“Hey, if you’re into that kind of thing, I don’t judge,” Kim says.
I manage a smile. “To be fair, I was into it, but then I fell for him and—”
“And she wanted him to love her back,” Emma finishes for me when my voice cracks.
“Wait—he doesn’t love you?” Kim’s eyebrows are almost touching her hairline.
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “He believes demons aren’t capable of love,” I tell her. “Seems like he’s determined to take after his asshole dad in that regard. So while he took care of every aspect of my physical well-being, he always kept me at a distance emotionally. Like there was an invisible barrier between us. He never listened to what I was telling him, never showed any interest in me as a person.” I sigh. “He doesn’t care about his people, either—says they should be strong enough to fend for themselves. I think that’s what gets to me the most.”
There’s no point in mentioning Mount Vracor. It’s not like Emma or Kim can do anything to help. Besides, this subject is depressing and we’re meant to be having fun.
“What is this supposed to be? A toy?” Kim holds up the little object I rescued when it dropped out from the folds of the cloak.
I take it, examining it closely for the first time. It’s a piece of stone like obsidian, carved into a tiny shape.
“Is that a mini statue of Krav?” Kim asks. “It’s got wings. You said he has wings, right?”
“Yeah, but this isn’t him.” I hold it up and point out the claw feet and lion’s body, topped with the eagle-like head. “It’s astyxian. They’re like griffins. Krav keeps one as a pet—he’s called Plutus.”
I marvel at the delicate carving and the thought behind this gift. Krav sent me a miniature Plutus, a figurine of his beloved pet—whom he cared for against his father’s wishes. Proof that Krav wasn’t his father, that he had a softer side. I miss that part of him.
I also miss his intensity. The fiery heat of his lust, the cool composure of his control. The way he’d dominate me until my orgasms flayed me open. The way he’d gather my hands to his chest to warm them.
Tears fill my eyes. “Oh, guys.” I rest my hand on my throat, mimicking the weight of the collar I used to wear, and surreptitiously stroke the scar where Krav claimed me. Whenever my heart threatens to burst from the pain, touching the bite mark soothes me. “I want to see him again.”
“No,” Kim and Emma say in unison.
“I know it’s a bad idea—”
“Do not, and I cannot repeat this enough,do notcall your ex.” Kim lifts her glass in my direction, sloshing it all over herself.
“Stop.” Emma grabs her arm, which only makes the drink spill more. “Kim! You’re spraying everywhere.”
“That’s what she said,” Kim says with a wink, and they both dissolve into giggles.
“Guys, I’m serious. I wonder… would there be a way to see him but without him seeing me?”
“Like a spy cam?” Kim guzzles the rest of her drink and sets the empty glass down. “I’m sure we can rig that. Rose told me her guy has them all over his palace.”
“Creepy.” Emma hands Kim a wet cloth, and Kim mops the spilled drink off her face, cleavage and hands..
“Eh, exhibitionism and voyeurism are valid kinks,” Kim says. “Not my preference, but if they enjoy it…”
Emma shoots me a look. She and I had a long conversation about BDSM and our submissive sides. She used to go to clubs to get her fix. We both have a working theory that the Omega serum works in tandem with our masochistic streaks and love of power play, somehow enhancing them.
I suspect Kim has her own ideas about that, but right now she’s busy setting up an orb in front of me and fiddling with it.
It takes less time than I thought it would to rig one of the orbs to give me a live visual of Krav. Kim assures me it’s a one-way view—I can see him, but he can’t see me. The sphere pulses with light and I peer into its milky depths, my two new friends behind me.
I’m holding my breath as if waiting for a blow. I expect to see Krav in his castle chambers, lounging by the fire with his wings akimbo and a bored expression on his face. A still life painting titled:Demon King Enjoys His Solitude.
The image comes into focus… and there he is. My heart skips at the sight of him. He is on a throne, but it doesn’t look like he’s in his castle. His spine is straight, his posture regal. Glittering gold and silver strands are draped over his horns.
He’s wearing a gold and red robe trimmed with black fur. Someone is bowing to him.
“Where is he?” I whisper. Now that I’m doing it, I feel kinda guilty about spying on him but I can’t tear my eyes away.
The camera pans out to reveal the whole scene. Krav sits on a throne in the middle of a village square with people thronging around him. A familiar crimson figure with bright orange hair stands beside the throne, wringing his hands. It’s Alkarvi, the village elder who took one look at me and decided I’d make a good sacrificial virgin.
