Page 42 of Demon Heart: The Complete Series

XAVIER

I vowed to never unseal my hearts again, to never allow another man into my life.

Even though Ismael’s tyranny hurt me deeply, I carried the guilt of his slumber across the years. Distanced myself from anything other than fleeting pleasures, real intimacy buried within the ice with him .

Yet here was a man sleeping in my arms.

Not a demon, but a witch. Mortal. Delicate. A creature born to die. The clock ticking down every second toward his eventual end. I couldn’t face his demise if anything were to come of this.

Let it be sex.

Let it be undone now.

Pleasure shared. Nothing more.

“I’m lonely, too,” I told the sleeping delight.

Memories of Ismael’s bed came to me. The royal bed, a lavish place of pleasure and sanctuary. He’d also fit perfectly into my arms, a demon of such splendor, bringing out my romantic side.

I liked to bring him violet roses to match the hues of his eyes. He loved the way they smelled.

My prince.

My king.

Violent memories tightened my hold on the witch. The endless terror, the madness, the rage.

“You betrayed me!” His voice screamed from the past. “I will destroy you, Xavier! Mark my words!”

Gone to the lake.

Gone forever.

Or maybe not. With one word he would be free. I wrangled with the endless temptation to bring him back to me every day.

But some kings were meant to stay sleeping.

Ismael…

Roman’s phone rang on the bedside table, rousing him from sleep in an instant.

He picked it up, bleary-eyed. “It’s the queen.”

Suddenly, he was very awake.