Chapter 45
Daisy
The bright light of Luminaria streams through the tall windows, casting golden ribbons across the bed as I wake up.
My eyes flutter open slowly, my body aching in the best way. Every muscle hums with soreness—the kind that makes you blush just thinking about it. The healing tonic still sits untouched on the bedside table like an afterthought. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I remember how filthy it’d gotten. He was all demon—punishing, relentless, mine. And I’d loved every second of it.
The shower afterward had been tender. Gentle. He’d held me like I was breakable, like I was something precious and fragile. I think that part undid me more than anything else. I’m not sure anyone else has ever seen that side of him, and I relished in the fact that I got to see the tender side of the Heir of Hell. I just hope he doesn’t go back to cold Kori today. I don’t think I could handle the whiplash, not after last night. Not when I’m still riding the high of being fully his.
I lift my head from his chest, blinking up at him. He’s already awake, watching me with his brows furrowed and his jaw tight, like he’s in the middle of a war with himself.
“Good morning,” I say softly, offering a small smile.
Please don’t be an ass. Please don’t be an ass.
He quirks his mouth up slightly and strokes his hand slowly up and down my spine. “Good morning, little flower.”
I internally release a sigh of relief. Thank the gods. Not an ass. Not yet, at least.
“You okay?” I ask gently. “You were frowning when I looked up at you.”
He nods and leans forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. The tenderness of it hits me right in the chest, and the butterflies go feral.
“How did you sleep?” He asks, voice careful. His eyes look into mine like he’s searching for something.
“Good, I think,” I say, frowning slightly. “My body definitely hurts, though.” I huff a laugh, heat blooming across my cheeks.
He stretches across me and grabs the healing tonic from the bedside table. He pops the cork and gently presses it to my lips.
“Drink up, princess. I need you strong for the last leg of our journey.”
I tip my head back and swallow the cool, swirling liquid. It slips down my throat like silk, the magic tingling as it goes down. I feel the power of it slowly soothing the ache in my limbs. He pulls the bottle away, setting it down again, and uses the pad of his thumb to wipe the corner of my mouth.
“So…” he says, “no nightmares or anything?”
I blink. “Uh, I don’t think so. Why?”
“No reason.” He says, just a little too quickly. “Just asking.”
My mouth parts to push him, but he cuts me off. “Any regrets?”
“Regrets?” I echo. “About what?”
“Last night,” he says, almost too softly. He lays his head back on the pillow, eyes staring up at the ceiling like he’s afraid of my answer.
I pause for a moment. Still naked, I climb over him and straddle his torso, pressing my palms into the pillow on either side of his head. I lean down until our foreheads touch, having to rise to my knees because of how freaking tall this man is. My golden hair falls like a curtain around us.
“Not a single one,” I whisper. “Husband.”
I press a soft kiss to the tip of his nose. His eyes flash, and he growls at me. The next second, I’m on my back, pinned beneath him. His hands trap mine above my head, his body pressing me into the mattress. I don’t miss the feel of his cock pressing against me, solid and fucking huge.
“Don’t say that word while straddling me naked,” he growls, “unless you want me to fuck you until you’re a whimpering mess, Daisy.”
I consider my options:
Option A: Be a good girl and behave.
Option B: Whisper that word again and see if he follows through on that delicious threat.
