I focused on my breathing, trying not to make it obvious that I liked it when they touched me. Even if I was playing the role of their pet, I didn’t want to degrade myself as such in front of so many demons.
“It’s a disgrace. Especially after you just cast out your own for the same reason.”
Eros stiffened beside me again, her clawed hand gripping me tightly. Only this time it seemed more serious than the last.
Did I miss something?
I must have. I was too busy getting lost in the feeling of the twins that I zoned outwhen my one job was to literally listen.
“He was stealing money that belonged to the court,” Oros said, a dangerous twinge to her voice. “And then using it on a whorehouse. We bought ours with our own coin. Don’t act like it’s rare for us to bring our playthings to court. Didn’t you bring one just last week?”
The demon in question looked away at the accusation.
“What if she poses a threat?” another demon asked.
“A human?” Eros asked with a snort. “Let’s be real—we all know they don’t have the mental or physical capability to become a threat to us.”
Ouch.I wanted to fight her back on that, but I knew it was best if they thought I was a puny little thing, weak as a kitten.
The only thing that made it better was the slight bitterness that washed across my tongue, telling me that she didn’t really believe what she was saying.
So instead, I settled for leaning into Oros and pinching Eros’s thigh under the table as payback.
“It’s a bit insulting that you even thinkshecan pose a threat,” Oros said, a smile in her tone. “Isn’t that right, Father? Don’t you feel insulted that your own court is insinuating you can be brought down by a mere human?”
All eyes moved to the front of the table where the king sat, so I took the opportunity to really take him in.
His hair was pinkish, just like the twins’, but cropped. His eyes were red and glaring at me. His horns were slightly longer than the others’ but still filed reactively short. His crown glittered under the lights of the room, and he was dressed head to toe in fur and other expensive-looking fabrics.
He looked every bit the part of a king.
“Being insulted so easily would make me a fool,” he replied. “I’m not. But this conversation is derailing from other important topics. Move on, or I’m closing today’s session.”
Bitterness burst across my tongue. For the first time since entering the court, I had caught the king in a lie.
I tapped Eros’s hand twice, and her lips twitched. When her eyes moved to mine, I could tell just how satisfied she was with my performance.
It had butterflies unleashing in my stomach.
As the court went on, they quickly forgot about me andwent into other topics. It wasn’t until we were close to the end that Oros leaned forward, her lips at my ear.
“Good little pet.”
My mouth dried immediately.
Fuck.
They’d apparently figured out something about me that I’d never realized myself. A praise kink. And they latched onto it so hard I knew I was done for.
10
OROS
Ididn’t need to go to the human’s room.
So why am I waiting outside like an idiot?
Eros was off having her daily extravagant bath, and I found myself walking here for some reason. Sneaking out. I could have used the attached door, but it seemed a bit overkill and an invasion of privacy.
