Page 129 of The Demon's Pet

I pushed away from him, shaking my head before our lips could touch. “I’m not ready,” I said.

Impatience flashed in his eyes. “We haven’t even had a chance to bond properly, and you want me to be your protection against that insane angel?”

“You said you would be,” I retorted. “But if I’m to be your whore, then it’s time for me to go. I’ll run into the woods first.”

Zadis moved in front of the door to stop me. “I’m sorry. I was being hasty. I just wasn’t expecting you to change your mind like that. Or for the execution to take place so fast. I realized Sam was going to take you out of here as quickly as possible. So I wouldn’t have much opportunity to win you over.” He reached up to stroke my hair back, and I let him. “I just… This is faster than even I thought.”

“So you don’t want me?” I asked, confused.

“No, of course I want you,” he said. “You’re beautiful, a celestial shifter, and unknown power just radiates off of you.” He walked over to a small golden container with odd symbols on it. “You’re everything I’ve been looking for in a primary mate. My other consorts—”

“What?” I gaped. “What consorts?”

Zadis gave me an impatient look. “We really should have spent more time together so I could explain things. I am serious about you, Cleo. I will always fight for and protect you. But also, I am a fae prince. I have many lovers, and always will. But you will be my primary mate.”

I swallowed, realizing this had been a big mistake. “What does that mean?”

“You get your choice of days of the week?” He wiggled his eyebrows at me like his joke was funny. “In all seriousness, Cleo, my other mates know that a newly bonded mate gets top priority. In fact, we can start the bonding process almost immediately.” He opened the container and rummaged inside, then pulled something out. Looking closer, I saw it was a ring with a clear cabochon stone and blue glow that seemed to dance over the surface.

“What is that?” I asked, taking a step forward.

“I just need to see what other magic you possess. Before letting you see the rest of my home.”

My eyes narrowed, and my heart began to beat fast. “What do you mean, the rest?”

He eyed the stairs. “My menagerie. My pride and joy.”

I swallowed. “That’s not where your mates are, right?”

He laughed, a little too jovially. “Oh, no. You’re funny, Cleo. No, my fae mates live around this village. But the pride and joy of my life is my menagerie downstairs. Anyone who wants to truly bond with me must see it.”

I blinked.

“So just put on this ring. I just need to make sure none of your magic is… unexpected.”

I wondered if it would detect a demon.

“Zadis,” I said, my throat tight. “I’m not… exactly what you think.”

His eyes narrowed. “I know.” The jovial mask seemed to slip by the second. “I sensed something from the start, but I thought it was some kind of shifter-related power. But the way you reacted to the angel killing that void walker… it made me suspicious. I’ve been sitting here thinking what to do about it. I could have kissed you and detected it through a bond. Now we’ll have to use the ring.”

I took a step back from him, wondering how fast I could get out through the door and run for help.

If I was even in danger right now. There was no reason I should be. Zadis had only been kind.

I could fight him, probably, in my wolf form if something happened.

I just didn’t know what would happen if I put that ring on and he found out I was a demon.

“I changed my mind,” I said quickly. “I’m going back.”

He was in front of the door again, blocking it, almost faster than I could blink. It appeared fae had supernatural speed.

He smiled down at me, extending the ring. “Just put it on. It’ll alleviate any… concerns I have, and we can go back to my prior plans for you.”

“Which were?”

“Making you my own and spoiling you rotten,” he said, smiling. His dark hair hung at both sides of his face, providing a frame for his pale, handsome face and glittering eyes. I noticed his pointed ears sticking out of his hair for the first time.

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