Monster's Property: A Dark Fantasy Monster Romance by Anne Hale & Celeste King

Author:Anne Hale & Celeste King [Hale, Anne & King, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Protheka Publishing
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

17

PELIEL

I enjoy the wonder twinkling in her eyes when I return to her from the slaughter, parcel in hand. “I have a gift for you.”

Arie accepts but barely spares the small package a glance. “How many did you kill?”

“All of them,” I say, confused at the way she fusses over the little details. Things I’ve never considered to count become the zenith of her wild focus. “There are none left to follow us home. That is all that should matter.”

Home.

Have I truly accepted the little human so deeply into my confidence?

She says nothing as I scoop her into my arms and take flight. The wind carries us into the brilliant sky, away from the smoldering ash of the orc camp. Her slender arms tighten around my neck as she presses the package between us so as not to lose it.

I hope she finds its contents pleasing.

It strikes me as soon as I think that the sentiment is silly. Why do I care about pleasing her? She should be concerned with pleasing me.

And yet… yet, I do want to please her. Not just in the ways where her body quivers around me and she makes those delicious, breathless sounds.

I want to see her smile.

Her gaze sets to wander to the horizon like it often does, and I have to consider what is going on behind those soft amber eyes. Her mouth moves, but I can’t hear her whispers beyond the rush of wind in my ears.

I permit myself, instead, to enjoy the quiet thrum of her heartbeat as I rise higher above the endless desert. She is beholden to me and my every whim, and I to her, only so long as it suits me. It suits me just fine, for now, I consider, bracing her as we dive from the heavens towards my intricate cave system and all its hidden delights.

She is breathless when she lands on her feet again, wavering so that I have to steady her. But when she leans into me, a strange sensation swells in my chest.

I ignore it and release her.

If Arie cannot stand on her own, then she is useless to me. I will not indulge her more than is necessary. “I have been thinking about your ‘kitchen.’”

Her eyes light up. “It wouldn’t take much, really. And I think you would like it as well.”

I pace into the winding tunnels towards our shared space, guiding her with only a touch to her back. She moves so easily in time with me, yielding so sweetly it’s almost precious. No wonder I haven’t lost interest in her, and in fact, I’m surprised to find that these caves would be rather empty, without her presence.

Still, I am her better, and with that responsibility, I have to ensure she is not led astray. “If it would keep you occupied, I don’t see the harm. Explain it to me.”

We come to an empty hollow. The stone churns around us, shaping itself to my whim so subtly, I don’t think Arie notices.

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