I really don’t know why he looks so stunned.
He and I both know I’ll never leave the three men down there to rot.
5
The Dungeon
Aries
Ahot dampness assaults my nose the moment we take our first steps down the dark sloping tunnel. I’d like to say I’m not such a prissy princess that I’ve never wandered down into the depths of the castle’s dungeons, but seriously, it smells like warm piss and lingering vomit, and I have never in my life stepped foot down here.
As a member of the Shadow Guard, I worked away from home. I had to separate myself from my kingdom if I wanted to help at all. I couldn’t be caught. So I never once laid eyes on the demonic prisoners held within my own home.
“Just let me do all the talking when we get down there, love,” Krave whispers, his hand hovering over the small of my back but not quite touching.
The way he doesn’t touch me, it just seems to make me all the more aware of where his hands should be resting. Where his fingers would be grazing against my body. Where I should feel his tingling addicting touch.
Instead, I feel nothing but cold air between his long fingers and my prickling flesh.
The deeper down we go, the more the darkness settles in around us. Krave lifts his hand, and the sparkling smoke that clings to his fingertips shines little lights from the glinting silver glitter that’s mixed with his dark magic. The white dim lighting dances along the wet brick walls. Literally. The shadows of a slender woman with a sweeping gown and a lithe man in a tailored suit sway intimately together, the flecks of silver meld together to create the little loving couple, and I do distinctly make out a detailed pair of curving horns arching up from her head. When the graceful man dips his partner with a bend of her slim figure, he places a chaste kiss to the center of her throat.
A shiver races down my neck.
I feel that kiss everywhere.
My attention slips to him, but he seems unaware of what artistic show his magic is performing for us. His attention is focused ahead, and I can’t help but smile at him. The light carves his features into sharp lines and haunted beauty.
He’s always so tragic-looking. So... tormented by the secrets he keeps.
He isn’t a bad man. He’s a good man in a bad, bad world.
And I’m tired of punishing him for the things we’ve both done.
“Krave,” I whisper, my fingers catching his for a single second.
Then he lifts that hand, shaking out and flicking away the pretty image of the couple like rain droplets from his hand. It’s only then that I realize we’ve stopped walking. A cage-like door is in front of him, and through the thick bars, a pale face can be seen glaring back at us.
The guard on the other side has dirt streaked across his hard features. A deep scar runs through his right eyebrow and across his cheek. He seems like the type of guy who lives in a dungeon. Yes, he definitely looks like a dungeon master of sorts.
“Viral, how have you been? How is your...” the way Krave pauses, drawing out his dramatic flair with a wave of his hand, brings all attention to him. “How is your wife? Is she still as pretty as I remember?”
Wow. This... this is why I should let him do all the talking? Are you fucking kidding me right now? Viral’s going to break everyone of Krave’s long magical fingers one by one if he says another fucking word.
“She’s well. Thank you, Mr. Salvation. We haven’t forgotten what you’ve done for us.” Viral’s thick brows remain lowered over his dark eyes, but he nods to the incubus with total respect.
What. The. Demon. Fuck. Is happening right now?
“It was entirely my pleasure, Viral.”
I blink dumbly at the two men. They ignore me and my gaping mouth entirely.
“My Princess was interested in purchasing a new demon or two. Are there any left after yesterday’s auction?” Krave is the most casual talker. He lies with ease. It shouldn’t be an admirable trait, and yet in this moment, when I need through this locked door more than I need anything else in the world, it is a kind quality.
“Ah, the auction was canceled because of the rain. Rescheduled for tomorrow morning. I can’t move anyone, but you’re welcome to get an early glance at the stock, if you’d like.” The way the guard saysstockmakes my stomach roil, and it makes me hate the man a little.
“That would be very appreciated.” Krave nods with a charming smile. Disgust is still heavy in my throat. I can’t force myself to mimic his politeness. My lips are pulled so far down, I’m sure misery and anger are written all across my face.
Clanking sounds scrape through the silence as the guard works the lock on his side. The incubus tilts his head, his inky hair falling into his eyes as he tips his head down to me. His touch sears across my arm as he trails his fingers lightly over my flesh. It’s the briefest calming moment of his hands against my body.
