Page 59 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

Her room, which she assumed she’d share with Vallen, was at the opposite end of the hallway, separating their room from Oka’s by at least a dozen others.

“I can only assume why this room is so far from my brother’s,” she teased, watching her lover slide open the bedroom door. He smiled at her over his shoulder.

She leaned in for a look, gasped, and went inside. The room had two cabinets, one of which was open and held a dozen dresses. The bed was laid upon a raised area, two steps leading up to it on all sides. It was large enough for four people, but rather than a set of simple white pillows like what Oka was probably snuggling at the moment, the head of their bed was strewn with black-and-green pillows much like the ones that had decorated the floor of the tent where they had made love so many times.

The artwork on the walls was more ornate, though not gaudy, and its obvious central theme was forest scenes. Even the straw mat flooring was dyed to match the décor better.

“It’s…far too grand for me,” she whispered, overwhelmed. She started when he slid his arms around her from behind, resting his chin lightly on top of her head.

“This was my room,” he said, voice rumbling against her back.

“O-Oh” was all she could say, flushing.

“You deserve at least this, and much more,” he went on. “I would have you live like an empress, if I could. The next few days, weeks, or months may be difficult and full of uncertainty, but I’d like to give you a place of comfort and rest that makes you feel how you’re feeling now.”

She melted a little. “Thank you.”

Twenty minutes later, they closed their door, confident Oka had fallen asleep in his room after checking on him. Shumei settled onto the mattress, shoulder still numb thanks to the well-made salve. She looked up at Vallen, who had stripped down to his pants.

“I know you don’t need to eat food, but do you sleep?” she asked, eyelids heavy.

“I haven’t had a wink of sleep since the night I was cursed.”

That woke her up a bit. “Then, do you not get tired?”

“If I haven’t taken energy from a woman for two weeks, I start to feel fatigue. It’s not until the last few days that I feel really drained, but even then, the prospect of getting energy is more than enough motivation to spend my strength on wooing her.”

“I see,” she said, petulant. She didn’t like being reminded of his many other lovers. She laid her head back, and only when she opened her eyes did she realize they had shut on their own.

“You must be exhausted,” he said in a low voice as he lay next to her.

“What will you do while I’m asleep?”

“I’ll hold you for as long as possible. I must attend to some things before you wake, but I shall be here when the sun rises.”

She turned her head to him. “Living without sleep and without your friend, constantly alone with your thoughts… I’m amazed at your courage and strength of will.”

“I’d endure it all again if it meant being with you.” He sidled close, and she was too overcome by his words to think of a response. “Just promise me you’ll keep yourself alive.”

“I-I can’t really control that,” she said, laughing softly, “but I promise to try not to ascend to the garden prematurely.” They looked at each other for a moment, and she had to fight the weight of her eyelids.

“Kiss me,” she begged, curling toward him.

“With pleasure.” He carefully moved over her to avoid putting pressure on her shoulder. His lips gently settled upon hers. She moaned into his mouth, bringing up her free hand to cup his cheek.

But it didn’t go further than that. After a moment, they reined in their passion, slowing the kiss until they pulled away from each other. And though he could not resist a few fleeting kisses to her chin and cheek, he eventually settled against her side, one arm thrown across her chest.

She was out in seconds. His body and the blankets kept her warm as the day’s heat seeped away from the house, and though she woke once when he moved away from her, a small kiss and a reassuring whisper sent her back to sleep.

Chapter Thirteen

She dreamed…running through fields, darting between trees, and skipping lightly over the surface of rivers and lakes, the rising sun always to her back. She ran as fast as the wind, body as light as a cloud. She passed hundreds and hundreds of people as she sprinted through a dozen vistas. All of them had black hair. Some of them, she was sure, were figments of her imagination, and some of them, undoubtedly, were born from Vallen’s stories.

The people looked on as she sped past, their faces full of wonder as though witnessing a vision from the Divine One. She was more a part of the earth than a member of the human race. She was the quickening in the soil, the heat of the sun, the wind in the trees, the water in the lakes and clouds. She was the embodiment of the Divine One’s grace and love.

Her journey ended at Vallen’s secret estate, where dozens and dozens of crows greeted her. Only one head was blond. Oka was running to greet her, followed closely by two people she had never seen before.

The one face she had hoped to see was not there.