“I shall stay as long as possible.”
“Oh.” She quirked her brow and protruded her lip in a mock pout. “You have chests to ride on the other side of the world?”
“It took a great deal of power not to crush you.” He watched her process the disturbing information. It did put his intense control under perspective. “I’ll need to replenish for what I have in store tonight.”
She grinned. The further affirmation that their connection was more than that of a demon riding its victim filled her with joy, and she had to tame her excitement before answering too eagerly.
“That sounds lovely.”
His posture loosened and he nodded. “Good. Then yes, I shall remain with you until I require nourishment.”
“Can’t you just make me nap?”
“I cannot force sleep while the sun shines.”
That made sense, however disappointing it was.
Her phone buzzed.
“Leah agreed to work for me! Do you wanna see the artwork I’m doing for my friend?”
She stood from the bed. A little flicker of shadow pinched her nipple with its cool touch, making her yelp. She’d forgotten she was naked for their entire conversation. Slipping into a T-shirt, she plopped into the computer chair. The mahr followed and peered over her shoulder.
“I’ve been working on it for a while now. Too long, really. It’s what I love, though. I wish I could quit this stupid job and make art full time.” She pulled up the design and watched as he scrutinized it, trying to gauge his thoughts from the shadows forming his features.
“You are exceptionally talented. I’m certain you would do well following your dream.”
Addison smirked at his curt assessment and started working on it while he watched over her shoulder.
“So, is it possible to…you know…break your curse?” She peered at him askance and watched the wall of stoicism fall into place. “I mean, we don’t have to talk about it.”
“No. It is not possible. The man who did this to me is long dead.” He flitted gracefully from one side of her chair to the other, remaining condensed enough that he only towered a foot above her and not several. She could tell there was more to the story, but she didn’t press the issue. Surely she would be grumpy, too, if someone had stripped her mortality.
“Addison, do you realize your nightmares are summoning dark creatures determined to possess you? I believe we should remedy this instead of entertaining lost causes such as my soul.”
Addison blanched. “What?Way to change the subject. Were you going to tell me about this?”
“Of course.”
She scoffed and stood, gesturing for him to elaborate.
“Do you recall the hag?”
“The zombie lady with the nasty hair? Yes.” Unfortunately. She wished she could forget the feel of those long, jagged, dirty fingernails against her skin and the high-pitched laughter that seemed to invade her dream. “I saw you that night, standing on top of me.”
“Yes. I asserted my dominance but have since spotted another of her kind encroaching upon my territory.”
Addison narrowed her eyes. “Territory? What, mybedroom?”
“Yes.” His form bristled outward until he grew in size to loom over her, but his intense gaze held heat and fierce protectiveness. He bared his teeth. “Your nightmares are mine, Addison. I shan’t share them with another demon or wraith, no matter how powerful.Youare mine.”
The intensity in the way he claimed, her coupled with the terrifying form his shadows took as they whipped around him, should have scared her. Seeing him like this, his fathomless eyes glowing a deep yellow-orange like the heat of a fire, every shadow in the room rushing to join his fray, reminded her that he was a demon.
A demon she’d allowed to ride her and almostcrush her to deathjust for the sensation of his cock buried deep into her dreaming body.
But she wasn’t afraid. Not even a little.
“You’ve been protecting me before I even knew you were real. Haven’t you?”
