Page 38 of The Demon's Queen
I straighten. It’s on the tip of my tongue to protest, but I can’t truly argue that he’s being overprotective when he’s been working hard to ensure I don’t feel trapped. If he’s laying down this boundary now, then there’s a reason for it. Still... “Why?”
“I need to check in on the women with the other territory leaders. Ramanu was doing it regularly, but with them still gone, I prefer to handle this task myself.”
That makes sense. In the weeks since I’ve been here, it’s become increasingly clear how seriously bargainers take their contracts. They don’t fuck around when it comes totheirhumans’ safety. Since Azazel made the deals with these women, their safety is his responsibility.
I sigh dramatically. “IsupposeI can find a way to entertain myself while you’re out flitting about the realm.”
He rises and gives me a quick kiss. “I promise not to be long. I have to leave now, though. I was just waiting for you to wake up.”
It’s sweet, but the warmth in my chest fades as he leaves the room. I take my time getting ready, as if that can stave off the reality of my situation.
Nothing’s really changed. I may have found peace with Azazel, but the moment I’m alone, I can’t quite forget the fact I’m trapped here. Maybe I’d feel differently if I knew exactly what I was doing when I signed that contract, if I went into this with open eyes instead of lies.
I wander about the castle, murmuring to it softly as I do. It hasn’t tried to fuck with me once since showing me what I’ve come to think of as my garden, and sometimes it brings me to new rooms and wings and what I can only describe as secrets. I’m hoping for one of those to distract me while Azazel is gone.
But it’s barely thirty minutes before tension rolls through the halls and I’m abruptly spit out into a new hallway between one step and the next. I spin around, squinting. “You’ve never donethatbefore.” My stomach sloshes a little, but it’s clear the castle wants me to go somewhere.
The floor heaves under my feet, tilting me forward, as if I could have possibly missed its intentions. I stumble. “Okay, okay, I’m going.”
I hurry through the hall to the door at the end and shoulder it open... to find the petite redhead from the auction facing off with Azazel. In the few minutes I interacted with her that night, she seemed like the kind of woman who would rather flee than speak a harsh word to someone. Apparently a lot has changed in the last month.
I stand in the doorway, unseen by both of them, as they yell at each other. I can’t quite divine what happened. Azazel says Briar was harmed and asks her if she wants medical care, but she seems intent on the fact that he’s overstepping and misunderstood the situation.
Ramanu appears in the midst of it, and though I’m happy to see them, they have to grab Briar to stop her from jumping at Azazel. She tried toattackhim. My jaw is on the floor, and even as my mind tells me to move, to step in, Ramanu muscles theyelling woman out of the room before I can manage to break free of my shock.
The entire thing takes bare minutes.
I give myself a shake and step into the doorway. “What’s going on?”
Azazel looks up and meets my gaze. “I can explain.”
That’s exactly thewrongthing to say. I might have been able to set aside the situation I ended up in because it had only happened to me. Except... apparently that wasn’t true. If Briar is this furious... If Azazel looks like he’s already about to apologize... I take a step back. “What did you do?”
“Sol became... overzealous... and removed Briar’s birth control pendant without prior discussion. He’s forfeited his territory as a result.”
I blink. Removing the birth control pendant without talking about it first is kind of a big deal. Except, I can’t get Briar’s fury out of my head. I would never tell someone who’s a victim how they have to respond, but she was protesting in a way that makes me think he read the situation wrong. “From what she says, that’s not the full story.” It was hard to get the full context with how short and angry the fight was, but clearly Briar was angry atAzazel, not Sol.
He bristles visibly. “Not you too.”
It’s amazing how quickly the peace of the last three weeks melts away, leaving only anger. I stare up at him, my heart crumbling in my chest. “Because no one knows better than the great Azazel, right?”
His brows slam down. “That’s not what I said.”
“You didn’t have to say it.” I shake my head. “Your actions speak louder than whatever defense you’re currently trying to come up with.” Because there’s always a defense. He might apologize, might take responsibility later, but in the moment, he uses whatever justification necessary to do what he wants.
He scrubs a hand over his head. “Eve, please.”
Please.As if I’m the one being ridiculous right now. “I need time to think.” I turn around and walk away. He’s learned enough not to follow me, not to chase me down and battle his way forward.
The moment I turn the corner, I whisper, “Take me to her, please.”
A few more turns, a few flights of stairs—as if the castle is truly testing whether I want this—and I’m deposited before a door nearly identical to the room I haven’t bothered to visit in weeks.
I almost turn around right then and there. It’s beenso niceletting myself enjoy Azazel. With a little more time, I may have even convinced myself to let down the last of my barriers, to fall for him for real.
Or to admit to myself that I already have.
That, more than anything, makes me lift my hand to knock on the door. I’m not a person who turns away from hard truths, even if they threaten the little bubble I’ve allowed myself to be wrapped up in.