Текст книги "Prince of Demons"

Автор книги: Nora Ash

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30

Kirigan

“And these European lords… you’re certain they were too young to wield the power you experienced?”

Lord Aran huffed an unamused snort. “Yes, Kirigan. I’m certain. It was Eidelsward, out of Switzerland, and Rihncurr from… one of the Nordic countries. I forget which. Both less than a century old. From powerful families, to be sure, but it should have taken me less than a day to beat them back to the Old World. Instead, I was on my knees, minutes from obliteration, when your son came to save my ass. However humiliating it was to need rescue from your kid, who’s barely out of fucking diapers, I am grateful. Your bloodline proves strong. I suspect our old monarchs would have been uncomfortable with your family, even if your son hadn’t taken control of the Americas.”

Kirigan bent his head in acknowledgement of the compliment, then turned his gaze to the bay below. Lord Aran’s home was an imposing estate atop a high cliff overlooking the Atlantic—chosen for its strategic location more than its beauty. “My sons are a source of much pride.”

“Deservedly.” He chuckled dryly. “My only complaint is the mate your eldest picked. Our new queen is a boon to our cause, no doubt, but that… light of hers… It’s caused quite some furor in many of our homes. My own Yiyun has become… discontent. Questions our way of life and has even taken to refusing me access to her body now and then. All because she sees our queen wield power, she’s somehow gotten it in her head she should have access to agency as well. I hear from my mated men that this phenomenon isn’t entirely uncommon.”

“And when she refuses you, you don’t force her?” Kirigan gave the other lord a curious look.

Aran grimaced. “No. I can’t stand it when she gets angry with me. I tried giving her a firm hand early on. She… didn’t take too kindly to it.” He sighed, rubbing two fingers over his brow. “I know I should put her in her place, that it’s the best thing for her, but…”

“Do you love her?”

Aran blinked. “What kind of question is that?” he rumbled, his tone turning defensive.

Kirigan exhaled softly and turned his attention back to the crashing waves below. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. Love or not, if you break her spirit, you’ll suffer tenfold the damage you inflict on her. Mate bonds are… tricky… that way. If I were you, Aran, I would find a way to bring her the light she covets. A powerful woman brings far more pleasure than a broken one."

“The lords you fought. When exactly did you feel their assault lessen?”

“Moments before Prince Kesh reached me. No doubt they were distracted by his arrival.” If Aran was unbalanced by the change in topic, he didn’t show it. Likely, he was only too relieved to change the conversation from his discontented mate.

“And did you notice anything… odd at that time?”

Aran chuffed a mirthless laugh. “Odd? Outside my life force ebbing away? No, Kirigan. I was somewhat preoccupied with not dying, while also attempting to limit human casualties. As much as that was possible. We had just enough warning before the battle to glamour most of the village where the enemy landed, but some slipped through the cracks, and there was damage to several buildings. It was a pain in the ass to build the coverup after, with most of our magic reserves entirely depleted.”

Kirigan frowned. “Some slipped through the cracks?”

“Some of my men reported seeing a human woman and child in the middle of the battlefield towards the end.”

“Were they killed?”

Aran chuffed another breath. “Apparently not. Reportedly the prince’s Second broke off mid-fight to pull them away.”

“Odd.”

“I suppose. In the grand scheme of things, a man pumped up on testosterone seeing a pretty face and getting distracted doesn’t really register against the current scale of the clusterfuck we’ve got going on with the Europeans.”

The darkness clawed at the back of Kirigan’s skull. Something about that explanation was… off. He didn’t share his misgivings with the other lord. “Thank you for your recount of the events, Lord Aran. Your staunch defense of our borders has proven invaluable in this instance, and will undoubtedly do so again before the war is over. The king will not forget your loyalty. And neither will I.”

A pleased look crossed Aran’s features. However much of a toll the attack had taken on his resources, he was an old demon known for his acumen on the battlefield as well as in politics. Having shown his loyalty to the new king in a significant way, early on in Kain’s reign, would be a boon to him and his heirs for centuries to come. “The European crown prince defiled our most sacred law by attempting to claim another lord’s mate. So far as I’m concerned, their entire continent can burn. Anything else I can do to support the king, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

The large field next to the sleepy fishing village still bore marks from the battle. Scorch marks carved grooves deep into the earth, and most of the grass had been singed by magic and trampled by boots. Several buildings from the village itself had been leveled to the ground, though the humans had removed most of the rubble by now. A freak power grid explosion was the explanation that had been magically enforced on the population.

Humans were easily manipulated.

Kirigan glanced at the video feed on his phone. His daughter-in-law was curled up on the sofa, once again nursing his grandson. Smiling. A couple of taps, and the feed showed Kain in the conference room with three of his top commanders. It had been harder to get around his son’s vigilance than it had Selma’s, but neither of them had noticed the hidden video cameras covering every inch of the estate. Despite their being installed for Selma’s safety, Kirigan had no doubt both would have objections, should they ever discover how closely he watched her. So he made sure they didn’t.

Temporarily comforted by the knowledge that she was safe and not showing signs of despondence, he shoved his phone back in his pocket and concentrated on the task at hand: finding out what had happened here—something that had been covert not only to the human population, but the demon combatants as well.

He started on the hill where Aran had fought the two European lords. Pressing his palm to the ground, he let his magic penetrate deep and wide, searching for the echo of the battle. Images rushed through his mind immediately; the combined power of three demon lords throbbed through his own magic, but even that was overwhelmed by the blinding light rushing through his skull.

“Shit.” Kirigan pulled his hand from the ground, severing the connection to the echo as he blinked to regain his magical vision. There had been a Stone of Power employed in this battle, alright. That Aran had survived long enough for Kesh to save him had been a miracle. Or, more likely, suggested the wielders had been unfamiliar with the relic, and unable to use it to its full potential.

Kirigan probed the ground with his magic again, more cautiously this time. The echo flowed through him once more, the Stone of Power still overpowering everything else. Until suddenly—it didn’t. From one moment to the next, it was simply… gone.

He frowned and pulled back the the echo. Released it again, and again, until finally—there. A touch of something other, right as the Stone of Power vanished from the echo. It was only there for a half-second, but it was enough. He honed in, forced his magic to focus to a pinpoint, until⁠—

A shudder of revulsion crawled up his spine when the echo grasped onto the fragment long enough to reveal its origin.

Divine.

A god’s power.

A god had been here. A god had plucked the Stone of Power from its wielders, in the middle of battle, and no one had so much as noticed.

Sick dread settled in his gut as he pulled his focus back to the present.

They’d all known it would be only been a matter of time before the gods took advantage of the internal war raging within demon ranks. It was an inevitability they’d expected. Planned for.

But this?

Somewhere out there, a god now had possession of one of the three most powerful demonic relics on Earth.

There was no preparing for the consequences of a god wielding a Stone of Power against them, no way to predict the outcome. The only certainty was that the biggest threat to his family’s life was now the holder of this stone.

31

Georgia

“I expect you to pick a mate from among my men before the end of the week.”

There were a lot of emotions that statement should have evoked—anger and fear being chief among them. Hurt should not have made the list, and yet hurt was what she felt most keenly, in a way that had her fighting back tears of rejection.

Stupid. What had she expected—that his gentleness had meant anything? He'd needed her to lower her guard so he could train her to accept a demon lover, and he'd manipulated her, like the demon he was. He’d told her from the start what would happen—what was expected of her.

And still. She’d let herself soften. Let him lull her into a fantasy that there was a real connection between them. That he genuinely cared about her, beyond his fucked-up responsibility to turn her into a compliant womb for another demon.

Knowing the mistake was entirely on her end did nothing to soothe the ache. She’d been so desperate for comfort amidst the horrors of her new reality, she’d thought she’d found human connection. With a monster.

More fool her.

She was grateful Kesh spent most of the day out of the apartment. Not looking at him made it easier to come to terms with her own idiocy. To accept reality. And this morning, when he laid out a pretty blue silk dress for her and told her she would be officially introduced to the men he had selected as her suitors, she didn’t object. She dressed in silence, ate in silence, and followed him out of his apartment and into a waiting car. In silence.

The prince, for his part, seemed unfazed by her compliance. She supposed he would be expecting it, given how she’d been successfully trained for her new life as a demon’s prospective mate. He exchanged a few words with the driver—instructions on which route to take—and then leaned back in the seat next to her, staring straight ahead.

“How will this be done?” she asked, finally breaking the silence. “Is there a process, or do I just… eeny-meeny-miny-moe?”

“Don’t be absurd. This is your lifemate—you will never make a more important choice. Each man will court you for the week, and you will select the one you find most compatible.” His tone was stiff.

Georgia blew out an exasperated breath. “They’re all demons. I’m guessing ‘won’t eat brain matter in front of me’ is as high a bar as I’m gonna hope for.”

If her dig about the time she saw him eat a guy went through, he pretended it didn’t.

“Out of the thousands of demons in my territory who would kill to claim you, I have handpicked five worthy of the honor. Each is a formidable warrior capable of protecting you and your offspring, should the need ever arise. They are also honorable men, who will treat you well. Beyond that, you should pick a mate whose temperament and interests best suit your preferences.”

“Interests? What interests do demons have outside sex, war, and human misery?” She looked up at him, irritation fizzing in her veins, but he didn’t so much as glance her way.

“I’m sure your five suitors will be more than happy to discuss this at length. Ellon, make sure you stop directly in front of the entrance. I don’t want the Breeder outside for a second longer than necessary.” The last part was directed at the driver.

Breeder. So she was back to that dehumanizing moniker. Splendid.

They pulled up next to the converted casino where Irral had taken her to seek the prince’s protection. That night, there’d only been a couple of demons outside, and one guarding the inner doors. Today, however, at least twelve big, burly men were hovering outside the double doors. Demons, she suspected, though she couldn’t see through their human disguise anymore, courtesy of her new brand.

Kesh got out of the backseat, then walked around to her side and held the door open for her. When she slid out, he put an arm around her. From the way he was scanning their surroundings as he walked her to the door, it was clear it was a protective gesture, not an affectionate one. It still made a traitorous part of her belly flutter—and then clench as she remembered how she’d been foolish enough to believe his care had been genuine. That he’d cared beyond his so-called duties.

A shift went through the demon by her side and seemed to transfer through the waiting guards in a wave as he led her through them to the double doors. Kesh clenched her harder to his side, fingers digging in at her waist as every single man’s eyes snapped to her. To her surprise, concern was painted on each of their faces. One even took a step forward, brow knotted. “Breeder⁠—”

“She’s fine,” Kesh snapped, cutting him off. His grip on her waist tightened. “Your duty is to her physical safety. Get back in line and keep the entrance secure.”

The guard looked like he wanted to protest, but he obeyed the prince. She felt his eyes on her back, along with the rest of them, until the doors finally closed behind them.

The moment they were alone, Kesh turned toward her. Strong fingers tipped her chin upward, and then she was staring into his black eyes for the first time since he’d rejected her. Concern warred with agitation in their depths.

“You’re sad. Why?”

“I’m not⁠—”

“I can smell it on you. We all can. Your brand enhances the physical manifestation of your emotions. I can’t take you into a room of five suitors while you reek of...” He trailed off, exhaling a long, deep breath. Steadying himself. “My instincts are screaming to burn whatever has upset you to the ground. If rivals are within sight… it’ll be them.”

“Rivals? How can they be rivals? You’re not a suitor—you’ve made that plenty clear.” She almost managed to keep the hurt out of her voice.

He exhaled again, brows drawing down in confusion. “That’s why you’re sad? Because I can’t court you?”

“No,” she bit out, pulling away from his grasp on her chin. “I’m upset because you act like you care, and the reality is, you don’t. I’m a job for you. An obligation. And that’s fine and all—but I’m human. It’s upsetting when someone behaves like a… a friend, then when you start to… trust him… he reminds you, with all possible clarity, that you’re just a piece of property to be given away.”

“You would’ve preferred if I'd treated you like a slave? A prisoner?”

Georgia glared up at his stupid, handsome, traitorous face, a refreshing wave of anger washing away any lingering hurt. “You know what? I think I would,” she hissed. And then, before he could stop her, she spun around on her heel, pushed open the doors to the inner hall open where five demons were waiting to court her, and marched through.

32

Kesh

Kesh clenched his hands and forced a deep breath through his lungs before he followed the Breeder into the throne room. The sharp smell of her anger was better than the anguish of her sadness, but it riled his nervous system and put him more on edge than he’d have liked to be when heading into a room full of other males. Especially, as it turned out, when the five of them turned as one upon Georgia’s entrance, and the eagerness in their eyes as they stared at her made jealousy and protectiveness flare hotly in his gut.

He reacted before his brain kicked in, placing a firm hand on the angry woman’s shoulder to pull her back close. Fuck’s sake, these idiotic instincts were going to drive him fucking nuts.

Kesh ignored Georgia’s indignant sputtering at being manhandled back into place, kept a firm grip on her shoulder, and marched her up toward his throne.

The five men sank to their knees as they passed, but though the subservient greeting might have been for him, their eyes were on Georgia.

He tamped down the ridiculous anger that they dared look at her with such blatant desire, scaled the dais, and unceremoniously lifted the Breeder onto his lap. She was stiff and unwilling against him, her anger still sharp in his nostrils, but it did nothing to still the rush of blood to his groin when her round ass settled over his cock. She shot him a withering look over her shoulder when it instantly rose to nudge at her from below.

“What was that about no further sexual contact being necessary?” she hissed.

To his irritation, heat touched his cheeks at her quiet sarcasm. Having exactly zero desire to argue with her in front of his men, he shifted her to one side, settling her on his thigh instead, and refocused on his men.

“Welcome to the first official courting event for Georgia Moore. Each of you has been carefully selected for your ability to care for and protect a Breeder. Should Georgia select you as her mate, you will be expected to surrender any and all obligations that may impede your ability to prioritize her and her future offsprings’ wellbeing. If you are unable or unwilling to do so, speak now.”

As expected, only silence met him.

“Very well. We will proceed. Mallorn, approach, if you will.”

His Second got up and approached, eagerness painted all over his features. When he reached the dais, he bowed smoothly. “Breeder. It’s my utmost honor to formally announce my courtship. I am Mallorn, Second in Command to the Prince of Demons. I have slain many an enemy on the battlefield, and I would prove a fierce mate, capable of defending you in any situation. Any sons I sire are bound to grow into strong warriors in their own right, destined for great honor. If you choose me, I will make it my life’s mission to provide you with loyal and attentive companionship, and bestow upon you the joys of motherhood as frequently as possible.”

A few years ago, Kesh would have considered his friend’s bid for the Breeder’s hand a strong opening statement. That was before he’d met his sister-in-law and learned that not all human females were reasonable. Judging from the way Georgia was squinting at his Second, whatever meek compliance she’d seemed capable of when she first landed on his doorstep, she wasn’t planning on employing it today.

“Mallorn? I met you in Maine?”

Mallorn smiled, the smugness that he had the advantage of prior interactions with her radiating off him. “Yes, sweet girl. I protected you in Maine. I am pleased you remember me, though I know I must look very different to you now that you’ve been marked.”

“It’s hard to forget the monster who threatened to kill an innocent child in front of me,” she said, eyes narrowed as she stared Mallorn down.

Mallorn’s face dropped. “I-I wouldn’t have,” he stammered. “Please, sweet one, I had to say what I did to make sure you were safe. I hated that I scared you, but in that moment, your safety was paramount. Please, give me another chance to prove my worthiness, I implore you.”

There was a small thread of malicious glee winding through Kesh’s chest as his Second’s smugness vanished in the blink of an eye, only to be replaced with blind panic. It was swiftly becoming evident that, despite their agreement, Georgia wasn’t planning on being nice today. Kesh's traitorous instincts boiled under the surface, determined that she was his, despite the impossibility in that, and thrilled to see her put a would-be rival in his place.

Besides, a little spine looked good on her.

Ignoring how he really shouldn’t encourage behavior that might hinder a swift mate selection, he curled his hand possessively around her hip, squeezing gently.

Georgia didn’t pay him any mind. Her blue eyes were still spearing into Mallorn.

“Right. Another chance. Tell me then, have you ever been to Hell?”

Mallorn blinked at the odd topic change. “Er… can you be more specific, sweetness?”

“The brothel. Have you been? Have you… used its services?”

“I… have not. But I assure you, I know how to please a human woman—” Mallorn’s slightly frantic attempt at wooing Georgia died when she silenced him with a casual wave of her hand befitting of a queen of old.

“Thanks. You can step back. Next.”

“Sweetness—” Mallorn protested, entirely stunned by the rude dismissal, but Georgia had already shifted her attention to the next demon eagerly approaching.

“And who are you then?”

“My lady, I am Alliancef. Commander of the Third Regiment. At your service.”

“What, no declaration of undying loyalty and a million babies?”

Stars, he enjoyed her ruthless side. Kesh squeezed her hip tighter, anchoring himself in the feel of her as Alliancef opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, struggling to find an appropriate response. “You’re being a bitch,” he murmured in her ear, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice. “Do you get off on making fierce warriors cry?”

Georgia ignored him.

“My sweet lady Georgia, I will give you as many children as you desire,” Alliancef finally managed. “And I will be a loyal mate, putting you before my own life. I swear it, on my honor.”

“And Hell? Are you a customer?” Georgia asked, her voice turning deceptively sweet.

Alliancef, the great oaf, smiled confidently. “I have frequently visited that fine establishment over the years, honing my skills in the art of pleasure. Trust that I am well-versed in satisfying a woman. And, of course, once mated, I would restrict my desires to your sweet flesh.”

“Thank you for your time,” Georgia said, still smiling sweetly before turning her attention to the next kneeling warrior.

Alliancef, though clearly having hoped for more of her time, shot Mallorn a smug look as he stepped back in line.

Kesh silently questioned how the otherwise strategic commander could be this thick.

Brestafan, one of the most notable warriors under him, also eagerly confirmed his frequent exploitations in Hell, and was treated to that same, deceptively sweet smile. Kesh was starting to think all his men would eliminate themselves from the gene pool due to stupidity, but Sefron—the guard who’d been on duty the night Georgia was dragged to his throne, shaking and traumatized from her brief captivity in the brothel, smoothly denied stepping foot in there outside ‘official business’. An absolute lie, of course.

He shot Bestafan and Alliancef a side-glance as he stepped back, allowing the final suitor to approach.

“Hello, Georgia. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ed,” the dark-haired demon said, his voice a deep whiskey rasp.

Georgia arched an eyebrow. “Ed? That’s not very… demony.”

Ed offered her a half-smile. “My father allowed my human mother to name me. He theorized it would help her bond with me more easily. She called me Edward, after her brother.”

For the first time, the Breeder in his lap showed a hint of genuine interest. “And did it? Help her bond?”

“It’s hard to say, but she does tell me I look like my uncle did. Do you have siblings? My parents only had me, but my mother’s bond with her brother was something special.”

Kesh could sense the softening in Georgia’s posture against him and shot Ed a begrudgingly impressed look. There was a zero percent chance the casual question about her brother was a coincidence. Unlike the other suitors, Ed hadn’t been picked for his valor won on the battlefield. As the prince’s Master of Spies, his home was in the shadows, among secrets and whispers. No doubt he’d learned all there was to know about the Breeder before arriving to court her.

“I have a younger brother,” Georgia said quietly. “Larry.”

“You love him very much.” It wasn’t a question, confirming Kesh’s suspicions.

Georgia nodded. “He’s the most important person in the world to me. You said your mother’s bond with your uncle was very special. Did something happen to him?”

“Time, I’m afraid. She and my father mated in 1890. Her brother passed from old age in 1953.” Ed noticed her surprised expression as the math sank in and smiled wryly. “I take it no one’s explained that demons don’t age like humans do—and that this extends to our mates, once the bond is in place?”

“No. They haven’t.” Georgia shot Kesh a look over her shoulder before returning her focus to Ed. “So everyone I love will die, and I will remain behind?”

The slight tremor in her voice caused a pang of something unpleasantly close to guilt to tighten Kesh’s gut, but before he could think of a response that wouldn’t just further upset her, Ed stepped in.

“Not everyone, Georgia. You will have a mate and, fate willing, children. My mother mourned her human family’s passing, but the pain has dulled with time. She is content with my father’s love now—and mine, of course, when I visit.”

“Your father’s love? I was told demons don’t love. At least, not as humans do.” Another pointed glance over her shoulder.

Ed gave her a half-smile, his gaze darting to Kesh before returning to her. “Hmm. Perhaps not as easily as humans, no. But when we do, we love fiercely. His Majesty, King Kain, has certainly proven as much. As has my father. Pick your mate wisely, and you will know love unlike any you could have found among your own kind.”

He was playing her like a fiddle. Kesh’s begrudging respect for his Master of Spies turned acid with annoyance as he felt the change in Georgia—how she leaned forward a little, relaxed her posture… and fell right under the sly bastard’s spell. Was she really this dumb? This hungry for a fairytale romance? The little scaredy cat who’d cowered on the dais in front of him, entirely aware of how treacherous his kind was… A few pretty words and empty promises and she was ready to ride off into the sunset with another demon.

“You haven’t asked Ed for his preferences in whores,” Kesh said, barely managing to keep the irritation out of his voice.

“I find rape abhorrent. I don’t use women for pleasure,” Ed said softly, his eyes fixed on Georgia’s. “Nor for breeding. I’m looking for a life partner who will fill my heart the way my mother has fulfilled my father, not a pampered slave.”

“Excuse me!” Alliancef protested, the dismay on his features suggesting he was finally clocking on to the trap he and Brestafan’d wandered into. “No one is raping anyone. I treat my whores well⁠—”

“As do I!” Brestafan interrupted, glaring daggers at Ed. “Only a scoundrel would leave a woman unsatisfied, whether or not payment is involved.”

“Oh, and you think a woman would want to fuck you if she wasn’t chained down?” Mallorn jumped in, gleeful at the realization he’d answered correctly after all.

Kesh pinched the bridge of his nose as his throne room devolved into loud bickering among his five otherwise rational men. “For fuck’s sake! Will you be quiet? Georgia, have you made a decision of which of your suitors you would like to see at the next courting session?”

Silence spread like nuclear fallout, the five men turning back toward her as one. The hope in their eyes was frankly pitiful. Fucking Breeders, with their ability to turn powerful men into simpering idiots in the blink of an eye.

“I have,” Georgia said, straightening on his lap. “Mallorn. Sefron. And Ed. I would like the chance to get to know you better—if you’re interested.”

Another cacophony of noise broke out as the three chosen cheerfully assured her they were more than interested, while Brestafan and Alliencef protested loudly and begged her to reconsider.

“Enough.” Kesh silenced the lot of them with another glare. “The girl’s made her choice. Thank you for your time. Alliancef, Brestafan, I will consider you again the next time a Breeder arrives in my territory. For now, return to your duties. The rest of you, I will send word of the next time and date for you to court Georgia. Until then, we have a war that needs attention. You’re dismissed.”

Quiet muttering spread among them—even the chosen three, who clearly were hoping to spend more time with the Breeder—but they all bowed stiffly for him and finally left, shooting Georgia longing glances as they went.

When the double doors finally closed behind them, Kesh leaned back on his throne, eyes closing with annoyance at the whole fucking production. “Say what you will about our old customs, but the auctions were infinitely more dignified than this mess.”

“I’m sure you’d have just loved to sell me off like a sex toy and get on with your precious war,” Georgia bit, moving to scoot off his lap. The sharpness in her tone made it plenty clear she was still angry with him.

He curled his hand around her hip on instinct, keeping her seated on his thigh even as hot anger flamed through his irritation. She thought that little of him? That he’d enjoy seeing her terrified and subjugated underneath whichever brute had the finances and strength to win her? After what he’d told her about his mother? He could still feel the ghost of her embrace from when she’d held him while he cried, making slimy tendrils of betrayal crawl up his spine.

“Listen here, you little brat⁠—”

“Brat?!”

Georgia’s outraged hiss was cut off when the doors to the throne room banged open again. She tensed at the sight of the man who strode across the threshold and walked toward the dais without being invited, her body instinctively pressing back against Kesh for protection. As if she could sense the danger he represented even with her blinding mark in place.

Kesh wrapped his arm around her midriff and pulled her to his chest before addressing the newcomer.

“Father,” he said, practiced calm in his voice. “I wasn’t expecting you. What brings you here?” Without so much as a fucking text as a heads up.

“Her.” Kirigan speared the girl on Kesh’s lap with his unsettling eyes, and an urgent sense of alarm rushed up from his gut. Kesh only just managed to twist his body around to shield Georgia, before his father’s powerful magic slammed into them both.