A Demon's Wrath Novella: One Night with the Demon King

by Alexia Praks

  Just then, a door slammed shut with a bang. Cecelia jumped, her heart pounding hard and fast within her chest, wondering who’d just entered the library. She hastily shut the book, her hand shaking. She rushed over to the other side of the small room and peeked out. In the distance below, she saw a dark shadow in the form of a male. He was heading toward the stairs to where she was. Panic seized her and she started to tremble.

  She bit her lip and told herself to think of something fast before whoever it was caught her red-handed. She took another peek and saw he was coming closer and closer.

  Think, Celia, think!

  She held her breath as he came up the stairs and called out, “Staying up so late studying, Julius? How very like you.”

  Cecelia swore silently in dread once she heard that voice. Drake McNamara, the demon king. What was he doing here in the library this late at night? More importantly, what would he do to her if he found out the person in the library wasn’t Julius, but her, Cecelia, here to steal a recipe?

  A deep laughter followed, and then he said, “Perhaps you will ease my boredom tonight, Julius. Accompany me to the city, why don’t you? That boy Brian really unsettles me. There’s something about him that doesn’t fit. He frustrates me, both in body and mind.”

  Cecelia was sure her heart was going to pump out of her chest any moment now if Drake didn’t turn back and leave the library this instant. Oh God, he was coming closer and closer.

  What should I do? she questioned herself.

  When he came around the corner, Cecelia knew she had to make a run for it before she got caught. Without further ado, she turned on her heel and dashed back.

  Drake was quick. He saw the slight shadow sprinting around the corner away from him and knew instantly the person wasn’t Julius. He went after the culprit and, in the flip of a second, caught Cecelia by her slender arm.

  He pulled her around, but was caught off guard when Cecelia swung her dagger against him with her free hand. The blade flew across Drake’s chest by mere inches as he dashed back. Within seconds, he pounced on her again, caught her wrist, and twisted her hand. The knife dropped to the floor with a clang. Cecelia swung her free arm around and managed to bash her puny fist on his massive chest. Drake let her go in response. Cecelia took the opportunity to take off through the opened door. Drake was after her in an instant.

  Cecelia ran through the maze of corridors, her heart pounding hard and her mind searching for a way of escape. He was still hot on her heels, chasing her as if as she were a criminal. She supposed she was, trying to steal a jewel and a recipe.

  Finally, she found herself running toward the back door of the castle, and then she was out in the cool night. She couldn’t see much, though the moon did provide some guidance in her surroundings. She sprinted even faster, knowing her hunter was still behind her, and it wasn’t long before she found herself in the thickness of the woods that surrounded the castle to the northwest.

  It was here that Drake roared out with laughter, as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself, which frightened Cecelia witless. She stumbled, felt her arms caught by his strong hand, and found herself in his arms. He pinned her back against a tree with his large, warm body.

  He lowered his face to hers in the darkness. Though she knew he couldn’t quite see her and she prayed to the gods he didn’t recognized her, this didn’t put her mind at ease.

  Her heart was still racing when he said, “Who are you and why were you in the library?”

  Cecelia sighed in small relief. She took the advantage by not answering him, and that was when he laughed, long and loud. She could feel it rumbling out from within his broad chest.

  He lowered his head so his nose and lips were now almost touching hers. “Were you by any chance waiting for someone in there?”

  Cecelia thought for a moment. Anything to get out of this. Thus, she nodded.

  “Ah, I see. Gerick, was it?”

  Nay, Cecelia wasn’t waiting for Gerick, but she nodded anyway.

  Suddenly, Drake stroked her long hair and whispered into her ear. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. But Gerick is already with another tonight. ‘Tis fruitless waiting for him. Perhaps I can help you?”

  Cecelia blinked. His closeness was making her weak and too warm for her liking. And the meaning of his words?

  “Nay, sire,” she said quickly.

  Drake cocked his head to one side. “Ah, so you know who I am, then?”

  Cecelia caught herself and silently cursed. “Nay,” she whispered just as quickly.

  Drake laughed again. “No one refuses a king’s offer, sweetheart. What should I call you?”

  Cecelia bit her lip and stayed silent.

  Drake said, “No name, eh? Very well, I shall have to give you one. What about Selene? For it is beautiful and bright tonight. Though, I’m eager to see your face, Selene. Should we move into the castle?”

  “Nay, sire, please. I must go,” she begged.

  “Leaving so soon? Were you not here to have some company tonight?”

  “Nay, sire, I’ve changed my mind. Please—”

  Cecelia was cut short when his lips brushed against hers briefly and gently. That smallest touch did amazing things to her, and she groaned softly.

  Drake was quite pleased that he didn’t have to venture into the city to find himself a woman after all. This one was presented to him on a silver platter, and within the thickness of these woods of all things. Aye, she might have come here to spend her night with Gerick, but with that handsome demon too busy with another interested party, Drake was only too glad to step in.

  He was also quite pleased that it was dark, and this slender, soft young woman couldn’t see his face. He had no doubt she’d fear him the moment she saw him. Most females did. Even some younger, newly recruited soldiers feared his scowl. Tonight, he didn’t want to seduce a frightened, witless female.

  Drake wrapped his hands around the back of her head, his fingers interlacing through the strands of her long hair as he whispered softly into her ear, “Will you allow your king to make love to you tonight, or will you refuse him, Selene?”

  Cecelia shivered deliciously at his query and closed her eyes.

  “Tell me now, my sweet. Don’t prolong this torture on your king.” He brushed his lips against the sensitive spot of her ear and then lower, his hot tongue licking the side of her throat. “I’ve never forced myself on any female before and am not about to now. Give me your word, sweetheart.”

  All Cecelia could feel was his closeness and warmth and the smell of his unique scent. Aye, she wanted him. That much she knew. All thoughts of the book and the pearl scattered off into the breeze as her core burned with a frenzied heat, needing to be touched and cherished by this particular demon.

  Slowly, she nodded and whispered softly, “Aye, sire.”

  The moment she uttered those words of acceptance, Drake felt a rush of hot desire searing through his being. His lips claimed hers in a scorching kiss.

  Cecelia whimpered deliciously as his firm, warm lips grazed against hers, and a moment later, his tongue slipped into her mouth. She’d never felt anything like this before as he explored her, his tongue playing and stroking her own. When he moved back, she was marveling at his harsh features that seemed even more foreboding than normal. Oddly enough, it made her blood run hotter, wanting him even more.

  Drake gave her little kisses along the length of her slender neck and then lower to her breast. There, he easily pulled down her dress and claimed a nipple in his hot mouth. He kissed and suckled the little pink bud, sweetly torturing it until it was fully engorged and glistening wet.

  Cecelia groaned softly, her mind screaming at the delicious torment and the pleasure he bequeathed her with his practiced tongue. Her inner core was burning with an inferno that desperately wanted to be filled and then release.

  It was then she found herself on the ground amongst the tall, soft grass, and he was on top of her. His hands were under her gown, caressing and strok
ing her bare skin. Cecelia caught her breath at the back of her throat at the exquisite sensation his bare hands gave her, for she felt delightfully lightheaded. Her midsection was begging for more, wanting more of his touches and caresses.

  Drake chuckled in approval and whispered, “Have I pleased you, sweetheart? I will make you think of only me. Forget about Gerick. He doesn’t deserve your attention tonight for leaving you behind. Tonight, you shall be mine.”

  Cecelia heard his words and could only smile at his remark. Aye, she wanted to be his and only his. She wrapped her arms around his head as he wonderfully tormented the sensitive peak of her other nipple with his hot mouth, teeth, and tongue, suckling her and then kissing her and nipping at her. She bit her lips, trying very hard to stop herself from screaming out in pleasure.

  So this is lovemaking, she thought with wonder. The secret topic the maids in the castle back home had always whispered about? The wonderful nights with the warriors they craved? And now Cecelia understood why. It was heaven. There was so much pleasure as one allowed her body to be touched and caressed and stroked and kissed.

  Oh, the kisses. Hot and soft. Gentle and wonderful. The demon king’s hand was touching her moistened valley now, and Cecelia couldn’t help but cry out. She bit her lip, but even then she couldn’t stop the groans from escaping her mouth as Drake’s hand caressed the folds down there and then inserted a finger into the small, sweet, hot, eager channel between her legs, relieving her ache that began when he’d kissed her earlier that evening before she went to bed.

  Cecelia arched her lower back, allowing Drake more access as he played with her. Then he had her completely naked, and rather than feeling shy, she was pleased to feel the cool night air against her scalding skin. She was so consumed with the burning heat of wanting to be filled completely that she didn’t realize she was caressing him, too. Her inexperience hands frantically moved about the muscles of his smooth, toned body. Her cry of pleasure sang loud and clear within the woods.

  Drake was pleased to see his midnight lover responded to his seduction. By God, but she was passionate, and Drake loved that. He loved her eagerness and he loved her cries. He loved how her body danced beneath his touches. And he especially loved her lips as he kissed her now. When he was satisfied with that, he moved his head down her naked body to her breasts once again. There, he took a nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  She groaned some more, and he chuckled lowly at her response. His stroked along the length of her thigh, up to her small waist, and then to her belly. That was when he felt a scar, long and big, across her right side.

  How did she come about this? he wondered. An accident? Or something else? Ah, my poor Selene, he thought and moved to kiss the healed wound. When he was done with that, he sat up straight and lifted her to him. He surprised her by inserting his hard, erected shaft into her hot, tight tunnel.

  Cecelia gasped. Since he’d started kissing her, she’d wanted to be filled, though she didn’t know how or with what. The moment Drake inserted his sex into her, it felt so right and so good. She smiled and groaned in pleasure, but that didn’t last as Drake thrust through and broke her maidenhead. She gave out a little gasp as the sharp pain shot through her being in a hot burst.

  “Demon’s teeth!” Drake swore under his breath once he realized she was still a virgin. He became still, knowing he’d committed a grave felony. “Sweetheart, did I hurt you? I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  Cecelia’s heart pounded madly within her chest. The demon king had taken her virginity, she knew, as Agnes had told her since she’d grown of age about the marriage bed. But Cecelia wasn’t in a marriage bed. She was with a demon king who thought she was a maid waiting for Gerick.

  Oddly enough, however, she didn’t feel any remorse for this loss, nor any shame. Both Lady Rosanna and Lady Juliet had lost their virginity long before Cecelia met them. She herself, come hell or high water, wasn’t going to get married, regardless if it were arranged or not. Thus, she had nothing to worry about not being a virgin before the marriage bed.

  Cecelia lifted herself and wrapped her arms around Drake’s muscular neck. She kissed his lips softly and gently.

  Drake smiled in relief, for in her action, he knew she’d accepted him, allowing him to take her. He started thrusting, burrowing his root deeper. They both groaned in pleasure as Drake continued his gentle pounding. Then he moved so Cecelia lay on her back, and he brought her legs higher around his waist.

  He thrust in harder, pulsating into her as she cried out in wonderful agony. She bit her lip as Drake continued his rhythm, thrusting deeper and deeper into her secret place, her cry of pleasure singing loud into the night. Then she fell apart in his arms as he came inside her, long and hard.

  Drake carried his exhausted weight on his elbow for fear he might crush her with his body if he were to collapse on top of her. He stroked her hair from her flushed face and brushed his lips against her forehead. Then again on the tip of her nose and finally her lips, where he lingered, licking her flesh with the tip of his tongue.

  Cecelia fluttered her eyes open, still utterly breathless from the experience. Above her, she could only see the darkness and the slight shadow of her demon lover. She gazed up at him long and hard, and then reality hit her and her stomach lurched. She sat up and hastily grabbed for her clothing.

  She was about to rush off when Drake caught her by the arm and said, “What’s the rush, my sweet?”

  “Please, sire, I must go,” she begged.

  Before he let her go, however, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the lips again, hard. When he reluctantly allowed her to escape him, he said, “I will meet you again tomorrow night, sweet Selene, here.”

  “Please, sire, I must go,” she said pleadingly.

  He held on to her tight, wouldn’t let her go, until she agreed with a nod of her head.

  Cecelia rushed off as Drake chuckled, watching the shadow of her slender form disappearing from sight. He rested his head back and gazed up at the dark sky spotted with countless stars. He wondered what his sweet Selene looked like in daylight. Did she have blond, red, or dark-brown hair? What was the color of her eyes? Though he wouldn’t bet on it, he was very sure she was quite pretty.

  Pretty or not, she was his, and he’d make sure she’d be his alone. That was until the pearl chose him a bride.

  A knot formed within the pit of his stomach, and Drake cursed fluently. What would he do with his sweet Selene once the pearl had found him a wife?

  He immediately dismissed the thought that suddenly turned his stomach sour. He dressed himself and then headed deeper into the woods. There, he found his favorite spot, a thick, big tree near the lake. Just as soon as he got himself comfortable amongst the branches that supported his weight, his mind flipped back to Brian. He sighed. And here he’d thought he’d forgotten about the lad altogether.

  It was a few hours later, after he’d dozed off a little, when he felt the burning heat rising within his being, the torrid intensity surging through every nerve of his body. He was glowing, the bright golden light radiating with powerful magic that made him almost breathless.

  Drake sat up, his heart pounding, and as this magic slowly receded within him, he knew as if he knew the sun would rise again, in just a few hours’ time, the pearl had found him a bride. All of a sudden, Drake didn’t know what to think. Should he be relieved that he would now be able to sire an heir? That now the kingdom would be saved if Marcus Arthur managed to kill him during this upcoming war? And what of his Selene?

  He shut his eyes, trying not to think, but it was impossible. He jumped down from his hard trunk bed and practiced his fencing with a makeshift wooden blade. He trained until he was exhausted, his body soaked with sweat. It was only then that he stripped himself naked again and jumped into the cool lake for a swim.

  It was dawn by the time he headed back into the castle. He was just walking past the library when he remembered his night mistress had forgotten her dagger.


  He came in and found the blade on the floor. He picked up the sharp, cool metal, feeling the light weight in his hands. That was when, in the dimness of the dawn light, he saw the crest of Rosevalley, a crest he’d seen many years ago when he’d been a young demon.

  He frowned and his mind raced, flipping through every possibility imaginable. There was only one outsider who could possibly acquire such a precious weapon. It only belonged to the royalty of Dardania. Brian!

  He raced out the door in an instant, along the maze of corridors, and came to Cecelia’s room. He burst in through the door and found the place empty.

  “Demon’s blood!” he swore loudly, his scowled face dark with wrath.

  * * * * *

  The End of A Demon’s Wrath Novella

  Thank you for reading A Demon’s Wrath: One Night with the Demon King Novella. A Demon’s Wrath full story is available on all the major online book retailers. A Demon’s Bride will be available soon.

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  More Books by Alexia Praks

  THE NINE KINGDOMS SERIES

  A Demon’s Wrath

  A Demon’s Bride

  His Crimson Rose

  FALLING FOR SAKURA TRILOGY

  A Secret Kiss (Book 1)

  A Secret Proposal (Book 2)

  A Secret Affair (Book 3)

  KIWI BRIDE SERIES

  His Hired Girlfriend

  Highland Kiss

  When the Sun Courts the Moon

  A Secret Admirer