Page 6

VAEL

" I don't know how to be any other way," she whispers, and something in my chest tightens at the raw honesty in her voice.

Her mask has fallen completely now, and without the practiced seduction, the calculated smiles, she's even more beautiful. Fierce. Real. I find myself wanting to see more of this Trinity—the one who isn't performing for her own survival.

The memory of finding her with Drez'kor earlier burns through me again. His hands on her waist, her body pressed against his. The practiced smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes.

I hadn't planned to return to the gardens tonight. After our brief encounter at Asmodeus's gathering, I told myself I'd satisfied my curiosity about the human woman who'd caught my attention. But three days later, here I am, stalking through shadows, drawn back to her like a predator to prey.

Except she isn't prey. Not to me.

When I spotted Drez'kor pawing at her, something primal and possessive roared to life inside me.

Before I could think it through, I'd paid a messenger an exorbitant sum to deliver an "urgent" message to the captain.

Watching the fool scramble away, promising to return and finish what he'd started with Trinity, had taken every ounce of my self-control not to rip his head from his shoulders.

"You still haven't told me why you're here." Trinity's voice pulls me from the violent fantasy. She's watching me with those guarded green eyes, her arms still wrapped protectively around herself.

"I find myself... interested in you." The admission costs me something, though I'm not sure what.

A humorless smile curves her lips. "I've noticed demons tend to be 'interested' in me. Usually in very specific ways."

"Not like that." The denial comes quick—too quick. Because it's not entirely true, is it? I do want her. The physical pull between us is undeniable. But it's not just lust that's drawn me back to her side.

"No?" She raises an eyebrow, disbelieving. "Then how, exactly, are you 'interested' in me?"

I study her face—the wariness, the exhaustion behind her eyes, the stubborn set of her jaw. She's survived pure torment, this human. Survived and protected others while doing it.

"I have a proposition for you." The words come out before I've fully formed the thought, but as soon as I speak them, I know this is why I returned tonight.

She laughs bitterly. "Of course you do."

"Not what you're thinking." I take a step closer, close enough to catch her scent—something clean beneath the cloying perfume Drez'kor obviously prefers.

"I'm offering you freedom. I can get you off this rock before the captain even comes back.

" Otherwise I might have to kill him, too. There's no way he's touching her again.

Her body tenses, hope and suspicion warring in her expression. "What's the catch?"

I admire her instincts. No demon offers something for nothing.

"I need an heir."

Her face shutters instantly, walls slamming back into place. "So you are just like the others. You want a broodmare."

"No." I growl the word, offended despite myself. "If I wanted that, I'd have taken one of my mother's arranged matches with a demon noblewoman. I'm offering you a contract. A transaction that benefits us both."

I don't add that I've never taken her deals because I can't stomach the idea of letting any of those women around me long enough to wait for a child. Fucking them? Sure. But letting them attach themselves to me for the pregnancy—or longer—has always sent disgust roiling through me.

With Trinity though…

She crosses her arms, skepticism radiating from every line of her body. "I'm listening."

"Bear me an heir, and in exchange, I'll set you up with a new life on Aerasak. Permanently." I hold her gaze, letting her see the truth in my eyes. "You'll have my protection. No one—not Drez'kor, not any demon—will touch you again without facing my blade. You'll want for nothing."

Trinity goes perfectly still, her expression unreadable. "Why me?"

It's a good question. One I've been avoiding asking myself. The obvious answer is physical attraction—she's beautiful, with a strength that calls to something in me. But there are beautiful women everywhere. Why am I standing here, offering this specific human a way out?

"You're resilient. Intelligent." I find myself gesturing to the space around us. "You've survived in a place designed to break humans. You've protected others at cost to yourself. Those are traits worth passing on."

Her eyes narrow. "And what happens after I give you this heir? You throw me back to the dungeons?"

"No." The very thought makes my blood boil. "The contract would be permanent. You remain under my protection for life."

"As what? Your slave? Concubine?"

"As the mother of my heir. With all the respect and privileges that position entails." I step closer, needing her to understand. "My home is on Aerasak, not here. You'd never have to set foot on Galmoleth again. You'd have your own quarters, freedom to move about my properties."

Hope flickers in her eyes before she ruthlessly suppresses it. "And the other women? The ones in the dungeons?"

Of course she'd ask about them. Her first thought isn't for herself, but for those she's been protecting.

"I can't take them all," I admit. "But I could speak with the King. I'm sure with his mate, he is inclined to help release them all."

She's quiet for a long moment, weighing my words, searching for deception. I let her look her fill. I have nothing to hide from this woman who might become the mother of my child.

"Why should I trust you?" she finally asks. "How do I know this isn't just another kind of cage?"

"You don't have to trust me," I say, watching the emotions flicker across Trinity's face. "Not yet. But I'm offering you something real—a contract between us. Demons honor our agreements."

"How noble." Trinity's lips quirk up at the corner. "Especially when those agreements benefit you."

I can't help the low chuckle that escapes me. Most humans would be cowering, desperate to please. But this one meets my gaze with unflinching challenge.

"Benefits go both ways, Trinity. You get freedom, security. I'll get you out of here and set up with a new life. I get an heir."

She circles me slowly, assessing. The moonlight catches in her wavy brown hair, casting auburn highlights through the strands. Her wariness doesn't feel calculated now—just the natural caution of a survivor.

"And this heir—what happens to the child? Would they be... what? Half-demon?"

"Yes. And they would be raised as my heir, with all the privileges and responsibilities that entails."

She stops directly in front of me, close enough that I can see the slight tremor in her hands—the only visible sign of her nervousness.

"And you'd treat them well?"

I jerk back a little at that. "They would be my child. Of course I would."

"Forgive me for asking the obvious," she shoots back. "I've seen how demons behave here. You can understand my concern."

I step closer, towering over her slight frame, but she doesn't flinch. "You'll find I don't like comparisons."

"I've gathered," she agrees, looking up at me with those sharp green eyes.

Something warm unfurls in my chest at her words, at the way she's studying me like a puzzle she's determined to solve. This isn't the reaction I expected when I formulated this plan. I thought there would be grateful tears, perhaps fearful acceptance. Not this... banter.

"Is that a yes?" I press, needing her answer.

Trinity's eyes drift to the dark horizon beyond the garden walls. "Better the demon I don't know than the ones I do, I suppose."

Her crude acceptance shouldn't please me so much. "Not exactly a ringing endorsement."

"Were you expecting poetry, Vaelrix?" She smiles, and this time it reaches her eyes. A real smile, small but genuine, and something in me loosens at the sight of it.

"You could try for slightly less backhanded," I suggest, surprised at the lightness in my own tone.

"I could, but where's the fun in that?" She crosses her arms, but her posture has relaxed. "You want honesty? Fine. Yes. I accept your offer, demon."

The agreement settles between us, weighted with consequence. I expected to feel satisfaction, perhaps triumph at securing what I came for. Instead, something dangerously close to relief floods my system, alongside another emotion I refuse to examine.

"Good," I manage, my voice rougher than intended.

Trinity tilts her head. "You seem surprised I agreed."

"Not surprised." I collect myself, schooling my features into neutrality. "Merely satisfied with the outcome."

"Mmm." She doesn't look convinced. "Well, don't get too satisfied yet. Getting me off this floating island won't be simple."

"Leave that to me." I gesture toward the path leading back to the compound. "Get your belongings. We leave tonight."

"Tonight?" Her eyebrows shoot up. "That's... fast."

"Is there something keeping you here?"

"No," she answers quickly. "Just my girls—the other humans.

I need to say goodbye." I can tell she doesn't want to leave, probably feels guilty too, but she can't keep giving parts of herself to save others.

She has to know she won't keep surviving.

Maybe that's why she agreed to this in the first place.

I nod, strangely moved by her loyalty. "Lead the way."

Trinity hesitates for just a moment before turning, and I fall into step beside her. We walk in companionable silence through the moonlit gardens, and I find myself studying her profile. The defiant tilt of her chin, the quiet determination in her stride.

I've had countless blood-soaked missions, faced enemies that would make most demons tremble. Yet somehow, walking beside this slender human woman feels distinctly like one of the most consequential decisions of my long life.

I shove the thought away, reminding myself this is business—a transaction beneficial to us both. Nothing more.

But as Trinity glances up at me, that small, genuine smile playing at her lips again, I'm not entirely convinced I believe my own lie.