Page 27

He licks his lips and bows his head. “Lady Fulthain,” he says deeply. “Your beauty rivals the moon tonight. And you smell… exquisite.”

The lecherous glimmer in his eyes causes me to look away. I don’t desire him in the way I desire the others, but my body doesn’t bow to the commands of my heart. The succubus wants to feed as much as the angel does.

“I have a few things drafted up. Things I wish to present to King Galmer,” I say.

“Yes,” Draken replies, “so you said before.” He circles me, eyes locked on my neck as though the secrets of the universe are hidden beneath my skin. “But what makes you think Galmer will be open to so many changes?”

“Somany changes?” I repeat.

He nods. “My scouts tell me you’ve got more planned than we discussed.”

“I only wish to protect the stronghold and its people.”

“We were fine before you came along. The only problems we face now are because you decided to make a premature strike against Variant and Morrigan.”

Hemoteph advances towards me quickly, no doubt scenting my need in the air around me. I take a few steps back until I’m pressed against the side of one of the buildings. Draken closes in on me until I can sense nothing but the mingling aroma of our shared pheromones. A tongue traces up the length of my throat as hands—too many hands—grope my body. They’re mindless, driven by my hunger as it calls out to them.

I don’t want this... I don’t want them. But my body says otherwise.

“I bet you would taste sweet,” Draken says.

“Stop,” I demand.

“Your body sings to us,” Hemoteph responds. “I can smell your wetness.”

“Do your best to ignore it,” I answer with tight lips. “Regardless what you think my body is saying,Iam saying stop.”

“You want it. It’s what you’re made for. Don’t fight us…” Draken’s words are cut off when something in the shadows charges him and hurls him into a brick wall. I hear grunting and the fleshy sound of a fist colliding with someone’s jaw, but I can’t see what’s happening because Hemoteph’s body blocks my vision. Moment later, he raises his hands in surrender and helps Draken to his feet.

When Hemoteph steps aside, I see Cambion standing before me, the two clan leaders hurrying away from him.

“Your king will hear about this!” Cambion shouts after the retreating silhouettes. Then he turns to face me and before I can speak, he grips my hand and leads me back to my tent in the barracks. It’s maybe a two minute walk.

“I’m okay, Cambion.”

“I want to make sure,” he says as he lifts me and carries me into the tent, depositing me carefully on the cot. Then he checks me over for any injuries even though I know he’ll come up empty-handed. I try to assure him I’m all right, but he doesn’t listen.

Cambion is much different now than he was when he left the Veil. He looks the same, yes, but inside he’s night and day different. Gone is the angry and pompous man I once knew and in his place is someone caring and brave. I brush my hand through his long hair and his golden eyes meet mine.

“If they come near you again…”

“It wasn’t their fault, Cambion.”

“You told them to stop.” He takes a breath. “I heard you.”

“But you know how my hunger is. The scent of my seduction is strong,” I reply regretfully, all too aware of the trouble it caused Cambion and me in the past. “You should go. Galmer will want to know what happened.” My hand drops from his hair as he stands to leave.

“I’ll be back to talk to you about this, Eilish,” he says.

“Talk to me about it?”

He nods. “Just because you’re a succubus—it doesn’t mean they were right in their actions.” He chews his bottom lip for a moment before leaving me to my solitude and I recline against the pillows, taking deep breaths as I try to fight against the desire that flows through my veins. If Cambion hadn’t stepped in, I’m not sure I would have been able to resist both men and that’s a problem. I need to be their leader, not their lover.

***

DRAGAN

Mount Dolgum