Page 75 of To Hunt a Demon King

“We’ll be going first thing in the morning,” Carnon said calmly, reaching back to give my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“No, Carnon,” Herne growled. “Now. I want her out of my house. I want her away from my mate. You take her and put her under the watch of the king’s guard tonight. Or so help me…

“What?” Carnon shouted, his own anger staining his neck a shade of pink that climbed up his face. “What will you do to me, Herne?”

Tension seemed to fill the tiny space as Carnon and Herne glowered at each other. Cerridwen shot me an apologetic grimace.

“Males,” she mouthed with a roll of her eyes.

“Take her,” Herne said slowly, “or I will make sure the Lords find out before you’ve had time to spin this.”

Carnon seemed to blanch a little, and I frowned, not understanding the threat.

“Fine,” Carnon bit out. “Go get our things, Elara.”

I didn’t argue, sliding past the men who were locked in what seemed to be a battle of wills as Akela, still growling, escorted me up the stairs. A suspicion had begun to gnaw away at me, and I chewed it over as I packed up our things.

I really hoped I was wrong. Goddess above, I hoped I was wrong. But part of me knew I wasn’t. I may be naive and sheltered, but I wasn’t a complete idiot.

“I’m sorry, Red,” Carnon said behind me, and I jumped, pushing my suspicion as far down as I could to examine later. I turned to see him leaning on the door frame, looking at me seriously. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s fine,” I said, plastering on what I hoped was a semi-convincing smile. “And you don’t have to apologize.”

“I do,” he said, frowning at me. “I just outed you and put you in danger.”

“Will Herne do something about it?” I asked. Carnon pursed his lips.

“Not if we do as he asked,” he said with a sigh. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not a threat, but when mates are concerned, demon males are prone to be…overprotective.”

“Males?” I asked, handing Carnon the packs and pulling on my boots. “Cerridwen used that term, too. Do you mean men?” Carnon shook his head.

“Male demons are not like human men, Red.” He said, still looking at me seriously. “They’re more like animals when their homes or loved ones are threatened. ‘Males’ is the correct term, and ‘females’ rather than women is also most correct when referring to demons. Ready?”

I nodded, standing to follow him. He stopped me at the door, leaning down to brush a gentle kiss against my lips.

“I really am sorry,” he whispered. “I thought we’d have more time here.”

I looked up at him, that suspicion in me solidifying into a chunk of glass in my gut. “What now?” I asked, trying to keep the feeling from showing on my face.

“Now,” Carnon said with a sigh, “I take you to the Demon King.”

Chapter 28

“This doesn’t seem appropriate,” I hissed as Carnon knocked on a small stone side door that led, he claimed, into the palace kitchens.

We had left Herne and Cerridwen’s house on foot as night fell, Carnon insisting we both keep ourselves covered by our cloaks. The palace, made entirely of moonstone, glowed softly in the night as we neared, its lovely, delicate spires seeming to touch the stars as we grew closer. Rather than walk through the heavily guarded silver gates of the palace like normal people would do, we had gone around the back, Carnon insisting we scale a wall rather than just announce ourselves to the guards.

“If you work for the Demon King,” I hissed, irritation rising as Carnon heaved me up and over the wall, “then why is this necessary?” It was only about a ten foot climb, but I was clearly not strong in that department.

“Because,” Carnon said, breathing a little more heavily than normal, which only added to my irritation, “I want to make sure we arrive on good terms. No one appreciates being blindsided in the night.”

I rolled my eyes at this obvious lie as he jumped down the wall. Akela had already sprung over to my surprise, acting like a ten foot jump was nothing, and both waited for me at the bottom.

“Come on, Red,” Carnon whispered. “I promise I’ll catch you.” Saying a little prayer to the Goddess and wishing I had time to cast a levitation spell, I dropped, landing squarely in Carnon’s arms. He grunted a little at my weight, and I scowled.

“Dainty as a feather,” he joked, setting me on my feet. Akela gave me a friendly nose bump on the hip, then scampered off around the castle.

“Where is he going?” I hissed, feeling more vulnerable without the wolf for protection.

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