Darkyn's Mate

"They went to great lengths to hurt you."

"I know," Deidre whispered, frowning. "You and I are very different."

"We are," he agreed. "I do not understand how you feel as you do."

"Sometimes I don't either," she said, mentally evaluating the discussions she'd recently had with Wynn, Gabriel and Past-Death. "Everyone has something to say about you turning me into a sex-demon. I wish you hadn't done that."

"For my pleasure, not theirs," he replied, unconcerned.

"So you turn me into a seductress who isn't allowed to seduce anyone," she said.

If his sudden stillness wasn't a warning, his purr turned to a low, lethal growl.

"Only mine."

Deidre jumped. The sudden shift of power around him made her uneasy. She nudged his chin, partially to keep him from seeing her smile. He really did feel affection for her, if he was jealous. He lifted his head in blatant rejection.

"Don't be angry," she murmured. "I meant to tease." She nuzzled his neck the way he did to her when she was upset. He didn't move away this time, and she nipped him.

"Not about that," he said after a tense moment. His hands moved down her body, and he nudged her head aside.

"Okay," she said, relieved the danger was passed. He was irked. She wondered if it was because of the thought of her seducing someone else or because of her triumph at winning his affection, even if he beat her at every other thing. "That makes me happy."

Darkyn was silent. She assessed that - for the first time - he wasn't entirely certain how to react. His features were emotionless, his body not yet relaxed completely again. She took his face in her hands and traced his cheekbones and jawline with her fingers.

He kissed her then rolled away.

Deidre watched him, brow furrowed. He wasn't angry, but he wasn't himself either. She heard the rustling of clothing as he dressed. The light of the black fire was too dim for her to see much more than the outline of his form. Her eyes fell to the shape of the hourglass on her nightstand. With a glance at the demon lord, she stretched to grab it and rose.

He started to the door.

"Darkyn," she called softly.

He paused. Deidre approached him until close enough to feel his body heat. She held out the hourglass. Her heart beat rapidly at what it meant to surrender what had been her one hope to leave Hell.

"I don't need this," she voiced quietly.

He accepted it. It dissipated into black smoke in his hands. Her breathing quickened as she realized what she'd done. She felt his gaze on her but couldn't see him in the dim lighting of the room.