Chapter 40

C urrents of lightning prickled under my skin, my insides vibrating from the denial of pleasure. As we walked out of the box and down the hallway, my ass clenched tight around the plug. My leaking pussy felt almost painfully empty.

I had a few choice words for my husband, ranging from curses to the most pathetic pleas. The bastard was well-aware of his devastating effects on me, a self-aggrandizing grin plastered on his face.

A mess was the correct term to describe my chaotic state, but I knew I had to get it together.

"Is there uh—" I drifted off, running a hand down the back of my dress. Why did it feel as if everyone could see what I was hiding beneath my skirt?

"Yes?" Emily asked, eyes sparking with glee as they flicked to my rear.

"Is there anywhere to freshen up quickly? I think I need some cold water to calm down," I said.

Skrain gestured to the right, toward a row of doors with a drop engraved on golden plaques. "Right there. I could use a little wash myself. I want to be clean for later ." When he winked at me, fire ignited in my core, and I had to force myself to pull away before I got bold enough to suggest another round in the bathroom.

"Once I'm done, I'll meet you in the foyer?" I suggested.

"No. Down there is for the rabble." Skrain shook his head.

My head cocked. "Didn't you say our plan involved a garden?"

"Yes, but it's reserved for special guests. You'll see." He smirked while he strolled to one of the restrooms a few doors over. "When I'm done, Emily and I will wait here and we'll go together."

I didn't respond. It felt as if I was going to explode if I stood still for another second. My gown fluttered as I sprinted to the closest door, slipping inside, and locked it behind me.

The mirror above the marble sink showed my pierced nipples as hard peaks beneath my dress. My cheeks were a suspicious shade of bright pink, as if I'd already had one too many drinks, my hair mussed up. Luckily I'd picked up some enchanted, smudge-proof makeup from the market, and my bold eyeliner and sultry copper eyeshadow were still immaculate.

As I stared at myself, I realized why I'd looked so different the past weeks.

Though my memories were still incomplete, I felt like I had become the person I was meant to be. Without a doubt, I'd never been more beautiful than when I was myself … and when I loved Skrain.

The silken heat enveloping my heart, my pulse beating for him—they were better and more impactful than any cosmetics, jewels or clothes could ever be.

It was easy to be happy around him, to be myself. Unashamed.

"Well, well. You are looking especially lovely tonight, Keryssa. How is our plan advancing?"

I stifled a flinch. How long had I been gawking at myself? But the grating voice, the snarky inflection … it could've only been him .

My eyes searched the mirror in vain. The lust drained from my veins, turning into sharp, adrenaline-fueled focus.

"I don't speak to invisible demons, Aculeus." I put my hands on my hips. "Show yourself."

A rattle of laughter filled the room as shadows converged in front of the door, blocking it. He crossed his arms, tilting his head in anticipation of my response.

I didn't turn to him, didn't answer. Instead, I glanced at a wicker basket on a shelf by the sink, containing essentials for personal care. Tissues and towels, a bottle of perfume, pieces of round, pink soap—and a wooden comb. I picked up the comb and brushed my hair in slow strokes, resisting the panic winding like a rope around my chest.

"How has my favorite whore been faring?" Aculeus asked. "Are you even getting anything done besides spreading your legs?"

He was getting impatient.

I ignored his jab, putting the comb aside. Cool water spewed forth as I turned the shiny silver tap and I dabbed some along my neck and on my throat. I shuddered. The cold was calming, comforting, keeping me alert.

"I'm confident everything will go without a hitch." I turned, looking straight at him, my brows snapping up. "You need to stop doubting me, or I'll find another demon to work with. You're not the only one who would want this soulstone."

I would have sworn, somewhere there in the swirling shadows, his eyes narrowed in anger.

"Watch your tone," he hissed.

My grin widened. Violence—which wasn't a viable option—or arrogance were the two languages denizens of the Hells understood, and I laid it on thick.

"Or what , Aculeus? You need me, and you know it."

"For now, Kerys. For now."

His form warped. A wave of nauseating magic rippled off him, and I reached back, leaning against the sink to stop myself from dropping to the floor. I heard the mirror behind me crack as his thorns grew longer and longer. Reaching out, twisting.

If I moved an inch, if I so much as took a deep breath, the blackened spikes would pierce my chest like thin parchment.

My voice wouldn't come when I tried to speak.

"If you even think of tricking me, Kerys …" One thorn slithered along my neck, scraping, not yet stinging. "I'll show you an eternity of pain you cannot comprehend. You'll be begging for death before I finally devour your anguished soul. Don't you remember what happened to the nun?"

I pushed away vivid memories of his vines tearing apart the woman from the inside, forcing down fears how close I was to a similar fate. With effort, I pulled a grimace, as if I'd just bitten on a rancid seed, forcing words from my throat and confidence into my tone.

"Ridiculous!" I spat. "I'm a whore . Not stupid . I won't cross you. Why would I be so open about everything if I meant to deceive you? And I'm only close to Skrain because I have to be. Every time I have to endure that sleazy asshole's hands all over me, I imagine his face when he finds out I betrayed him."

The seconds slowed. My heart hammered like it meant to leave my chest.

Finally, the demon backed off. His body shimmered like oil, wafting and shifting, and without another word, he was gone.

The air whooshed from my lungs as I buckled, slumping to the floor.

Fuck. Close one.

As I stepped out of the restroom, I found Emily waiting alone—and Skrain sprinting around the corner, immediately meeting my gaze. I'd taken a moment to pull myself together, successfully chasing the jitters from my step, a smile curling my lips. But my husband knew me well, and he knew something had happened.

As he approached, the shift in his expression was minor. A twitch of a brow, a downward tug on the corner of his mouth—unnoticeable for anyone who wasn't as intimately familiar with his moods as I was.

Understanding flickered across his face. He must have put two and two together, realizing there was only one being who could've reached me inside the locked restroom.

Are you okay? his eyes seemed to say.

"I missed you," I said, giggling brightly as I walked up to him. I rose on my tiptoes, and he leaned down to offer his cheek for a kiss. "Aculeus paid me a visit, but I'm fine," I whispered. "I'll tell you later at home."

He nodded and wrapped an arm around my waist. "Fuck, I missed you, too," he said out loud. "Let's get moving. Intermission will be over soon."

"Where did you go while I was freshening up?" I asked, but instead of receiving an answer from my husband, Emily gave a laugh.

"Skrain was finished much quicker than you, but as soon as he walked out of the bathroom, a very persistent Dr. Mavix dragged him down to the lobby to introduce him to his wife," she explained. "You should have seen him frowning and fretting like you might be in mortal danger on the toilet. I've never witnessed Skrain this pathetically in love."

That explained why Skrain hadn't detected the demon—simply because he wasn't near me when it happened. Aculeus must have spied on us from further away, waiting for a chance to catch me alone. Then again, it wasn't like my husband could've just torn down the door and caused a scene or blown our cover, even if he sensed Aculeus with me.

Skrain bristled playfully while he steered me further down the hall. By now, the other guests had cleared out, leaving us three alone on the upper level.

"I'm not ashamed of my adoration for Kerys," he said, puffing his chest out.

Emily's smile turned soft. "Nor should you be, it suits you. You make a wonderful couple. Just don't forget to invite me to the wedding."

Skrain huffed. "I'll do you one better. You'll have to organize it."

"How terrible! I would hate that!" Emily groaned sarcastically, but she didn't stop grinning.

I snickered. My mind occupied with visions of a red gown and white silk shoes, Skrain's bloodied handprint atop, we reached the steps leading to the foyer.

The gentle notes of a violin quartet, a choir of chattering voices and the clinking of glasses drifted from downstairs, but Skrain walked on. I followed his gaze, my brows arching.

Where earlier was a plain wall by the side of the staircase, was now a shimmering portal, flanked by two armed guards.

Skrain grinned, pressing a hand to the small of my back. "After you."

I stepped into the cool wall of magic, Skrain and Emily following right behind me.