He picks me up, carries me to my hammock and dumps me in it. He steps back away from me as if I burn. I watch him balefully as I run a finger over my tingling and swollen lips. I had forgotten all about kissing. Hazy memories have come flooding back. But I am quite sure it never felt this good before.
Mal’s hooded eyes watch my finger as it traces over my wet lips. Then he shakes himself as if rousing from a stupor.
“Don’t fall for me, Little One,” he growls. “I’m not a good man.”
I’m not good either. I’m not even a man. I’m a demon. He is not making any sense. Besides, he can’t tell me not to want him. It is not something within my power to control. He can’t beat it out of me.
He sighs heavily and runs his hand through his hair. “Let’s go up to the main house for breakfast. External stimuli will help keep you anchored.”
Fine. Going upstairs sounds awful, but it has been a terribly long time since I had a choice about anything. And I believe Mal knows what he is talking about. A new place and new people will be worth it. I don’t want to drift away anymore.
Not if Mal might kiss me again.
Mal has allowed me to wear my robe. I wrap it tightly around myself and let the fluffiness soothe me while trying not to appear as weak as I am.
I cast a furtive glance at the beautiful sky as we walk from the basement door to the entrance of the main house. The sky is a pale gray today, layered with different shades of clouds. Truly breathtaking. It’s gone all too soon as Mal takes me into the house.
He leads me to a large kitchen. Three people are in it. The little kelpie and a human vessel. The third person is alarming. Human. Tall and well muscled. His aura is painted with death and violence. His ether is linked to Lello’s. He has claimed the kelpie. Made him his.
The human whirls gracefully around to face me. His eyes widen. Fear and hatred roll off of him. He means to attack.
I hiss at him in warning. He is no match for me. I can smash his rib bones. Pull out his lungs and watch them flutter as life tries to cling on. His eyes will bulge and blood will pour out of his mouth and then he will die.
Mal’s strong hand rests on my shoulder. Reminding me that he is in charge. He doesn’t want me to kill the stupid human.
Mal guides me to a chair and sits me down. I keep my eyes on the human. If he attacks, I’m defending myself. I don’t care how much trouble I will be in.
“Since you’ve been good, I’ll cook you some bacon,” says Mal.
My stomach rumbles. I love bacon. It is the best food Mal has given me so far. My mouth is watering at the thought.
The dangerous human makes his way to the table I am sitting at. He sits down with a cup of coffee in his hand. I growl at him and his eyes fix on me.
“None of that,” says Mal calmly as he glances over his shoulder at me. His voice is soft but has an edge of steel to it.
My growl dies. I flash Mal a quick look before dropping my gaze. I feel Mal’s eyes on me for a moment. Then, seeming satisfied, he turns his attention back to preparing bacon.
I move my hands from the table to my lap. There is a pair of scorched handprints on the table. My stomach twists and my throat tightens. Is Mal going to be angry?
“Hey Gray, it’s lovely to see you up and about,” says Lello brightly.
I blink at him. His sunny mood is a stark contrast to my deep concern. It is hard to pull my thoughts away from Mal’s potential wrath to focus on the kelpie.
“Would you like some toast while you are waiting for your bacon?” says Lello as he pushes a full plate towards me.
He is offering me food. Freely. Of his own volition.
I stare at it. What could he possibly want in return? I have nothing to offer him. My body is my only currency, and he is mated to the scary human. He will not want to fuck me.
I try to read the kelpie’s eyes, but he is giving nothing away. He just seems happy. Innocent. Kind. I’m glad he is not dying anymore. It is a good thing that this new mate bond has saved him. Whatever I think of his human.
“Well, it is there if you want it,” says Lello.
He exchanges a quick look with his mate and then turns his attention to the small human magic weaver. They start a conversation. I watch the tiny human. He is familiar. He is verypretty. I think he was in the harem too. I think his name is Pink, but I have no idea how I know that.
He used to be so very sad. Despondent. Hopeless. I remember that. He is better now. His scars are healing and there is a tentative flame of hope in his soul. It is wonderful to see. I’m happy he is free and that his suffering is over.
My gaze flicks to Mal, and simmering resentment starts to burn. He treats me far better than anyone has in a hundred long years. But he still owns me. Controls me. Freedom is a distant dream for me.
