Chapter Sixteen (Pt.2)

Alone in her room in the barracks, Leah held her hand against her chest. Even though she could not yet see him, she was very aware of his presence. This was the first time he’d returned since that day she’d rebuffed him; her heartbeat quickened, wondering how he would behave.

“No word of greeting?” whispered Meraud, his breath tickling her ear.

She pulled away before she could succumb to his touch. To her surprise, he didn’t hold her back.

“Are you fully recovered?”

Taken aback by his tender tone, she turned to face him. Nodding, she fingered the scar on her temple, not trusting herself to speak.

Gazing deep into her eyes, he leaned forward, lips parted to touch hers.

She staggered back, almost falling.

He frowned. “What is the matter?”

“Um... the last time... you, um...” Shaking her head slightly, she found she couldn’t hold his gaze.

“The last time, I, um...?” He raised a brow, a small smile teasing the corner of his mouth.

Oh, stop being such a child, Leah, she silently scolded. Frowning, she folded her arms across her chest. “You left, angry that I refuse to see myself as... yours.”

His smile widened, causing a deep dimple to appear in his left cheek. “Ah, that...” Stepping closer to her, he said, “Do you think I would allow such a thing... such a small thing, to come between us?” This time, when he leaned towards her, he was rewarded with a kiss. Mouth still pressed against hers, his hand travelled down her shirt, the fastenings flying apart at his fleeting touch. But before he could tease it off her shoulder to reveal bare skin, she stayed him with her hand on his.

Hungry for his touch, yet she said, “No, not now. I-I don’t feel like it.”

“Not in the mood for pleasure?”

“My mother still lies in the Sanctuary, and my brother is being held captive. So, no, I’m not in the mood for pleasure.”

“You wish me to leave then?”

“No.” The word escaped her before she was even aware of it. To her irritation, she could feel a flush spread across her cheeks. But his smile was not one of triumph; instead, he appeared to be pleasantly surprised. Confused, she averted her gaze.

“What shall we do?” he finally asked in almost child-like innocence.

“What?”

“If you do not want us to lie together, and you do not want me to leave, then what do you propose we do?”

As she searched for a response, Meraud made himself comfortable on the bed, arms behind for support, legs stretched out in front. Despite her worries, she could not ignore the ache in her that only he could ease. Mentally chiding herself, Leah presented her back to him, fumbling to do up her shirt.

Perching herself on the edge of the bed, she began to talk about the mystery that occupied her mind: the brigands’ capture of Evalan. “I still can’t work out how they managed to get so close to us without me sensing them, without any of us even seeing them. And how did they defeat the warriors so easily? The more I think about it, the more I’m sure I did feel something... it felt... wrong somehow. Whatever it was, it wasn’t clear... like trying to see through heavy smoke.” She glanced over her shoulder at him but all he did was shrug.

Getting to her feet, she walked over to the window. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going after Evalan. And I’m going to get him back.”

“No, Leah.”

She turned to face him. “Why not?”

“You must do nothing. If you try to help him in any way it will only go badly for you.”

“What do you mean?”

He swung his long legs off the bed and sat leaning forward. “You must know, for the most part, brigands are demon-worshippers.”

She lifted her brows, eyes wide. “It’s true then. We had our suspicions, but didn’t really know for sure.”

His smile was cold, his gaze severe. “If everyone worshipped your... gods, my kind would no longer exist.”

Tilting her chin, she wanted to say that that could hardly be considered a bad thing. Yet her innermost thoughts betrayed her, for she did not want to contemplate a world without him. Clenching her jaw, taking a deep breath, she said, “Do they all... worship demons?”

“Those who cannot either leave or are driven out.”

Leah wondered if that was the reason Jess’ mum had left her brigand husband. Shaking her head, she shrugged. “None of that matters. I have magic, and I have every confidence I will succeed. I must,” she finished softly.

“Leah... those brigands, the band that has your brother, they worship Belosh himself. You help your brother, you go against him, and you will incur his wrath.”

Tightening her fists, striving to ignore the chill that prickled her scalp, she had to swallow a few times before she could speak. “Another reason then for me to go.”

Cursing, he leapt to his feet. “Why do you have to be like this? I am trying to help you, keep you from harm’s way yet you refuse to listen.”

“Why the concern?”

“You are most pleasurable to be around. It would be such a waste to have to give you up.”

“Oh. Is that all?” Half-turning away from him so he wouldn’t notice her disappointment, she said, “And here I thought you might actually care.”

In the silence that followed, the idea formed so abruptly, it made her heart race. Darting towards him, Leah grabbed his arm. “Help me do this.”

He jerked back.

“Meraud...” She stepped closer, trapping his hand in both of hers, holding it against her chest.

Eyes wide, he pulled his hand free. “You are mad. Condemn yourself if that is your desire, but do not seek to take me with you.” In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

She gazed at the empty space before her. “But... I’m already condemned.” 

*          *          *          *

Hissing, moist, sibilant sounds ebbed and flowed around the great chamber. The floor moved, writhed as if alive. Every now and again a head or a limb freed itself, thrust upwards, only to sink back down to be consumed. Pleading groans of protest echoed as Belosh rose, extricating himself from the sea of bodies. With a languid stretch, he ran his tongue over sharpened incisors.

Meraud remained where he was, well away from the orgiastic tangle, forcefully holding himself in check as he was buffeted by the lust that rolled endlessly towards him. How easy it would be to melt into that sea, but he knew, from experience, how important it was to be in control of oneself when facing the Cardinal Demon Lord. He watched, steely-eyed, as his master approached, seemingly heedless of those he was stepping on.

“How goes the seduction?” Belosh traced a pointed claw across Meraud’s cheek.

“Her body she has surrendered, yet she still fights to keep her... essence from me.”

“As aggravating as ever, then.”

“But I am confident my plan is working.”

Sliding onto his throne, Belosh raised a brow.

“When you allowed me to assist your followers in their kidnap of Leah’s brother–”

“How could I deny them when they paid me the honour of a double sacrifice?”

Meraud inclined his head in agreement before continuing. “She is now perfectly placed to play into my hands. She wishes to rescue her brother. Let her do as she wishes, my lord. Grant her success, and I will bring her to you personally as your disciple.”

He narrowed his eyes until they were mere slits of red fire. “You seem very sure of yourself.”

“She has asked me to assist her and, with my lord’s permission, I will do so, but only if she agrees to utterly embrace the dark. Then when we have succeeded, I will bring her to you. It will be as you desired: she will be yours of her own accord.”

The heat of the fiery gaze abated somewhat as Belosh stared into the distance as if he could see Meraud’s words unfolding before him; he seemed to like what he ‘saw’. Then his gaze swivelled around, coming to rest on Meraud.

Despite himself, he flinched. Belosh’s eyes on him were not unlike a pair of claws ripping, peeling back his skin to reveal his innermost secrets and desires. But to his credit, he held his master’s stare.

“You would risk endangering yourself only to allow me to claim the prize. How selfless of you, my beloved.”

“It is hardly a risk, my lord.”

“That is true. But do not forget who you will be going against.”

“I will show restraint, my lord.”

“I know you will. Nonetheless, I will allow you a handful as reward, ones who would be sacrificed to me regardless. Although that will not be your only reward, will it? For when you do her bidding, I believe you will then win her heart.”

“Then humiliate her as she humiliated me.”

Laughter rumbled up from deep inside Belosh. “Delicious thought. How much more so when it becomes reality.” He held out his hand. “Come, I feel the need to bestow a more personal gift.”

Meraud couldn’t help the grin that twisted his lips, for he knew his earlier restraint was about to be rewarded.