The sass that filled her tone turned him on more than it probably should have, and he wanted nothing more than to strip her down and turn her ass red as he drove into her. But that would have to wait. “You make that sound like a bad plan. Sounds pretty good to me, especially if you’re in it with me.”
Auraelia groaned in frustration, then turned on her heel, mumbling,“You’re insufferable,”under her breath.
The laugh that tumbled out of his mouth was full and loud, and it stopped her in her tracks. He paused for a moment, shocked that he’d actuallylaughed. He hadn’t done that in months and the realization had him starting all over again.
When he finally calmed, he smiled at her. “I think I’m quite delightful.”
Annoyance colored her features, but there was a smile in her eyes as she scoffed, “Of course you do.”
Sighing, she gestured to the table in her makeshift dining area. The memory of her spread out on that same table the night before had his blood heating, and he briefly wondered how mad she would be if he did it again.
Auraelia’s voice carried across the space, once again pulling him from his fantasies. “Piper brought breakfast if you’re hungry.”
Sothat’swho was at the door.
Daemon stood and followed her into the main area of her suite. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods filled the space and made his mouth water.
Auraelia sat in one of the chairs and poured the dark, bitter liquid into two mugs. He had just reached for his cup when she pulled the silver cloche off the tray, and a small smile formed as he took in the contents. Chocolate croissants, enough fortwo, were piled onto the tray, their tops a flakey golden brown.
I knew I liked Piper.
Taking the seat opposite Auraelia, Daemon picked up one of the pastries and took a bite. The slight bitterness of the dark chocolate sang sweetly with the salty butter of the crust.
“Goddess, these are better than I remember,” he said around the moan that rumbled up his throat.
Auraelia chuckled, then took a sip of her coffee. “Is Auntie Jodie not making them for you anymore?” Her hands paused halfway back to the table, as something like shock flashed across her eyes. As if she hadn’t meant to say the words out loud.
Not wanting to let her thoughts spin, Daemon quickly answered, “She is. But nothing compares to the original.”
Her eyes met his, and her cheeks flushed under his gaze. No doubt remembering the first time they’d shared the delicacy under the trees by the training pitch, just as he had been. He’d never get tired of that. Of seeing the way her body reacted to him despite how hard she tried to fight it.
Daemon knew he had his work cut out for him when it came to Auraelia but seeing her fall back into the ease they once had with each other gave him hope—even when she would erect her walls right after she realized it. He was determined to find the chink in her armor that would let him back in. When he did, he would never let her go again.
They ate in semi-comfortable silence, but once Auraelia finished, she cleared her throat and stood from the table. “I uh—I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Oh?” he asked, curiosity filling his tone. When she didn’t respond, he filled the silence. “Care to share?”
“Not really.” Auraelia reached over to where her dagger was still lying on the tabletop and strapped it to her thigh.
“Well, shit, Princess. If you need that, maybe I should tag along.” Daemon wiped his hands on a napkin and stood.
“I don’tneedyou to come with me,” she spat, her tone colder than the air outside. Her hands shook as she attempted to buckle the leather straps around her leg, and her breathing slowly became more and more ragged.
Taking the two steps to get to her, Daemon knelt at her feet and stilled her trembling fingers. “Here, let me.”
Auraelia slowly pulled her hands from his grasp, and he immediately felt the loss. Every time they touched it was like an electric current running through him. Like her magic threaded itself into his own veins.
Daemon finished fastening the buckles and ensured her dagger was securely seated within its sheath. When he stood, her eyes were still downcast to where he had been kneeling.
Slipping a finger beneath her chin, he brought her gaze to his. “Where are you going that’s got you so frazzled, Auraelia?” She opened her mouth, and he could already hear the lie that was about to slip from her lips. “Don’t lie to me, Princess. I can readyou better than I can read the stars in the sky.Whereare you going?”
Auraelia blew out a breath, her eyes closing as resolve settled into her features. “I’m going to the dungeons…to see Kyra.”
Kyra? She hasn’t been dealt with yet?
“Auraelia—”
She opened her eyes at the sound of her name, fierce determination coursing through them as streaks of peridot streamed across the gray. “Don’t.”
