The Demon King Davian (Deadly Attraction Book 1)

by Calista Fox

  Not immortal, of course, yet more than human blood coursed through her veins. If he told her, that might actually give them better opportunity to be together. Conversely, he understood how important her humanity was to her, how protective she was of her dominant race.

  The truth would likely conflict her in a way that would add even more strife to her life. He couldn’t do that to her. No matter how badly he wanted to build a bridge between their two worlds and eliminate some of the differences.

  For the time being, he had to be satisfied with what he did share with her. Fleeting moments, yes. But also a physical and emotional connection he’d never experienced with any other female in his extended existence.

  “You feel so wonderful inside me,” she said on a gratified sigh. “I can’t imagine anything feeling better than this.”

  His hands moved from her waist up to her breasts to massage them.

  “I wish we had all the time in the world,” he told her in a tight voice. The irony of knowing he could give them an eternity together pained him.

  She didn’t say anything about their ill-fated affair. Instead, she leaned forward, propping herself on her forearms as they rested on his chest. She lifted off his lap and he quickened their tempo, pistoning into her as she panted softly. His hands clasped her hips and he held her in place as he fucked her.

  “Yes,” she said. “That’s perfect.”

  She left kisses along his skin, over his pectoral muscles and up to his throat. She clenched him tight as his cock stroked her slick walls. He pumped into her, his heart hammering and his body aching for so much more. But when it came to this situation, time was one luxury he did not possess.

  “Come for me,” he urged.

  Her pelvis ground against his and he palmed her ass, pushing her down onto him, their hips undulating in unison, until they were both breathing hard from the exertion and the ecstasy that arced between them.

  Jade’s fingertips pressed into his shoulders and her breasts flattened against his chest. He loved the feeling of her melded to him, of their bodies joined. Emotion welled within him and he had to bite back the overwhelming desire to tell her how profoundly he cared for her. How much he wanted her, in so many ways. It wouldn’t be fair to divulge his truest feelings…then walk away.

  “Right there,” she coaxed in her sultry voice. “Oh, yes. Oh, God, yes!” Her pussy clutched him even tighter as she shuddered. “Davian!” she cried against his neck as her orgasm peaked.

  He thrust into her as she came. Then he rolled her onto her back and made love to her with long, steady strokes as he gazed deep into her eyes.

  Davian swept strands of hair from her face and kissed her temple, her cheek, her lips. He pushed further inside her and her hips rose to meet his thrusts.

  “I’m going to come again,” she said.

  “Yes. With me this time.”

  His strokes became faster, more forceful. His territorial feelings multiplied, taunting him. He wanted her to be his forever. He’d have to settle for these last few moments.

  “Davian,” she murmured, “don’t worry about me anymore.”

  Clearly, she could see the inner turmoil and dread written on his face. Exactly how transparent he was with her, he didn’t know. But she seemed to read him well.

  Wanting to escape the hell he’d created for himself—for them—he thrust hard and fast and she screamed his name as she came again. Her orgasm triggered his own as her inner walls contracted and released and she bucked beneath him.

  “Jade,” he murmured as fiery sensations consumed him. “You are everything to me.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jade continued to stare at him, shocked. By the anguished expression on Davian’s face, she presumed he knew better than to say those words aloud, but apparently hadn’t been able to hold himself in check. As usual.

  He let out a growl, rife with frustration. “I’m sorry,” he said as he withdrew from her and flopped onto his back.

  “Don’t be.” She moved into his arms, her head on his chest. The sound of his pounding heart was a comforting one.

  “I’m not purposely trying to make things more complicated or difficult between us. Or for you, in particular.”

  Her own heart beat just as fast, despite being heavy with conflict. “You seem to be forgetting that I willingly agreed to enter into this…arrangement.”

  “I shouldn’t have let you. Nor should I have led you into it. I really can’t see you again, after tonight.” His voice was harsh with raw emotion. “I put you in danger. And every time we’re together, it’s infinitely more painful to leave you.”

  She understood the high stakes all too well. “I’m equally accountable. I’ve done a bit more than just follow.”

  She suspected he was attempting to consider his next words more prudently as silence enveloped them. But then his muscles turned rigid and he released her from his loose embrace as he sat up.

  Her heart launched into her throat. “What is it?”

  “Someone approaches.”

  She listened intently, but nothing abnormal wafted on the quiet air. “You hear that well?”

  “It’s Thunder. He’s warning me.”

  “You can read his mind too?”

  “No. I can tell by his inflection.” He jumped to his feet.

  “Horses have inflections?”

  “Various intonations when they’re wounded or excited or…feeling jittery about me being someplace he instinctively knows I have no business being.”

  Jade frowned. “I thought you said he liked me.”

  Davian laughed, despite the sudden tension permeating the room. “He does. And my guess is, he thinks I’m a fool for muddying the waters.”

  He was dressed before she could protest. But what was there to say, really? He hadn’t created any sort of disillusionment about their time together. Hadn’t made any promises about it becoming more than what it was—a few stolen moments.

  She wrapped the sheet around her body, the material scratchy against her skin. He stalked into the living room to retrieve his cloak and gloves. Jade followed.

  Turning back to her, he said, “I didn’t mean to drop by, make love to you and then immediately leave.”

  She knew that, so she teased him. “This would be referred to as a booty call in the early 2000s.”

  “You have a very endearing sense of humor.”

  “Go,” she insisted, because he lingered, seemingly reluctant to walk out the door. “You replenished my wood pile, brought me a book and gave me multiple orgasms. You’re exonerated from moral corruption.”

  His head dipped and he kissed her. “I know it only makes things worse, but I meant what I said earlier.”

  He reached for the brass lever, but didn’t yank the door open. Instead, he faced Jade again. His gaze slid over her and something indefinable sparkled in his beautiful amber eyes. His hand slipped into his pocket and he retrieved one more gift for her.

  Handing over an elaborately designed box, he said, “This is a very precious family heirloom. I wouldn’t want to give it to anyone other than you. Ever.”

  Her brows knitted as she debated removing the lid to see what was inside. Was there a point to accepting something he so greatly coveted?

  Taking the decision out of her hands, he removed the lid himself. She gaped. The necklace atop silver satin folds was, by far, the most stunning thing she’d ever laid eyes on, with the exception of Davian’s chiseled-to-perfection body. Her fingers grazed the raised, diamond-studded center of the star. The piece was delicate and mesmerizing.

  “I realize you won’t be able to wear it in the village,” he said. “There would be questions as to where it came from. And I wouldn’t want it to be a homing beacon for demons outside my alliance. They’d know it belongs to me.”

  “Then why…?” Her gaze lifted. “Davian.” Realization quickly dawned, with the help of the possessive look in his eyes. “You didn’t give this to me when you first arrived because you�
��d planned to present the idea of me marrying Michael. Now that you’re convinced I have no intention of ever doing that… You want to stake your own claim. Even if it’s just in theory.”

  “Yes.” He didn’t apologize for the convoluted idea.

  “You don’t have to give me jewelry to do that.”

  “It’s symbolic. Like…a ring on your finger.”

  Her heart sank. “One you can never place on me.”

  “Correct.”

  But could she wear his necklace? She only needed to contemplate this for a brief moment, understanding the gesture and its significance. Yes, she could wear it. Even if it was only in the privacy of her own home.

  Despite this, she said, “It’s a bit much, Davian. Too extravagant.”

  “Jade, nowhere is it dictated that you have to live without an extravagance from time to time. You earn a wage at the tavern, but what do you spend it on, other than food and clothing?”

  “I’m saving my money,” she said. “Perhaps I’ll travel to California someday. See what all the fuss is about electricity.”

  “If you want electricity, I’ll give you electricity.”

  “We’ve had this discussion before,” she reminded him. “And for God’s sake, there’s nothing more momentous you can give me than your honesty. Even when it disconcerts you to blurt things you believe are best left unsaid. I prefer to hear them.”

  “I couldn’t possibly want another woman more than I want you.” His lips swept over hers. “Take the necklace, Jade.”

  * * *

  Davian lifted the priceless piece from the satin and set the box on the small table next to the door. Placing the jewels around her neck and securing the clasp, he said, “This looks just right on you.”

  The large star sat below the hollow of her throat. Her fingers touched it again as she stared up at him.

  The gift of immortality would not be invoked unless he chose to attempt it. Which he wouldn’t. For all the reasons he’d shared with Morgan.

  Jade asked, “You’ll come for it when you find someone else, yes?”

  “There won’t be anyone else,” Davian reiterated with conviction. “You know my word is my oath. I’ll come for it when you pass.”

  “Already thinking of that?” she solemnly asked.

  He nodded, knowing his eyes darkened at the thought. “Not in a morbid way, but it is a glaring reality, as you’d stated earlier.”

  “Yes, it is. And I’m glad you’ve accepted that fact.”

  His jaw clenched. “I haven’t. Not fully.” He kissed her, then crossed the threshold.

  “Davian,” she called out before he’d left her patio.

  He gazed back at her, his expression likely grim.

  “It’s a certainty,” she told him. “Something you absolutely have to accept. Sooner rather than later.”

  He said nothing, just continued on his way. He mounted his Arabian in a fluid movement. Then they galloped off, leaving her standing in the doorway.

  He hoped she’d simply return to her bed, settle between the sheets with her novel and her introduction to Mr. Darcy. And move on with her life.

  * * *

  Two weeks passed as October drifted into November. The snow continued to fall and the village remained blanketed by the pristine white Jade looked forward to every year. Although the temperatures were in the low-forties—dipping into the twenties overnight—and the cloud cover rarely dissipated, the crisp air felt invigorating.

  She kept to Davian’s order, allowing one of the slayers to escort her to and from the town proper, despite there no longer being a threat against her. The evil she’d sensed with the fire wraith had vanished. No one tracked her and she felt a degree of safety with Toran and Walker always nearby. Plus, she knew Morgan was out there somewhere, on the other side of the border, close at hand to come to her aid if needed.

  Her tension eased substantially, though she still felt that gnawing hollowness late at night when she was alone in her cottage. The house seemed emptier than normal since Davian’s departure. It was a familiar feeling, one she’d immediately experienced following her parents’ deaths. One she knew would eventually ebb. To an extent, at any rate.

  She played cards with Lisette at the tavern when she wasn’t serving drinks. Lisette had become a regular and Jade suspected that had something to do with the older woman wanting to keep tabs on her, just like everyone else. Even Michael seemed to watch her warily.

  Apparently, she gave off a vibe that intrigued or alarmed her friends, she wasn’t sure which. Maybe it was because she wasn’t as uptight as she’d been previously, when she’d realized she was being stalked. Or perhaps it was the occasional smile that crossed her lips for no cause at all—at least none that they knew of. Thoughts of Davian would flit through her mind and she couldn’t help the thrill that chased along her spine. At night, when she was in her own living room, she wore his necklace.

  Granted, there was something a bit masochistic about the guilty pleasure she indulged in when half of her heart was elated to know he had such strong feelings for her and the other was shredded by the fact they couldn’t be together. Yet she’d spent so much of her life veiled by a dark shadow that this one significant and sexy secret she kept to herself offered escapism from her otherwise gloomy thoughts.

  Davian wanted her. She didn’t doubt that for a second. He couldn’t have her, of course. But still… Just knowing she’d affected him so intensely had its own evocative impact on her.

  Near the middle of the month, as Thanksgiving approached, Jade heard horses tramping through the deep snow outside her cottage. Along with what sounded to be a wagon attempting to slog through the thick drifts. She peered out one of the large front windows, looking around the lightweight curtains hanging over the panes. Her curiosity grew as she opened her front door and greeted Morgan.

  “In the village for supplies?” she asked, surprised, as she eyed the burlap covering a heap in the wagon. She knew the kingdom had its own suppliers and vendors, so she was at a loss as to what he was up to—until he spoke.

  “No. Making a delivery.” He slipped from the bench and signaled the demon who accompanied him. “Why don’t you go back inside with the fire, Jade? We’ll just be a few minutes.”

  “Hmm. Planning to be secretive, I see.”

  “Do I have permission to enter your home?” he asked. “Just me.”

  “Neither you nor the king are required to ask permission, but thank you for doing so. Yes, of course.” She returned to the sofa where she’d been reading Alice in Wonderland, though her focus wasn’t on the text. A flurry of activity ensued around her, in such a lightning-quick way, she couldn’t have kept up with it if she’d tried.

  True to his word, Morgan was finished not even ten minutes later and appeared by her side. “Why don’t you come have a look?”

  She joined him outside, where his assistant had stacked at least three cords of wood adjacent to the cottage. He’d also erected a canopy to provide shelter so the provisions stayed dried.

  “Wow,” she said. “That will last me quite some time. Thank you both.”

  Gazing at the large pile caused a long-buried memory to inch toward the front of her mind. She’d received this generous gift before. Years and years ago…

  “One more thing,” Morgan said, distracting her. He gestured for her to precede him back into the house and to her bedroom.

  She drew up short, her eyes widening. “Oh!”

  In the middle of the room sat an enormous bed that faced the fireplace. The elegant headboard was made of tufted suede in a hue that matched her eyes, which her mother had always referred to as sapphire. The silvery-blue sheets were luxurious satin. A mound of pillows were also covered in the same linen.

  The duvet was perfectly coordinated with the material of the headboard and was so plump, she knew a down comforter filled it. She ran a hand over the luxe material as she marveled at the brilliant color that instantly added vibrancy to the otherwise dreary in
terior.

  Davian had clearly remembered her excitement over Sheena’s offering of clothing that wasn’t drab.

  “How did he do this?” she muttered in awe.

  Morgan chuckled beside her. “He has people.”

  She smirked at him. “I realize that. It’s just… This is so gorgeous.” The sensuous-looking bedding made her want to climb under the covers and never leave them.

  Morgan said, “It’ll be a lot colder come December. Davian wants you to be warm.”

  “Perfectly toasty is what I’ll be. Please tell him how much I love it. And I’m grateful to you and your helper too. Really, General…” She gave him a compelling look. “This is so kind of all of you.”

  “Morgan,” he corrected. Then he turned and started to walk away.

  But the memory that had stepped into the light earlier made her call after him, “Wait, please.” When he returned to her, she steeled herself and said, “You told me months ago that not all demons are evil.”

  “Yes?” His expression gave nothing away.

  “My mother used to say that very thing.”

  He seemed to give serious thought as to how to address her statement. Finally, he said, “So did your father. I worked very closely with him when the king instituted laws to ensure peace between humans and demons. I respected Liam.”

  She gazed up at him. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”

  He nodded. “The last time was shortly after their deaths. You chose to stay alone and I wanted to make sure you had enough wood.”

  Now she remembered returning from the village one afternoon and finding the large stack. No one had taken credit for the delivery—or the crate of food that had been left for her.

  “Why would you help me?” she asked, perplexed.

  The general rubbed his temple with the pads of two fingers, then told her, “I know this will seem strange, but Liam and I were friends. Very good friends.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “We had a political and military partnership to maintain, so not many people were aware of our high regard for each other in a personal capacity. But, before you were born, your mother would invite me to dinner from time to time. Liam and I would discuss strategies to strengthen the human-demon relations in an effort to minimize altercations and keep tensions low.” He smiled suddenly, as though a particular recollection came unexpectedly to him. “Marianne was a gracious hostess and she made the most incredible dishes.”