Deadly Attraction

by Calista Fox

  She gasped. “Was that really necessary?”

  “What do you feel?”

  Her brows knitted. “It hurts but… Not the way it did the last time.”

  “So your threshold for pain has increased.”

  As had her healing powers. Within seconds, the blood absorbed into her skin and the wound healed completely. Not a scar to be seen.

  Snatching her hand from his, she stared at the perfect skin. “That’s unbelievable. I’ve never healed that quickly.”

  “What’s so difficult to believe?” he asked. “After all, you are part demon. Immortality is much more compatible with demons than with humans. Your gifts are now sharpened, as are your senses.”

  “Fascinating. I want to test it further.” Turning away, she said in an enthusiastic tone, “See that pile of rubble there in the corner? All that stone… It’s a heavier mass than anything I’ve ever tried to lift with my mind.”

  His gaze alternated from her to the enormous heap and back. He didn’t say a word as she focused. Determination exuded from her, and suddenly, the mound vibrated and began to rise.

  “Extraordinary,” he mumbled. But a stone slipped. “Wait. You dropped one.”

  She released the pile and it crashed to the hard floor. “I never claimed to be perfect.”

  He grinned down at her. “I think you are.”

  Facing him, hope shining in her eyes, she asked, “Does this mean we’ll be getting married after all?”

  Without a second thought, he scooped her up into his arms and said, “You didn’t think we’d spend an eternity living in sin, did you?”

  Her arms encircled his neck. “But what about the living arrangements?”

  “I did mention compromising earlier, didn’t I?”

  She snuggled close to him. In her provocative tone, she asked, “So, if we were to spend three nights a week at the castle, and three nights at the cottage, and I used the seventh night to relieve Tanner on evening patrol… That would be a compromise, yes?”

  He groaned. “You’re not still hell-bent on slayer duties, are you?”

  “Of course. As well as ambassador duties. Friendship duties. Wifely duties…” She grinned at him. “Any complaints?”

  If he had even one, would he ever win against her? Doubtful. “Suit yourself. But I should get top priority, don’t you think?”

  “We’ll see how that pans out for you.”

  He shook his head. “You are such a pain in the ass.”

  In an indignant voice he knew was feigned, she insisted, “No one has ever said that to me before.”

  “Right.”

  He carried her down the stairs and then they mounted Thunder. Back at Jade’s cottage, she disappeared into the bedroom but returned a few seconds later.

  Between her fingers, she held the ring he’d given her. “Will you propose again? I want to say yes this time. Officially.”

  Taking the ring from her, he studied it a moment then glanced back at her. “I once told you I felt less powerful when it comes to you because I can’t give you everything you might want. I said that because, at the time, you were mortal and I didn’t know you were a demi-demon. I didn’t know enough about you, in general, to understand your needs. That’s changed. And continues to change.”

  He swept a hand through her hair, plucking a few leaves she’d obviously collected while searching for the necklace. “I will give you anything your heart desires.”

  Her grin was a slow, sassy one. “As long as it doesn’t threaten my safety.”

  “That goes without saying.”

  She laughed softly. “I hear you loud and clear. I will be careful. Even as an immortal, I know I still have weaknesses. Just, please keep in mind, I can’t make full guarantees. I’ll only upset you in the long run if you expect that of me.”

  “Fair enough.” He could certainly breathe a sigh of relief now that she was immortal. But he’d be a fool to think she’d obey his every command. He realized that was one of the things that would keep the spark between them. “Call me sadistic, but for some reason, I’m willing to put up with your insolence.”

  “I’m not insolent, I’m stubborn. There is a difference.” She kissed him, passionately and hungrily. As though she’d missed him as much as he’d missed her. When she finally pulled away, she was breathless. But she said, “Now ask me.”

  He knelt on one knee, honoring a human tradition for her. Taking her left hand in his, he gazed up at her and said, “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing I wouldn’t give you. I love you, Jade Deville. Will you be my wife?”

  Her smile was a radiant one. Unfortunately, it quickly faded. Darien scowled.

  “You know,” she said, “it just occurred to me that I don’t know your last name. Do demons have last names?”

  “No,” he said, confused by her train of thought.

  “Then I’ll be… Mrs. Darien?” Her brow crooked. “That’s sort of ridiculous, don’t you think?”

  Surnames… Another human tradition—one he hadn’t considered. One he didn’t need to. “No. You’ll be the queen.”

  “Formally, yes. But in reality, I’ll still be Jade Deville, since you don’t have a last name.” She seemed to find this an intriguing and pleasing notion, no doubt given her independent nature and the fact it kept her connected to her family name.

  Who was he to argue?

  “My love,” he said, exasperated by her constant passion for such things, yet wholly captivated and enthralled by her, “you will always be Jade Deville, the Demon Queen.” He kissed the top of her hand. “By royal decree.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, as if she knew precisely why he’d made that decision. “Well, who’s going to question that? After all… You are the king.”

  He resisted the urge to snicker at her jibe when it came to those four words he’d adamantly reminded her of in the past.

  “And you’ll be my wife?” he asked.

  She nodded and smiled again as a few drops slid down her cheeks. “Forever and ever.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “This is damask,” Sheena announced as she whipped out a large swatch of white, patterned material from her oversized bag and slapped it on the desk in front of Jade at the library. More samples followed in lightning-quick speed. “Jacquard. Lace, obviously. Silk, organza, sheer, satin and, of course, taffeta.”

  Lisette eyed the squares and said to Jade, “Taffeta was big in the ’80s. Many a bridesmaid cringed over cotton-candy pink dresses with puffy sleeves that required their own ZIP codes and bows that made their asses look twice as big.”

  Jade’s brow lifted. “What’s cotton candy?”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Sheena said between clenched teeth. “Taffeta’s out.” She flung the swatch over her shoulder.

  To Lisette, Jade said, “Easy there. She’s from the ’80s.”

  With exasperation in her tone, Sheena said, “Ladies, focus. We have less than a month to plan a wedding and create the dress of the century.”

  Jade sighed. “I don’t want the dress of the century.” How many times had she explained this to the vampire? “All I want is one that fits properly, doesn’t have puffy sleeves that require their own ZIP code or make my ass look twice as big…and, most importantly, doesn’t take away from the Star of Nadia.”

  She wore the necklace only on special occasions at the castle and sometimes at the cottage. But she certainly intended to wear it at her wedding. The pendant was a statement piece and Jade didn’t need an over-the-top dress to go with it or to detract from its shimmering brilliance.

  “Think simple, Sheena. I know that’s difficult for you.”

  Lord knew the vampire was already deep in disapproval. Jade had mentioned a white gown from the onset. But Sheena abhorred such a boring selection. If it were really up to her, she’d have Jade walking down the aisle in a flashy red evening gown. They’d finally agreed on classic white though. It was Jade’s wedd
ing, after all.

  “Fine.” Sheena eyed the samples she’d laid out and said, “Damask and jacquard have more of an antiquated feel…from the king’s time.” She never called him Darien in front of anyone other than Jade.

  “Hey now,” Jade quipped. “You’re calling my fiancé antiquated.”

  “Jade,” Lisette chimed in with the girl talk. “He is two hundred and thirty-five years old and doesn’t believe in electricity.”

  Not exactly facts she could deny. Yet she grimaced anyway. “Have you both forgotten that I’m the bride? Be nice to me and don’t give my groom grief.”

  Lisette said, “I will concede that, for his age, he’s ridiculously handsome.”

  “‘Ridiculously’?” Jade mused. “I like that. And indeed, he is.”

  “Please.” Sheena rolled her eyes. “You’re talking about my boss.”

  Jade eyed her speculatively and then said, “You know, maybe you’d be less uptight about my wedding if you had one of your own to plan.”

  Sheena’s green eyes narrowed on her. “And who do you propose I marry?”

  “Are you kidding?” Jade scoffed. “There’s an entire castle full of vampires—the majority of which are extremely good-looking. And all of them drool a little when you walk by.” To Lisette, she said, “I’ve seen it.”

  Appearing offended, Sheena said, “Vampires don’t drool.”

  “Perhaps you’re not paying close enough attention.” Jade winked at her friend.

  Ignoring the comment, Sheena continued to bustle about, waving fabric squares in Jade’s face. “Lace and satin can be too predictable when it comes to the simple dress patterns you have in mind. Organza tends to be stiff and not quite malleable enough. Sheer has possibilities, but you don’t want layers blowing in the breeze, since you insist on having your wedding outdoors. That leaves us with silk.”

  All kidding aside, Jade glared at her friend for putting her through wedding-planning hell. “Why didn’t you just say upfront that’s what you want my dress to be made of?”

  “Because it should be your decision.”

  “But is it really?”

  Sheena beamed. “No, not really.” She packed everything as quickly as she’d flung them forth. “Now, the king insisted I not try to sway you into having the ceremony in the castle’s courtyard and the reception inside.”

  “Absolutely not,” Jade was quick to say, putting her foot down. “I want the entire village present and none of them would be comfortable at the castle, not even in the gardens. Plus… It’s too formal a setting and not at all my style.”

  “You will be living there part-time,” Lisette reminded her.

  “I know. But Darien understands I’m much happier at the cottage and in the village.”

  Fear was no longer a factor. She’d been to the castle plenty of times since the engagement was officially announced, along with her immortal state. Since she’d earned the respect of Sheena, Morgan, Rafe and Landford, her credibility had increased.

  Over the past two months, she’d gotten to know others at the castle and she was developing a good rapport with the demons, including the vampires in residence who, like Sheena, found some sort of personal satisfaction in proving they didn’t want to drink human blood. But the opulence of the castle was still overwhelming to her.

  “Besides,” Jade continued, “the king has already chosen a spot for the wedding and reception, but he hasn’t told me where yet. He wants me to be surprised.”

  “I have to admit,” Sheena said, “it’s nice to see this romantic side of him. He’s been a bit of an ogre for nearly nine years, pining for you.”

  “That does have a surreal quality to it,” Jade said. “I’m really still in shock over everything that’s happened these past several months.”

  “Well, you’d better get used to it,” the vampire said. “Because this is all happening. No backing out now.”

  She scoffed. “As if I would.” Jade had no doubt her smile turned dreamy as she added, “I am very much in love.”

  “And I’m happy for you.” Sheena gave her a quick hug. “Gotta run now.”

  Lisette patted Jade on the shoulder, still not fully amenable to her marrying the Demon King but doing her best to support her friend.

  “I’ve got to go as well,” Jade said. “Night patrol. I’ll walk out with you.”

  They left Lisette at the library and traveled to the northern border together before going their separate ways. Jade made her rounds twice and returned to the castle before sunrise, passing Rafe and Landford in the forest at the base of the ridge. They informally, though respectfully, saluted her, and she found the gesture charming.

  She moved quickly through the study and into the bedroom, stripping her clothes off along the way. Sheena had vacated the suites on the other side of the study and Jade used them now for her sitting and dressing rooms.

  The vampire had moved into a different wing, out of earshot, Jade hoped. She liked that no one other than the guards at the entrance to their wing were allowed in the area, with the exception of Jocelyn and those instances when Darien’s assistant or general had business to address.

  She slipped between the sheets and snuggled close to him from behind as he lay on his side. Her lips trailed over his warm skin and he stirred. She pressed her bare breasts to his back and dropped kisses along his broad shoulder as she inhaled his earthy scent. She was instantly aroused.

  “Your skin’s cold,” he said in a sexy, sleepy tone.

  “It rained in the middle of the night. I had Sheena’s cape with me, although the ends of my hair are damp.” She lightly nipped his neck as her breasts rubbed against the sinewy muscles of his back. “See? A hair dryer would come in handy at this moment.”

  He grunted. He reached a powerful arm behind him and wrapped it around her waist. Dragging her forward, he pulled her over his hunky side. She twisted so she ended up on her back, her legs draped across his hip. She was tangled in the sheets but didn’t care as he embraced her tightly and kissed her deeply.

  When he pulled away, she was breathless.

  He asked, “You want electricity?”

  Jade glanced around the room, finding the low fire and the few candles he’d left burning for her a seductive enhancement to the large suite. Her gaze returned to him and she said, “I guess not.” She considered what improvements might come with the advancement, however, and added, “Maybe someday though.”

  He kissed her again, and electricity created by sexual chemistry was the only thing on her mind. One of his hands shifted from her waist and eased over the sheet that held her captive as it twined around her body. He palmed her breast through the thick material and squeezed it gently. She moaned and he responded, his kiss turning hot and possessive.

  Jade wove her fingers through his dark hair and reveled in how luxurious it felt against her skin. When his mouth left hers, it trailed over her jaw and down her throat. Her nipples puckered as they brushed against the sensuous sheets, and her pussy ached for him. But a lascivious thought tickled the back of her brain and she gave him a push so he rolled onto his back. She had to work her way out of her position and the entangled linen, and then she reached for her robe at the foot of the bed.

  Darien groaned. “Bad timing this morning?” He obviously thought she meant to derail their interlude by dressing. “We were at the cottage for five days straight recently. I thought you were back to the good beads.”

  They’d made a change to their scheduled bed-hopping in order to accommodate her period, since she didn’t want to torture the vampires in the castle. While she and Darien mostly stuck to the Standard Method of planning, sometimes he’d get carried away and didn’t give a damn whether she was ovulating or not. He’d withdraw from her before he came, but that didn’t offer any guarantees. And lately, he’d been hinting at starting a family.

  But birth control was not on her mind at the moment. “We’re in a happy place with the beads,” she told him. “I’m just in the mood for
something different.” Not that he didn’t change up the lovemaking on a regular basis. Every time with Darien was more exciting than the last, which led to her feeling adventurous.

  She yanked the long, satin sash from her robe and turned back to him, no doubt a sparkle in her eyes. “It’s my turn to tie you up.”

  He smirked. “Kings don’t succumb to bondage and dominant females.”

  Crawling toward him, she said, “They do when their soon-to-be-queen wants them to.”

  He grabbed her by the biceps and pulled her down on top of him. “You make me so damn hard,” he all but growled between clenched teeth.

  She grinned. “Then we’re off to a very good start this morning.”

  Her lips grazed his and then she wiggled out of his clutches. She brought his wrists together and secured them with one end of the sash, and tied the other to the headboard, as he’d done to her the first time they’d made love.

  Shoving the sheets away from his mammoth body, she admired every inch of him.

  She licked her lips. “You are a masterpiece.”

  Leaning over him, she left feathery kisses on his chest and then flicked her tongue over a pebbled nipple. His huge biceps flexed and he let out a low groan.

  “You really think this flimsy tie is going to restrain me?” he asked.

  “No,” she said as her lips skimmed over his smooth flesh. “The fact I want to enjoy your body and drive you wild will keep you from ripping that tie in two.”

  “This is what I get for wanting to give you your heart’s desire.”

  She ran her hand over his erection, while once again whisking her tongue over his nipple. “Are you complaining, my Lord?”

  He snorted. “Don’t get sassy. I’ll eventually be free of this dainty piece of cloth and then guess what?”

  Her hand eased over his cock to cup his balls. “Why don’t you stop thinking about what you’re going to do when you’re free of the tie and concentrate on what I’m doing to you now?”

  “But there are so many things I want to do to you.”

  She shifted on the bed and moved between his parted legs. “And you have an entire eternity in which to do them.”