Kiss of a Demon King iad-7

by Kresley Cole

  "But then you have to let me go. I will return to you!"

  Can't think . . . nothing irrevocable ... He rose once more, then staggered to the bathroom. Inside, he rested his forehead and palms against the wall, digging in his claws as he grappled for control-

  He heard the unmistakable sound of Cadeon's old truck in the drive. With a curse, Rydstrom slung on some jeans, then went to head him off before his brother could use a key.

  When Rydstrom cracked open the side door, his mind was seized on Sabine, but he vaguely noted Cadeon appeared ... tired.

  "Rydstrom?" Cadeon bit out incredulously.

  He could only imagine what he looked like. He wore no shirt or shoes and had been buttoning up his jeans. Cadeon's gaze flickered over his clenched jaw, his shoulders bunched with tension, and the thin lines of blood running down his chest and across his cheek.

  "Are you going to make me stand out here? Open the door."

  Rydstrom glanced back into the house. That dream. She'd been about to take it away from him. He could hate her for that.

  "You're worrying me, man. Let me in, and tell me what happened. The last I heard was that you'd been captured by Sabine."

  When Rydstrom didn't answer, Cadeon said, "You were taken to Tornin, weren't you? Did you fight Omort to escape?"

  Rydstrom finally shook his head.

  "Then how the hell did you get free? No one escapes Tornin."

  "I had an ace in my pocket," he said, his voice rough. What will I have to do to make her want to stay?

  "You don't sound good. Are you all right?"

  "I will be." Rydstrom looked back over his shoulder again. "Soon."

  "I got the sword." Cadeon offered it to him. "Killed Groot, too."

  Rydstrom accepted the weapon, barely sparing it a glance. She'd been running from me. After making me believe she wanted to be with me.

  Cadeon was baffled, saying slowly, "That's the sword that will defeat Omort"

  "We go to war in the spring. Be ready."

  "That's all you've got to say? So much for abject gratitude, or even a pat on the back." Cadeon's tone grew louder with each word. "If you knew what I went through to get to that goddamned thing, what I put my female through . . . Oh, and for the record, your Vey-ron's missing, and it's never fucking coming home-"

  "/s someone out there?" Sabine cried. "Oh, gods, help me!" She rattled the chains. "I'm being held against my

  will!"

  "Is that Sabine?" Cadeon bit out. "Was she your ace?"

  "Please help me!"

  Rydstrom peered at him hard, daring Cadeon to do something.

  Clearly striving for a casual tone, Cadeon said, "So, you've got an evil sorceress chained up in your bed, then?"

  Rydstrom knew what his brother believed. "She's mine," he seethed. "I'll do whatever the fuck I want to her. And it's nothing that wasn't done to me," he snapped, recalling the humiliation she'd subjected him to. The memories burned worse, because he'd intended to be so good to her, had planned to completely forgive her for her treatment of him. His fists clenched.

  "Hey, hey, no need to slug me, brother. To each his own, yeah?" But he was studying Rydstrom.

  "Once I'm done with her, I'll contact you."

  As he closed the door, he barely heard Cadeon mutter, "Fuckall, does this mean I'm no longer the bad brother . . . ?"

  Before Rydstrom locked the sword in the armory, he took it to the bedroom to show Sabine his prize. "This is the sword that will kill Omort."

  It glinted in the light, and her eyes followed its every movement as he checked the weapon's balance, swing­ing it in a circle by his side.

  "Soon, I'll return to Tornin for his head. Would you like that? How does the idea of your brother's death make you feel?"

  "Like I'm hearing a weather report for a town I don't live in."

  "I almost want you to have loyalty to him."

  "Don't you understand? You'll never get close enough to use that weapon on him. He rarely leaves Tornin. He has guards and mystickal traps surrounding him at all times. Damn you, Rydstrom!" Her wrists were bleeding. "Let me go!"

  He'turned from her and left the room. As he headed to his study, he gazed down at the sword-the most remarkable one Rydstrom had ever beheld. The weapon felt like an extension of his arm.

  This was all he'd wanted, and he'd barely spared a glance at it. His brother had risked his life to claim this for him, and Rydstrom hadn't said a word of thanks.

  Just now, Cadeon had looked at him like he'd lost his mind.

  I think I have.

  39

  She sagged with relief. "Lanthe, where are you?" Her sister's voice had come to her once before when Sabine had screamed for help, but then it had faded again.

  Dimly Sabine heard, "Dodging really big birds. What happened to you?"

  "The demon caught me and chained me to his bed."

  "He did what? As soon as I lose these assholes, I'm com-ing after the demon."

  "What are you going to do? Portal him to death?" Sabine said. "Can you evade the Vrekeners for much longer? Wait, I hear him coming . . . just stand by!"

  Rydstrom returned to her then, gazing at her with pain and confusion in his dark eyes. He reached for her, but instead of touching her body again, he began to free her bonds.

  She held her breath. Was he letting her go?

  "Do you know what I saw when you told me to dream of what I needed most?' His voice was hoarse as he unchained her ankles. "I dreamed of you and of our son. We were happy, Sabine. I was able to make you happy- and to protect you. The feeling was indescribable."

  "Lanthe, he's freeing me-just hold on a little longer!"

  Rydstrom continued, "But now I know that will never happen."

  Once he'd released her, she shot to her feet and scrambled back from him, but he just sank onto the side of the bed, his face exhausted, his cheek marked from her nails.

  "Lanthe, are you still there?" Sabine took only enough time to snatch up the undershirt he'd left out for her and drag it over her head, then she headed out.

  At the doorway, she said, "Look, Rydstrom, I'll be back in six days. I promise you."

  "No, you won't. I'm done, Sabine."

  She whirled around. "What? Rydstrom, no-"

  "I'm not like this. You bring out the worst in me." He was holding his head in his hands. People did that in grief, or in the realization that something they'd wanted was forever out of reach.

  He'd given up on her. And she wanted to ask him not to. Even give him reasons why he shouldn't. But Lanthe was out there alone, defenseless.

  "All we're going to do is continue hurting each other. I don't want you to return," he said quietly, but with steel in his tone.

  "Demon, wait.. . ."

  He met her gaze. "Do not come back here."

  When she felt her bottom lip trembling, she made herself invisible. Casting another glance at him, she ran from the room.

  "Abie, are you there? What's happening?"

  "I-I just got broken up with."

  "What? Well, you don't need him anyway!"

  "Ah gods, Lanthe. I think I really do."

  Lanthe sprinted, out of breath, getting herself more lost. She and Sabine both had zero directional skills. Hadn't she just passed those tennis shoes strung over the power lines?

  All the while she was craning her head around to scan the skies and trees for the Vrekeners. But she thought she'd ditched them.

  There'd been at least two dozen. And when she'd first seen several of them crouched on the limbs of an ancient oak, she thought she'd spied the scarred face of Thrpnos among them....

  "I'm out of the house now."

  Lanthe was so relieved she nearly tripped. "Then let's get the hell out of here. I've lost the Vrekeners, so all we have to do is find our way back to the portal. Do you remember where the park was?"

  "Are you kidding?"

  "One would think, huh?" Alley after alley opened up like doors to choose from. She sprinted headlong d
own the wet steaming pavement of one, then turned to fol­low another.

  "Wait! I think I see it." Lanthe sprinted toward a clearing ahead-it would have to be the park. "I'm

  here!" She could see the portal not even fifty yards ahead. "Follow my . . ." She trailed off, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.

  Lanthe gazed up with dread.

  Vrekeners everywhere. Dotting the tree limbs, sur­rounding her on the ground. They'd trapped her, using the portal as bait. "Ah, gods, it's a trap! They've been waiting for us. Driving me, so I'd draw you out."

  If Sabine hadn't been tackled by that demon, she would've been seized by them. "Abie, don't come here. This place is crawling with them!"

  "I'm on my way!"

  Lanthe caught sight of Thronos once more. Crouched on a limb in his black trench, he looked like the Reaper. He smirked, stretching the raised scars across his face. Then he dropped effortlessly to the ground.

  The asshole thought he had her.

  A perilous incident was supposed to reignite her power of persuasion? It didn't get much more perilous than this. Why not try?

  He gave a hand signal, and in a flash, they attacked as one. She gulped in a breath and sprinted for the portal.

  Some flew overhead as she hunched and darted, some chasing her on foot. "Leave me alone!" she cried. Had she felt a twinge of power?

  Never slowing, she glanced over her shoulder. The ones on the ground had stopped. Those in the air flew in place. All except for Thronos, who appeared to be gnashing his teeth, straining to resist her command.

  He continued limping toward her with malice in his

  expression, his wings unfurling with hostility. Stalking closer. ...

  Should Lanthe try to find Sabine? Or attempt to lead them away again so her sister could get through the portal-

  One by one, they began to throw off her command, charging once more. In a panic, she scurried forward, diving headfirst into the portal, landing halfway into her room in Tornin.

  Thronos was right behind her, catching her foot at the threshold. She gave a mule kick, connecting with his mouth. "Get back," she commanded.

  The battle within him was clear as he resisted, but he took a step back.

  Sabine said, "Where are you?"

  "I'm at the portal door."

  "Then close it!"

  "What about you?"

  "I can make it six days!" Sabine cried. "But if you get caught now, I don't have a chance."

  "But-"

  "You have to do this!"

  "I'm coming back for you!" Gritting her teeth with effort, Lanthe began sealing the portal, closing the rift she'd created. The edges of the threshold were like the seams of a wound, easing together to heal. "Abie, hold on till I return!"

  Just before she'd sealed the sides, Thronos shoved his boot inside. He gazed down at her with silvery eyes, his wings'spread wide.

  Lanthe cast him an evil smile. The wound of the portal was healing-nothing could keep the edges open now. She heard the echo of his roar as his foot was severed, then she fell back onto the floor of her room, gasping for breath. I've got to find a vampire, someone who could trace me back to Sabine. But they'd all bailed....

  She stood in gradual degrees, shoving her hands to her knees as she heaved for breath. She glared at Thro-nos's booted foot. Because of him, Sabine was stuck in

  that plane.

  Lanthe yelled at the foot, "I'm so sick of you fuckers coming down on us! Five hundred years of this!" She punted it across the room.

  It sailed past Omort in the doorway. "And you dare return without her."

  Sabine sensed quiet and felt her sister's absence, which meant she'd gone from this plane. Through the portal. She was likely safe.

  But now I'm screwed. She had six days till her rescue would come. Could she last that long? Damn Omort for

  his lies!

  She had no idea where to go to hire a vampire to trace her back. She had no clue where to stay. She could weave illusions of money to get a hotel room, but the Vrekeners would just home in on her sorcery.

  Why am I so despondent? I've been in much more dicey

  situations.

  Maybe because she might be dying soon.

  No! She refused to believe that. She'd heard the morsus attacked in waves. She could withstand the first

  episodes of pain. Hell, she might wean herself and tell Omort to go bugger himself.

  Her eyes went wide. Yes, I'll beat this thing! The accounts of people dying from pain were about victims who'd never known agony like Sabine had. I've died dozens of times. This will be old hat.

  She felt better about the morsus, almost looking for­ward to the challenge.

  So why am I still despondent?

  I miss the demon. She'd had a good thing and hadn't realized it soon enough. The odds were slim that she would find another male like him: a gorgeous king who would press her head down to kiss her nape, who was usually considerate and fair-except when he went demonic because she ran from him-and who was also her husband.

  She wanted the demon. But he no longer wants me. And it's all my fault.

  This hurts. Sabine felt her bottom lip trembling once more. Not again! Crying was something for weak women-the hand-wringers and the hopeless.

  And still the tears came streaming down, the unfa­miliar feel of them shocking her.

  40

  What have I done? Rydstrom cursed himself bitterly.

  I actually let her go.

  At the time, he hadn't felt like he'd had a choice He'd been appalled by his behavior. In that park in the storm, he'd come close to shoving himself inside her, and then again later in the bed.

  Yet now that he'd calmed enough to think, he believed he might have detected some truth to her words when she'd told him she would return in days. She might in fact want more with him.

  If she brought out the worst in him, then he would just have to work harder to become a better man for them. No male would work harder. And more, he was going to ask her what she thought he should do, putting everything out there for her: I'm not interested in a life that doesn't have you in it. You make me crazed. I would give anything for you to grow to care for me.

  But he would demand that she meet him halfway.

  And he would have to find her.

  With that thought, he ran for her again. She might have crossed that portal. Yet he sensed she hadn't, still perceived her nearness....

  He found her not even a block away from the house, sitting on a curb.

  As he approached, he saw her wiping her face with her forearm.

  Sabine was ... crying! "What are you doing out here, cwena?" Over the last week, Rydstrom had been pleased when she'd worried about him and gratified when she'd felt the sting of jealousy. Was he a terrible man to hope she was crying about him?

  She glared at him with her bottom lip quivering, allowing him to see her like this instead of using a mask. "I d-don't have anywhere else to g-go." Another swipe of her forearm over her eyes. "Lanthe's gone, and I c-can't get to her for six days. And I'm in a strange t-town and land, and Vrekeners are everywhere."

  Sabine hadn't even mentioned what they'd just gone through-

  "And you br-broke up with me!" she said, her tears falling faster. "Is that supposed to make me happy?"

  "Come inside, Sabine."

  "No! You t-told me not to." She sniffled. "You don't want me at your house."

  He swooped her up in his arms. "Will you shut up?" With his free hand, he brushed her tears. "I made it ten minutes before I came after you."

  She buried her face against his shoulder. "I'm glad you did."

  He swallowed, never imagining this night would turn around like this. "We have a lot of things we have to get sorted out. I'll put you in the shower, and then we'll talk about what we're going to do."

  "Talk o-over wine?"

  "The sweetest I can find."

  "You still w-want me?"

  He rested his forehead again
st hers. "I always will."

  "Demon, I understand why you would think the worst about me tonight. I've given you no reason to grant me the benefit of the doubt. But I know now that you have to be able to trust me."

  "Sabine, that's not reasonable-"

  "Wait. J-just hear me out. There's something I can do that will let you know when I'm being untruthful to you. Something the bad guys use to keep each other honest. I want to do this for you, demon."

  He had no idea what she was talking about, but he savored even the idea that she wanted to take a step for him-

  "All I need is clay, picture hangers, an oven, and your blood."

  "How can I be sure these covenants are going to work?" Rydstrom asked over his shoulder as he nailed three pic-ture hangers to the wall.

  "I made extras so we can test them," she said absently, gazing at his uncovered back as she tied twine through the hole of the third covenant.

  The muscles, the tattoo, his smooth skin . . . Gods, this male is too fine-

  He abruptly turned, catching her ogling him. She shrugged as if she was helpless not to ogle. Because she was.

  "Are you ready with those?" he asked, his voice a touch rough.

  "Oh. Yes." She had three covenants baked and ready to be hung. She carefully handed them to him.

  He was clearly still dubious about this whole process, but he was going along with it as if hoping it would work.

  When they'd returned to the house earlier, he'd trusted her to stay and shower while he located clay somewhere on the grounds. They'd met back in the kitchen, with Sabine dressed in another one of his undershirts. He'd showered downstairs and wore a clean pair of jeans-with no shirt.

  His kitchen was ultra-modern, and she didn't exactly know her way around even a medieval one, but she'd managed to find a bowl to mix a small sampling of their blood with the clay. "Your blood will bind you to the spell," she'd explained as she made a small cut in his arm. "My Sorceri blood acts as the catalyst, the battery that gives this power."

  Once she'd rolled the clay out flat in three baking dishes, Sabine had used an ice pick for a stylus. In the first tablet, she'd carefully inscribed, "I will never lust after Rydstrom." In the second, she'd written, "I will never kiss Rydstrom." The third read, "I will never lie to Rydstrom."