And he was happy for her that she had family here. Her sister had shown up among the survivors of her village. Sadly, Davyn’s hadn’t.
Before he could speak a word, she took his hand and led him back to her small cottage, which wasn’t very far from where Davyn and Paris lived.
With every step that took him closer to her bed, the ardent hunger mounted inside him. He knew from his mother that their cravings were very different from what humans felt whenever they were hungry. Part of the Apollite curse was a ravenous madness unlike anything imaginable, one that required a partner to be on their guard lest the feeding end up a murder scene where one of them ripped the throat out of the other.
No doubt that was Apollo’s malicious intent, too. The burning hunger that begged their species to devour each other. To possess and ravage as violently as possible. Maybe the humans were right and they were more akin to animals than sentient beings.
Sometimes he did feel as if the demon inside him were the one in control more than the human. And he hadn’t even gone Daimon yet. He could only imagine how much worse he’d be once he converted.
It was a fear that plagued him constantly. That he would become trelos and uncontrollable. What if he lost himself to that madness and never returned?
They lived so close to the edge anyway. Danced with madness on a nightly basis. He knew it wouldn’t take much to nudge anyone over the edge of that precipice.
It was terrifying to know what one was capable of. To be born a killer who preyed in order to live. He could deny the monster inside, but only for so long. The day was coming when he’d have to embrace that beast.
And he knew it.
As soon as they were inside her modest cottage, Xanthia shut the door and locked it. There was no light because monsters didn’t need it. They could see in pure darkness.
She untied her belt and let it fall to her feet.
Urian’s breath rushed out of his body in sweet expectation, then caught as she reached for the fibula on her shoulder. She unfastened it so that her entire gown dropped to the floor.
His throat went dry at the sight of her unadorned beauty. Monster or not, she was perfection. Her pale skin glistened in the darkness and beckoned him with the promise of a lot more than just a succulent meal.
With a gentle smile, she approached him and reached for his baldric and sheath. “So bashful and handsome.”
“I don’t want to scare you.”
That was what came easiest to them.
Laughing, she nipped at his chin while her fingers nimbly worked the leather until she freed him from his armor. Piece by piece, she dropped it to the floor, where it landed with a dull clank. “I never realized how much of this a warrior donned for battle.”
All the better to kill with.
She grimaced at his vambrace. “Nor how heavy it was. No wonder you’re so muscular.”
He smiled as she fumbled with the straps of his hauberk, which was heavier than regular armor. Xyn’s scales weren’t like forged armor. They were more pliable and stronger. And a lot stronger and more durable. “Thatyou won’t be able to lift, akra.”
She arched her brow at his term of respect. “Oh?”
“Mmm.” He pulled it off, over his head, and held it out to her.
With a frown, she gripped the shoulder.
Urian only released a portion of the weight to her and yet it was enough to cause her to stumble forward.
“Oh dear gods!”
He grinned as he placed it carefully on the floor. “Told you.”
“How in the name of Archon do you walk about in this?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been wearing armor since I was a boy. I think nothing of it.” Besides, he adored Xyn’s armor. It reminded him of her and her care for him. He felt invincible in it.
When he moved for his greaves, she knelt down to unbuckle them. Grinding his teeth, Urian growled at the sensuous way she stroked and massaged his leg while she freed him from the scales and leather. Then she nipped his calf with her fangs, dragging her nails down the length of his well-muscled leg.
His head spun. Chills ran up and down his flesh as every nerve ending sprang to life in the wake of her caresses. He’d never felt like this. His powers sizzled and arced. It was as if lightning danced through his body. For the first time, his demon was quelled and quiet.
