told her.
