The longer we sat on the couch, the more his muscles relaxed. Finally, he inhaled deeply before releasing it with a sigh, and his body sagged into the back of the sofa.
Without lifting my head, I asked, “Better now?”
“Yes,” he rumbled, his voice soft.
“Can you tell me what just happened?” I paired the request with a soft stroke of my hand against his ribs.
He winced slightly, laying his hand over mine. I wondered if it tickled, but didn’t ask. I didn’t want to give him the opportunity to change the subject.
“I’m going to be honest with you,” he stated. “And you’re not going to like what I have to say.”
“I’d rather hear the truth and process it than be lied to and find out later I was betrayed.”
“I know.” He sighed, dropping his head back to rest on the top of the sofa.
His hand came up to cup my head, keeping my head pressed against his shoulder. I didn’t fight his hold. I relaxed against him, giving him a moment to collect his thoughts.
Finally, he said, “After last night, I feel very… possessive of you. Daemons have instincts sometimes when it comes to females and sex. It may seem strange to humans, but I didn’t even like the fact that he was looking at you. When he offered to buy you, it set off those instincts, and I lost control.”
“Was that why you had red streaks in your eyes?” I asked.
“Yes. We call it mating rage. It usually only happens when our female is threatened.”
My entire body went still at his words.Mating rage? As in mates, like marriage?My thoughts crashed together in my head. Then, logic asserted itself. Maybe mating was interchangeable with sex for them.
“Mating?” I asked. “What does mating mean to daemons?”
He paused. “We can sense when a female is compatible with us. It can trigger our mating instincts, which are similar to those of predators. We feel the urge to chase and hunt. Female daemons want to run, to be pursued. It is their way of testinga male’s worthiness. We also feel possessive of the female and protective. If we perceive she is in danger, we will neutralize the threat. If we feel another male is trying to pursue her, we will fight them. Sometimes to the death.”
“Can you control these instincts?” I asked.
Bokkan shrugged his opposite shoulder so he wouldn’t jostle my head. “Yes. To a point. If the female rejects us, the instincts fade within a few days. If she does not run from us or is not under threat, it is usually very easy to deal with them. We have more control than that. But I tasted you last night. I brought you pleasure. That created a connection between us. Then, today, Karaj tried to take you from me. First, with words, then by touching you. I was unable to control my reaction…” He paused, and his throat bobbed against my forehead. “I apologize for frightening you. And grabbing you the way I did.”
“Youdidn’t frighten me,” I replied. “I was confused because I wasn’t sure what was happening. And I didn’t want you to be hurt.”
A low chuckle vibrated in his chest. “The day Karaj Darkblade could hurt me will never come. He might be cruel and enjoy inflicting pain, but he is not a good fighter.”
“Will you get in trouble for killing him?” I asked.
Bokkan wrapped both arms around me then, keeping his palm heavy on the side of my head so I couldn’t lift it. I didn’t feel trapped by his embrace, but comforted.
Still, he didn’t answer.
“Bokkan?” I prodded, nudging him in the ribs.
“I doubt he is dead,” he finally said. “If they found a healer quickly, he will likely mend.”
“I won’t say that’s good, but I’m relieved you won’t be caused problems because he died.”
His lack of response raised my suspicion. I reached up and pulled his hand away from my head so I could lift it and look athis face. His head was still resting on the back of the couch, and his eyes were closed.
“You’re going to have problems because you attacked him, aren’t you?” I asked.
Any answer he would have given him was interrupted by the thunderous banging coming from the front door downstairs. I knew then that, yes, he was going to have an issue because he attacked the other daemon.
Bokkan opened his eyes and lifted his head. I could see the answer in his eyes. Moving slowly and gently, he lifted me off his lap and set me on the cushions. Cupping my face with one hand, he kissed my lips and then my forehead.
“Stay in the bedchamber and drop the bar on the door when I leave. Do not let anyone in this room. Masu will make sure you have food and water while I’m gone.”
