Page 37 of Prince of Demons (Demon’s Mark #2)

Kesh

K esh clenched his hands and forced a deep breath through his lungs before he followed the Breeder into the throne room.

The sharp smell of her anger was better than the anguish of her sadness, but it riled his nervous system and put him more on edge than he’d have liked to be when heading into a room full of other males.

Especially, as it turned out, when the five of them turned as one upon Georgia’s entrance, and the eagerness in their eyes as they stared at her made jealousy and protectiveness flare hotly in his gut.

He reacted before his brain kicked in, placing a firm hand on the angry woman’s shoulder to pull her back close. Fuck’s sake, these idiotic instincts were going to drive him fucking nuts.

Kesh ignored Georgia’s indignant sputtering at being manhandled back into place, kept a firm grip on her shoulder, and marched her up toward his throne.

The five men sank to their knees as they passed, but though the subservient greeting might have been for him, their eyes were on Georgia.

He tamped down the ridiculous anger that they dared look at her with such blatant desire, scaled the dais, and unceremoniously lifted the Breeder onto his lap.

She was stiff and unwilling against him, her anger still sharp in his nostrils, but it did nothing to still the rush of blood to his groin when her round ass settled over his cock.

She shot him a withering look over her shoulder when it instantly rose to nudge at her from below.

“What was that about no further sexual contact being necessary?” she hissed.

To his irritation, heat touched his cheeks at her quiet sarcasm. Having exactly zero desire to argue with her in front of his men, he shifted her to one side, settling her on his thigh instead, and refocused on his men.

“Welcome to the first official courting event for Georgia Moore. Each of you has been carefully selected for your ability to care for and protect a Breeder. Should Georgia select you as her mate, you will be expected to surrender any and all obligations that may impede your ability to prioritize her and her future offsprings’ wellbeing.

If you are unable or unwilling to do so, speak now. ”

As expected, only silence met him.

“Very well. We will proceed. Mallorn, approach, if you will.”

His Second got up and approached, eagerness painted all over his features.

When he reached the dais, he bowed smoothly.

“Breeder. It’s my utmost honor to formally announce my courtship.

I am Mallorn, Second in Command to the Prince of Demons.

I have slain many an enemy on the battlefield, and I would prove a fierce mate, capable of defending you in any situation.

Any sons I sire are bound to grow into strong warriors in their own right, destined for great honor.

If you choose me, I will make it my life’s mission to provide you with loyal and attentive companionship, and bestow upon you the joys of motherhood as frequently as possible. ”

A few years ago, Kesh would have considered his friend’s bid for the Breeder’s hand a strong opening statement.

That was before he’d met his sister-in-law and learned that not all human females were reasonable.

Judging from the way Georgia was squinting at his Second, whatever meek compliance she’d seemed capable of when she first landed on his doorstep, she wasn’t planning on employing it today.

“Mallorn? I met you in Maine?”

Mallorn smiled, the smugness that he had the advantage of prior interactions with her radiating off him. “Yes, sweet girl. I protected you in Maine. I am pleased you remember me, though I know I must look very different to you now that you’ve been marked.”

“It’s hard to forget the monster who threatened to kill an innocent child in front of me,” she said, eyes narrowed as she stared Mallorn down.

Mallorn’s face dropped. “I-I wouldn’t have,” he stammered. “Please, sweet one, I had to say what I did to make sure you were safe. I hated that I scared you, but in that moment, your safety was paramount. Please, give me another chance to prove my worthiness, I implore you.”

There was a small thread of malicious glee winding through Kesh’s chest as his Second’s smugness vanished in the blink of an eye, only to be replaced with blind panic.

It was swiftly becoming evident that, despite their agreement, Georgia wasn’t planning on being nice today.

Kesh's traitorous instincts boiled under the surface, determined that she was his, despite the impossibility in that, and thrilled to see her put a would-be rival in his place.

Besides, a little spine looked good on her.

Ignoring how he really shouldn’t encourage behavior that might hinder a swift mate selection, he curled his hand possessively around her hip, squeezing gently.

Georgia didn’t pay him any mind. Her blue eyes were still spearing into Mallorn.

“Right. Another chance. Tell me then, have you ever been to Hell?”

Mallorn blinked at the odd topic change. “Er… can you be more specific, sweetness?”

“The brothel. Have you been? Have you… used its services?”

“I… have not. But I assure you, I know how to please a human woman—” Mallorn’s slightly frantic attempt at wooing Georgia died when she silenced him with a casual wave of her hand befitting of a queen of old.

“Thanks. You can step back. Next.”

“Sweetness—” Mallorn protested, entirely stunned by the rude dismissal, but Georgia had already shifted her attention to the next demon eagerly approaching.

“And who are you then?”

“My lady, I am Alliancef. Commander of the Third Regiment. At your service.”

“What, no declaration of undying loyalty and a million babies?”

Stars, he enjoyed her ruthless side. Kesh squeezed her hip tighter, anchoring himself in the feel of her as Alliancef opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, struggling to find an appropriate response.

“You’re being a bitch,” he murmured in her ear, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.

“Do you get off on making fierce warriors cry?”

Georgia ignored him.

“My sweet lady Georgia, I will give you as many children as you desire,” Alliancef finally managed. “And I will be a loyal mate, putting you before my own life. I swear it, on my honor.”

“And Hell? Are you a customer?” Georgia asked, her voice turning deceptively sweet.

Alliancef, the great oaf, smiled confidently. “I have frequently visited that fine establishment over the years, honing my skills in the art of pleasure. Trust that I am well-versed in satisfying a woman. And, of course, once mated, I would restrict my desires to your sweet flesh.”

“Thank you for your time,” Georgia said, still smiling sweetly before turning her attention to the next kneeling warrior.

Alliancef, though clearly having hoped for more of her time, shot Mallorn a smug look as he stepped back in line.

Kesh silently questioned how the otherwise strategic commander could be this thick.

Brestafan, one of the most notable warriors under him, also eagerly confirmed his frequent exploitations in Hell, and was treated to that same, deceptively sweet smile.

Kesh was starting to think all his men would eliminate themselves from the gene pool due to stupidity, but Sefron—the guard who’d been on duty the night Georgia was dragged to his throne, shaking and traumatized from her brief captivity in the brothel, smoothly denied stepping foot in there outside ‘official business’. An absolute lie, of course.

He shot Bestafan and Alliancef a side-glance as he stepped back, allowing the final suitor to approach.

“Hello, Georgia. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ed,” the dark-haired demon said, his voice a deep whiskey rasp.

Georgia arched an eyebrow. “Ed? That’s not very… demony.”

Ed offered her a half-smile. “My father allowed my human mother to name me. He theorized it would help her bond with me more easily. She called me Edward, after her brother.”

For the first time, the Breeder in his lap showed a hint of genuine interest. “And did it? Help her bond?”

“It’s hard to say, but she does tell me I look like my uncle did. Do you have siblings? My parents only had me, but my mother’s bond with her brother was something special.”

Kesh could sense the softening in Georgia’s posture against him and shot Ed a begrudgingly impressed look.

There was a zero percent chance the casual question about her brother was a coincidence.

Unlike the other suitors, Ed hadn’t been picked for his valor won on the battlefield.

As the prince’s Master of Spies, his home was in the shadows, among secrets and whispers.

No doubt he’d learned all there was to know about the Breeder before arriving to court her.

“I have a younger brother,” Georgia said quietly. “Larry.”

“You love him very much.” It wasn’t a question, confirming Kesh’s suspicions.

Georgia nodded. “He’s the most important person in the world to me. You said your mother’s bond with your uncle was very special. Did something happen to him?”

“Time, I’m afraid. She and my father mated in 1890. Her brother passed from old age in 1953.” Ed noticed her surprised expression as the math sank in and smiled wryly. “I take it no one’s explained that demons don’t age like humans do—and that this extends to our mates, once the bond is in place?”

“No. They haven’t.” Georgia shot Kesh a look over her shoulder before returning her focus to Ed. “So everyone I love will die, and I will remain behind?”

The slight tremor in her voice caused a pang of something unpleasantly close to guilt to tighten Kesh’s gut, but before he could think of a response that wouldn’t just further upset her, Ed stepped in.

“Not everyone, Georgia. You will have a mate and, fate willing, children. My mother mourned her human family’s passing, but the pain has dulled with time. She is content with my father’s love now—and mine, of course, when I visit.”