Ican tell Xeraphine is upset. She’s been staring out the car window for the past eighteen hours, refusing to sleep. Her eyes are fixed on the side mirror, keeping Alaric’s car in sight. Since we set out for Aurelia Peaks—which is about six hours north of Sidence—I haven’t tried to pull her attention, just allowing her to sit in the quiet she wants.
The road ahead is long, and we’ll have to stop soon to rest; my little demon hasn’t driven in a while and I’m not exactly up to doing the entire drive in one go.
At least we managed to clean up after getting off the boat. In the town south of Ashfer, I grabbed a shower and purchased some new clothes for us both. Xeraphine spent nearly an hour in the bath, scrubbing every inch of herself. I didn’t offer, she asked, if I’d stay with her because she worried about having a panic attack in the water, but she didn’t. She just sat there quietly while I washed her hair and talked to her.
She breaks the quiet with a huff, then asks, “Is it cause I dislike her still being close to thatWerewolf?” I don’t think she particularly expects me to answer, even if it’s directed to me as a question.
Squeezing her thigh, which sadly has leggings separating my skin from hers, I stay silent.
“Is it Niyla? Does she like her creator?” Again, the tone of her voice doesn’t depict that she actually wants me to answer.
A low, growl like noise, vibrates from her throat. “Is it because I look like a Demon?”
“No.” That I won’t have, so I do answer her. “You know she hasn’t fed, right?”
A soft gasp escapes her lips, delicate and unbidden. “What?!” Her hushed shout bounces around the old sedan. I’m not going to complainabout the car choice, but it sure as shit wasn’t my first choice. “Is that why her eyes are pink? Color me stupid but I just thought it was because of the color of her hair when she was turned.”
I throw my head back with laughter, loving that I hear her joining in. “Oh, little demon.” I tenderly pat her inner thigh. “She hasn’t fed?—”
“Since when?” she pushes. “Please don’t tell me since she was turned.”
I glance at her and give a single nod.
“Why…?” The gentleness of her tone pulls my body more upright. “How is she still functioning?”
My eyes fix ahead, watching the bright red lights of the cars flashing by us as I speed down the highway. “She said she refuses to feed on anyone but you.” I don’t look at her, but she stays silent, so I continue, “I’m unsure of the true reason. Could be she was using it as incentive—Brice likes her and doesn’t want anything to happen to her.”
She lets out a deep, guttural groan, so intense that she has to pause and catch her breath once it’s over. “Fucking piece of shit. Hetrickedher! My princess is not that gullible to fall for him after that.”
I keep my thoughts to myself, choosing not to mention that Sydni slept with him. I’m not entirely sure why, but there’s this nagging feeling that she’d somehow blame me for not stopping it—and punish me for it.
“Why do you bring up that she hasn’t fed? I was commenting about why she refused to get into our car. Like… she’s afraid of me or something…”
I lift my hand to her chin, my thumb gently tracing the line of her jaw. “She’s not afraid of you. Stop,” I say softly. My gaze flicks to her, noticing how she leans ever so slightly into my touch. “My guess? She’s nervous. Now that you’re here, she’ll have to feed for the first time.”
She hums quizzically. “Does she think I’ll say no?”
Shaking my head, I move my hand back down to her upper thigh. “No, it’s more along the lines of now she’ll have to perform the act. Drinking blood, it’s not as cut and dry as it seems. There’s the act of piercing, then staying in control. She will likely consume a lot this first time, which I’ve told her will happen because she’s waited so long.”
“You’ll show her how.” It’s not really a question, but I nod regardless. “Suppose it’s a good thing I’m still in this form, or not. I’m not convinced she isn’t afraid of me. I think you’re sparing my feelings.”
“Little demon, when have I ever spared your feelings? Ipromiseshe isn’t afraid of you.”
“Okay, then you’re only saying that because of my tail.”
There’s no explaining why I’m so addicted to it. She mentioned she had one, but the moment I saw it, I swear my heart nearly burst. Her hornsare undeniably badass, but that tail? All I can think about is feeling it wrapped around my waist again while we cuddle. I thought I was obsessed before, but godsdamn—now I’m completely infatuated.
“Your pussy was gripping my cock the moment I started kissing it.” My playful tone is met with her smacking the top of my hand. “I’ll crawl to you if you promise to at least try to keep it out.”
“Kairhyse Monroe.” The back of her hand meets my chest and I laugh through a choked cough. “You’re insatiable.”
I peek at her and she’s rolling her eyes, turning her head away from me. “Do me a favor and I won’t beg for the tail.” The tips of my finger brush under her chin, dragging her to look back at me.
“Sure,” she says. I know she loves the attention her tail is getting, and even if I say I won’t beg for it, doesn’t mean I won’t play with it.
“Say your first name.”
“Xeraphine.” She says it slowly, as if nervous.
