The Demon King Davian (Deadly Attraction Book 1) Read online

  “Starving. And thirsty.” She used her good hand to shift on the bed and prop herself up against the mound of pillows. “How long have I been asleep?”

  “All night. All day. Into another evening. How do your hand and wrist feel?”

  “Better. I healed more than I’d anticipated.” She tried to swallow, but apparently had no real reason for it, due to the dryness.

  He held the glass to her lips and she slowly sipped. He told her, “Sheena brought you soup. Are you able to eat some?”

  “Yes. Does she think of everything?”

  He spared a glance at the items laid out neatly on the bench and said, “I believe she’s fascinated by you. Your tenacity, in particular.”

  Jade let out a low grunt. “Right. I’m so dogged, I black out from the pain.”

  “Sheena was quite aware of the severity of your injuries. Yet you held on long enough to begin mending yourself.”

  “My back was killing me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’d been a hoof print on my spine. I had to fix that first so I could breathe and concentrate.”

  “Your loss of blood alarms me.” His voice turned contemplative. “If you need to retain most of it to regenerate tissue and whatnot, then I can understand having to keep it on your skin. But you can’t keep it all in one place.”

  She raised the cloak covering her and grimaced. “Your bedding. I’ve made a huge mess.”

  “That’s of no consequence. Don’t think anything of it.”

  “How can Sheena stand to come into this room? It must reek of my blood.”

  With a nod, he said, “She certainly has proven herself capable of rising above. I’m extremely impressed. And pleased. She’s been very resourceful.” She’d taken care of all the little necessities so Davian could stay by Jade’s side. He’d reward the vampire for her loyalty—and her graciousness toward his human guest.

  Reaching for the bowl she’d left behind, he said to Jade, “How about you give this a try?”

  Jade eyed the offering. “You have someone cook for you? Demons eat human food?”

  “Sure. We drink beverages as well. It’s vital for some, like the shifters. A treat for others, like the vampires.”

  “And what sort of demon are you?”

  “Eat, and I’ll tell you.” He lifted the spoon from the plate on which the bowl sat. He dipped the utensil into the broth and then held it steady for her to sip, repeating the process until she sighed contentedly. Finally, he returned the dishes to the nightstand.

  “That was more than chicken broth,” she said. “That was a flavor explosion.”

  He grinned. “I have a very competent staff.”

  “Clearly.”

  “Now,” he said as he refreshed her water glass and gave it over. She still favored her good hand. “You want to know what type of demon I am.”

  “If you don’t mind helping me get my facts straight.”

  “Not at all. I want you to know the truth.” He splashed a bit of brandy into his own tumbler. “Actually, I’m not any particular species of demon. I’m immortal by birthright. It’s hereditary in my family. A rare gift bestowed upon a distant ancestor for saving a high-ranking demon, his wife and their children from an unjust death sentence.”

  Her eyes narrowed on him. “You don’t take animal form, suck blood or grow horns?”

  With a shake of his head, he said, “Nothing like that at all. What you see now is what I always am. I might only look to be thirty-five, but that’s because after a certain point, the aging process slows dramatically—even over the course of two hundred years.”

  She studied him closely, then teased, “Just two gray hairs?”

  “Where?” he quipped.

  Her laugh, fragile though it was, warmed his insides. “Just kidding,” she said. “You’ve managed to keep them at bay.”

  “Surprising.” He stood and paced alongside the bed.

  In a quiet voice, Jade said, “I imagine it’s not easy ruling an entire continent that’s in constant turmoil.”

  “No.” He turned to face her. “Especially when it was something I never wanted. Those are my trials and tribulations.”

  Her brow knitted. “When we were at the library, I made it sound as though you haven’t a care in the world because you’re a demon. Obviously, that’s not the case. I’m sorry I was so cavalier about your…kind.”

  He gave this some thought, then resumed his position next to her. “Don’t apologize. We’re just as guilty. The demon viewpoint of humans is that you’re weak of mind and body. But that’s not true. The slayers and witches have proven it, the reason I have to be so diligent in keeping them in line. But leaders of villages—and particularly you—have also demonstrated how strong the human spirit can be.”

  “I’m a little different than most humans.”

  “Yes, you are.” He considered her abilities. “Do you understand how you ended up with your particular gifts?”

  “I only know that, similar to you, they were passed from my father.”

  He gazed at her, finding the sentiment intriguing. “We share a number of connections.”

  Jade leaned toward him and trailed her fingers over his temple, whisking away strands of hair. “Yes, we do. You were in my head again last night.”

  “I couldn’t help it,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “I needed to do something to alleviate as much of the physical ache as I could, so you’d be able to rest.”

  She smiled softly. “It worked. I felt at peace. Comforted.”

  “I really should have more control when it comes to you. But you are unbelievably irresistible.” He inched forward and his lips touched hers.

  A whisper of a kiss at first. But one that quickly turned passionate.

  Her fingers curled around the material of his shirt, just above his pectoral muscles. She returned the kiss with equal fervor. Her lips were supple and her mouth warm and inviting. A moan lodged in her throat and it made him hard for her.

  He eased her back against the pile of pillows. He deepened the kiss as his other hand shoved the cloak away and slid under the hem of her sweater. His fingertips grazed her silky flesh and she jolted.

  Tearing her mouth from his, she gasped. “Davian.”

  His cock throbbed at the way she said his name on such a lusty sigh. Yet he pulled back. “You still need recovery time. I’m overwhelming you.”

  “Yes,” she said. Then shook her head. “No.” She seemed to fight for a breath. She held up her injured hand and inspected it. “Some tenderness still and bruising. The bones are healed, though.” She wiggled her fingers to prove her point. “But I’m a complete disaster.”

  The bed was too.

  “Sheena,” he said in a low voice, knowing his assistant would hear him with her acute senses. She appeared instantly. “Have Jocelyn change the linens.”

  “Of course, my Lord.” She left them as rapidly as she’d joined them.

  Davian gently lifted Jade into his arms and carried her to his spacious bathroom. He set her on the ledge of the tub, encased in marble.

  “This room is incredible,” she said, marveling over the opulence. “And this bathtub…it’s the size of a swimming pool.”

  He chuckled as he turned on the water at three different angles. “When have you seen a swimming pool?”

  “In Lisette’s books.” She watched him for a moment, then added, “You have running water to faucets?”

  “Yes. I do enjoy some household amenities. Elevated water towers with air pressure and manual pumps create the flow of water. Boilers keep one tank hot. Be mindful of the temperature.”

  “Duly noted,” she said. Then asked, “Why are you so adverse to electricity?”

  “I haven’t discerned a real need for it yet.” The candles nestled in the elaborate wall sconces provided dim lighting that lent a degree of sensual, intimate ambience to the room.

  Jade said, “Neither have I. Although, Lisette recovered a hair dryer from pre-war days.
I’d love to plug it in and give it a try. Hair this long takes some time to dry.”

  “After three and a half decades, I’m not sure you’d want to test her relic. You might electrocute yourself.”

  “Yes, there is that.”

  He stood and stripped off his shirt. Her gaze never left his chest.

  “You’re going to join me?” she asked, looking so hopeful, it made his heart twist. He’d do anything she asked of him. He’d learned that when he’d taken on the monstrous task of setting her bones. But in the grand scheme of things, it was hardly prudent to continue this path. He’d already crossed too many lines where she was concerned.

  “No,” he said, with much regret. “I’m going to take a shower and then eat something while you relax in the tub. Take your time. Enjoy. I’ll bring you a book if you’d like.”

  Her gaze swept the cavernous room. He always kept a blaze in the fireplace and Jocelyn, his personal housekeeper, had a penchant for leaving large, fresh floral arrangements on the end tables that accompanied the armless chairs scattered about.

  “You’d better check on me periodically. I could move in here and you’d never hear from me again.”

  He grinned. “If you like it, stay awhile. I’ll find you some reading material.” He left her and went into his library. He had a wide range of novels from which to choose. Military documentaries, classic American and British literature, world history… He had a feeling she’d studied up plenty on the latter, given Lisette’s collection, so he selected something different.

  Returning to the bathroom, he handed over the novel.

  “Pride and Prejudice.” Jade frowned. “Never heard of it.”

  “Probably because Lisette’s idea of history doesn’t date past the early 1900s. This book was first published in 1813. I think you’ll find some interesting aspects to it.”

  Jade flipped open the cover and a loose sheet of paper slipped out. Retrieving it and eyeing the printout, she asked, “What’s Wikipedia?”

  “Oh, that. It used to be an online encyclopedia when we had computers and the Internet. That document is a synopsis of the book.”

  Her eyes widened as she scanned the text. “Obsequious veneration? Pedantic nature?” Staring up at him, aghast, she said, “I have no idea what those words mean, but they sound absolutely horrifying.”

  Davian laughed. “Don’t worry about them. Just read it. The story is hailed as one of the most romantic of all time.”

  “A romance novel?” Her brow raised. “In your personal library?”

  With a shrug, he said, “I like to stay abreast of all genres. Besides, I rather enjoyed the 1800s.”

  “Jesus, you’re old.”

  Another hearty laugh filled the room. “And you have a thing or two to learn about being couth.”

  “Now that is a word I know. I just have difficulty employing the concept. Particularly around an arrogant king.”

  He knelt beside her. “I haven’t been so arrogant.”

  “No,” she murmured as she grazed his jaw with her fingers. “Maybe that’s not the right word. Confident better suits you.”

  “Not so much when it comes to you.” His heart constricted further. An odd sensation. He kissed her, then stood and toed off his boots.

  She said, “This tub will take half an hour to fill, at least. So I’m just going to sit here and watch you undress, if you don’t mind. Take your time,” she added his previous sentiment. “I’ll enjoy.”

  He groaned. “You’re not making it easy for me to keep my distance.”

  Jade shot him a seductive look. “I never once said that was what I wanted.”

  Chapter Eight

  Davian’s muscles went rigid. Every single one of them. Sending a ripple of excitement through Jade.

  He said, “There’s an old saying about flirting with disaster.”

  “Or walking a fine line. Skating on thin ice.” She shrugged. “I know how to heed a warning, trust me. But this…”

  Her gaze moved over him and she admired his sheer masculinity. Thoughts of making love with him in their dream, and then of him holding her so delicately she’d found a measure of tranquility in her otherwise besieged mind as she tried to heal made her nearly blind to the red flags.

  She set the book aside and stood. Turning off the faucets, she said, “You’ll need the water pressure for your shower.”

  Then she crossed to where he remained rooted, her gaze locked with his. The cords of his thick neck drew taut and his jaw set. Her nearness did things to him, she could tell. She evoked physical responses within him as easily as he did within her. Emotional ones, as well?

  By the flare of need in his eyes, she guessed so.

  “But this…what?” he queried.

  Mere inches from him, she stared up at his devastatingly handsome face. He might not be a divine creation, but he was heavenly perfection.

  “This attraction between us,” she said. “It’s risky, yes. But undeniable.”

  Her healed palm splayed over the left portion of his pecs. His skin was hot and smooth. Touching him so intimately sent a thrill along her spine. His large hand closed around hers, holding it against his chest. Reaching for her with his other hand, he eased her toward him.

  “We certainly aren’t doing ourselves any favors,” he told her.

  “I can’t help it,” she whispered. “It’s more than just the fantasy we shared. It’s…everything. The way you look at me, the way you touch me. The way you try so hard not to upset my apple cart.”

  He grinned. “You do know your antiquated sayings.”

  “I like history. Maybe because my present is lackluster, and the future doesn’t hold much potential either.”

  He pulled in a long breath, then let it out slowly. Staring deep into her eyes, he asked, “What would you change? Aside from bringing back your parents, because I can’t do that. What one thing do you wish for?”

  At the mention of her family, her heart felt as though a giant fist squeezed it tight. With a slight shake of her head, Jade said, “Nothing. I don’t believe in wishes.”

  “Not even on your birthday?”

  “Especially then. I stopped celebrating when I was eleven, the year my parents were mur—” She groaned. “The year they died.”

  Of course, the irony and hypocrisy of being so taken by someone who belonged to the demon world from which the shifters who’d slaughtered her family derived did not escape her. Nor was she inclined to taint the moment or offend the Demon King after he’d rescued her and had done so much to help her recover.

  Continuing, she said, “I’ve begged Michael and Lisette to forget my birth date as well. It’s just another day, with one more year behind me. I appreciate history, yes—not necessarily my own.”

  He lifted her hand, bringing it to his mouth. His lips brushed over her fingers. “Do you know one of the things I admire most about you?”

  “No.” She frowned, confusion creeping in on her. “I haven’t the slightest idea what draws you to me.”

  “Everything,” he said in a gentle voice, echoing her prior statement. “But beyond your beauty and your strength and even your pain, I’m somehow fixated on your candor. You never let me forget I’m a demon…or what I’ve done to the human world.”

  She stepped away from him. He let her go. Her pulse accelerated as her confusion melded into a darker warning. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful, Davian. I’m merely stating facts that can’t be disputed.”

  Perhaps now was the time to address the obvious.

  “Shifters murdered my parents,” she said. “Demons altered the face of this planet. I don’t care that I can’t use Lisette’s blow dryer. What I care about is people. Like Michael and…Jinx.”

  He nodded. “I’m not being accusatory. I’m being humble. I have many, many regrets, Jade.”

  Searching his mesmerizing eyes, she found he was being earnest. “What kind of regrets?”

  “I never wanted to be king. I never wanted the war. I
never wanted to almost obliterate the human race.”

  “But the war was executed by your command.”

  “Yes. Though that doesn’t mean I was ever in agreement with the politics. Or the mass destruction.”

  She covered her mouth with her hand. Shook her head. Finally, her hand fell away and she said, “The pacts you make for demon-human peace—you…” Her brow furrowed as she fought for the right words. “You don’t despise us?”

  He looked taken aback. “No. Never. Similar to most wars throughout history, it was ultimately about power. The shift from human rule to demon in this case. It should never have gone as far as it did, but that happens in battle.”

  A tear formed in her eye and sat precariously on the rim. “You really did feel bad about Jinx, didn’t you?”

  He nodded.

  She sighed. The fat drop rolled down her cheek. “I wanted to believe you cared enough to be remorseful on behalf of your alliance.”

  “I did,” he said with sincerity in his voice. “I do. But, Jade. I am still king. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel anything, but it does mean…I have obligations. Responsibilities. A position of authority to uphold. All of these things might challenge my personal convictions, but the overarching issue is that I made a commitment to my species. I might not have done it wholeheartedly, but I did do it willingly.”

  And here she’d thought her existence was a convoluted one. Her fingertips glided along his temple and down to his jaw. “You’ve let me be so glib about what it’s like to be a demon or a king. Why?”

  His fingers twined with hers and he kissed them again. “You are anything but glib. You’re as entangled in this insidious situation as I am. I just have more control than you do. Though…no more at stake than you.”

  Something inside her shifted upon hearing those words from this man. She said, “I’ve questioned my place in the village. My own authority, actually—because, obviously, I possess some. People have always looked to me for guidance in times of uncertainty or when they’re unsure of the slayers’ direction. But I’m not their leader. Nor do I want to be.”

  Davian’s soft lips pressed to her forehead. Then he said, “This is an absurdly asinine and selfish thing for me to say, because I have no right where you’re concerned, but I don’t want you to be, either. The slayers are in mortal danger every day of their lives because of renegade demons like the fire wraith that attacked you. I can’t even conceive of you being in such a position on a regular basis. It’s difficult enough with this one instance.”