Drayax pulled me down to the couch in front of the roaring fireplace, and I curled into a ball, tucking my knees to my chest. Luckily, the dress Lumi had forced on me had full, trailing skirts.
The warlord quirked a wild brow at me and scooted closer. “Don’t be frightened. I don’t bite unless provoked.” He winked, and a gold hoop danced along his eyebrow. It gleamed beneath the flickering flames and seemed strikingly un-warlord like.
“I’m not frightened of you,” my inner demon snapped. I could devour you before you unsheathed your sword. I reined her in and lightened my tone. “I simply don’t like my cousin interfering with my life—romantic or otherwise.”
Drayax puffed out his chest, his caramel skin peeking through the leather armor. “You don’t find me pleasing?”
Gods, did I hurt the big, bad warlord’s feelings? “You’re fine. Like I said, this is an issue with Thax.”
His dark brows furrowed, the crease between his eyes deepening. “Do you know how many females would kill to be in your position? I am desired by women across the six realms of the Underworld. Lucifer himself has toted my merits as dark lord.”
I bit my tongue to keep a nasty retort from slipping out. By all means, get with one of the many. And as for Lucifer, I may not remember my grandfather, but a warm and fuzzy feeling filled my chest every time his name was mentioned. “How wonderful for you,” I finally muttered.
“Azara…” He inched closer, and I scooted back. My butt hit the end of the couch as Drayax loomed over me. “Perhaps I haven’t been clear. The purpose of this evening is to come to a mutual agreement but understand this: I will have you one way or another.”
The sparkle in his eyes from earlier vanished, replaced by two pits of bottomless black. His hand snaked out and gripped the back of my neck, tangling his thick fingers through my hair.
“Let go of me,” I hissed.
“Not until you submit.”
What am I a hell-hound? My she-demon’s voice echoed across my mind.
He bored down on top of me, caging me in with one arm while the other hand kept a tight hold on my head. The weight of his hardness brushed against my knees as I curled into a tighter ball. This guy was getting off on this. “I’ll never submit to you, you demon douche.”
Drayax’s eyes widened, and a snarl curled his lips. “Then it’s time I teach you a lesson.” Releasing my head, he pawed at the corset top of my dress. He threaded his fingers through the laces and yanked. My boobs spilled out, and rage exploded in my core.
With one knee, he drove his leg between my thighs, but darkness had already started to blanket my vision. My she-demon was coming, and I was too pissed to stop her.
I rammed my knee up for a direct hit to his nether regions. Drayax fell back, curses spewing from his clenched jaw. As soon as his suffocating weight was off, I jumped up and fastened my corset as best I could.
The big, bad warlord lay on the floor in the fetal position. He glanced up at me, still muttering curses. “You will regret this. Thax will never rise without my help, and now you’ve obliterated his chances.”
I could barely hold my demon back, she was scraping her way to the surface. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to shove her down. I couldn’t risk losing control, not when I was this close to freedom.
But she was pissed—and hungry.
A dark curtain closed over my irises, and a haze of crimson eclipsed my vision. My eyes locked on the warlord’s and power surged from my core.
“Azara, no!” He tried to look down, to avert his gaze, but I had him and I wasn’t letting go.
I crept closer, my eyes locked on their target. The profound black became hazy, a cloud of smoke creeping across dark pupils the nearer I got. Standing over him, I lifted his head and a smile tugged up the corners of my lips.
I dug my fingers into his wild hair and drew in a breath. Yum. He tasted like flourishing power and unbridled strength. “Just a taste…”
“No,” he muttered incoherently. His fingers reached for the sword at his waist, but it was a weak attempt. I kicked the weapon out from under his grasp.
“Now you’re mine, Drayax. You see, you kind of did get what you wanted.” I sucked in a breath and wisps of crimson vapor slipped through his pressed lips. My eyes rolled back as the intense power rolled through me. I inhaled again, and his divine essence tore free from its earthly confines.
I breathed him in, reveling in the surge of power that filled my dark insides. A tiny part of my humanity flickered, reminding me I had bigger plans for today, but my she-demon was in control now.
A sharp chuckle escaped my lips as Drayax’s head lolled back, vacant eyes staring up at the soaring rafters. “Oopsies.” I released my hold, and his massive body slumped to the floor.
The hunger only intensified as I stalked the vast chamber. I wanted more. More life, more power, more everything. The inner stirrings reminded me of something important. I needed to get out from under Thax’s thumb. If my mating with Drayax was so essential to my cousin’s success, he must have been losing hold on his subjects.
Perhaps I’d assume his throne.
Come on, Azara, wake up. We have to get out of here. Pesky humanity. Moving toward the fireplace, I stared at the flickering flames. Their dance was hypnotic, calming. As the high began to dissipate, my lids became heavy and began to droop.
My humanity fought its way out, stifling the hunger pangs and my she-demon receded. I shook my head out as the scene unfurled before me. The glowing flames and the dead dark lord splayed across the floor.
Shish kebob. Thax was going to kill me. But he had to find me first.
Chapter Six
I darted down the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. I had three hours, and I needed every second to get a head start before my cousin noticed I was missing—along with one of his prisoners.
“Sark! It’s time,” I bellowed down the passageway.
When I reached the dungeon, my heart thundered against my ribs, my breath hissing out in ragged spurts.
“Ready when you are, my lady.” The little demon flashed me a crooked smile. Half a dozen demons that Thax’s guards had captured huddled behind him.
“We can’t take them all,” I shouted.
“We’re only asking for a chance.” The tall, lanky one, B—something, pressed his face between the bars. “Just let us out of the cells, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
It’s not a bad idea, Azara. My demon’s voice whispered. They could provide a distraction as well as an explanation for your disappearance.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I considered. Thax deserved it. I was certain he was lying to me, and now I had the chance to prove it. I scanned the haggard faces of the demon prisoners. “How can I trust you won’t attack me once I free you?”
“That would be a stupid move on our part, my lady,” said the tall one. “Why bite the hand that feeds you?”
I nodded, my decision made, and grabbed the cell keys from the hook. “I’ll open your doors, but just to be sure, I need a head start. Wait five minutes, then you can leave. Take the stairwell at the end of the hall up to the third level. That’s the main entrance. More than that, I cannot help you.” I began opening the doors, starting with Sark’s.