Page 53 of The Demon Crown

Her ribs twinged, and she winced, pressing a hand to the bandages that covered her body. Her arms were wrapped in white, her chest, and she felt something sticky on her face. Wiggling the muscles there, she tried to dislodge it but couldn’t.

Whatever it was, she wanted it off.

Varya reached for her head, only to freeze when someone’s voice interrupted her.

“Leave it,” the deep tones said. “You need that to remain so you can heal.”

Stilted words, not quite comfortable speaking to other people, she’d guess. But she recognized the voice. She never forgot a single person she came across.

One of Greed’s guards sat in a chair beside her bed, so still she hadn’t noticed him. He was the bigger of the two, although she remembered them both being larger than life. He sat on a rickety chair with one ankle propped up on his knee, a book spread out across those massive thighs, and glasses perched on his nose. His light brown hair was streaked by the sun and he was rather handsome, although his muscles made him seem particularly bulky.

His gaze watched her, flicking over the bandages that were slightly red with her blood, before he grunted and stood. “I’ll get Greed.”

“Where am I?”

“The oasis,” he replied. “You’re in Greed’s castle.”

“I am?” She didn’t remember coming here. Varya pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling dizzy. “How did I get here?”

“You walked.” He tried to smile, but the expression was horrible. Just a baring of teeth rather than a genuine smile. “I’ll get Greed.”

“Wait,” she said, reaching out for him to stop. She didn’t know why she wanted him to freeze, she just... “Thank you for sitting with me. You’re very kind.”

“I am not kind.” His shoulders and spine stiffened. “I am loyal.”

“I think you are both.” Varya tried to smile, but the expression pulled on what she suspected were cuts on her cheek. “Not everyone would sit with a stranger for hours, even if they were ordered to do so.”

“Days,” he replied.

“Days?” That was horrible. She’d been out for that long? She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, even though leaning forward hurt. “Thank you, all the same. What is your name?”

“Ivo.”

“Then thank you, Ivo, for your kindness.”

He seemed disturbed by her thanks, and she didn’t know if that was because of her looks or what she’d said. She was just being kind in return. What harm was there in that?

But he strode out of the room with his shoulders up against his ears. Leaving her alone in this glass dome of a room with so many plants that her lungs felt... lighter. As though just being near them made it easier for her to breathe.

She barely had time to wonder how long it would take for Greed to come see her. She’d expected at least half a day. He was a very busy man, after all, and he had a lot of things to see to in a castle like this. At least, she assumed.

It was a matter of minutes before the doors to the room slammed open so hard she feared they might crack the glass walls. Greed raced into the room, eyes wild and a little too wide. He wore a white billowing shirt that was opened to the center of his chest, revealing all that tanned and freckled skin. Glittering rings dusted across almost every knuckle, a broad necklace clanged against his chest, and there were earrings in his ears. His pants were a little too tight, and she was thankful for it. His tree trunk legs were rather nice to look at.

His panicked expression, on the other hand, was not very nice. She didn’t know what had gotten him so riled up, but she had the wayward thought that it might be her. Maybe he didn’t like seeing her so injured. Maybe he had been worried about her health.

That was a silly thought, though. He was a demon looking for a plaything. She had no question about that. Varya was his newest obsession, and even though she fully intended to enjoy being so, she knew this wasn’t forever.

Neither of them were the forever sort. Now, why did that hurt so badly to think?

He didn’t say a word. He just approached her bed and then scooped his arms underneath her. One thick forearm underneath her knees, and a broad bicep against her back. Lifting her blanket and all, he turned away from the healing beds and strode out of the room.

“Shouldn’t we ask a healer?” she tried, before stopping when he growled in response.

She hadn’t seen his eyes like this since he was in a cage. Golden and gleaming like chips of gold, molten and so hot with rage that it made her shiver in fear.

Was he angry at her? Was she not supposed to come here after all?

She hadn’t thought it would mean that much. He could put her in the gardens for all she cared. Varya needed little more than a sleeping pad and a blanket at night. She’d be out of his hair in just a few days once she could stand up on her own without her lungs heaving.

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