“The ones from the settlement we visited today, closest to the volcano, yes. Evacuating them was the best option. They’re in a suite of rooms on the ground floor here. While you were away, I tried to prevent Mount Vracor from erupting myself, but I wasn’t strong enough. Not until you returned.”
“You cared enough to do that?”
He conjures a wash basin and uses water and a cloth to wipe the worst of the ash from my face. I must look such a mess.
“They are my people. It was time I started behaving like their king.”
“I’m glad you realized that.”
“I realized a lot of things while you were gone.”
His scent is intoxicating. I breathe him in, noting the subtle difference—the same bitter chocolate, but less smoke and more marshmallow. I want to lick him like a chocolate pop.
His tail curls around my leg and there’s a long, languorous thump in my clit. I’ve missed his casually possessive gestures and the way he can make me melt with a single touch, or word.
“I realized some things too,” I admit. “That you’ve never been in a relationship before, and the only model you had was that of your parents. In your way, you did try your best to care for me. I just got so flustered when you kept blowing hot and cold…”
“I was torn,” he says. “Between what I wanted to do, and what I thought Ishoulddo. And I was confused. All my life, I’ve been told that demons don’t feel. Don’t love. So when I felt things here…” he reaches up and taps his chest over his heart, “I assumed they were yours. Your emotions, via the bond.”
“Ah.”That makes a lot of sense. I place my hand on his thigh, his hot skin warming my fingers as I trace the hard muscle. “I’ll admit I was disappointed when you sent me the gifts. You’ve always given me things to keep me warm and brought me my favorite dishes.” I shoot him a wink to take the sting out of my words. “Pampered your pet. But I wanted this.” I twirl a finger in the air between us. “This connection. For you to love me as an equal—and treat me like one. When you said demons don’t do love, I was heartbroken because I believed you. Because that meant we could never have the kind of relationship I wanted with you.” The memory puts a lump in my throat and I swallow, fighting to keep my voice steady. “But I still had hope. When I watched you visit every village in your kingdom, and recognized you were recreating Christmas, it was clear you were trying to change. I still didn’t know how you felt about me, but I figured, since you were taking my advice and reconnecting with your people, I could at least come and help.”
“And you returned to me. Even though I’m a demon who rules over a hellscape. With a volcano threatening to erupt at any moment.” He’s grinning now, revealing that gorgeous dimple.
“I never said my life choices were always ideal,” I say, but I’m smiling back at him. “Besides, we took care of that. Turns out we were strong enough together, just as you said. But I had no idea we could summon winter.” If I’d known that becoming Krav’s queen would give me Elsa-level powers, I might have pushed to claim the throne sooner. “Luckily, I dressed warmly. My Mrs. Claus outfit held up all right.”
Looking down, I spot more ash on my bodice and dust it off. I’m in a garnet gown trimmed with white fur, an outfit Emma and I collaborated on. Both my new friends helped me come up with the best way to return and surprise Krav. Kim thought the whole thing was hilarious and kept singing,Satan, Baby, put atyrleeunder the tree…until Emma threatened to take her drink away if she didn’t stop.
Feeling Krav’s gaze on me, I shoot him a seductive look. “Do you like it?”
Hunger darkens his mystic topaz eyes. “I like anything you wear. And I like it even better when you wear nothing.”
In the glow of the dying embers, he looks especially monstrous. Firelight finds the hidden glow of his magenta skin, the rainbow colors in his eyes. Every part of him—from his talons to his fangs, his horns and tail, every muscle and sinew in his wings and massive body—was made to rule. To dominate. He’s molded from volcanic fire, a creature of darkness.
He's silent, his gaze unfocused. Miles away.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask.
“How much I have to atone for. I’m so sorry, Renee. I see now how my actions hurt you, again and again. Before I was even old enough to mate, I vowed never to continue the demon line. I didn’t want any child to grow up the way I did. If demons are unable to love, how could they be good parents? My father wrought nothing but fear and suffering on those around him. His mate, his son, his people—”
I take his hand. “I understand the thought process. But you are not your father, Krav.”
“I know that now.” His thumb is caressing my knuckles. “Which is why I’ll stop preventing my seed from taking root in you. Provided you still want that?”
Unable to speak, dizzy with disbelief and burgeoning hope, I can only nod.
Krav’s expression is everything. “I can’t promise I’ll be a perfect father,” he says. “But once I allowed myself to picture it, I started getting more and more excited. And it would not only be a chance to prove I’m not like my father, but also to make amends, another way to show you that you are my mate, my equal, my queen. I want to give you everything your heart desires.”
My sigh eases out of me. A burden that lay like a stone on my chest falls away. When I’m finally able to speak, my voice quivers. “We can take it one day at a time. It doesn’t have to be right away.”
“Now that I’ve made up my mind, I’m ready when you are,” he says. “But you’re right. We don’t need to rush. We have forever. Thanks to you.”
I beckon for him to lean down and he does. I pluck a silver strand from one of his horns, and trail my fingertips down the ribbed appendage. His shudder goes right through me.
He straightens and I shiver, even though we’re in front of the fire. My skin feels tight, chapped from the alternating winter chill and volcanic heat.
“Are you cold, my love?” he asks.
“No. Just tired. And dirty.”
