Chapter 195: Chapter Thirteen

Kyra

I stared at the closed door in frustration. He was hiding something.

Then again I had been too, not about anything paranormal or as freaky as he was—but the fact that I knew there had always been something off about my parents, about the looks they gave me, the moments they would hold my hand as if one day my life truly would be cut short and they would be left with ash.

Frustrated, I walked over to the bed and sat. It was more comfortable than mine back at my parents’ old house; at least the brand wasn’t identical.

Why would this room look like mine?

Why would it even matter in the grand scheme of things other than for my own personal comfort in prison?

A demon’s prison.

I shivered.

I didn’t understand my response to him, just like he didn’t seem to understand his response to me; it was almost like instinct. Logically, I wanted to pull away from what I perceived as danger.

But in my soul something stirred when I saw him, like a memory from long ago, like the dreams that always drip into nightmares that feel too real to bear.

Maybe I’d wake up and this would be just that, like Inception, maybe someone was planting an idea.

I pinched my arm. Sharp, stinging pain radiated outward.

Yeah, this was real.

Too real.

I yawned behind my hand and lay back against the pillows. I wasn’t tired, but my eyes felt heavy as I reached for my silver sunshine necklace and twisted it in my fingertips.

The last thing I remember.

Was the smell of cedar and ash—

~“The solstice,” I whispered. My nerves were completely frayed. I was wearing a ball gown that reminded me of sunshine—reminded me of my father who was at this very moment in a terse conversation with my mother as they sat on the two horses in front of us.

We were getting closer.

The smell of ash mixed with ambrosia was getting worse.

I was going to be sick.

Maybe not sick, but my stomach was rolling in waves that reminded me of home.

A place I wouldn’t return to for a very long time. Then again, that was what happened when your father was desperate.

A soul for a soul.

A life for a life.

In order for our people to not just survive but thrive, we needed this alliance. The rumors hadn’t been kind.

Then again, I doubted the gods cared.

Sand swirled in front of us, and like a mirage, huge white stone buildings suddenly appeared in front of us. Jewels shone inside the rocks, and flowers fell from some unseen place in the sky.

People cheered all around us as a team of soldiers led our horses into the inner gate.

The palace was bigger than I imagined. It was ten times the size of the Prince of Egypt’s residence.

Ten. Times.

I shivered as a chill wracked my body.

There he was, in all his godlike beauty, standing in the center of it all. My betrothed.

The man I would marry.

Two countries would align.

The only price?

My virginity.

King Set gave me a peculiar look then leered over his shoulder. I followed his gaze and nearly fell off my horse.

He stood at least nine feet tall.

Clouds appeared out of nowhere, covering the sunshine, filling the air with ash as the creature slowly made its way toward us.

With the head of a jackal and the body of a man, he moved painfully slow until he was near my horse, towering over it actually.

“Are you afraid?” His red eyes flashed.

I gulped. “If I say no you’ll know I’m lying, if I say yes I’ll insult the gods, what would you have me do, dark prince?”

“You know me by name why not use it?” he hissed.

“I’m not worthy to utter it to his Highness’s face.”

He inclined his head, and then he was lifting me, his massive hands were hot against my hips as he lowered me to the ground. “You know what happens next.”

“If I survive, yes.”

His beastly face didn’t as much as blink, the gold armor covering part of his head shone even though the sun had run away from his mighty presence.

And then he very slowly pressed a hand to my chest. It felt like I might be split in half as he pulled something airy and blue from my skin, twisting it this way and that and then pressing it back into my chest again. “King Apollo doesn’t lie. His daughter is pure of soul and of body.”

King Set grinned at me menacingly. I didn’t realize what I was doing, but I’d actually hidden behind the god, the god we were not allowed to touch, not allowed to even be near.

It was a slight brush of my fingertips along the line of his warm skin.

He stilled.

And very slowly said under his breath, “Worthless.”

“Sorry.”

“I wasn’t talking about you.” His eyes were on King Set, rumored to be a god himself though he never revealed his beast. I wondered what it would be, what form he would take, then again, they were nothing but rumors.

The gods had long ago abandoned us.

All save three.

Choosing to reveal themselves only when necessary—while the rest were imprisoned for altering the human race.

It was a price punishable by death.

Intervention.

I hung my head as the truth settled on my shoulders. I would give my virginity to this man, and even this dark prince could not, would not prevent it.

I moved around him and very slowly made my way up the white marble stairs, each step felt heavier and heavier, until I stopped in front of the massive King.

He had jet black hair, crystal blue eyes, and a smile that was menacing in a way that promised pain, not pleasure.

I bowed low. “King Set.”

“I think you’ll enjoy your time here, princess.”

Protection. My country needed protection. The times of old were ending, we needed more than an army—we needed the favor of the gods.

I swallowed the dryness in my throat and then met his gaze. “The pleasure is all mine.”

He smiled. “Oh, it will be. Trust me.”

My stomach rolled.

Darkness followed me as the jackal moved to the King’s right side and stood.

“Son?” King Set said. “You’ve measured and found her pure?”

“I have.”

“She stays that way. She’s mine.” King Set’s voice boomed.

The jackal tilted his head at me then snapped his fingers, a black mist filled the air and then the head of the beast was gone and in its place…

Utter perfection.

Full lips, strong jaw, muscle on top of muscle, with white blond hair that hung in loose braids with jewels twined through them.

His eyes were bright blue, and the gold of his armor was almost blinding.

“You’ll have to forgive my son,” King Set grinned. “He may be the envy of every male and female in the realm for his beauty, but his words are few.”

I nodded just as King Set placed a hand on my lower back, pulling me forward and whispering, “Tonight.”~

I woke up in a pool of my own sweat, and with a red-eyed demon hovering over me like I’d somehow conjured him in my sleep.

“Seriously!” I shoved him. “As if I’m not scared enough now, I have to worry about you watching me sleep!”

He scowled. “I heard you scream, so I ran. And the last person who woke me out of my slumber is missing his spleen, so I would choose your next words carefully.”

“A spleen,” I repeated as his red eyes narrowed at my sweaty state. “Why a spleen?”

“Easy, they taste better.”

I gasped. Horrified. Absolutely horrified. Only to earn a small smirk from Timber, who shrugged.

“You’re making fun of me.”

“Naturally.” He stood and walked over to the black dresser. “The spleen was easier to grab and I was standing in front of this person, so I just reached, twisted, and—” He looked over his shoulder with a grin. “Popped.”

“I will never think of popcorn the same way again. Ever.”

“Ah, the sound of popcorn, not unlike the sound of skin as it—”

I held up my hand. “If this is your way of scaring me more than my nightmares, do please continue!”

He rolled those gorgeous blue eyes in my direction and then threw a plain white shirt in my direction followed by a pair of black boxers. “Change.”

“Now?”

Timber looked around. “Did I need to schedule it in or something?”

“You’re a smart ass.”

“Why, thank you.” He winked. “Just change so you don’t smell like sweat and nightmares. You’ll feel better, in fact.” He held up a hand and then walked into the adjoining bathroom, and the sound of water filled my ears.

I jerked.

Water.

Dripping.

Cleaning.

Blood.

~“He hurt me,” I whispered. “I didn’t know…”~

“He’s drunk.” Large hands helped me to my feet. “Cover yourself up, and I’ll talk to my brother. Perhaps both of us could… intervene.”

“No!” I gripped him by the armor forgetting my own nakedness. “You can’t, you’ll be punished, I’ll be punished, my family won’t survive—”

“It will be fine,” he said smoothly. “Am I not powerful?”

“You are.”

And then he leaned in and murmured, “The first of the last, the last of the first.”~

“Timber.” I felt my body sway.

He was at my side in an instant. “What is it?”

“The water… do you ever have dreams where you’re not watching it happen but experiencing it?”

He was quiet and then, “Yes. Nightly.”

“This man,” I said, pushing through the hoarseness in my voice. “He’s in my dreams now, and bear with me when I say this, but he has the head of a jackal—” Timber jerked away, his eyes haunted, his stance rigid, angry.

“Go on.”

“In my nightmare, he tested my soul, to see if it was pure, and then I was in front of King… King Set and he was leering at me, and I had no choice because—”

“The gods do not intervene,” Timber finished sadly. “You must be very old indeed, Kyra if that’s you.”

“I don’t think it’s me. I think it’s maybe old me, and reborn me just gets to see shadows of her horror and abuse.”

Timber hung his head and then, “Shower and we can discuss.”

“I want to discuss now,” I snapped as tears filled my eyes. “Sorry, I’m just… you turned on the water and I was there again, in seconds, staring up at the man—”

“The jackal?”

“He turns into a man whenever he wants. He’s…” My cheeks heated.

Timber let out a low growl. “Do not finish that sentence if you value your life.”

“Threatening me doesn’t help.”

“Jealousy makes me want to rip limbs from bodies.”

I frowned. “You’re jealous of a man who no longer exists.”

“I’m jealous of anyone who has touched you and tasted what I taste. I’m jealous of anyone who experiences life to its fullest, warmth of a good woman with a good soul, when I know I’m damned to Hell, so yes, I’m jealous.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He sighed and then joined me on the bed. “I’ll remember that running water is a trigger, and until then,” He placed a hand on my thigh. “I think I may have a minor solution.”

I stared down at his hand, the black branches covering his skin swirling with madness across his thumb and forefinger.

Pulsing with an energy that seemed to be doing its hardest to keep whatever was inside him.

In.

“What’s your minor solution?” Darkness chose that inopportune moment to just slither across the bedroom floor. I lifted my feet to the bed and shuddered.

Timber stared it down then looked up at me, his red eyes flashing. “Don’t fear the darkness. Often times the evil resides in plain sight.”

Slowly, I lowered my feet to the ground. The black didn’t touch me; it swirled around my ankles but didn’t do anything except for exist. “What is it?”

“If I told you, you’d think you’d lost your mind.”

“Try me.”

“Remnants of the underworld, shadows that take souls.”

I lifted my legs again. “Just to be sure.”

Timber cracked a smile. “The darkness has to ask permission to take any living thing, so to you it’s harmless.”

“And what about you?” I wondered out loud.

He sighed heavily. “Part of me thinks it’s waiting,” He pressed a finger to the middle of his palm where the seed had taken root. “Waiting for the day this covers me whole, waiting to finally take my borrowed soul and my restored soul to a place of final rest.”

“What happens if the darkness pulls the borrowed soul first?” I wondered.

“I imagine that my restored soul, the one given to me by the Creator, would stay imprisoned in this body while the borrowed one finally got rest. Not the happiest ending to the story but at least the woman who died will finally know peace.”

“But will you?” I asked.

“Peace.” He repeated. “What a magical, nonexistent idea.” He turned to me. “This is going to hurt, I’m not a vampire. We don’t feed for pleasure. It will sting and you’ll want to fight me, but it might be worth trying.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What would be worth trying?”

“Blood carries memories, if you’re reborn, I can search the older ones and try to put the puzzle pieces together. The only reason I won’t be able to do it is if someone or something has purposefully put a block there.”

I chewed my lower lip. “Why would anyone or anything want to block a memory? My memories to be specific?”

He was quiet for a few seconds. “Perhaps unleashing what’s locked inside is too powerful or a threat. Maybe some things are purposefully kept weak and searching so that those who feel threatened by them remain strong.”

The darkness slithered away from us then, back under the door and out of the room.

“Well, that was creepy,” I said under my breath.

“Welcome to my world, human.” Timber just sighed like he was annoyed he was still living in it, and then pressed my body back against the bed. “Try not to enjoy my touch too much.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re good looking but I think I can manage.”

“Good looking, wow, easy on the compliments. My ego can’t take it.”

I scowled. “You know you’re attractive. Now, just tell me what to do.”

He hovered over me, his body was rock solid, his eyes had turned red. “Try not to scream.”

“You really, really need to work on your bedside manner,” I hissed.

He just shrugged. “Demon. But I can get Cassius if you prefer angel?”

Something in me shouted no. I found myself shaking my head. “No, it needs to be you.”

His face softened. “Don’t worry, human, it’s just a bite, and Cassius knows how to draw out the poison.”

Every muscle in my body tensed, readied me to flee. “Poison?”

“Skipped that, did I?” He winced. “Demon bites don’t heal… well. But we have a goddess and an angel, you’ll make it, and I won’t curse you.”

“Was there a time where you were going to?” I asked, unable to keep a note of hysteria from my voice, earning me a rough laugh from the gorgeous man straddling me.

“No,” he said in a clear voice. “Never.”

“Okay.” I licked my lips. “I trust you.”

“You shouldn’t.” He sighed in annoyance, “Yet here we are. Never thought I’d see the day when a human tells the Demon King she trusts him.”

“And yet,” I said sarcastically, as I repeated his words back at him, “here we are.”

“Yes.” His eyes roamed my face, landed on my lips, and stayed there as he rasped. “Here we are.”

I turned my head and felt his slight movement as his lips grazed down my neck.

They felt warm, and that heat increased with each kiss. I felt tongue, soft and wet, and then something sharp scraped down my skin.

“Stop teasing your meal,” I said in a shaky voice.

“Oh, I don’t drink blood to survive,” he whispered in my ear. “I eat the body and the soul, no leftovers. The blood just tells me information I need.”

“Thanks for clarifying.”

“Monster,” he reminded me. “Now hold still.”

I squeezed my eyes shut as his fangs punctured the left side of my neck. The pain wasn’t unbearable, but it wasn’t pleasant either. I held my scream in as his lips drew up against my skin and sucked.

I thought I knew pain.

I was wrong.

This wasn’t just pain—this was desolation, this was emptiness, and in an instant, my back arched against the bed as the bite took a turn I wasn’t expecting.

I hooked my legs behind his body, plastering him against me as his weight pressed me against the mattress. Every inch of him covered me, suffocated me until I wanted to be consumed by him, wanted to ask if he needed the other side too, the rest of my body.

All of me.

A moan escaped my lips as he growled against my skin, his hands moving to cup my face as his mouth left my neck and found mine.

His kiss tasted like cedar and smoke. My lips were burning from the inside out as his tongue slid inside.

Something snapped between us. I wasn’t sure what, but one minute I was on my back, the next we were rolling off the bed, landing with a soft thud as his hands went behind my head to break our fall.

His mouth, however, never left mine.

Kissing Timber was like experiencing hunger and thirst all at once, only to ever feel satisfied when he kissed me back, giving me small morsels of what I needed, what I would kill to have.

I threaded my hands through his blond hair, then ran them down his arms; the minute my skin touched his tattoo, the spell was broken.

Blisters appeared on my fingertips where the black had touched.

Timber broke the kiss and gripped my hands in his with a frown, careful not to let any part of his tattoo touch my skin. “I don’t understand.”

His skin took on an unnatural glow, almost pulsing beneath the black.

And before my eyes, the tattoo slithered up his neck, wrapping around it like a chokehold, stopping just below his chin only to draw slow intricate circles up the sides of his face.

It was beautiful and terrifying.

“What’s happening?” I asked in a quiet voice.

“You’ll have to be more specific. Are you talking about the bite, the kiss, the deeper kiss, or the fact that I’m stuck in a tattooed prison made up of ugly plants?”

Tears filled my eyes. “It’s not funny.”

“Death never is.” He blew across my blistered hands and then sighed. “I’ll call Cassius; he’ll take care of this.”

“And what about you?” I just had to ask.

“I don’t think—” He gulped. “—that I’ll be a problem much longer.”

He started to walk away.

Urgency filled me. “What did you see? In my blood?” I called out.

“The sun,” he said seriously. And then he walked off like that was a good enough answer.

I stumbled after him, chased was more like it, and when I caught up, I grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around. “What does that mean?”

We were in the doorframe, chests heaving for different reasons or maybe just the same one we refused to discuss.

The kiss.

“If I knew,” he said hoarsely, “I would tell you.”

“And the kiss?” I crossed my arms.

“We got carried away.” His jaw flexed before he looked down. “It happens.”

“You’re too controlled to use that excuse.”

With a smirk, he leaned over until he was inches from my face. “And you’re what? A demon expert? Or just an expert on self-control?”

“It happened.”

“Yes. It did.” He pointed at his face. “Clearly. Every time I touch you I get punished, maybe it’s a warning sign… not to touch the human that houses the sun.”

“The sun’s a star, try again.”

He snorted out a laugh of disbelief. “Wow. Yes, the sun’s a star—also known as Ra.”

I gaped at his retreating form. “I’m not housing a god!”

“You’re housing his essence,” he called over his shoulder. “Trust me, I would know.”

“How?”

“Because.” His face was shadowed as he turned back around. “I was part of the army that failed at destroying him, and then everything went painfully dark.”

“When?”

He smirked. “You weren’t even a flicker in the Creator’s eye.”

“How old are you?”

He didn’t turn around, just whispered, “I wish I actually knew.”