Page 22 of Demonic Division (The Sundering Duet #1)

22

Roark

I pull open the door to my room, the patter of footsteps letting me know Dagny followed. For some reason, the knowledge causes my chest to hum, sends a rush of warmth to the tips of my fingers, and fills my ears with a high-pitched ringing. I’m not sure what this emotion is or why I feel so complete whenever she’s in my vicinity, but I’m starting to think it has something to do with that tugging sensation I felt down the bond earlier—when Cyprien and Lir were having their way with her. That same incessant pull that prompted me to return from my hunt early. To find her .

The little human follows me inside, silver-rimmed eyes wide and taking in the size of the room. Just like hers, it’s mostly bare—the only furniture being a small stone table next to the bed of furs. Sitting on top is a canister carved from the crystal bedrock of The Far Place, clear enough to see the contents and practically indestructible. The tapered neck opens to a wide mouth, aerating the glowing blue liquid inside.

I walk over to the table, pulling out four small glasses from beneath before pouring a finger’s width of the drink into each. Dagny’s eyes track my movements, lingering on the gnarled scars coating my hands and forearms.

“So… your name is Roark?”

Her voice is hesitant, and I know she’s wary of my presence—the knowledge that if I wanted, I could break her with a single blow. “That is what they call me, yes.” We stay silent for several long moments as I continue preparing the drinks. Dagny clears her throat awkwardly, and I curse my lack of conversation skills. “So… you’re from the human realm?”

“Mm-hmm,” she hums, taking her lip between her teeth. “And you’re… one of Abaddon’s pieces?”

I snap upright, nearly dropping the glasses in my shock. “Who told you that?”

“Does it matter?” she murmurs, her gaze shifting off to the side nervously.

I shake my head, blowing out a breath. “I guess not. Here,” I say, passing her one of the glasses. “For you.”

Her fingertips brush mine as she takes the drink, her eyes widening slightly as sparks fly between us. “Oh…”

Luckily, Cyprien and Lir choose that moment to make their appearance. The door flies open, smacking against the stone with a mighty crash as Cyprien storms across the room toward Dagny.

“Starting without us?” he asks, mouth widening to a manic smile. “Not very polite, Roark.”

“Not my fault you’re so fucking slow,” I grumble, passing the demons a glass. Cyprien takes his back in a single gulp, his eyes burning bright as he looks at me for another. With a sigh, I give him mine, then go to pour a new one. My eyes catch Dagny’s as I pass her by, and I jerk my chin in the direction of the furs. “Please. Have a seat. ”

I watch as she pads over to my bed, crossing her long legs beneath her, hips rocking side to side as she settles in. Dagny clutches her glass to her chest, her eyes flitting back and forth between me and the drink. I can tell she’s nervous, and it distresses the beast living inside me. He wants to hold her, to make her feel safe and protected. To feel loved.

At the last thought, I shake my head, casting away those notions.

She’s just a woman.

My eyes cut toward Dagny—taking in the enchanting way her skin glows beneath the light of the silver moon.

Okay, maybe not just any woman.

I down my drink and pour another portion, blinking rapidly against the tears that spring to my eyes. Welwig sap has a harsh astringent aftertaste, but the effects are well worth the minor discomfort.

Holding the vessel by the neck, I make my way over to the furs, where Cyprien and Lir have already made themselves at home. Cyprien has somehow managed to pull Dagny into his lap, one arm folded around her stomach and holding her in place while the other raises his glass to his lips. Meanwhile, Lir sits as close as he can to the human without touching her. He stares numbly down at the drink in his hands, though his gaze is pulled toward Dagny every couple of seconds, filled with a deep yearning.

I take a seat opposite them, clearing my throat at the awkward silence that envelops us. “So… terrible weather we’re having lately…”

Dagny snorts, clapping a hand over her mouth to suppress her giggle. Lir raises his head, eyes narrowing to thin slits. “It’s always fucking terrible.”

“Would you stop being such a grump?” Cyprien asks, his tone mocking. “It’s much too late in the day for your negativity.”

Lir’s mouth presses into a thin line. “It’s not negative. It’s honest.”

“Honestly negative as fuck,” Cyprien quips. Lir snarls, his canines lengthening, and Cyprien buries his face into Dagny’s neck with a chuckle.

“Stop poking the bear,” she whispers, elbowing him lightly. “And me, while you’re at it,” she adds, shifting her gaze pointedly to the huge bulge between his thighs.

“Whoops.” His smirk widens, but he doesn’t attempt to move.

“Incorrigible,” Lir huffs, bringing his drink to his lips and taking it back in one go. “I’m going to need more of this.”

I lean forward, filling his glass while Dagny swirls her portion. She brings it to her nose and sniffs, and her face contorts as the sharp odor assaults her senses.

“What is it?” she asks, pulling the drink up to the light to examine it.

“Welwig sap.”

“Is it safe?”

“Very,” Cyprien answers, his lips spreading in a wide smile. “In small amounts, that is.”

Dagny’s brow furrows, and Cyprien draws soothing circles on her stomach. “You don’t have to drink it if you don’t want to.”

“One of us will gladly consume your portion,” I add, leaning forward and placing a hand on her knee.

Dagny’s lips tip upward in a small smile. “I’ll try a little.” Slowly, she brings the rim of the cup to her lips, first sampling the liquid, then taking a large sip. A pleased hum echoes in her chest as she takes another taste, then another. By the time she lowers the bowl, the whites of her eyes are glinting with a pale blue light, reflecting beautifully in the gentle glow from the fire.

“Like it?” Cyprien asks, leaning down to nuzzle against her neck. “How do you feel?”

“Mmhmm.” She raises the cup to her lips again, her eyes glossing over with a faraway look as she downs the last of it. “Really good.”

“It’s made from the trees we passed on the way here,” Cyprien explains. “Their sap is filled with magic. When tapped and drank… well, you can see what it does.”

“Yeah…” Her voice fades away as she brings her hand up to her eyes, flipping it back and forth like it’s the first time she’s seeing it. “I’m glowing.”

We all chuckle at the reaction—even Lir—and a gentle warmth builds in my chest. Dagny leans back against Cyprien, her eyes drooping closed as a slow smile works its way onto her face. “This is good stuff…”

Lir’s eyes glaze over as he falls sideways into Dagny, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck as a deep growl vibrates the air.

Dagny reaches up, running her fingers through Lir’s long blue locks. Her lids open lazily, and her beautiful copper-rimmed eyes trail toward the singular window, taking in the violent blizzard swirling just beyond.

“I don’t know… it doesn’t seem that bad out there,” she murmurs, her voice nearly silent. “It… reminds me of something… something nice. Something good.” A crease forms between her brows as she stares at the snowstorm, lost to a memory. The Welwig sap is working its way through her, intensifying her emotions and dulling her mind all at the same time. It’s a powerful drug, and the first time someone experiences it can be intens e.

“There’s nothing good about the snow and ice,” Lir says, following her line of sight with a frown. “It’s all bad.”

Dagny shakes her head, her lips quivering slightly. “That’s not true. I… I remember…” her voice fades away as her frown deepens, eyes flicking side to side as she tries to grab the fleeting memory. “I remember one time… It was my eighth birthday, I think. Mom took me to the park—which was weird because there was a literal snowstorm outside.” Dagny shakes her head, blinking rapidly against the tears welling in her eyes. “Those were her favorite days, though. She said they reminded her of a place she used to live… a place she used to love.” She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes as she loses herself to the memory. “We got hot chocolate and made snow angels in the park. It was so, so fucking cold. I thought my fingers were going to fall off. But… I was happy,” she murmurs. “That’s the last time I can remember.”

Tears stream down Dagny’s cheeks, but she doesn’t seem to notice. Her eyes have glazed over, and her face has no real expression. Whatever she’s feeling, it must have been long suppressed to have this effect. Everything in me wants to take away that helpless expression, to bring back her rare smile.

But how?

I slam my glass down on the ground, and everyone whips their head to me in surprise.

“I just had the best idea!” I slur, my lips spreading into a wide smile as an idea forms in the back of my mind. “Let’s go make some fucking snow angels!”

Cyprien tosses the last of his drink back without missing a beat and raises his glass high in the air with a “hell yeah!”

Lir grumbles but doesn’t say anything to dissent, so that leaves Dagny. Cyprien and I give her our best pout, and she throws her head back in a full-bellied laugh.

“Okay, okay. Let’s fucking make some angels, demons.”

Cyprien stands, scooping Dagny up in one swift motion and throwing her over his shoulder. We follow Cyprien out of the room and down to the main floor of the castle while Dagny’s laughter fills the halls.

As we step outside, the frozen air tickles my skin, but I barely feel it past the heat thrumming in my veins at the sight of Dagny’s face tipped back in ecstasy. Cyprien spins around in a circle, causing Dagny’s dark hair to spill out in all directions, covering her forehead and flying into her open mouth. Flecks of snow cling to the tips of her lashes, dusting her cheeks with each blink.

Her plump lips are colored a dark pink hue and stand out beautifully against the snowy backdrop. The beast beneath my skin rears up at the sight, desperate for a taste. A touch. A moment alone to claim her as mine.

I shake away those thoughts, blinking hard against the haze as the drugs coursing through my system spread their roots and take hold. It’s getting harder to fight against my instincts—impossible to resist the pull to her. But it’s nothing compared to what Cyprien and Lir are going through. If it’s this difficult for me, I can only imagine the amount of willpower it takes to deny a fully formed bond.

I’m brought out of my thoughts as Dagny’s squeal breaks the air. I squint into the distance, noting Cyprien sitting square on Dagny’s chest, holding her to the ground as he forces her arms to make the snow angel shape.

I laugh under my breath, following Lir to join them. The closer we get, the more the buzzing in my ears intensifies, until I’m nothing but a ball of radio static.

Dagny turns her head toward me, her mouth moving wordlessly. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but she’s smiling, and the sight sends a rush of heat through my veins.

My mouth pulls into a matching expression, and I move to join her on the ground. Lir sits up by her head while I lie next to her, turning my head and staring deep into her silver-rimmed eyes.

“I’m sorry. I missed what you said.” I blink, and the world focuses back to excruciating clarity. I’m bombarded with sensations, colors, and feelings—all tailored to the beautiful specimen lying next to me.

Dagny laughs, the sound like sunlight warming my skin. “I said, if you’re going to participate, you have to move your arms. Like this.”

“I’m helping,” Cyprien announces proudly, moving Dagny’s arms in another sweeping arc. His eyes go in and out of focus, and a drunken smile pulls at his mouth as he repeats the motion.

“You’re going to rip her arms out of their sockets,” Lir grumbles, watching Dagny’s limbs with worry pinching his brow. “Be gentler, Cyprien.”

“It’s okay, Lir.” She giggles. “Roark. Snow angel. Now.”

Never taking my eyes from her, I spread my arms to the side and mirror her movements, careful not to brush my skin against hers as our hands pass. “How long do we have to do this for?”

“I don’t know,” she says, taking her lip between her teeth. She turns her head, looking up at Cyprien. “We should check if they’re good.”

Without a word, he jumps off her, stretching out a hand to help her to her feet. Lir and I join them, stepping back a few feet to get a good look at our masterpieces.

“Where did they go?” Dagny asks, her eyes wide in awe.

Cyprien rushes forward, falling to his knees and scouring the frozen ground. “I’ll find them, bunny! Don’t worry!”

I step forward to help him look when Lir shoots his arm out, stopping me in my tracks.

“You’re all idiots,” he grumbles, gesturing to the ground. “It’s fucking frozen. You can’t make snow angels without snow. ”

Dagny looks from me to Cyprien and to Lir, her lips quivering. Heat rises up her neck, and just when I think she might pop, Dagny doubles over, full-bellied laughter exploding from her open mouth. Cyprien joins her, falling to the ground and clutching his stomach as the sounds of joy pierce the air.

Dagny wipes a tear from her eye, sucking in lungfuls of air as she tries to control herself. “Oh my… oh my gods… we didn’t…”

“We did!” Cyprien howls, his eyes closing fully as another round of laughter takes hold of him. “I fucking love Welwig sap.”

At this point, even Lir is softly chuckling under his breath, succumbing to the powerful effects of the sap. His eyes lock onto Dagny, softening with an emotion I can’t describe.

“Whoa. What’s that?”

We all snap to attention at Dagny’s question. Following the line of her finger, I’m surprised to find a violet stag standing a couple of hundred yards from us.

My familiar.

“It’s okay. Comet’s friendly,” I murmur, raising my hand and calling the stag toward us. Comet raises his head high, beady eyes homing in on Dagny’s face as it trots across the frozen ground.

It stops just shy of Dagny, lowering its great horned head. A greeting. An offering. To my surprise, Lir and Cyprien are frozen in place, their eyes flickering with shadows as they watch the encounter. The runes covering their skin glow with a molten light, heating the air and the ground beneath their clawed fists.

Dagny reaches toward Comet, her eyes glossed over with a faraway look. She blinks rapidly but can’t seem to focus, and her hand is pulled ever closer by that invisible thread.

Warning bells blare in the back of my mind, but I can barely hear them. Even if I could, I doubt I would pay them any mind. I doubt I could. Not when all of me wants her like I do. Not when I’m starting to think she’s the answer to all the questions I didn’t know I had. I want to touch her as Cyprien and Lir have. I want to feel her. To taste. To devour.

A moment later, one of my wishes is granted.