Page 6 of The Star's Sword

“I’m fine with it, you know,” Samael said, coming in to graze his lips along my neck, his teeth gently scraping my nerves in just that perfect, promising way that made my legs clench together.

We hadn’t been together that long, but it felt like we’d been together forever. It felt like I could never be with him long enough.

“Fine with what?” I asked, utterly distracted as he let my hands go long enough to slide my coat off my shoulders and let it fall to the ground before recapturing my hands again, his lips falling over my exposed shoulder and collarbone, covered only by a tank sleeve.

“If you want to try things with Zadis, with me there even,” he said, nipping at my skin a little harder and making me gasp.

My thoughts went blank. “What do you mean, try things with him?” I pushed back but he was still holding me by the hands, staring down at me. My heart sank a little. The Samael I knew was brutally possessive. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to someone who touched me, and I liked that about him. Because I wanted no one else to touch him as well.

He kept my hands firmly pinned but moved in to press his nose gently against mine, brushing me before moving back so I could look into his eyes. He was still so close that tension crackled between us. So close to kissing and not talking about this awkward subject ever again.

But looking into his face, I could tell this topic wasn’t one going away that easily, or something spoken in jest or as a mistake.

“You really mean it, don’t you?” I asked, staring up at him and pressing against his hands, signaling him to release me.

He hesitated, then did, turning away from me and letting me walk around him to sit on his bed, the elaborate velvet and satin furnishings crinkling around me.

“You know I love you, Cleo,” he said, walking forward to take my hand, and then surprising me by taking a knee in front of me. “You know I’m possessive, that I want you to myself. But you also know I have more experience, to put it mildly. And I’m your first and only. And what’s more…” His hand rubbed over mine. “Taking one mate is uncommon for demons. As I tried to tell you in the demon realms, you’re better off with more power.”

“I thought we weren’t having that conversation anymore,” I said tersely, pulling my hand half-heartedly away, though he didn’t let it go.

“We aren’t, in the way it did before that upset you and made you run and almost get yourself in something incredibly stupid.”

“I’m getting better about that,” I said.

“I know.” He smiled. “I like when you get in trouble. I like coming to save you.”

I laughed. “You’re silly.”

His face sobered. “But Cleo, I don’t see someone else loving you as love taken away from me. I only attacked the incubus with you because he wasn’t taking cues that you weren’t interested. I’ve only ever killed or attacked someone who tried to force or coerce you. And only to protect you. You are mine. I will always protect you.” He inhaled. “As long as I’m alive. But I’ve seen your connection to Zadis from the beginning. If you want to be with him—”

“No way,” I said, standing and pacing over to the window, staring out at the graveyard, the graves sticking out in the foggy moonlight like crooked teeth. “You’d disembowel him and he knows it,” I said.

“I disemboweled him once,” Sam said, holding up a finger. “And that’s because he blood-bound you.” Sam cocked his head. “I want what you want, Cleo. That’s what it means to love. I want you to have all the love, power and experiences you want. And I do enjoy monogamy, selfishly, because I have only ever wanted you the way I do.”

“You hate Zadis,” I said uncertainly, unsure why we were even going to talk about this.

“We’ve grown more bonded since he moved his body to save you. You’ll notice I dress him much better.”

I wrinkled my nose. “So weird you have to provide everything for your thrall.”

Samael laughed. “He’s doing well learning demon powers. It makes him unique, along with his fae spells.” Samael stood and walked over to stand beside me, his warmth palpable even when we weren’t touching. “And he’s my thrall, so I can control him. I mean, I’d want to be there anyway, but it’s nice to know—”

I turned to Samael, putting my hands on his chest. “I only want you.” My heart was almost sure. I was sure I wanted Samael forever. But the way Samael was pushing me toward Zadis…

I sucked in a breath, determined not to let this get to me very much. It was hard to tell why Sam got avoidant, or tried to push me towards others sometimes, but it was just something he did.

Something he seemed to think needed doing.

“Promise me if you want him, if you want anyone, you’ll tell me about it,” Samael said, leaning in and craning his head down to tease my lips with his nearness. “And take Zadis to a vampire ball. You know Simon thinks you should get out more, and he’d be the perfect date I could never be.”

“Sam.” I frowned at him.

“You can even kiss him,” Samael said, his eyes locked on mine, mild but intent. “Just think about it. Sometimes I see something between you.”

I wanted to tell him he didn’t, but I knew it was somewhat true.

“Promise me you’ll at least follow your heart on this,” Sam said. “Promise, and then I’ll kiss you and go back to what we started.”

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