“You could have died, Isabelle,” I hiss, my body heating up in anger.
“Well, I didn’t, so don’t fucking get growly with me. Do you want to know what happened, or do you want to stand there pissed?” She narrows her eyes, her hands resting on her slim hips, chastising me as if I were a child. For anyone else, I would burn them where they stand for speaking to me like that. But because this is Isabelle? It’s practically foreplay.
The corners of my lips turn up into an amused smile. Isabelle notices my change, and heat rushes to her cheeks. “I followed the attacker out to the River Hel. They were poisoning the water, and I tried to stop them.”
“You were going to stop a demon, Kitten?”
Isabelle’s nostrils flare as her cheeksstain a deeper crimson. “I wasn’t thinking about that. I was thinking about capturing the demon. I managed to injure them, but they escaped when I was distracted by the Nephilim chaos.”
“You drew blood?” Both pride and an unfamiliar sensation swell my chest. This human amazes me around every corner.
“Yes, I did,” she says rather smugly.
“Do you have the knife on you?”
Isabelle’s cocky smile falters. “Erm, no. I think I dropped it back at the river. Was it important to you?”
The dagger itself isn’t. Just another dagger from my weaponry. But what could potentially be on that dagger is important. “Tomorrow, we will go and scout out the area. If there’s blood to be found, I can use it to identify the traitor.”
Isabelle’s eyes widen at that. She looks ready to bolt for the door. Her words only confirm my suspicion. “Then we should go now. Before it’s too late?—”
My hand snakes out and wraps around her wrist, silencing her. Whether from my touch or her own confusion, I don’t know. Though, I’d like to think the former. Perhaps I’ve grown soft in my wife’s presence, but my body is tired. I pulled deep into the well of magic, scraping every last drop to take down the Nephilim. Then I used the last of my adrenaline to fuck my wife.
My bed is calling. I need rest after the display of magic I used earlier.
The River Hel can wait a few hours. “Sleep first,” I say, but Isabelle opens her mouth, ready to argue with me. I quickly add, “We both need rest. Neither of us willbe of use tired. We can attend to the area first thing in the morning.”
At first, I think Isabelle is going to argue with me regardless. The truth is that my body craves sleep. This weakness frightens me above all else. Not only am I not the strong king my people need, but it further proves our magic is almost gone. We will be completely exposed and vulnerable to our enemies.
However, Isabelle sags, a deep sigh leaving her pink lips. “Fine. Sleep and then we scout the River Hel.” With that, she turns her back on me and heads out of the shower chambers. I find myself following her, and I can’t help but wonder how much longer I’ll have her in my bed.
Our time is fading quickly.
Chapter 32
Isabelle
As much as I was against sleep, it came easily the moment my head hit the pillow. It didn’t occur to me that I was running on pure adrenaline from fighting the hooded attacker, worrying about Oziel, and fucking him. My body fell into the bed, and I slept until soft hands gently nudged me awake the following morning.
For a demon, Oziel’s touch can be gentle. Soothing even. I doubt many others get to feel their king caressing them like this. My eyes flutter open, the flames from the fire burning in the hearth dancing across Oziel’s face. Despite having slept, dark circles underline his eyes. The usual teasing smirk dims to a soft smile. Maybe it’s my sleep-riddled brain, but he appears gaunt and paler than usual.
“Get dressed, Kitten. Garvan is going to meet us by the River Hel to assist in our search this morning. Are you hungry?” His knuckles run across my cheek in an intimate gesture.
I shiver, my body betraying how much I enjoy the touch. It feels different than normal.
My stomach churns, but not with hunger. Nerves fill the void, and I’m too worked up for breakfast. Answers first, food second.
“I’ll eat later,” I decide, pushing myself up. Oziel is dressed, making me wonder just how long the demon king’s been awake. After throwing back the covers, I get out of bed to search for clothes, Oziel’s hot stare boring into my naked body.
Maybe I bend down a little more than I need to when selecting my clothes. I’m rewarded with a growl and a swift ass spanking. My body heats, already primed for him, despite just having him hours ago.Fucking focus.
The dress I pull out is black—of course—with a fitted bodice and flowing skirt. I don’t bother with panties, which earns me another satisfying growl, and pull the dress over my head. I quickly fix the top, making sure my tits aren’t spilling out, before slipping on sandals. “I’m ready.”
“That you are.” Even his voice lacks its usual playful humor. Yesterday must have taken more out of him than he’s willing to share. Before I have a chance to pry, Oziel takes my hand. I’m prepared to walk to the River Hel, but his shadows wrap around us.
“Oziel, no—” But my protests go unheard as the familiar feeling of being swept away overtakes me.
A moment later, the shadows retract, slithering back to Oziel. He sways precariously, and I reach out to grab him. “You shouldn’t have done that,” I chastise.
