Page 44 of Once Upon a Demon’s Heart

Chapter Twenty-Eight

KALEL

Alira faints in my arms. Her limbs are completely lax, and her soft breaths make my heart ache.

I hold her tightly and rest my head against hers.

“I truly am a monster, and I will do unspeakable acts for the things I want. I really am sorry, Alira,” I murmur against her forehead, pressing a kiss there as penance.

I decide to carry her back to my palace. We’ll both sleep better in my bed, and she’ll wake up more comfortable after the night we’ve had. She’s going to be sore. I make a mental note to have Nik heal her in the morning.

The gardens are surprisingly quiet tonight. After most weddings, this place is a sex haven. I listen for any whispers or moans, but hear nothing. Unease sets into my bones. Something is wrong.

Then it hits me. We didn’t return for the king’s last dance.

Just as the blood drains from my face, I hear his heavy footsteps behind me. My shoulders tense, but I keep my hold on my little godling tight. I turn enough to see him from over my shoulder.

King Achill stands alone, with a mildly irked expression, but I know better than any that the less anger he shows, the more furious he truly is.

His eyes shift down to the sleeping half-god in my arms.

“You thought it was wise to insult me in front of the entire kingdom tonight by leaving before the last dance? With something as important as this , Kalel?” He grinds his jaw.

“How ignorant of a demon are you?” His voice is as soft as a stream.

No one holds their emotions better than Achill.

Which lends to the reason he is so terrifying.

“I saw the way you looked at her. I can’t let you breed her, my king.

” I try to sound as respectful as I can, but I wanted to tear his throat out tonight.

The scent of his lust for her was maddening.

He was going to take her to his chambers tonight, even after everything I’ve done for him and the kingdom.

He was going to try to take her from me.

My eyes shift down to her face. I could stare upon her for the rest of time. My little godling. Mine .

King Achill crosses his arms and smiles, but it’s anything but happy. It’s a threat.

“Is that why you thought you’d beat me to it? Keep your demigod. But know that your insolence will cost you greatly.” He levels me with cruel cerulean eyes.

I bow my head. “I am indebted to you, my generous king.” The words taste bitter in my mouth.

He grins. “Yes, you are. Did Gabriel brief you on the movement detected outside the gates? It would seem that her little necklace was charmed by their king with a tracking spell, just like you thought. They couldn’t help themselves, could they?

” Achill laughs, his eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them.

“I don’t think Alira knew of the spell. She had no response when I took it away. She was happy to have it back, but only because of its sentimental value. Nikolai confirmed it. So, I don’t want any punishment to fall upon her.” I make myself clear. He nods, but it doesn’t bring me much comfort.

“Go, rest while you can. I’ll send someone for you in the morning. Now that our initial plan has been enacted, we need to move quickly.”

His words linger with me long after I return to my palace and tuck Alira into my bed. I step out to the balcony and lean against the guardrail, staring up at the universe of stars with a forlorn frown.

What a mess. What game are the gods playing with us? I want no part in it. Not when it’s our lives that are always at stake.

I close my eyes and tighten my fists.

She could never love me. Not after she realizes what I’ve done.

My eyes lower to the gardens below, staring upon the flowers she loves so much.

If she knew that each of those peonies were once demigods, would she still covet them so?

After finding their gilded blood in the stems?

After learning that I buried their bones there in the flowerbeds?

How does she think we keep our kingdom warded with such magic?

If she knew I prayed to Pluto to put a loop curse on her that day in Thornhall—that I cursed the knight who led the attack on my mother’s home—to relive many lives until I was satisfied with killing them repeatedly for punishment, could she forgive me?

I didn’t know my precious little godling was the knight I’d slain twenty times. Evil and vengeful as I am, I couldn’t willingly kill the only being that has plagued my mind for the last thirty years.

And yet I did. Many. Many times.

My memories aren’t as clear as the victim of Pluto’s loop curse, but I remember her helmet coming off in the last reset. I remember seeing her silver hair and lavender eyes. Is that why I was so eager to convince Achill to accept their deal for peace?

Would she forgive me if she knew that my blood was the only way to save her and break the curse? At least, that’s what Pluto told me. He said it was the only way to free the cursed knight.

I couldn’t let the loop reset again, not after finally finding her. But if she should die now, it would be for good.

A deep and ruinous pain moves through my chest at that thought. I stare down at the flowers she adores so much.

My foolish half-god.

I return to the bed and stare down at her somberly, brushing my thumb over her cheek gently.

“My mercy died long ago,” I whisper to her.

As did most of my heart. All that’s left of it remains with her.

“You should know that I die slowly with each tear you shed. I love you, Alira. I’m sorry for what I am.

” I shut my eyes and hold her close to my chest. Can she hear my heart? Can she hear how it agonizes for her?

No, she will never love a man like me. Not after what comes next.

Not after vengeance is served.

I will bring Alzhor and every half-god to rubble now that she is out of harm's way.

“I’m sorry for tricking you.”