Page 77 of Demon's Bane

Rhett huffs a laugh. “Nosy, you mean.”

“Fair,” I say. “And about going to the court… I’m just looking forward to seeing Allie. We’ll figure out the rest of it when we get there. Even if you all decided to handle this on your own, Esme chose to keep it from her, too.”

Hell,Ichose to keep it from her the night I saw her at the Veil. Swallowing around that lump of guilt, I take Rhett’s hand in mine.

“We’ll figure it out.”

Rhett looks at me for a few long moments, considering, before he smiles down at me.

The sight of it kicks up an ache in the center of my chest.

How often have I seen him smile like that? Not teasing or full of sensual temptation, but simply relieved. Maybe happy that he doesn’t have to deal with all of this alone, that he’s got someone in his corner for whatever comes next.

He leans down, giving me a taste of all that happiness and relief, all that wonderful aching tenderness, as he brushes his lips over mine.

“Alright, little mate. We’ll figure it out.”

23

Joan

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the sensation of demon travel.

The world disappears around Rhett and I in a rush of wind and darkness as he opens a portal just outside his cabin. A moment later, we stumble back out, this time in front of a high, towering mountain peak with a gate carved into its side.

Well,Istumble. Rhett barely seems to be affected at all as he catches me around the waist and pulls me against his chest so I don’t go sprawling out on the ground in front of us.

When I’m steady enough to stay upright, I turn in his arms so I’m facing him, still a bit breathless.

Rhett looks me up and down. “Perhaps next time we should fly.”

He spreads his wings as he says it, unfurling them behind him in an impressive display.

Without thinking, I reach up and touch the curve of one wing where it meets his shoulder, fingers skimming along the powerful, corded muscle there. It’s an innocent, curious touch, but a rumble of satisfaction kicks up in his chest.

Arching a brow, I decide to explore a little further.

Tracing a path from where wing meets shoulder, I follow the curve of it up and up until Rhett has to stoop forward to give mebetter access. I touch and squeeze, testing the feel and the power of him, stepping away so I can circle behind him and spread my palms over the smooth, leather-like black skin spread wide in the morning sun.

Rhett stays still, waiting for me to finish my inspection, though that purr of his is low and steady, tingling against my searching fingers.

“Fly, huh?” I murmur. “You could carry me and fly at the same time?”

“Didn’t I already tell you? You’re no burden in my arms, little mate.”

I step in front of him, dragging my hand all the way to his shoulder and around the back of his neck. “You might have to prove that to me sometime.”

Rhett’s red eyes go liquid with warmth, and a low laugh breaks in his chest before he brushes his lips over mine.

“Any time, Joan. Just say the word.”

He covers my mouth with his, strokes his tongue along the seam of my lips, and I open for him, reaching up and grasping for—

“You there,” a stern voice calls out. “State your purpose here.”

We spring apart and turn to find a demon guard watching us with a furrowed brow and a deep frown. He looks young, maybe twenty in human years, with a mop of blond hair. He’s also wearing a set of leather armor, and that, combined with the sword at his hip, puts me immediately on-edge.

Rhett steps forward, angling his body in front of mine.