Page 40 of Demonic Division (The Sundering Duet #1)

40

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As soon as Dagny’s eyes close, I breathe a sigh of relief. With the bond in place, I’m able to access my power—able to use some of it to put Dagny to sleep for a short time. Because of our bond, I can use the magic of The Far Place in a way I haven’t been able to since the day of the sundering, when I first came to be. Ever since that day, I’ve felt it slipping from my veins, returning to the source at an alarming rate and leaving me debilitated.

But that’s all changed now.

I gaze down at the beautiful little creature lying on the ground, my chest thrumming violently with the strength of the new bond. It would be so easy to forget the rest of the world exists. To reverse the inducement magic and have my way with her the way the beast within needs me to.

However, my mood quickly sours as I’m reminded of the reality of the situation. No matter how much my soul is screaming to be united with hers, I have to find a way to fight against it until I deal with this mess. Though it’s possible, it will only be for a short time. Soon, I’ll succumb to the madness as Roark did—and that is the one thing I cannot allow to happen.

I gaze around the circle at the four fallen demons and my lip curls back in disgust to find their chest still rising and falling with life. The last thing I remember is Kaebl soaring into the sky in a last-ditch effort to reverse the sundering. Images of that last moment replay in my mind, causing a deep well of pain to echo in my chest. I place my hand over the spot where my heart should be, cringing at the feel of the gaping chasm where Abaddon’s heart should be.

Unwittingly, my gaze trails toward Dagny, and the pain blossoms, spreading to the tips of my clawed fingers and toes. This is not how I wanted her to discover my lie. This is not the image I wanted her to have of me. Especially not when I’ve done all of this for her.

My vision narrows on the lovely little halfling as I lower to the ground, and I begin stalking toward her, my claws scraping the ice with each leisurely step. I watch the gentle rise and fall of her chest, a pleasant warmth humming beneath my skin, growing stronger the closer I get.

I’m vaguely aware of the whooshing of wings beating the air, signifying the arrival of Slaine’s forces, but I can’t be bothered to turn and look. All I want—all I need—is to have Dagny’s fire burning beneath my palms.

“Where the fuck are you going?”

My muscles freeze as the familiar voice breaks out behind me, and my smirk works its way into a snarl as I turn slowly to face the intruder. “Took you long enough to get here.”

“That’s not an answer to my question.”

A mirthless laugh pierces the air, and I take my time running my gaze down Slaine’s frame, taking in the immaculate sleet-colored armor encasing his chest and forearms. He’s in his warrior's garb—dark gray dermal armor sticking to his body like a second skin, cutting off at his chin and wrists—and though I would never admit it to his face, the false demon king looks rather imposing standing there with an army of hundreds at his back.

I glance over his shoulder, scowling at the sight of those salivating demons—the lack of humanity behind their soulless, milky eyes. “I need to take care of something. Is that a problem?” I ask, turning my gaze back to Slaine. “Surely, you can handle a few battered and unconscious demons.”

“Hm.” A puff of vapor blows out from his nose, partially covering the severe set of his mouth. He gazes over my shoulder, white eyes widening slightly at the sight of Dagny’s slumped body. “Is that the thing you need to take care of?”

I frown but decide not to answer, prompting Slaine to blow out another frustrated breath. “She was not part of the deal.”

“Well, she is now,” I snap, my skin shuddering as the beast within tries to rise up. “She’s mine. And if you try to stop me, I’ll rip your head from your shoulders. I don’t care if your cronies kill me afterward.”

Slaine looks me up and down, a piece of gray hair falling over his brow, partially obscuring his strange, milky eyes. “Fine. Do what you must.” He turns on his heel without another word, gesturing for his soldiers to follow him over to Kaebl’s body.

I watch as they begin to collect Lir, Cyprien, Roark, and Kaebl, binding their legs and arms before attempting to lift them into the sky. It takes three of Slaine’s soldiers to carry the weight of each piece, but there are plenty of bodies to spare.

My gaze follows the soldiers until they disappear over the horizon, and long after. I don’t have to see them to know where they’re going—straight and true toward Slaine’s castle, where Kaebl and the others will be imprisoned. Perhaps he’ll even kill Cyprien, Lir, and Roark, but not Kaebl. According to the deal I made with Slaine before Kaebl imprisoned me, he will keep the golden-eyed demon alive.

So unfortunate the core piece must be preserved.

My frown deepens as I turn back toward Dagny, eating up the last of the distance with a few long strides. I crouch at her side, reaching out and gently brushing my palm over her hair. Her cheeks are bright pink and frosted with snowflakes, the same as the ones clinging to her lashes, giving her a beautiful, ethereal look.

I lean down, brushing my lips lightly against hers, causing gentle sparks of electricity to flow from her skin to mine. Lovely little fire. Beautiful flame in my palm.

I pull her limp body into my arms, careful not to damage her fragile skin with my claws. Her mouth twitches, and she buries her head into my chest, a barely perceptible groan falling from her open lips. The bond hums in appreciation, and I take another moment to stand there, just feeling her beneath my palms. Committing every last perfect inch of her to memory.

When I’ve had my fill of her, I push off the ground, my wings beating the air as I take us into the upper atmosphere. The air thins, and I level out, catching the crosswind and letting it take me in the direction of Slaine’s castle.

There’s still one last thing to take care of.