Page 53 of Enchanting Her Monsters
I grunt, but don’t elaborate. Kissing her temple, I try to sort out my thoughts and emotions. “If you need to do any tests, then do them.”
“I was going to anyway.”
With my demon sense, I feel her need to set her boundaries with us. I can’t blame her. We are possessive and protective more than she even realizes yet. I regret the spanking even though I know she enjoyed it. I want her to have a voice in our pack. To be free. I only fear that if we leave the safety of Amira’s sanctuary that she will be stolen from us. Then she wouldn’t have any freedom if taken by Galiana or the demon lords, if she survives at all.
“I also want to go to Calder’s death spot. And before you ask, I don’t know why exactly.”
“Fine,” I yield. I promised myself centuries ago that I’d never be a controlling mate if I were lucky enough to have one. “A quick trip should go unnoticed. And I doubt they’d think to look for you there.”
Her soft fingers trace over my hands, as if memorizing my flesh. “Is the reason you got upset about the fire the same reason you don’t want to mate bond with me?”
“I never said I didn’t want to mate bond.”
“Is it because I have a haunted koochie?” she teases, trying to lighten the mood. I know she’s driven by the same call I am to claim each other.
I chuckle softly. “The ghost vagina is not an issue.” I pause, unsure what to say.
“Yeah, I know. You said you weren’t ready yet. But?—”
I lift Jade up and spin her so she sits facing me. “I will mate with you when it’s the right time and if you still want me, once the dust settles.”
“Why wouldn’t I want you?” Her brow furrows, and she looks fucking fierce, like she’s going to fight me.
I love it. Too much. And that’s the problem. I’m a danger to her. And now with her lineage revealed, I’m the last demon she should bond with. They may take her just to spite me, and I can’t protect her the way she will need me to.
I press my forehead to hers, my lips brushing over her mouth as I confess, “I want to possess you just as much as Osen is in your mind, or Flint’s stone is in your bones, or Arran’s bite etches your flesh. I want my mark burned into your skin like a brand that can never be removed. I want your love to reveal itself in my markings, branding me and announcing I’m bonded to the most beautiful soul I know.”
She’s panting by the time I’m done, and she claims my mouth. Her tongue sears my next protest into smoke. Our kiss is hard and almost violent, and it’sexactlywhat I need from her. Any tentativeness she had before is long gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if I walked away with her mark burned into my flesh by the time we are finished here.
Her nails dig into my shoulders, feeling sharper than ever. In response, my hands grip her hips so tightly that I’m sure I’ll leave bruises.
Fuck. This is what I am worried about. Now that I know she’s part demon, I’m positive she’ll trigger me into a rut. I can’t guarantee her safety. Some fully demon females don’t survive the mating process. I thought I could keep myself in control when she was a witch, but now?
Now unbound magic stirs in her veins. Her blood sings for mine, and I will answer with a brutal mating.
And if the demon lords sense her presence, they will come for her.
I break the kiss and guide her face to my heaving chest.
“Maxum?” she asks, sounding out of breath and confused. “Are you okay?”
“No.” I should pull her off my lap and step away. I should run away, but I can’t bring myself to do that. “I can’t be intimate with you anymore.”
“Why not?”
“The spanking? I was on the edge of losing my control. I shouldn’t have done that.” I sigh. “Or kiss you now.”
“You never seemed to have a problem before. And I can handle it.”
“Your magic… your demonness was bound—masked—before. I don’t think I can resist the wild nature of a demon mating.”
“Oh.” Jade pulls back to look me in the eye.
I don’t meet her gaze until she catches my chin and makes me look. Stars, how many times have I done that to her? How the roles have reversed.
“Do demons go into a sort of frenzied rut?” she asks.
“Yeah. I don’t think your body could deal with what might happen. You’re only a quarter demon. Maybe if you were half demon or more fae…” I run my hand down my face in frustration. “You’re still vulnerable. You’re only just coming into your magic.”
