“And what do I do?” Unlike Oziel, my knowledge of his people is minimal, but I don’t wish for them to suffer. It would hurt Oziel too much, and despite my vow not to care for him, he’s getting under my skin in more ways than one.
“You, Kitten, will dance, party, and mingle to get information.”
I frown. “Have you forgotten that I’m queen? No demon will speak freely to me. Not if they know anything.” The staff has seen my face, and demons talk. Those who haven’t seen me yet still know I exist. It only takes one finger pointed in my direction for this whole plan to unravel.
Oziel appears unmoved by my problem. “Then you won’t be the queen at the ball.”
“Speak plainly,” I grit through my teeth. “If you have a plan, share it.”
“So impatient, Miss Sinclair. Yes, I’m quite aware that the demons won’t speak openly with you if they think they are speaking to the queen. However, if they think they are just speaking to a pretty she-demon, their tongues may be looser.” Oziel circles me. Predator assessing his prey. Except I’m not prey.
I whirl on him, grabbing his wrist. His eyes flash with emotion. Anger? Lust? Something else? I ignore it. “How will I disguise myself, then?”
“My power may not be as strong as normal, but I can shadow your appearance, making you appear different to anyone who looks at you. I can give you a few hours at most. As long as you stay within the ballroom, we shouldn’t have a problem. You just need to play your part.”
My part. How would a demon act at these parties? Considering what we are giving them to drink and everything else I’ve seen, it will require pretending to be drunk on lust. “So, you want me to flirt and fuck my way to an answer?”
There’s no denying the anger written across his features this time. His golden eyes darken, body tensing. His hand curls around my hip, pulling me closer. “I said nothing about fucking, Kitten,” he says in a low, gruff voice that would send weaker women to their knees before him.
I’m tempted to fall to my own knees, especially considering what I got to experience yesterday, but Oziel has made no mention of it, so neither will I.
“I will do what must be done to get answers,” I argue.
“You don’t need to fuck to get answers.” His grip on my waist tightens, and he pulls me flush against his body. My breath hitches as he tilts my chin up, forcing me to look in his eyes. “Flirt if you must. Touch even. But under no circumstances will you fuck anyone.”
“Anyone but you, that is.” I wish my voice didn’t sound so breathless, giving away my own lust. My mindconjures up pictures of last night. His throbbing cock in my mouth. His muscular body over mine, fucking me with abandon. Wetness and heat pool between my thighs.
As if in tune with my arousal, Oziel’s nostrils flare, his tongue slowly and deliberately running across his lips. “Correct, Kitten. You fuck no one but me.”
Mustering up my last bit of power against him, I tug on his pants, pulling his hips to mine. He stumbles forward with a grunt. “And you fuck no one but me either. If you so much as kiss another, I will retaliate. I’ve killed once. Don’t think I’m afraid to do it again.”
A sexy smirk crossed his lips. “Not even kissing? Why, Miss Sinclair, I gave you permission to kiss to get information.”
“Yeah, you did. Dumb strategy on your part. I give you no such permission,” I say, heat in my voice. There’s no way I can stop him if he decides to play with another demon at the ball. I have no power against him. But I also won’t watch my husband openly flirt with someone in my presence. When I’m gone, he can fuck through his whole kingdom. Until then, he’smine.
“Very well,” he finally says after a brief silence, his voice smooth and rich, like velvet sliding over my skin. A slow warmth spreads through me at the sound, both alluring and dangerous. “I will stand by and watch my wife flirt with and kiss other demons in the name of gathering information while I keep my hands to myself. Hardly seems fair, but then again, I am nothing if not merciful.”
“So, we have a plan.”
“It seems we do,” Oziel says. “And once this is over, Kitten, I would very much like to show you why you won’t be satisfied fucking anyone else.”
How could I possibly say no to that? Maybe I should. It wouldn’t be wise to get too attached, and even though I try to ignore it, there’s an undeniable pull. Unfortunately, I’m not strong enough to deny it.
Chapter 25
Oziel
Over the next three days while my staff prepares for the ball, the kingdom is quiet. It’s not the peaceful silence of a safe kingdom, though. The air is heavy with anticipation. Demons peer around every corner, expecting it to be their last moment before the stone curse takes them as well. The only distraction is preparing the ballroom for tonight’s celebration. Despite the fear breeding through the castle, there’s a hesitant excitement in the air for the upcoming ball.
My duty has torn me away from Isabelle, leaving an ache in my chest that refuses to fade. I crave her presence in a way I’ve never experienced before. An intense, all-consuming longing that tightens its grip with each passing moment. The time apart has made one thing painfully clear: I’ve enjoyed having her by my side far more than is wise.
My gaze drifts to the roses resting on the table, their delicate petals a stark contrast to the war waging withinme. A reminder. An omen. Forming feelings for this human is a mistake. A weakness I cannot afford. Demons and love have never gone hand in hand. It makes great kings and queens vulnerable because it provides the enemy with our ultimate weakness.
Garvan’s incessant tapping from his perch by the fireplace draws my attention away from preparing myself for tonight’s ball. He’s been by my side these last three days, only disappearing at night when I crawl in bed with Isabelle, tormented by her body next to mine. Neither one of us has made a move to continue what we started, though a fire simmers between us every night.
“Speak your mind, Garvan.”
The demon’s head pops up, meeting my gaze. He’s the one demon who can handle being in the position of courtier. He doesn’t shy away from tough conversations and providing his opinion. I don’t always follow it, but he gives it nonetheless.
