Page 62 of Prince of Demons
“I’m sure your five suitors will be more than happy to discuss this at length. Ellon, make sure you stop directly in front of the entrance. I don’t want the Breeder outside for a second longer than necessary.” The last part was directed at the driver.
Breeder. So she was back to that dehumanizing moniker. Splendid.
They pulled up next to the converted casino where Irral had taken her to seek the prince’s protection. That night, there’d only been a couple of demons outside, and one guarding the inner doors. Today, however, at least twelve big, burly men were hovering outside the double doors. Demons, she suspected, though she couldn’t see through their human disguise anymore, courtesy of her new brand.
Kesh got out of the backseat, then walked around to her side and held the door open for her. When she slid out, he put an arm around her. From the way he was scanning their surroundings as he walked her to the door, it was clear it was a protective gesture, not an affectionate one. It still made a traitorous part of her belly flutter—and then clench as she remembered how she’d been foolish enough to believe his care had been genuine. That he’d cared beyond his so-called duties.
A shift went through the demon by her side and seemed to transfer through the waiting guards in a wave as he led her through them to the double doors. Kesh clenched her harder to his side, fingers digging in at her waist as every single man’s eyes snapped to her. To her surprise, concern was painted on each of their faces. One even took a step forward, brow knotted. “Breeder?—”
“She’s fine,” Kesh snapped, cutting him off. His grip on her waist tightened. “Your duty is to her physical safety. Get back in line and keep the entrance secure.”
The guard looked like he wanted to protest, but he obeyed the prince. She felt his eyes on her back, along with the rest of them, until the doors finally closed behind them.
The moment they were alone, Kesh turned toward her. Strong fingers tipped her chin upward, and then she was staring into his black eyes for the first time since he’d rejected her. Concern warred with agitation in their depths.
“You’re sad. Why?”
“I’m not?—”
“I can smell it on you. We all can. Your brand enhances the physical manifestation of your emotions. I can’t take you into a room of five suitors while you reek of...” He trailed off, exhaling a long, deep breath. Steadying himself. “My instincts are screaming to burn whatever has upset you to the ground. If rivals are within sight… it’ll be them.”
“Rivals? How can they be rivals? You’re not a suitor—you’ve made that plenty clear.” She almost managed to keep the hurt out of her voice.
He exhaled again, brows drawing down in confusion. “That’s why you’re sad? Because I can’t court you?”
“No,” she bit out, pulling away from his grasp on her chin. “I’m upset because you act like you care, and the reality is, you don’t. I’m a job for you. An obligation. And that’s fine and all—but I’m human. It’s upsetting when someone behaves like a… a friend, then when you start to… trust him… he reminds you, with all possible clarity, that you’re just a piece of property to be given away.”
“You would’ve preferred if I'd treated you like a slave? A prisoner?”
Georgia glared up at his stupid, handsome, traitorous face, a refreshing wave of anger washing away any lingering hurt. “You know what? I think I would,” she hissed. And then, before he could stop her, she spun around on her heel, pushed open the doors to the inner hall open where five demons were waiting to court her, and marched through.
32
Kesh
Kesh clenched his hands and forced a deep breath through his lungs before he followed the Breeder into the throne room. The sharp smell of her anger was better than the anguish of her sadness, but it riled his nervous system and put him more on edge than he’d have liked to be when heading into a room full of other males. Especially, as it turned out, when the five of them turned as one upon Georgia’s entrance, and the eagerness in their eyes as they stared at her made jealousy and protectiveness flare hotly in his gut.
He reacted before his brain kicked in, placing a firm hand on the angry woman’s shoulder to pull her back close. Fuck’s sake, these idiotic instincts were going to drive him fucking nuts.
Kesh ignored Georgia’s indignant sputtering at being manhandled back into place, kept a firm grip on her shoulder, and marched her up toward his throne.
The five men sank to their knees as they passed, but though the subservient greeting might have been for him, their eyes were on Georgia.
He tamped down the ridiculous anger that they dared look at her with such blatant desire, scaled the dais, and unceremoniously lifted the Breeder onto his lap. She was stiff and unwilling against him, her anger still sharp in his nostrils, but it did nothing to still the rush of blood to his groin when her round ass settled over his cock. She shot him a withering look over her shoulder when it instantly rose to nudge at her from below.
“What was that about no further sexual contact being necessary?” she hissed.
To his irritation, heat touched his cheeks at her quiet sarcasm. Having exactly zero desire to argue with her in front of his men, he shifted her to one side, settling her on his thigh instead, and refocused on his men.
“Welcome to the first official courting event for Georgia Moore. Each of you has been carefully selected for your ability to care for and protect a Breeder. Should Georgia select you as her mate, you will be expected to surrender any and all obligations that may impede your ability to prioritize her and her future offsprings’ wellbeing. If you are unable or unwilling to do so, speak now.”
As expected, only silence met him.
“Very well. We will proceed. Mallorn, approach, if you will.”
His Second got up and approached, eagerness painted all over his features. When he reached the dais, he bowed smoothly. “Breeder. It’s my utmost honor to formally announce my courtship. I am Mallorn, Second in Command to the Prince of Demons. I have slain many an enemy on the battlefield, and I would prove a fierce mate, capable of defending you in any situation. Any sons I sire are bound to grow into strong warriors in their own right, destined for great honor. If you choose me, I will make it my life’s mission to provide you with loyal and attentive companionship, and bestow upon you the joys of motherhood as frequently as possible.”
A few years ago, Kesh would have considered his friend’s bid for the Breeder’s hand a strong opening statement. That was before he’d met his sister-in-law and learned that not all human females were reasonable. Judging from the way Georgia was squinting at his Second, whatever meek compliance she’d seemed capable of when she first landed on his doorstep, she wasn’t planning on employing it today.
