Page 80 of Prince of Demons
“Your Highness… The invitation stated there would not be an auction, but a courting of this lovely girl. Perhaps it would be prudent to explain what this will entail?” The one male in the center of the room whose eyes weren’t glued to her bowed his head respectfully at Kesh.
The prince exhaled an annoyed sigh. “What does it entails, Governor Maell? Do our most powerful, most clever lords really need instructions on how to win a woman’s favor? It’s a courting. Present your case to her. Tell her why she would be happy at your side, in whatever manner you see fit. In the end, she will choose the man who most appeals to her. The only rule is that you will not lie to her. Whatever life you offer, you will be bound to provide. Should you be proven to have lied in order to gain her favor, you will lose your right to her. Claiming mark or no.”
A murmur rose up among the gathered males. The shock was palpable in the room.
Something tried to soften behind Georgia’s ribs. Something ridiculous that she wanted no more part of. But still. This stipulation…
Even if he didn’t care about her in the way she’d been stupid enough to think for a few, precious moments, he did care enough to ensure she wouldn’t be tricked into a life she didn’t sign up for.
Yes, what a fucking hero he is.
The wave of irritation at her heart’s attempt to soften for the brute who’d broken it only a day before made her able to push down the small spike of gratitude.
“She will choose?” a large, red-haired male asked from the crowd. His handsome but brutal face was drawn in outrage. Georgia made a mental note to stay far away from him.
“You would break an established mating claim!?” another gasped.
“Yes, the Breeder will choose her mate from among you herself.” From behind the throne, Kesh’s father stepped forward to stand by their side.
Without conscious thought, Georgia shrank back against Kesh, her newfound no-more-fucks-to-give attitude not quite matching up to the eerie aura this particular demon gave off.
Kesh tightened his grip on her hip, a soft rumble escaping his throat. It cut off abruptly, and she got the distinct feeling the soothing sound in response to her unease had been as involuntary as her instinctive urge to seek his protection. He did, however, keep his tight grip on her hip.
If Kirigan noticed the effect he had on her, he didn’t pay it any mind. “And yes. Your words to her today are a binding contract. You know the queen’s wishes—this is the compromise that was reached with her. No one will break your sacred bond to your new mate if you ensure she is happy. Which was already the sworn duty of any male who claims one of our desperately rare Breeders.
“We have lost too many mates to careless treatment over the years. Yes, a broken mate bond is a fate that often leads to death. But at least it will only be your death. You will not end the life of a precious Breeder under your responsibility. She would instead be allowed a new Courting, and hopefully given to a more worthy male, capable of keeping his vow to his mate's happiness. I would think none here would have any qualms about this stipulation? After all—the mothers of our species must be protected above all else.”
The man who had spoken first—Governor Maell—bowed his head. “Wise words. And wise of our queen to recognize the disconnect between our old customs and our Breeders’ needs.
“My mating took place centuries ago, when times were… different. But I can admit in hindsight, things would have been… smoother over the years, had my mate chosen me willingly. Considering the blessing our king and queen’s union has brought both them and us, it would be foolish to disregard the value of changing our practices, however challenging it may seem to realign our very nature, no?”
There was another murmur of discontent among the gathered lords.
“That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t change the fact that she has spent days alone with the prince,” a man with long, black hair and a scar down his lip bit out, keen eyes remaining fixed on her, despite addressing Kirigan. “Days where he will have influenced her, given her pleasure… He branded her, did he not? How is this… courting… anything but a pretense to sanction another Pure Breeder falling into your family’s hands?”
This time, the murmurs rose to angry shouts of agreement.
“It’s unmatched corruption!”
“This is how you reward us for supporting your family’s claim to the Americas?”
“Silence!” Kesh’s voice boomed through the room, making Georgia jump. The gathered lords quieted, but the tension in the room was nearly physical. Lips pulled back in silent snarls, fists clenched. A sharp, pungent stench touched her nostrils, like a watered-down version of the smell that had encapsulated the sleepy fishing village in Maine during the battle there. The acrid spell of violent, dark magic, this time, waiting to be released.
“You abandoned the old king for his family’s treachery in attempting to steal an illegitimate mate to their bloodline. If you are so easily convinced I would do the same, you have chosen your allegiances poorly.” Every word out of Kesh’s mouth was tense, clipped. “I will not court this Breeder. She will choose her mate without a bid from me.”
Icy talons pierced her gut as the hall erupted in calmer, though clearly surprised, murmurs. She straightened her spine until it hurt, letting anger wash away the throb of pain at his words.
“And what motivation does she have to choose anyone?” the redhead from before asked. “If the choice is purely the Breeder’s, what’s to stop her from simply staying here, unmated?”
Enough. Full stop. Enough.
“First of all, ‘the Breeder’ has a name. It’s Georgia. Hi. That’s me.” She leveled the redhead with a stare. “As for what guarantees you have that I won’t simply opt out of your little arranged wedding scenario—you’re looking at him. Staying here would mean staying with this asshole. So don’t you worry your pretty little head about it, ‘kay? I’d quite literally rather poke out my own eyes than spend any longer than I have to with your so-called prince. I’m sure one of you can manage to scrape together some semblance of a decent personality and a non-rapey marriage prospect.”
A low, dark rumble vibrated from Kesh’s chest into her—nearly imperceptible to her human hearing, but she felt it everywhere her body touched his. Every hair on her body stood on end in response to the primal threat of that sound, but it was a sick thrill, not fear, that shot up her spine.
His thick fingers dug into her hip, hard, and for a short second, she thought he’d yank her back against his chest. Punish her.
A long, tense moment passed as the gathered lords stared from her to Kesh in utter shock at her open disrespect of their volatile prince. Awaiting his reaction.
