Page 19 of Promised to the Demon King (The Demon Brides #1)

It's been a few days since Nova moved in with Allister and Thomas. Roz seemed very supportive of the move, which surprised Nova initially, as Roz doesn’t like most people.

Roz was incredibly protective of Nova. She was like a forever watchdog, always guarding her, even when it wasn’t needed.

Due to her father and Roz’s combined efforts, Nova has never dated a boy, much less held hands with or kissed one.

The teens at her father's shop briefly expressed interest, but Dane and her father stopped them from approaching the boss's daughter.

At school, at least while Nova was still attending, Roz always intervened—always running interference. Very few guys had any genuine interest in her, so she wasn’t overly upset by it, but even if it was falsified interest, it was still nice to feel desired.

After all, her unnaturally vibrant red hair and intense green eyes stood out in any crowd. To the high school boys around her, it made her seem almost taboo to date. She understood that none had any genuine interest in anything long-term, and she wasn’t going to loosely date. Nova had no friends her own age and had never been on a single date. She wanted to at least experience what every other girl got to enjoy.

Nova often reads cheesy romance books on her phone apps just for that reason. They become her guilty pleasure.

She wanted that bad boy type who redeems himself to be better for her. That hint of danger and the knowledge that she was the only woman who could tame his beastly side.

She knew her father would never approve, but she always gravitated toward those stories, and that was the type of man she knew she wanted in real life.

Throughout her upbringing, she watched her father help troubled youth reform and heard stories of his quest to be better—for her.

She wanted that. Someone who challenges her but builds her up, and they grow together. Equally.

She didn’t know where this desire came from, but she was drawn to the edge of danger surrounding the men in her books.

She knew the boys at school were no good, and the teens at the shop were forbidden. At the very least, she wanted to experience dating that type to see if it was indeed her type.

There was also age. She didn’t connect with peers her own age. Her man would have to be older. Since the day she was born, everyone has referred to her as an old soul. She was further ahead in intelligence and emotional maturity than others in her classes, so she had no issues graduating a year earlier than her peers.

Perhaps that was the explanation for the slowly developing interest in her step-uncle, Allister.

Physically, he wasn’t overly appealing to her. She never liked a man in a suit—nope, she wanted the cowboy tight wranglers like in the movies or the leather chaps of that externally rough but inner teddy bear of a biker.

Allister was neither of those things, but he had a dangerous edge in what he did. He had a cold stare that could snuff out a fire with just a glance, but when he looked at her, he became soft and warm. She liked that.

When he returned from the office, they spent many nights chatting. His personality didn’t suit his image, but that was why he was growing on her. Not that she would pursue anything romantic with him, but he fed her fantasies for now.

Perhaps this was also why Roz accepted his proximity to her when any other male would curse viciously and whisper horrible things in their ears. Although no one could see or hear Roz, it seemed to affect them when she whispered in their ears. Nova never knew what was being said, but she saw the immediate change in the person approaching her. Nova hated the isolation it created at times.

Knock knock

Her door was already slightly open; she appreciated that there was still a respectful knock nonetheless.

“Come in,”

she called out, taking her eyes off her sketchpad to see who was entering.

It was Thomas.

He was an odd man to Nova. In Nova's opinion, the best way to describe Thomas was a bulldog trapped in the tiny body of a chihuahua. She marveled at Thomas and his mannerisms. He always looked uncomfortable in his own skin, which was somewhat entertaining. Nova often heard Roz laughing and making fun of Thomas and his odd adjustments to himself.

Another thing Nova was starting to notice was that sometimes it felt as though the guys could sense or hear Roz, but Nova knew it was not possible. No one ever saw or heard Roz. Roz was obsessed with teasing Thomas and often followed him, making crude and provocative suggestions. Things had become rather entertaining in her life lately.

“Hey, Tommy.”

Nova greeted him with a smile.

“Good morning, Nova.”

Thomas smiled back. “What are you drawing there?”

he pointed to the leather-bound sketchbook that Allister surprised her with the previous day.

“It’s nothing. Just something from a dream a few days back.”

Nova shrugged but smiled at the picture when she looked at it.

“Could I see?”

Thomas took a cautious step forward.

“Sure. But no laughing; it isn’t finished yet.”

“I give you my word; I will never laugh at or mock you.”

There was nothing but sincerity in Thomas’ words that Nova couldn’t help but cave.

Thomas’ jaw dropped when she turned the book around to show him her drawing.

It was Asmodeus.

She drew every detail she could pull from her memory from the other day. He stood in the doorway, strong and graceful. Even in the black ink portrait, Asmodeus was surrounded by his ever-pulsating powerful aura.

Thomas took in everything. He was impressed. He was proud.

She inherited his artistic eye and skill.

Thalon was once a renowned sculptor. During the crusades, before he sold his soul to Wrath to avenge his loved ones, Thalon was a passionate and skillful sculptor. To this day, many of his works are admired in museums. But his proudest creation sat before him, awaiting his opinion of her portrait.

Seeing her innocence and knowing this moment would affect his King and long-time friend, Thalon smiled. His eyes filled with absolute pride.

Contrary to his reputation, Asmodeus was a good King. Thalon would always remain loyal to his King’s side. Asmodeus saved Thalon from the abusive grip of Wrath a hundred years after his soul was sold. Lust saw this potential in having a loyally pledged Cerberus within his ring. He swindled Wrath in a stacked deal.

It was also how Roz became his faithful servant—another rescue deal. None of the kings understood why Asmodeus offered deals on servant souls they had already deemed weak until it was too late. Each soul Asmodeus negotiated for had hidden value and strengths. This contributed to the rise of Lust, making the ring second in power.

Thalon continued to take in the details of the portrait. He knew that once Asmodeus saw this drawing, his emotions would be rattled. This sweet temptress before him was the mighty King's undoing. He wanted to chuckle at the hilarity of how tightly this little mortal hybrid wrapped the great King of Lust around her slender pinky.

“Is it bad?”

Nova asked tentatively, biting the corner of her lip.

“Not at all. You have incredible talent. Don’t ever stop your passions, Nova.”

He watched as his words brought the brightest smile to her face. His heart clenched; it had been a while since he felt stirred feelings; his daughter was the one who brought them the most.

“Thanks, Tommy.”

Nova turned the book around, smiling, taking in the details before closing it. “What’s up? I imagine you came here for a reason.”

He cleared his throat and smiled. “Right. Sorry, I got distracted by your art. I came to tell you that breakfast is ready, and then we’ll head out for comfortable furniture and, hopefully, warmer clothing. I am freezing in this realm.”

Thomas’ eyes went wide. “Region, not realm.”

he chuckled nervously.

Nova threw her head back and laughed. “We are in a heat wave, and you two are always shivering. Too funny. Were you born in a volcano?”

She teased.

“Something like that. Now, let's go, kiddo. I’m starved and freezing.”

he says, shooting her a quick wink before leaving her room.