by Lisa Alder
The empire waist of her sage green gown was delineated by a velvet strip around her ribcage. The ruched fabric dipped low over her modest breasts and left a large expanse of skin bare. The simple cut fell in a smooth skirt down to the floor. Her hair was held back with a matching ribbon. She'd chosen the outfit to look non-threatening, for all males seemed to underestimate females in a dress. But the truth was that she couldn't bear to have anything restrictive around her waist. Her standard breeches and tunic had been stuffed away in a wardrobe for awhile.
When the Prince stopped at the head of the table, Aine slid into a low curtsy and bowed her head in respect for the leader's position.
"I am glad to see you are fully recovered." Gaap's gaze shot to Barbas as if to confirm that statement.
Barbas nodded once.
As she rose to her full height, she noted the prince's hand out as if to...shake hers? She was trained as an assassin. Did the prince not know this?
"He trusts you," Barbas spoke into the dawning silence as Aine hesitated.
"I trust you," Gaap pointed at Barbas. "Her, I am still debating about."
She liked the honest answer.
"She was," Barbas swallowed heavily. "Unconscious when you made your proclamation. She's having trouble believing."
The prince held out his hand and finally Aine accepted the gesture. She grasped his callused palm. Not a figurehead then. This Prince worked. "You are officially under the protection of the Demons. No one will hurt the babe." He curled his fingers around her palm and squeezed.
Her truthsayer gift kicked in. He meant it. "Thank you, sire." Aine averted her gaze and blinked away tears. To show weakness in front of the Demon Prince was not optimal. She restrained any hint of emotion. She would take out this moment and replay it in her mind over and over until she believed. But right now, she had to use extreme restraint.
"We will expect certain things of you," the Prince continued.
Of course. Her gaze skimmed the well-appointed room, and took in the ornately decorated sideboard against the far wall. The intricately carved oak serving table boasted a scrolled silver tray, a bouquet of fresh flowers, and a golden hand mirror with the base in the form of a sensuously lush naked female. Aine's eyes widened. She recognized that mirror.
"I prefer to discuss this outside," she said imperiously. Aine tilted her chin up and looked down her nose at the Demon Prince. "I need the healing rays of the sun. As I recall, we negotiated two hours of sunlight daily as part of my incarceration."
She noted Leraye's distrustful frown but she couldn't stay in that room one more second. Aine turned on her heel and sprinted toward the giant doors.
"Aine." Barbas strode behind her.
The prince called after her. "Since you are...recovering, I'll grant your request."
Aine shoved open the door and practically ran toward the bailey of the castle. Her breath came in great heaving gasps as reaction set in.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Barbas grabbed her bicep and whirled her around. The Prince and Leraye were right on his heels. Once again she was being chased by Demons.
"I found your spy." She struggled to breathe with quick, sharp inhales. But she couldn't seem to take in enough air and her vision wavered.
"Calm," Gaap ordered. "Breathe."
Barbas curled his arm around her shoulders, and with his big palm pressed her forehead into his neck. "Slow down, Princess. One breath at a time."
"Remember, you came to the Fae Realm to find the spy." She puffed out. She didn't want to wait.
"I could hardly forget, sweetness." Barbas murmured into her ear, his voice soft with affection. "I found you instead."
"The spy. In your conference room." Aine pulled her head from its hiding place and looked directly at Gaap. "The mirror. I recognize it. I believe my father bespelled the mirror. Anything you discuss in that room, he will know about."
"Where did it come from?" Barbas asked.
"When we offered Judy the position as a Grace," Gaap said briefly.
"Where is she now?" Aine heart settled into a calmer rhythm.
"Dead," Leraye said tightly. His look did not invite further questions.
"That explains a lot." Gaap tapped his lip with his pointer finger. "Especially why we could never torture the information out of the human spies we discovered. They were distractions. They had no idea who the real 'spy' was."
"Clever." Barbas snarled.
Gaap raised his brows and considered the information she'd just given him. And then he smiled. "We can use the mirror to plant false information for the upcoming battles."
"You expect trouble?"
"We have heard from the King. He refuses to consider a truce." Gaap said gently, "And I'm sorry to tell you, he also said you are no longer welcome in the Fae Realm."
Aine flinched at the harsh words. She had known what her father's response was going to be. Even if she had hoped for a different outcome.
"I'm surprised you didn't want to bargain with that information." Leraye flicked her a derisive glance. Clearly he was still suspicious of her.
"You are going to protect my child." Aine said fiercely, "I am forever in your debt."
Barbas curled her into his chest as if he could shield her from the horrible truth of her father's betrayal. "The only word I like there is forever."
"You have a place here. Always," Gaap said gently as he took her hand. "However we could definitely use your knowledge of the Fae. It will be your choice."
And he spoke the truth.
"My apologies, princess." Leraye's words were much harsher but he was trying.
She couldn't help but ask one more time. "For always?"
"For always." Barbas rubbed his nose along the delicate curve of her neck and planted a gentle kiss behind her ear. "But I'd prefer forever."
Her breath caught at the light caress. "Forever works for me."
Barbas's erection poked her in the back. "We, ah, need to leave you for a bit." Barbas's voice was strained as he requested leave from his prince.
"We'll talk more later, princess," Gaap said softly.
She straightened and nodded regally to the prince and she committed herself to the Demons. "I would be honored to give you whatever information you need."
But Barbas was done talking. He tugged Aine toward the gate to the castle's garden. "Later."
Leraye and Gaap snickered as Barbas hustled her into the secluded enclosure.
"Watch out for the thorns on the roses," Leraye called out.
The grille of the metal gate slammed shut and Barbas whirled her around and pressed her up against the tangle of copper and clover. Barbas clasped his hands around her neck and tilted her chin up for a kiss. His mouth pressed hard against hers as if he could hold back no longer. The crush of their bodies against the vines released the sweet aroma of honeysuckle.
Barbas ripped his mouth from hers. They were both breathing heavily. "We do have one last thing to discuss."
"Now?" Aine rubbed her hands down his chest and arrowed toward his erection. "I thought you were done talking."
He ignored her impatience. "The Fae are known for their voracious appetites and many lovers."
"I don't want many lovers," she argued as she licked her way down his neck.
"That's good." Barbas slid his hands down her back and under her buttocks. With an easy jerk, he pulled up her skirt and pressed his breech-covered cock against her exposed pussy. "I don't share."
"Well then you'll just have to keep things interesting," she demanded saucily and then nipped at his collarbone.
Beyond the garden gate, the sounds of a busy castle echoed between their sensual gasps. Barbas ran his fingers along her pussy lips and rubbed the pads against her hardening clit.
"What are you doing?" She gasped as he penetrated her with one rough finger, her hips rocking against his hand.
"Claiming my princess," he said against her mouth.
"But, what if someone comes." Even as she prot
ested her fingers were busy loosening the laces of his pants.
"I'm certainly planning on it."
And he did. So did Aine.
***
Thank you for buying and reading The Demon's Deception, the next installment in the Demons Unleashed Erotic Romance Novellas.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Alder has a split personality. Naughty Lisa writes HOT Demons, Fae and Humans in a post-apocalyptic world. Nice Lisa writes sexy, contemporary romantic romps.
She 1has been writing romance for years. All manner of stories lurk in her mind, with all manner of fictional creatures vying for her time and attention. Right now she’s consorting with Demons and Fae (Demons Unleashed Erotic Novellas) or innocent small town girls (One Wild Night). But she’s been known to play with sexy Angels, modern day Amazons, hot CIA dudes, and kick-ass heroines as well.
You can find her on the web at www.authorlisaalder.blogspot.com , on Twitter @LisaAlderBooks , on Goodreads www.goodreads.com/lisaalder and on email: [email protected] She loves to hear from readers!
Happy reading!
Acknowledgements
To Bex and Delilah, thanks for your nagging, er, encouragement in all things, both writing and life.
To Theresa for your editorial input. I hear your voice when I'm revising now.
To Maddee for another totally hot cover. No wonder readers love these guys.
Thanks y'all.
Other books by Lisa Alder
The Demon's Bargain
To Summon A Demon
The Demon's Seduction
Demons Unleashed, Volume 1 - 3
The Demon's Deception
Jake's Wild Bride
Excerpt from Demons Unleashed
The Demon's Bargain, Demons Unleashed Vol. 1
When the Demon bargains for one night of her pleasure...no one loses.
Vetis, the Demon of Corruption, is bored. It=s too easy to tempt humans into committing horrible acts and the appeal has worn thin. He=s restless and seeking distraction...until a gambler offers to settle a debt by submitting his wife for Vetis=s use.
One tiny glimpse of the rage in Amara and the absolutely sexless way she endures his sensual touch, and Vetis has his challenge. He=ll make this woman enjoy the carnal pleasures of sex.
The bargain is struck. One night. Of HER pleasure. And the debt will be paid.
Ill‑used by her husband, Amara believes she is doomed, for she has no pleasure within her, her innocence forfeit long ago. But as Amara=s body awakens with sinful desires and carnal longings, hope begins to blossom that pleasure is within her reach.
Demons never fail and the challenge is on. Vetis knows with the right sensual persuasion the debt will be paid in pleasure, however he doesn=t bargain on falling in love.
Warning: this erotic romance novella contains m/f/m sex, light bondage, and smokin' hot demon sex
This is a 25,000 word erotic paranormal romance novella featuring Demons, Fae and Humans in a post-apocalyptic world.
To Summon A Demon, Demons Unleashed Vol. 2
To gain revenge, she summons a Demon...and loses her heart.
After Lili is viciously attacked by the Fae, she wants revenge. Who better to help her than the sworn enemies of the Fae, Demons. So she uses an ancient sex ritual to summon a Demon lover and offers her body in exchange for his aid.
Prince Gaap, commander of the Water Elemental Demons, is curiously drawn to the mysterious Lili. Though her summons is clearly a trap, an attempt by the Fae to infiltrate and harm the Demons, he cannot resist the seductive lure of her battered soul.
Even forewarned, Lili is helpless against Gaap's sensual attraction and loses her heart to her Demon lover.
Warning: This novella contains explicit sex, voyeurism, light bondage, self‑pleasuring, sex on a beach, and smokin= hot Demon sex
This is an erotic paranormal romance novella of 25,000 words featuring Demons, Fae and Humans in a post-apocalyptic world.
The Demon's Seduction, Demons Unleashed Vol. 3
One of the three Graces, Thalia's purpose is to serve the Lesser Demons, but she's in love with her boss Zepar, The Demon of Seduction. Zepar has unresolved feelings for his friend and former lover, Leraye, the Demon of Battle.
When Zepar rejects both Leraye and the forbidden human woman, Thalia, they turn to each other, bound by their love of Zepar. But of course, he is eaten up with jealousy when they find love without him, until a tragic attack forces Zepar to confront his feelings for both Leraye and Thalia or lose them forever.
Warning: This erotic romance novella contains sex with a statue, sex with the Demon of Seduction and the Demon of Battle, a Demon ménage (both m/m/f and m/f/m) and lots of smokin' hot Demon sex!
And now an excerpt from The Demon's Bargain:
Earth 2025
Subtle light flickered against the black walls. Blood red velvet drapes hung at the windows and let in the fading rays of the sun. While flames licked at the soot-stained stone, Vetis, Demon of Corruption, lounged in the velvet upholstered chair, one leg flung over the ornately carved wooden arm, and stared disinterestedly at the destructive, seductive beauty of the flames.
Gods, he needed a distraction. A challenge.
Prince Gaap had ordered them all to gather as much human energy as possible to prepare for an imminent attack by the Fae. Intelligence suggested the Fae would advance soon. The Demons had to be ready. A battle was coming. He understood. And he would fight to the death before he spent another moment trapped beneath the Earth again. But Vetis was deadly bored with siphoning the energy from dissolute humans bent on destroying their lives with greed.
“A visitor, my Lord.” His current butler, Figgins, bowed.
“Who is it?” Did he even want to know? He swallowed the compulsion to send away without an audience whoever chose to disturb him.
“Edward, the gambler, sir.”
Vetis sighed.
The sod was trying his patience. The man owed Vetis. That was what happened when you bargained with a Demon...and lost.
“Get a cell ready.” He would draw the energy generated by the man’s fear and be done with him.
“Yes, my Lord.” Figgins clicked his heels together. “Shall I show them in?”
“Them?”
“Ah, yes. He has...a lady with him.”
Stupid sod. He thought to trade another for his debt. How many freaking times had these ignorant humans thought they could get away with cheating a demon? Would they never learn?
“Show them in.”
“Very good sir.”
Figgins opened the grand doors to his chamber with a flourish. A sudden rush of cool air swept through the room and the velvet curtains swayed as if heralding a sea change.
Towing a reluctant woman along in his wake, the fool gambler strode in as if he owned the castle. His hard-soled shoes clicked along the stone floor, the harder tap of her stilettos a counter beat to the gambler’s stride.
Still slouched on his throne chair, Vetis observed them.
Edward the gambler fairly vibrated with energy, radiating an excitement strangely at odds with his predicament. He saw no fear in the man. His thoughts were full of only anticipation.
Yawn.
So Vetis turned his gaze to the woman. She’d been dressed up like a hooker on the walk. Black stiletto heels, a black micro-mini so short he was sure if she turned around, he’d be able to see the globes of her ass peeking out the bottom, her wares on display. The black halter top was cut down to her belly button, in a wide V, displaying a decent set of breasts. Large, round, real, her nipples poked the black material but there was no doubt it was not from arousal.
Her face was like stone. Sharp caramel eyebrows over a long blade of a nose and a cupid’s bow mouth the angels would have wept for, except for the fact that she was not smiling. Her angelic blond hair tumbled down her back.
But what drew him was her eyes.
Not one single emotion betrayed her. Her gaze was flat, blue, empty. When he probed her mind, he saw...nothing.
How curious. As the Demon of Corruption, his goal in life was to make people do things against their nature. But first he needed to know their nature. Her mind was blank. Too blank.
“You think to bring me a prostitute to pay off your debt?”
By only a flicker of her eyelid did she reveal her distress. Not a prostitute then.
“No, no.” The gambler laughed and a hint of nervousness finally edged into his mind. He pinched the woman, hard, on her arm. “This is my wife. Smile, dear.”
The woman’s x-rated mouth remained still.
“Your wife?” Vetis said flatly. He pressed his mouth into a straight line. It was nearly impossible to corrupt one already so depraved as to offer his wife to a Demon. Now if the gambler had protested, it would have been fun to demand her as payment. But this, this was annoying.
This...insect dared to try to dupe him?
“And why did you bring her with you?” Vetis slumped even further in the chair, shifting his weight to put his chin on his fist. Come, you ass. Show me your true colors so I can decide what your punishment shall be. And how I can reap the energy from your psyche.
