Darkyn's Mate

"Stop. Please," she said with effort. "I can't think when you do that!"

The demon smiled. Her slap didn't even faze him. He took a step closer. Claustrophobic, Deidre backed away. A flare of interest was in Darkyn's black gaze, one that made her realize he wasn't leaving until he was finished with her. Her throat was tight, her eyes blurring from tears. Her heel hit the solidness of a wall, and she tried to bolt.

Darkyn caught her easily and pushed her back in front of him, her back to the wall. Deidre shoved at him unsuccessfully. The demon lord took her wrists and pinned them above her head. He leaned into her, lowering his eyes to her level.

Deidre heard her own harsh breathing. Unable to look away from him, she couldn't fight the sense she was about to have a total meltdown.

"Please, please let me go," she choked out. "Please."

"No." The low purr was firm.

She pulled at her trapped arms, hating the feeling of being vulnerable to him.

"I can't do this. I can't be here. I … just … can't …"

"You can," he replied. "I know every part of your soul. I know exactly what you are and what you're capable of. If you weren't capable, you'd be dead."

She shook her head, struggling not to cry.

How the fuck did she live with being married to the devil? She'd given relationship advice to the woman who condemned her to Hell, advice meant to help snag the heart of a man she hadn't stopped loving.

Yet this was the way it was always supposed to have been. The histories and their relationship were destined to end this way.

Deidre hated that Darkyn was right. There was one place for her in this mess, and it was with him. It was a truth acknowledged by the primal instinct drawn to the scent of his blood and invigorated by his touch. She'd spent five days with him, silently fighting him, only to realize there was nowhere else to go.

"There's only one door open now," he continued.

The truth of his words made her last meager attempt at resistance melt. Deidre stopped trying to control her tears.

Darkyn's grip loosened. She tugged her hands free and leaned into him, sobbing and shaking, unable to support herself. Of all the emotions running through her mind, the one that hurt the most was knowing that everyone outside Hell had already written her off as a goner. She was the last to lose hope, and it was being forced to see how out of place she was in Gabriel's equation that finally broke her resolve.