Page 13 of Resurrection (Daemons & Lumens #2)

CHAPTER TEN

Michaela

I paced my room, waiting for Morax to return.

He had to play the role of King Darren Radnor.

Every moment he wore the guise of that monster was hell.

I craved Morax with every fiber of my being, but when he had to touch me as Darren, I wanted to vomit.

I knew it was worse for him, though, even when he said it wasn’t.

He was forced to degrade me, taunt me, and claim my belly was filled with his child.

Morax was clever, though. He found ways to avoid hurting me or assaulting me too severely when the other Kings demanded it.

And with the ruse of my pregnancy, they were willing to be gentler.

At least until the fake baby was born. Then I was promised to Samuel.

I shivered. Samuel Delano terrified me. His soulless eyes were far more terrifying than the heated violence Darren had.

The nervous energy that had me pacing the room didn’t come from waiting for my daemon, though.

In a short time, I would see my sister. She’d been captive in this stupid place for days, but tonight we would finally be reunited.

It was a bittersweet moment, considering the Kings would be there.

I was nervous. Would she remember me? Did she think about our childhood as often as I did?

And her seeing me pregnant… I had a bad feeling about that.

The door to Darren’s room opened, and Morax stepped inside.

He couldn’t drop the illusion, unfortunately.

The magic was courtesy of our new ally, Gremory Carreveaux.

Grem was a daemon, like Morax. He was the highest ranking General of the Royal Army in Caligo, their home.

Morax was skeptical of Grem’s allegiance, but over the few months I’d been captive here, he’d proved to be our friend.

“How did it go?” I asked, rushing to him anxiously.

Morax dropped to one knee and took my hands in his. He brought them close to his lips, barely brushing against my knuckles. He refused to kiss me while in this form. And I hated that I agreed with him.

“ Mae domina . Gremory has escaped with Tabitha.” Morax whispered the words. Even with his heightened senses, he wouldn’t take the chance of others hearing our conversation. “She was badly hurt, but he got her out. He will heal her.”

I sighed with relief. Tabitha deserved this, more than anyone. The torture and mind control she faced from Laszlo was disgustingly intrusive. “I’m so glad. Hopefully that little incident will keep their minds occupied and away from us.”

Morax nodded. “It should help. Your sister, they tortured her too.”

The sound of her tormented screams was branded within my mind. I swallowed audibly. “I heard her cry out several times. What did they do?”

He frowned, staring into my eyes with uncertainty. My fierce daemon didn’t want to cause me pain, even with this. If souls could speak, mine would sing with pleasure for the care Morax had for me. I nodded encouragingly, and he sighed.

“Laszlo was electrocuting her. The amount of electricity would have killed a human instantly. She is quite strong. She laughed at them even as she screamed.”

Tears burned my eyes, my fury needing an outlet, but I smiled. “Damn, that’s badass. I hate that she was hurting. But at least she gave them hell.”

Morax wiped away my tears. “She is…chaotic. I can see how one male is not enough for her.”

I barked a laugh, and Morax smirked. “And I’m what, simple? Maybe I need another boyfriend.”

He stood, snarling and towering over me. His alluring eyes glowed, turning gold with power as his possessive nature emerged. I smirked at him, backing away slowly. Morax’s shining eyes tracked my movements like a predator’s.

“You are mine, little doe,” Morax growled. “Mine to hunt. Mine to feast upon. Mine. ”

My back hit the wall, and I stared into his stunning daemon eyes. The flesh of Darren Radnor faded as I got lost in my daemon’s liquid gold gaze. I reached out and ran my hand along his sharp jawline.

“Yours.”

Morax released a pleasant sound, like a growl mixed with a purr. “I do not have it in me to share you with anyone else, mae domina .”

I smiled at him. “I don’t want anyone else. You’re everything I could ever need.”

He made that sound again, and I wanted desperately to curl up against his daemon form and press my ear to his chest. “And you are anything but simple, Michaela Valdis. You are fierce, brave, determined, and filled with more compassion for others than anyone I have ever known.”

My cheeks flushed at his words. “Time to use some of that bravery.”

Morax frowned, and his eyes returned to the dull brown of Darren Radnor’s.

He nodded and walked to the dresser, pulling out the stupid collar and leash I always wore around the other Kings.

His hands were gentle as he clasped the collar around my neck.

Tonight, I wore a bright-blue, floor-length gown with an empire waist. The gown worked with the baby bump I was now sporting, mimicking a five-month long pregnancy.

The illusion was simple enough. Gremory taught Morax the words he needed to create it each time we were outside of this bedroom.

It did feel strange, almost real. I wrapped my hands around the bump, comforting my non-existent child.

Someday, when the Kings were all dead and life was easier, children might be nice.

My daemon held out his arm, and I slipped mine through. He gave my fingers a squeeze and let his eyes glow just enough for me to be sure that my daemon was still here. It was time. I was finally going to see my sister.