Page 63 of Demon Food

I was trembling to hold him in place. I could feel blood begin to trickle from my side. It hurt so fucking bad, and he was slipping. I was losing my grip on him.

Then Neopal nodded.

It was all I needed. I let go.

My soul zipped back into my body, my lungs burning as I broke into a harsh cough that forced me to stagger. Everyone’s head swiveled in my direction. Neopal. The servants. Even Feloré stared as I coughed and coughed.

My eyes were watering, but I managed to find Feloré’s gaze to silently urge him to keep his fucking mouth shut. He was feral-looking, his face flushed and intense, but he must’ve understood. He didn’t say a word.

“Prince Alek,” one of the servants said, her tone alarmed. “My liege?”

“I’m feeling unwell,” I managed, standing as straight as possible with my hands on my hips and my voice a croaking mess. “I’d like privacy, so that I might rest.”

“Oh, of course. Yes, Prince.” She must’ve been the one in charge as the others followed her lead, shuffling into a line to bow in unison while Neopal eyed me.

I managed to keep my cough contained long enough to glare at him. “Something on your mind, Commander?”

He chewed the inside of his cheek as he flicked his gaze between Feloré and me. His mind was sharp, so there was no doubt he’d already arrived at the correct conclusion, but I couldn’t worry about it right now.

And besides, prove it, cocksucker. Prove I’d done anything. I was already carrying a thousand heavy secrets crammed inside my chest like a closet full of monsters. What was one more?

“That a no? Wonderful.” I tipped my chin toward the door. “Kindly, get the fuck out of my room.”

Neopal hesitated. Then he offered me a far-too-formal bow as he retreated toward the door. “I hope you rest well, Prince Alekus.”

18

FELORÉ

Istood in a state of utter shock, unable to move.

It was the aftermath of Alek’s possession. It still thrummed through my body in a thousand ripples. All I could do was stand still and feel.

He’d been inside me. All the way inside me. He’d filled my body like it was an empty chamber, and he was enormous, pressing against the walls. I’d felt the moment he entered me, and all I could think was how that much power would never fit—he was so fucking big.

But then he had fit. And I’d welcomed it. I’d given him the control he asked for. He could’ve done anything he wanted with me, but he did that.

He saved me. Again.

I whispered his name. Or I thought I whispered it. Maybe I hadn’t because he didn’t budge from where he stood with one ear pressed against his bedroom door, eyes vacant as he stared at the floor, listening to the sounds, confirming Neopal was really gone.

“Alek,” I said again, my voice as shaky as I felt. “Do you⁠—?”

He twisted to face me, and I froze.

It was his eyes. This entire time, I’d not seen them turn, but there was no mistaking it. They were a glowing crimson, like two blood moons sunken deep in his face.

“Your eyes,” I whispered. “They’re red.”

He blurted out a chuckle. “Oh, are they, sweetheart? How observant of you.”

Oh, shit. He was angry. I could sense the fury coursing through his veins.

“Tell me, darling, do you have a death wish?” he asked, cocking his head. “Do you have a secret desire to feel unimaginable pain? If so, go ahead and tell me now. It’ll save me a whole lot of energy in the future.”

I gulped.

“And if you don’t,” he continued, easing toward me, the lightness of his footsteps not matching the intensity of his tone, “then why the fuck would you do something so incomprehensibly foolish? And in front of one of his most loyal warriors, no doubt. Do you realize what he would’ve done to you? Do you have any goddamn idea, Feloré?”