My response was cut short when the sound outside the yurt changed. The distinct sound of scuffling and grunting could be heard just on the other side of the heavy fabric of the enclosure.
Instinctively I moved, pulling Remnant with me into the darkness on the far side of the wall, away from the heavy thuds of bodies dropping to the ground—I knew that sound all too well for it not to be.
“We will keep Riella safe, little umbra, our family will keep her safe. Deirdre will never come close to ever touching a single hair on her head.”I whispered reassuringly inside her mind even though my own raced. My fear for my cub just as fucking palpable as Remnant’s and it stirred the hunger I had locked away.
My soulmate’s lips thinned in the darkness and she nodded once before curling horns and stern black eyes ducked inside the tent. The demon had returned, and I smirked as his nostrils flared, peering into the darkness with his tail thrashing with aggravation.
"Lucifer's cock, fae. Did I not tell you to fuck your female at a later time?"
My soulmate stepped out of the shadows she had masked us under, her teeth bared. "What makes you think it was him doing the fucking, demon?"
I snickered, stepping beside her with smug arrogance.
Black eyes assessed my soulmate warily before he growled back at me. "There is no time for these pointless fae games. The entire demon army is conveniently pissed or rutting their balls off and I finally convinced that feathered bastard to join the celebrations and service our queen for her victory." His face wrinkled with disgust, mine did too.
That angel gave off rotten fucking vibes and this poor bastard had it bad for his queen. Like a lap dog not getting a bone, he had to obediently watch the whole charade, loyalty and love his perpetual suffering. I knew the feeling, it was easyto recognize.
"Another herd of centurions are also on the move…with reports of those abominations heading north into Wrath territories. It seems one of our enemies has joined forces with yours. This complicates things." His eyes narrowed on my soulmate. "You didn't happen to tell the queen that your destination is The Well, did you?"
Remnant ignored him and glared at me. "You did not mention the blood wraiths shifter."
I grinned, shrugging. "I got distracted."
Remnant snorted and the demon glared at the both of us, his tail tapping, waiting for his answer. She pursed her lips at him. "I was attempting to appeal to her…good side."
Cursing, the demon ran his hand over his curling horns. "Avalon has no good side, fae. It died when her father was murdered at her feet, just seven years old." He glared harder, flames in his eyes. "She will send her entire army to hunt you down, including me, and she will not stop. If I help you now, my side of the bargain will be fulfilled. So I must warn you, I will no longer be bound by my debts and my loyalty to my queen is infinite. If she orders your death, I will be the hand that delivers it."
Remnant frowned. "Then why even cash your debt? Why not kill us now? You are a demon, you have no respect for the honor of bargains."
The demon grinned and this time I could see the dangerous power behind him, a power he had been holding back…perhaps even from his beloved queen. "You are right, I certainly do not. Except this was the price I accepted tokeepher safe…if I do not, it will be stripped away, and so…I will betray my queen at the same time as I strengthen her rule."
Fucking goddess above and below. This poor bastard was fucked five ways in his own Hell, and the sharp way he looked at me now…he knew I understood him too well. There was a fire raging inside us, the dark urge to incinerate the world to ash, building a throne from its deadly cinders for the females we loved—then admiring our work from our venerated knees amongst the bones of their enemies.
I grunted, nodding back to him with acknowledgement and respect.
Remnant glanced between us both and I could hear her teeth grinding with displeasure. "Then I accept. Get us the goddess out of here, far enough to give us a good head start, safely, with ourdaughter, and I will call your debt paid." The shadows darkened around her, "But know this demon, should you hunt us, I will not hesitate to cut you down and your little child queen too. I have a talent for bringing thrones to their crumbling end, and your beloved Hell? It will be no different should you force my hand."
The demon looked back at me and I rubbed at my lips not able to hide my smile. That formidable strength…I goddess damnlovedit and I loved that it had passed down to our daughter. I tilted my head towards my soulmate, "What she said, demon."
The demon's white teeth gleamed as his grin spread across his face. "I see where your daughter gets it from, fae."
This time there was no hiding my wicked smile, pride glowing inside me when Remnant and I’s gazes met. "Indeed, there is no power greater than when one knows their own worth and is not afraid tounleashit." I said more to my soulmate than to him.
The demon grunted, “agreed,” turning back to Remnant, the shadows swirling menacing around her. "So be it, Goddess of the Wells."
Chapter 35
"Shroudyourselfbackintothe shadows and step in," the demon commanded harshly, widening his wings, indicating we step into either side of the leathery membrane.
"You're going to cover us with your wings." I placed a hand on my hip and pursed my lips. "As if no one is going to notice how they suddenly sprouted legs?"
The demon hissed, swiftly gathering me in his wing and sandwiching my body to his back like a bedroll. With one powerful thrust, he hoisted me off the ground without so much as a grunt, then peered down over his shoulder at my shocked expression. "Yes," he simply stated.
"No." Emon growled loudly, his claws slashing downward. "Unhand my soulmate."
Peeking over the dark ridge of the demon's wing like a mischievous child, I snickered at the furiousexpression on Emon’s. "I am perfectly fine, shifter, it is rather cozy here." I shot him a wink. "I think you should join me."
He snarled at the demon, "he did not ask for permission to touch you, little umbra."
