Page 73 of The Demon Court

“Other than for the reason I already said. He’s never had to work for anyone to like him. All he had to do was snap his fingers and people threw themselves at him. Women. Men. Everything in between. He’s been viewed like a god here for many years.” Affection rolled over in her lap, staring up at her with wide eyes. “But now he knows what it’s like to fight for someone. And he’s very intrigued by it.”

“I don’t want to be intriguing.” Or maybe she did. She could use that to her advantage, but her gut said she didn’t want to be some new shiny toy for him. She wanted... wanted...

No, this was all wrong. He could think whatever he wanted as long as he wanted her happy. That she could use. Everything else didn’t matter.

Which meant she needed to get him even more addicted to her. If he wanted her around after finding out her secret, then she needed to manipulate him even further. She needed to... give in.

He’d been begging for her body since the moment she walked through these doors. Since he bumped into her on the street and thought she was pretty. Would that be enough to keep him around? Would that be enough of a temptation to convince him that he did actually want to be with her for longer than a couple of days?

If that was the price she had to pay, then she’d pay it. Sure, it made the feeling of her desire a little duller. It made sex with him feel like a transaction. Her body for the right to be here and continue this game a little longer.

Suddenly, all this felt less about her and more about him. She could please him, even though all she knew about sex was much less than what he knew. Still. If he wanted a pleasing partner, he should have picked someone less confrontational.

It would do. She’d endure sex with him, telling herself she didn’t have to enjoy it because it was all for her family. She’d keep that barrier around her heart intact and nothing would threaten that.

Affection shrank a bit in her lap, gathering itself tighter into a bright coil. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Then get out of my head.”

“Again, you’re a very loud thinker, Selene! But Lust, he’s not interested in you for your body. He doesn’t want to only sleep with you. If you would just listen to me—“

She’d already dumped the spirit out of her lap and walked toward the wardrobe. She had made up her mind. Tonight, she would seduce Lust so that he would not let her go. He’d keep her here, and she could continue to interest him until she could either control him, or destroy him.

She wouldn’t fail. Even if it felt like she had sold herself to a demon.

Wasn’t that the point of this all? A flash of anger ran through her, and Affection latched onto the thought.

The spirit tumbled in front of her, getting itself kicked in the process. “You’re right to be angry at them! You got sold. They wanted you to do this, knowing how it would make you uncomfortable. They don’t care about you, Selene.”

“Please stop.”

“But you know I’m right! You know they don’t care about you at all. They want you to believe you’re only worth this. To sell your body for the Tower and then do their bidding again once it’s all done. But you’ve found yourself here. With him. And I know you haven’t made any friends other than that, but it has to count for something that you’re happier here! You’re free, Selene. Don’t throw that all away by trying to deceive him again.”

Softening, she bent and patted the top of Affection’s head. “I have made friends here, little one. I’ve met you.”

Affection sighed, turning into little more than a glimmering puddle on the floor. “But that’s not the same and you know it.”

“I have made no effort here. If that’s what he wishes, then I will do so. I’ll lick the boots of the nobility if he wants just to get my family here. Where we all belong.” She threw the wardrobe door open and pawed through the layers and layers of silks.

She’d never chosen to wear the clothing he’d given her thus far. Her clothes were just fine, and if she didn’t have to put on the flimsy silk, then she would rather wear her own thick wools. No matter how warm it was. But tonight, she needed to seduce him. And that required her to look the part.

A flash of memory had her think of Lara. The woman had worn a white gown that was entirely see through just to clean the castle. How did Selene compete with that?

In the very back, she found the perfect nightgown. The silver fabric looked like moonlight in her fingers. It trickled through her touch, tiny sparkling bits whispering with the slightest movement. It was lovely and fine and barely a gown at all. It was perfect.

“Selene,” Affection whispered one last time. “Please let me convince you this is wrong.”

She shook her head. “I need to get ready, Affection. I don’t think you’ll want to be in the room for this.”

The little spirit slunk out of the room underneath her door, and her chest burned with guilt. She hadn’t meant to make the poor dear sad, but it shouldn’t be in the room while she seduced its master. After all, it wouldn’t take much to convince Lust to sleep with her.

Just the thought of Lust made her body clench. The hollow between her legs ached to be filled, and she knew denying these feelings would only prolong the inevitable.

He would not be a terrible man to have between her legs. She’d enjoy touching him, just like in her dream. And considering how many women he’d fucked in the last ten centuries, he would probably be an excellent partner in bed.

So why did this still feel wrong?

Sighing, she stepped into the pretty nightgown and resolved herself to wait. She spent the hours dry brushing her skin until it was so soft it felt like velvet. Then she took a comb to her hair and counted to one thousand until each strand was as liquid as the gown that covered her body.

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