Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2)

by Kiersten Fay

  “Do you think they could ruin the kingdom in a few years?”

  “A few years is an eternity for those in need. We are at war, though not many like to see it that way. A competent leader is necessary.”

  Wren gave her an approving look and their eyes met. “What about you?” she whispered.

  His smile faded. “If you could choose me, I would be honored. But you know it’s not possible. I am not of noble blood.”

  Nor was most of the guard. But Wren would make a better leader than any of the choices allotted her. In truth, she cringed at the thought of any of them being in charge. A wild idea that had been tickling the back of her mind solidified.

  “I’ve made a decision,” she declared.

  Wren pulled back to look at her. He must have seen something in her eyes because he released his hold, bowed at the waist, and backed away, leaving Ava alone while jubilant couples continued to dance around her.

  It felt somewhat symbolic.

  Resolved, she crossed toward the throne and reached the first step. When she took it, a few nearby conversations went silent. By the third step, half the room had stilled. The fifth step increased her determination. And on the last step, the musicians had ceased playing and she felt the entire room watching her.

  Trying to slow the pounding of her heart, Ava turned to face them.

  “Welcome,” she started. “Many of you have come to celebrate Jestina’s day of birth, as I have. But I suspect that many of you present are eager to hear who I will nominate as successor to Queen Nadua.”

  Ava could no longer see Wren among the large assembly. Her aunts, however, pushed through the crowd.

  “I have read that, under my father’s rule, we built this amazing city from nothing. Under Nadua’s rule, I have watched us thrive. We have seen tragedy, as well as victory. Through tragedy, we have worked together to overcome. And with each victory, we have celebrated as one.”

  Applause rang out.

  “My father loved his people. As do I.”

  Ava took a moment to breathe, preparing herself for what she was about to do.

  “There are many of you who would make a wonderful king or queen.” She paused before continuing. “And there are many of you would not. I’m sure you all have an opinion on the matter...but I won’t be hearing them. I will be offering no nomination.”

  A few gasps and grumbles came from the crowd.

  She swallowed hard and stood straighter. “Here and now, I, Avaline of the House of Dion, daughter of Fineas of the house of Dion, will be taking my rightful place as queen.” With as much elegance as she could muster, Ava sat upon her father’s throne.

  A slow rumble of outrage rose.

  She let it go a moment. Then her voice rose with a kind of authority that surprised even her. “If anyone objects, I invite you to come forth and speak your mind.”

  The room went still. She caught the eyes of her aunts who looked stunned into speechlessness.

  Movement in the crowd claimed her attention. Ava’s heart nearly stopped when it was Wren who stepped forward.

  Pausing just before the first step, he pulled his sword. The sound of more metal being unsheathed echoed around the room, but she kept her eyes on Wren. If he wasn’t with her, then she was lost.

  Balancing his weapon on two palms, Wren knelt before her and placed it on the ground. More soldiers moved beside him and did the same.

  A significant silence coated the room. Ava’s chin lifted to the crowd expectantly, though her heart was still beating harshly. Some of the Nobles nearest to the throne gingerly knelt. Then, in a wave, the rest followed.

  Wren peeked an eye up at her and grinned with pride. Ava finally swallowed the lump in her throat.

  She was queen.

  Chapter 19

  Today was a bad day.

  Normally, Sonya had three willing demons to spar with, to take out her frustrations on. Bastian, Cale, and Marik didn’t realize it, but their sessions quite often kept her from spiraling toward the Edge. Fighting kept her sane while allowing her to bury other, more embarrassing, needs.

  After a long morning in the control room, she’d handed over command of the ship to her chosen second, Aidan, and was now on the hunt for a sparring partner.

  Sonya prided herself on being a fierce fighter, and had built up quite a reputation that she was normally very proud of.

  Unfortunately, with the only three people who would engage her in battle gone, she was having a difficult time convincing someone to join her for a bout on the mat.

  With every shake of the head, and hands flying up in immediate surrender, Sonya was beginning to lose ground on another kind of battle that had been raging inside her since last night. She pushed the memory away as she stomped down the hall.

  Don’t think of it.

  She’d been telling herself the same thing all morning, but her mind always seemed to drift back to the way his lips had felt.

  Damn pirate! This was his fault. Hours of training, meditating, and vigorous exercise, all designed to keep her from focusing on such things, shattered by a kiss.

  She’d only enjoyed it because she’d been a little tipsy. Not because it was passionate, or demanding, or any ridiculousness like that.

  Sonya thought back to the last time she’d been kissed. Surely it had been just as heated. She couldn’t recall. What she did remember was that, soon after, the man had started to grow increasingly uncomfortable around her brothers. He hadn’t stayed on the ship long.

  Sonya didn’t think that her brothers intentionally kept males from wanting to pursue her. They didn’t openly threaten anyone. Rather, it was in their manner, and a look that said, “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you slowly and with great pleasure.”

  Eventually, Sonya had given up on the whole prospect, and instead focused on exercise and fighting. It had worked for her thus far.

  But she’d already gone through her normal routine, and this time it wasn’t helping. She needed a good fight, and there was only one person aboard who might be ignorant—or arrogant—enough to comply. And because he was the cause, he owed her a solution.

  Entering The Demon’s Punchbowl, Sonya headed straight for the bar. Ethanule’s dark blue eyes followed her with a little too much intensity. Other than that, he was unreadable.

  Sonya’s resolve faltered as she wondered what he thought of her outfit—a tight purple bodice with a black skirt that fell just above tall boots threaded with purple strings. Scolding herself, she quickly morphed her inappropriate reaction into fury.

  His own dress was the usual Ethan garb. An overly adorned neatly tailored coat, deep red and lined with gold trim, hugged a fitted tan shirt. Dark brown trousers tucked into heavy black boots with thick gold buckles completed the outfit. Typical pirate. She would use it as a reminder of why she hated him.

  “Captain,” he greeted with his usual cavalier smile, as if nothing had happened between them. “What brings you to my fine establishment?”

  “My fine establishment,” she corrected.

  “Don’t worry,” he assured. “For you, drinks are on the house.”

  “They better not be for anyone else.”

  “Oh, only the most important people.”

  A nearby table of crew members raised their glasses and cheered at Ethan’s words. The sound quickly died at Sonya’s piercing glare, and the men pretended to look elsewhere.

  She faced Ethanule, ready to give him the usual threats to his life, but he had moved to the other end of the bar and was pouring a drink for Jade, one of the few people aboard the ship who didn’t work as part of the crew. She paid a hefty sum to be ferried around, with no real destination.

  Like most of the people who chose to enter space, Jade didn’t like staying in one spot for too long. Marada provided a safe way for her to travel, with a little more excitement than a standard cruise ship.

  Jade took hold of the drink Ethanule offered, allowing her hand to linger on his a little longer than necessary. The
sight made Sonya’s teeth gnash together.

  When Ethanule finally came back to her end of the bar, Sonya ground out, “This ship has rules, you know. Didn’t Sebastian tell you? There’s no consorting with anyone on the ship.”

  “Was I consorting? I recall it being a little more involved than that. Anyway, I thought that rule only applied to crew? Jade just informed me that she is merely a passenger.” He paused thoughtfully. “I do believe she was flirting with me actually, which I know must be alarming to you. Me being the lowly creature that I am.” He grinned. “I will go straight to her room after work and let her know how off her judgment of character is. I’m sure she’ll be grateful for the warning. Would you like a drink?”

  The harsh sound of her teeth grinding rumbled in her ears. With effort, Sonya loosened her jaw, only to allow a string of Demonish curses run past her lips.

  “That sounds sweet,” he interjected. “But I don’t think you should be coming on to me like that. You know the rules.”

  “The only reason I’m not pulling your spleen out through your eyeball is because I promised Anya I wouldn’t kill you.”

  He gingerly placed his hand on his chest. “I am truly blessed.”

  “But she didn’t say anything about not hurting you.”

  “Mm, I do like it rough.”

  Barely holding on to the last of her control, Sonya continued, “Look, you ass, I’m going to give you the opportunity to prove you’re more than just a waste of air.”

  She knew she piqued his interest, even though the only response she got was a raised eyebrow.

  “I need someone to spar with, who can offer at least a bit of a challenge.” She let a little skepticism show in her tone. “I’m willing to believe you’re not totally without skill.”

  “You want to fight me?”

  “Spar. But yes, I really, really do.”

  “What do I get if I agree?”

  Sonya snorted. “A sliver of respect.”

  He shrugged. “Not really high on the list of things I want.”

  Sonya guarded her features, making them as uncaring as she could. She couldn’t let him know how badly she needed this.

  In an offhanded tone, she asked, “What do you want?”

  A sense of foreboding crept up her spine as he studied her closely, a knowing glint in his eyes. She was afraid he conceived that he had the upper hand.

  “I want to be free to run the pub how I want, without you or your minions checking on me.”

  “My pub has rules. You would still have to follow them.”

  “How ever I want,” he repeated.

  Sonya glanced around her beloved bar. How badly could he destroy it, really?

  “One week,” she offered.

  Looking thoughtful, he added, “And I want you to be nicer to me. That means saying things like please, and thank you, and not threatening to kill me every other day.”

  Sonya opened her mouth to argue, and then closed it. The Edge wasn’t going to be contained much longer.

  “Fine, for one week also.” In the deeper crevices of her mind, Sonya wondered if she would be able to keep that promise.

  “We have a deal then. I’ll meet you there after I close tonight.”

  “No. Now.”

  “Who will watch the—”

  Sonya turned to the room and bellowed, “Everyone get out! We’re closed!”

  Fifteen minutes later, Sonya was stepping onto the mat. Her skin sizzled with a familiar itch. Something inside was screaming to break free.

  The entire way to the sparring chamber, Ethanule had walked quietly at her side.

  How could even his silence sound arrogant?

  He’d been watching her, though. Peeking at her from the corner of his eye. She thought he looked pleased, and she assumed he was as eager for her blood as she was for his. But it wouldn’t be her who shed it.

  Taking his place on the mat across from her, he broke the silence. “So you finally have me alone, what will you do with me?”

  She pointed to the array of weapons lining the walls. “Pick your poison.” She was hoping for something sharp and pointy.

  His gaze traveled the selection. “I don’t care for poison. Gives me indigestion.”

  “Fine with me, I love a good brawl.”

  And to prove her point, she leaped to attack. Expecting a solid hit, she put her full force into her right hook, but at the last second he dodged, throwing her off balance. She realized her mistake too late.

  He took the advantage, but instead of retaliating, as she would have, he placed himself at her back, grasped her forearms and pulled her against him to whisper in her ear. “I know what’s going on here.”

  Her eyes went wide and she slammed her elbow into his stomach. His grip loosened as he huffed out a breath. Pushing away from him, Sonya continued with a high twisting kick.

  Again he dodged, and began circling her with an infuriatingly sexy curve to his lips. Just as she expected the Edge to take over, something else began to happen within her.

  “You don’t know shit, pirate!”

  Sonya lashed out again, left, right, left, right. She dropped to the floor, swinging her leg wide, then a backward flip had her back on her feet. He evaded her every attempt like a master.

  Even with Cale she could land a hit! She lunged again, determined to find flesh with her fist.

  He wasn’t countering, she noticed. He wasn’t attacking in any way.

  “Fight me!”

  Bouncing around her, he replied, “Just reading your style, Sweetheart.” The humor in his voice made her realize he was enjoying himself.

  “Read this!” Now that she was used to his avoidance, she attacked using a wide kick as a diversion, which allowed her to wrap her tail around his wrist and pull him off center for a heavy punch.

  Satisfaction filled her as his eyes bugged with the contact. She brought her leg up, but before her knee could find his ribs, he twisted his body away from her.

  The split-second she had to regain control was not enough. Before she could react, he swiped her feet out from under her and had her on her back, resting his weight on top of her.

  “Is this fighting really what you want? When we could be doing something much more fun?”

  Shifting her weight, Sonya pushed him over, mirroring his position. She realized he went a little too easily, and she was now straddling him. Heat pooled at her center, causing her to hesitate. Ethanule’s irises sparkled with delight, as though he knew the struggle raging inside her.

  Determined to keep on track, she pulled out one of the small knives she always kept concealed in a small pocket at her side. Knowing how much it would anger him, she used it to pluck free one the gold pieces decorating his coat.

  He grabbed her wrist, and she smirked.

  “You’re playing dirty.”

  “There’s no other way.”

  The smile that spread across his face was wicked. “Agreed.”

  He reached behind him and produced a blade of his own. In one smooth motion, Ethanule sliced through the ties of her bodice.

  Sonya gasped in surprise, as the garment slipped open and cool air met skin. She rushed to cover herself, leaving her vulnerable when Ethan pushed her back to the mat, positioning himself between her legs and pinning her arms beside her head. Her torn garment parted with every pounding breath.

  Ethanule dipped his lips close to hers. “I don’t think fighting is what you need.”

  Robbed of speech, Sonya violently shook her head.

  “Wouldn’t you rather I be touching you?” His lips moved to caress the soft cord of her neck. Her eyes rolled back involuntarily. “Tasting you?” With maddening slowness, he followed the line of her jaw with his mouth until his lips were pressing against hers.

  Her mind flooded with something she couldn’t describe, but it was fierce and commanding. Sonya summoned all her control, but this was a side of the Edge that had never possessed her before. And it demanded release. It didn’t care
that she could hardly stand the sight of the person willing to give it to her.

  Ethanule pulled back to gaze into her eyes. His lids were heavy and the blue of his irises had deepened to that of a vast ocean.

  He was waiting for something from her.

  A decision? Could she do this? With him?

  “Damn you,” she breathed, lifting her lips to his once more.

  After that, Ethanule didn’t hesitate. He batted away the ruined material of her corset and palmed her breast. Sonya moaned at the contact. When he moved to swirl his tongue around one taut peak, she barely stifled a squeak of surprise.

  With obvious intent, his hand skimmed down her belly, causing her to shiver with anticipation. He slid his hand under the hem of her skirt and lazily played there, teasing the soft flesh of her thighs at her apex. Her body shuddered as the need coursing through her fought with her brain. When he pushed aside the thin fabric of her panties, the battle instantly dissolved.

  His finger glided over her sex. She suddenly grew aware of how wet she had become, and felt her cheeks burn—which grated because she never blushed. At anything. But then Ethanule found a spot that made her mind go blank. Her embarrassment was forgotten, replaced with a sharp thrum of electric current that racked through her.

  He stroked her repeatedly, never letting her catch her breath, while he continued lavishing attention on her breasts. When her panting grew dire, Ethanule lifted his head to watch as she lost control. A moan ripped from her lungs as her body arched and an explosion of pleasure crashed over her.

  As the vibrating waves began to dim, she looked up at Ethanule and recognized the hunger in his eyes.

  Going to his knees, he tore off his coat and flung it aside. Next came his shirt, while Sonya sat up to eagerly undo the buckle of his pants, where his bulge was straining against the fabric. As she pulled them down, he reached for her panties, practically ripping them off her.

  “Finally, I can get you out of my head,” he grated.

  She didn’t know what that meant, but his tone was rough, which sent chills clamoring through her. The sight of his thick erection made her mouth water.