Page 30 of Demonic Division (The Sundering Duet #1)

30

Dagny

In the morning, Kaebl has reverted to the heartless demon I met on my first day in The Far Place. He hardly looks at me and certainly doesn’t attempt to speak as he scoops me into his arms and flies us out of the strange labyrinth.

I would believe I imagined his tenderness if it wasn’t for the way he was holding me. It’s gentle and possessive all at once, and the rapid thrumming of his heart is practically audible. I tell myself it means nothing, that it’s just a side effect of the bonds I have with Cyprien, Lir, and Roark, but deep down, I want to believe otherwise. I want to believe Kaebl is good at his core and that the way I feel about him is justified in some way. More than anything, I want M's words to prove untrue.

As soon as we land on the ground in front of the castle, a blurred ball of shadows shoots toward us. I open my mouth to warn Kaebl, but it’s too late. The form barrels into his side, sending Kaebl and me flying through the air. His wings wrap around me, shielding me from the impact as we slam into the frozen ground.

A low wheeze escapes Kaebl’s open mouth as Cyprien climbs on top of him, his hands clawing at his fragile wings, trying to get to me. Cyprien! Get the fuck off me!

Cyprien whines, his features flickering between man and demon. “ Dagny…Dagny… I need to make sure she’s okay…”

Kaebl rolls his eyes, rearing back before smashing his forehead against Cyprien’s. The yellow-eyed demon blinks rapidly, some of the haze clearing from his vision. The flapping of wings calls my attention to the sky, and I catch Lir’s gaze, swimming with an indescribable emotion.

He lands silently, crouching next to my head, his eyes searching me for injuries. “Are you okay?”

She’s fine , Kaebl answers, shoving Cyprien off him so he can sit up. His wings unfurl, allowing me to escape his hold, and Lir immediately scoops me into his arms, nuzzling his face deep into my neck.

“I was so worried,” he whispers, breathing deep as his skin shudders against me. “So fucking worried.”

Cyprien crawls over, wrapping his arms around us both and joining in Lir’s embrace, a deep whine echoing in his chest. “Where did you run off to, bunny?” he whimpers, placing his lips to the top of my head.

“I just… I got scared,” I answer, casting a nervous glance toward Kaebl. He’s not looking at me—instead, his eyes are on the horizon, a deep frown creasing the space between his brows. Anxiety is rolling off him in waves, infecting the air and staining the gold of his eyes with worry. Sensing the change, Cyprien and Lir pick their heads up, turning their attention to their lord.

“What’s wrong?” Lir asks. “What do you see?”

Cyprien whines softly, following Kaebl’s line of sight as his muscles tense. “Is it Slaine?”

Kaebl shakes his head slowly, the rest of his body taut as a spring. I don’t know. But something is not right. His lips press into a thin line. They should still be days away…

Kaebl’s wings snap out to the sides, his back muscles shuddering. He turns his head over his shoulder, face like thunder as he addresses the two demons. I need to check something out.

Lir releases me, taking a frantic step toward the gold-eyed demon. “Wait! Shouldn’t one of us come with you?”

He shakes his head. I’m sure it’s nothing. This time, he looks at me, his eyes glowing molten. Stay with Dagny. Guard the castle.

“What about the bond?”

Kaebl sighs, turning his gaze back to the horizon. There’s no use fighting it any longer, Lir.

Lir’s mouth pops in shock—as does mine—but before we get the chance to ask what he means by that, Kaebl shoots into the air like a missile, his powerful wings propelling him across the land.

“Well… that was cryptic as fuck,” Cyprien murmurs, his eyes following Kaebl’s receding form. “I guess… we should go inside?”

“I guess so.” Lir frowns, turning on his heel and leading the way up to the palace. Cyprien scoops me into his arms, and we follow him inside. His heart beats rapidly against my ear as we take the stairs to the second floor, and I have a feeling it’s not just from having me in his arms this time.

We take the long hallway toward the demons’ rooms, passing by Roark’s room, where a cacophony of growls and crashes pierce the air. Something smashes against the iron door, shaking it from the hinges, and I jerk back against Cyprien’s chest.

“What was that?” I ask, my voice a terrified whisper.

Cyprien frowns, picking up his pace until we’re well past the room. “That was Roark.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“The bond. He… is not taking the separation from you very well.”

I turn my head, glancing back over Cyprien’s shoulder toward that horrible snarling noise. “Is that normal?”

He shakes his head, his mouth tightening into a thin line.

“Is he in pain?”

Instead of answering, Cyprien hastens toward where Lir waits in front of the open door to his bedroom. Before we step past the threshold, I shift upright, pressing my hands against Cyprien’s chest and causing him to pause.

“Take me to him.”

Cyprien shakes his head, his eyes going wide. “He’s not in the right headspace, bunny. He could hurt you.”

“I don’t care.” I shift my chin in the air, hoping my voice sounds braver than I feel. “He’s in pain because of me—because I touched Comet and caused this all to happen. If I can help, I want to.”

Cyprien looks toward Lir, who just shakes his head softly. “I don’t like it.”

“I don’t care,” I say, struggling against Cyprien’s hold. “Please. Let me try.”

Another look. Another conversation I have no way to understand. Finally, Lir lets out a massive sigh, and he steps out into the hallway, walking back toward Roark’s room.

He grabs my hands, pausing to look down at me. “If you get scared, say the word, and I will pull you out. Okay? ”

“Okay.”

Lir sighs, turning his attention back to the door. “This is a terrible idea,” he mumbles. Then he yanks it open.