Page 32 of Demon Heart: The Complete Series

H e shifted, his body melting into the tiny spider, and disappeared into the steam.

“One second, Your Majesty,” I called through the door. “I just need to get some clothes on.”

I backed away from the door, making the appropriate sounds of getting dressed after the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Checked the demon-free bathroom, the window open. Xavier must have gone outside.

Why was she here? Trying to catch me out?

You have to nip this Xavier thing so hard in the bud.

I ruffled my hair for effect, then opened the door.

“Your Majesty.” I bowed. “Good morning.”

“Hello, My Shadow.” She swept into the flat, leaving two royal guards on the stairs—two burly men in red-and-gold with big shades covering their eyes, and big cliché energy.

I closed the door, panic a red-hot ball lodged into my chest. “Is everything okay?”

She peered into the bathroom. “Steamy. Were you showering?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I was about to make breakfast.”

Her eyes scanned the surroundings, unreadable. Was she hiding her suspicion? Was she about to pounce and end my life?

“I wanted to see you,” she finally spoke. “Oh my. What have you done to your face?” She reached for my bruise.

An excuse came out of me of its own volition. “I fell out of bed.”

“You did?”

“In the night. So clumsy.”

“You poor thing.” She stopped reaching for my face. “You must be careful.”

“I will be.” I couldn’t tell if she believed me or not. “Can I get you something to drink?”

She shook her head. “I have eaten, and consumed enough coffee for ten people already. I wanted to see you in person to tell you of an event happening today.”

“I would have come to the palace, Your Majesty.”

Once again, she shook her head. “No. I wanted to come here. Anyway, while you rest and prepare for your task later, be sure to put the television on at midday. It will be streamed live on every station.”

“What’s is it, My Queen?”

“A public apology from a human and demon.”

I buried my fear as best I could. “The two from the riot?”

She took a painfully long pause before she continued.

“Yes, My Shadow. I have ruled they must demonstrate remorse before I pass sentence. This case is mine to judge, you see, and I’m not sure how to proceed yet.

Of course, there will be punishment for the riot, but their words will affect the outcome. ”

“A good idea,” I responded, always agreeing with her on the outside, even more unsure of her motives on the inside.

This might be an issue for Phillipe and his ilk, for the peace talks. But then everything was as fragile as tissue paper anyway.

“If only you could be with me when I do this,” she said. “For comfort, for support. But there will too many eyes on it.”

Please just go! “A shame,” I said.

A soft smile in response. “Piper believes this to be a bad idea.” She sighed. “We had a terrible argument last night.”

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty.”

“She is a forceful woman, my daughter.”

I nodded. “She is.”

“And foolish.”

I didn’t respond to that one.

The queen inched closer to me, taking the unbruised side of my face in her hand. “However, as always, our relationship must exist in the shadows.” She traced the pad of her thumb under my left eye. “And you must continue with your rest.”

The queen being here upset the energy of my little haven, along with my insides.

“It is always nice to get out of the palace, albeit briefly.” She released my face. “Think of me when you watch the event.”

Terror sprouted frozen teeth, gnawing at my nerves. “I will, Your Majesty. I hope it goes smoothly.”

“Is the rat sleeping?”

“He is.”

A soft smile. “Pity.” She stepped back, waiting for me to open the door.

I did, offering a bow.

“Good luck,” she told me, then left with her guards.

I wanted to vomit. What if she’d burst in here rather than knocked, finding a demon in my shower?

Too close again. Too bloody close.

I closed the door, bracing myself against it. My knees bent in an assault of weakness, dragging me to the floor.

“Man…” I breathed, pressing my forehead to the wood. “This sucks. This really sucks.”

“Roman?”

I tensed under the demon’s voice, hands tightened into fists. If he wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be feeling like this, wouldn’t be running the gauntlet of risk.

My sense of duty lay irrevocably damaged. I always clung to that duty, to the resolute certainty of my existence. I was made for the queen even before my training, a witch she could always depend on. A follower of rules, a keeper of her trust.

Look at me now.

“You turned my head,” I muttered.

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.”

“Do you need some help?”

I hauled myself to my feet, turning to face him, barely registering his nudity. “I think…” I couldn’t finish. “I…”

“I should leave,” he said.

Yes. Absolutely. See you, demon. The crazy times are over.

“I don’t want you to go,” I responded.

“It would be for the best.” He disappeared into the bathroom, stepping out half a minute later fully dressed. “I’m sorry for?—”

I lunged, grabbing his face, going to my tiptoes to crush my mouth to his. Exquisite heat flowed into my lips, my heart a frantic drum, every inch of my skin ablaze.

His hands found my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. Our lips melded together, tongues at first probing, then finding each other in a delicious wrestle.

I kissed him harder. He staggered back into the bathroom, supporting my body as he landed on the toilet seat.

I broke the kiss, gazing down at him, completely consumed by desire.

“Fuck…” I breathed.

His hands met my hips. He licked me off his lower lip, his eyes white flares to remind me of his true nature.

And I didn’t care. I straddled him, our lips colliding again.

He took hold of my arse, fingers digging in as I arched my back, set to devour every inch of him.

Lips and tongues fighting for control, my cock aching, excitement a fairground around us. Fuck the rules, fuck the constraints of my life. Let it all fall down. Let the demon take me right here on the toilet seat, never breaking this kiss.

Tears welled hot and surprising in response, rolling free, killing the mood with their ill-timed rise.

Shit.

I broke the kiss, climbing off him. “Sorry.” I quickly wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, my lips buzzing.

Give us more of him, they whispered.

Xavier stood. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. Let me sort breakfast.”

“Roman…”

I fled to the kitchen. Now I was embarrassed.

Crying during a kiss? What a prick.

Xavier showed his face after I made the tea and got the beans warming in a pan on the hob.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I couldn’t look at him. “Yeah. Take a seat.”

“You’re not okay, though,” he responded.

“Can we not do this?”

“Do what, Roman?” He stood behind me, his heat only slightly out of range.

I counted to ten. “Talk about what just happened.”

“Whatever you want.”

I faced him, a rapid change of heart shifting my gears. “I couldn’t help myself. You were there and about to leave and the moment… I don’t know. I wanted to kiss you. I’m sorry.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t be sorry. I enjoyed it.”

“You did?”

“Very much so.”

Flurries of good anticipation stirred within. “Right. Great.”

“Flattering, too.” He smiled. “May I sit?”

“Yeah. Go for it.”

“Thank you. For the seat, for the kiss.” He parked his juicy peach at the table. “It’s flattering for a man to want to kiss you.”

I smiled back him. “Yeah. I guess it is.”

He touched his lips.

Mine were singing with the memory of him, the lingering taste of cinnamon violet dancing on my tongue. “I enjoyed it, too.”

“I’m glad.”

“Breakfast?”

“Indeed.”

But I held off. “I want to say something else.” I took the seat opposite him. “Did you mean what you said about me under the truth spell?”

“You know I did.”

“Right.”

“Are you surprised?”

I scratched at my neck. “I… I don’t really know. This is all so strange.”

“Because I’m a demon.”

“Yeah.”

He took a few moments to respond. “I think there is something here between us. Something else I want to explore.”

“A connection,” I whispered.

“Maybe. I want to know more about you, to see where this might go. But I’m not sure that will happen given the circumstances.”

“We’re from completely different worlds,” I said, not liking my words. “Look at what’s happening today. Did you hear what the queen said?”

“I did.”

He heard too much. “That could be us one day.”

“Unless things change.”

“What if they get worse from this point because of the riot?”

“Then I’ll leave right now,” he said. “Only, I don’t want to leave you at the mercy of Tanith. Because she will strike again.”

I nodded, my breath shaky. “Then stay. I… I want you to stay. I want to explore, to shake up my life a bit. That makes me a complete fucking idiot. I know better than this. I’m her Shadow.”

Whoops.

Xavier’s expression remained calm, though a glint in his eyes hinted at curiosity.

“You stopped me from telling the truth last night,” I said, standing up. “Even though it meant you wouldn’t hear it yourself.”

“For your own protection. Because I know it’s important to you.”

“Thanks.” I went to the window, the first hints of daylight smeared across the sky. “Bet you have so many questions.”

“They don’t matter.”

I faced him. “But they mattered enough for you to tie me up.” I held up a hand to stop him responding. “And I’m not holding that against you. I’m just saying.”

“Roman…”

“I want to tell you, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy. I took an oath.”

“Then don’t say anything,” he responded.

“Not even Darcy knows, and he’s my bestie.”

“That is impressive.”

“It is?”

He turned his chair to face me, elbow resting on the table. “Living in the same space and managing to conceal a huge secret? It absolutely is impressive.”

I smiled bashfully. “I hate hiding things from him.”

“I understand.”

I wanted to kiss him again. “Maybe one day you’ll both find out everything.”

“Maybe.”