Page 25 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
“She’ll keep it shut. And you will help me make sure of it.”
“Yes, of course, mymaster.” There was a bite in his voice.
Zarathos’s lips twitched. Pithian would follow through. He had no other choice.
“I’m thinking of adding a respect clause into my future bargains requiring everyone to address me in respectful tones.”
“Too bad I’m already your beloved servant for life.” Pithian was one of the few demons he took the risk of sharing his secrets with, mainly because Zarathos had bound him in a bargain of loyalty.
Zarathos cast him a sharp glance. “I could order you to cut out your own tongue.”
Silence. “Forgive me. I’ll do as you command, my lord.”
A small smirk crossed Zarthos’s lips, and he nodded. “I left the human tied to a tree in Trolag Woods, not far from here. I made adeal that I’d return him to where we found him if he kept his mouth shut. You’ll take him back safely to whence you procured him.”
“Your will is mine to do, Your Majesty.”
Pithian walked away into the trees.
His ravenousness was curbed. Aryana now had his blood in her veins, and whatever her body had infused into it possessed remarkable restorative properties. Feasting on other creatures would help him heal even faster. He should hunt again soon.
But first he had to go find out if the transformation potion he’d ordered from Sabious, his supplier, was ready. Zarathos pulled a red-stained cloth from his pocket, wiping away the remnants of his meal as he gazed off into the trees. The vampire princess differed from anyone he’d ever met. Her pain mirrored his own, a reminder of the past he tried so hard to escape, and it stirred something inside him he was unprepared to face.
Seeing how terribly her uncle treated her, he wasn’t surprised she was willing to strike a bargain to give the scepter to Zarathos. Her traumatic background explained her unusual moral code regarding humans. After being beaten and manipulated by her uncle, still, when the time came to make a deal with Zarathos, all she wanted was to care for the creatures she relied on to survive.
He didn’t know whether to be intrigued or disdainful of her foolish bleeding heart.
He recalled how he’d stalked her the other night, following her to the human camp and how she’d methodically released the women and children. The determination and her ability to handle herself in a fight was, admittedly, impressive. If she hid the skill and broughtit out at the right moment, she might actually survive to the final round of the Demon Trials.
His claw gently swiped over his aching bicep, a low growl rumbling from his throat. A part of him could still feel her teeth sinking into his flesh.
Thiswouldend in his favor.
He only needed to ensure that the vampress didn’t dig those teeth into him any deeper.
Chapter 10
Aryana
Aryana sat on the hard ground, trembling. Crimson leaked from her thigh onto the flagstone, seeping into the puddle from earlier. She swallowed, staring at the bond mark. She was Bloodbound. To the demon arch king.
To her enemy.
And his blood… what she had felt. A cold sweat broke over her skin as the realization crashed over her. She had been ready for him to take her. To have her completely. If she hadn’t drained him…Oh gods.
His blood induced a reaction stronger than any bloodlust. It was a drug and yet, every part of her yearned for more. If he offered it again, she was unsure if she could refuse.
No. Of course she would. Shewouldturn it down.
This changed nothing. She still was going to fulfill her deal. The humans would be saved, and then she’d exact her revenge on Zarathos for trapping her in this bargain.
Actually, this was better, because now that she was Bloodbound with the demon arch king, the demon queen’s crown was hers to claim—an accomplishment that no demon had ever achieved as far as she knew—and after Zarathos was dead, it would be even easier to take the throne.
She tore a bottom strip off her dress to bandage her thigh to keep from getting his blood all over them, and to make certain the new mark that indicated their bond remained hidden.
Aryana had never tasted demon blood before. Of any kind. Well, other than vampire. But Zarathos’s wasn’t the same simple, slightly sour flavor of vampires. Nor did it have the hunger satisfying taste of humans. It was irresistible in a different way. Something more…
Sensual.
