19. Next Step

ASHER

All it will take is one more time…

My cock twitched in my pants, forcing me to shift in my seat just to ease some of the painful tension. If it wasn't for tormenting Quinn with the tip of my shaft, the past few days wouldn't have been bearable in the least. Granted, it certainly benefited us both that the gods had blessed me with a damn suction tip. Still, there was a little too much time remaining before the tasks were due to start and I could sense the moodiness growing within us both.

Who knew I would become so addicted to Quinn Faxiss?

"Wine, miss?"

My gaze strayed toward the bench seat. It was comforting to see my pet's nerves had settled just by a small glass of wine and a quick nap. It didn't dawn on me when I'd requested for the jet to be fueled that she had probably never flown in her life. Why would she when she'd spent every year of her existence hidden away in the shadows, her own flesh and blood ashamed of her existence?

While there was a part of me that yearned to send the stewardess away so I could torment Quinn until she experienced an orgasm ten thousand feet into the air, I didn't dare wake her once she'd succumbed to the abyss. There would be plenty of time to ease the experience of flying once the tasks had been tackled and my enemies had been eliminated. Then I could fuck her as much as I wanted.

Quinn nibbled on her lower lip, her expression weary as she eyed the wine bottle.

"Bring her some water, Lila."

Both women peered at me. Quinn was relieved that I had taken control of the situation while the stewardess seemed startled by the request. "Are you sure, sire?" she questioned softly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Water," I repeated.

Lila snapped upright immediately, straightening her back until those plump breasts threatened to tear the buttons loose from her uniform. "As you wish." With a rushed apology in Quinn's direction, she seized the wine bottle with a free hand and kept it from tumbling over as she hurried toward the front of the jet.

A weary sigh escaped my pet, those restless fingers rubbing her forehead. It was nothing more than a feeble attempt to keep those hands busy and her mind distracted. "Is it normal for demons to drink wine like it is water?" she grumbled.

The edges of my lips twitched. While an amused snort did claw its way up my throat, it couldn't summon enough strength to break free. I simply smirked at her. "It's a part of our way of life, Quinn. Only the upper classes of our race tend to drink often. It's more of a rare pleasure for those beneath us. You, however, do need to pace yourself where wine is concerned."

Her eyes narrowed into thin slits. "Why? Is it always laced with a mix of angel blood?"

I shook my head. "Not always. It is more of an occurrence with my demon lords and me. There have been incidents in the past where our enemies would attempt to spike the wine with angel blood with the hope we'd succumb to the poison. A weaker demon would certainly perish from it."

"But you drink it all the time like that."

"Yes." I eased out of the cushioned seat and ventured down the cabin until I reached the bench seat. There was just enough room left by her feet to where I could ease down. I didn't realize my mind had started to wander until I flicked the blanket away and tugged her feet onto my lap. My fingers immediately started moving along her skin, massaging the tension out of her muscles. "I suppose they've learned it is pointless to keep using that against us."

Quinn groaned softly, relaxing against the cushion. "So…that night at the club… What did Marcillo spike the wine with?"

"The blood of some poor Jinn." I grazed the arch of her foot with my thumb. "It must have been a prisoner of war. Marcillo is a reckless being, even for a prince. Still, he maintains enough common sense not to kidnap one that would be missed. I've heard their prince is very willing to stain the streets red."

Quiet footsteps came in our direction, Lila returning with a sealed bottle of water. She knelt slightly and brought the tray down to my pet's level. "Here you go, miss. Would you like a glass to pour the water into?"

My pet shook her head, snatching the bottle off of the tray. "No, thank you." She trapped it within her hands until the stewardess offered a slight bow of her head and retreated from the cabin. Once we were alone, she finally released the groan that had been building up in her throat. Her head fell back against the pillow. "This is orgasmic."

"Is that so?"

Her gray eyes fluttered open. She couldn't bring herself to break the silence for several long minutes while she studied me carefully. "Did I really just hear that right?" She shifted slightly so that she could rest her weight on one elbow. "The way you asked that really gives off the impression that you don't do foot massages very often."

I couldn't stop the snort from escaping me. All I graced her with was a brief glance before I focused on shifting her leg so that I could start working on the tension just above her ankle. "If you ask enough people, they will give you the impression that I enjoyed all the fine things my status offers, pet. I've dabbled in drugs and gambled at the tables. I wasn't shy about taking a pussy that caught my eye. No, foot massages weren"t something I tended to do. It should have dawned on you by now that you're special. Clearly, I don't do this for just anyone."

Quinn's cheeks flushed a deep red. Nibbling on her lower lip, she mused over my words while she twisted the cap free. "I didn't expect any of this when we first crossed paths," she murmured. "I mean… I knew shit was going to hit the fan for me eventually. My own mother couldn't stand me and I had attempted to find a family with an organization that…" Her words faltered.

My eyes strayed toward her, yet I didn't offer up a verbal response. There was no need for me to, not when she wasn't haunted by weariness when it came to how our paths crossed. She was already aware that the past didn't matter when it came to how we started on opposite sides of the board. I simply continued with the massage while she fumbled her way through her thoughts.

Groaning softly, she settled for taking a quick swig from the bottle before she returned the cap and set it down on the ground. "I think I'm still drunk."

"What makes you say that, pet?" I dragged a hand up her leg. The beast within me was absolutely delighted that I had managed to convince her to wear a short skirt, giving me easy access to both that delicious pussy and her slender legs. I yearned to simply go for the heavenly bliss waiting for me, yet I managed to restrain myself. The more relaxed I kept Quinn, the better off our visit to Las Vegas would go.

Her body sagged down. "Because I'm rambling. I just didn't expect for things to happen between us like they have. I'm grateful to be accepted into your world, don't get me wrong. But I've gone from being treated like a bastard child that had no right to exist to…"

"Royalty?"

Those stunning gray eyes flickered toward me. "I don't know if I'm ever going to get used to this, Asher. I'm not used to being seen."

I shifted on the bench, allowing her feet to slip off of me. A quick glance to ensure I wouldn't stick my knee where it didn't belong and I soon hovered above her with one hell of a hard-on pinned between us. "I'm sure I can help encourage the adjustment. We still have time before the Council member is due to meet us in Vegas. So I will introduce you to all the hidden gems that I've uncovered since I bought the state during the early negotiations with the angels and…" I leaned down to nip at her jaw. "...I will show you off in the process."

I could feel the heat radiating off her skin. Quinn was nervous.

My lips parted. "Talk to me, pet." I grazed her jawline with my fangs. The way her breathing had hitched and her energy had shifted into a nervous buzz was impossible to miss.

Quinn hesitated before she whispered, "Are you sure you want to be seen with me? I mean… It's no secret that I'm a bastard child. Hell, I'm sure the rumors spread pretty fast that you bought me after raiding the APL's safehouse. What reason do you have to be proud of me?"

I could feel a shift in my emotions as she stumbled her way through all the chaos brewing within her. There was a hint of rage that yearned to spark and break free from the mere fact that she was still hung up on her origins. It infuriated me that I didn't get the chance to tear into Anita's flesh. Breaking Quinn of the habit of putting herself down was going to be a long process, but it was one I was determined to accomplish.

Quinn was the furthest thing from a piece of trash to be tossed out onto the curb. She was no bastard child, not when royal blood flowed through her veins. I just needed the chance to prove her past didn't matter.

Pulling away slightly, I locked gazes with my pet. "Every single demon would label me as the playboy of the Aeternus family, pet. The fact that my cock no longer gets hard for every beautiful woman that crosses my path is one hell of an accomplishment. Only you have been knotted by me and I am more than willing to burn this world down if it brings any further harm to you. Your mixed blood never mattered to me because it is clear that our paths were meant to become tangled. We are now bound and I am proud of that bond."

Her eyes misted. "Do you really mean that?" she managed.

I nipped at her jaw, squeezing a delighted gasp from those fair lips. "Why else would I want to show you off, pet? You managed to tame a wild beast and now I want to share a few special places in my world with you."

The intercom beeped above us. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our descent into Las Vegas. Please buckle yourselves in and remain seated until we are on the tarmac. Thank you."

Quinn wrinkled her nose. "I didn't think you'd want to fly after…after what happened with your father. Doesn't it seem like you're tempting fate?"

"No." I pulled off of her, helping her sit up so she could heed the captain's request. "The way I see it…I am refusing to allow my father's paranoia to pass along to me. While it is true that his enemies were able to finally bring him down, I will not allow them to control how I travel. Paranoia is simply a sign of weakness and I didn't get where I am today by succumbing to it."

With the seat buckle in place, Quinn tugged the blanket over her lap and nibbled on her lower lip. "You're referring to the current change over with the States."

"Buying the land from the angels, yes." I lounged against the bench while the subtle sensations of the jet descending from the air left me with slight tingles. It was true that I didn't like the idea of flying with how my father had been murdered, but every word I spoke was true. I wouldn't be controlled by his paranoia or my enemies, which meant flying would be a tall tale sign that I was one pissed off son of a bitch.

My pet sucked in a sharp breath as the descent was more obvious to her. Every muscle in her body had tensed up until all my hard work with the massage was essentially gone. She couldn't seem to break herself out of her own head until I reached out and drew her against me. As soon as the heat from my body rolled over her, she melted against me. "I don't like flying," she rasped.

I started working on the knot in her neck, using the massage to help distract her. "How do you fair on the water?"

Her stunning eyes flickered toward me. "I don't know," she confessed. "Why?"

Shifting my hand, I tangled my fingers in her hair and encouraged her to maintain eye contact with me. "It's tradition for a prince to ascend to the throne from their homeland, which means we'll be traveling to Italy within the next year. If flying leaves you this rattled, I would prefer to avoid putting you through the unnecessary stress. We'll sail home."

Quinn's expression softened. "I look forward to seeing where you grew up."

I didn't realize how much of an impact those words would have on me until they came from her mouth. Tightening my arm around her, I allowed silence to flood the cabin. There wasn't a chance in hell that I was going to be able to erase the last of that anxiety swirling within her — not when it would simply take time and experience to ease her fear of flying. For now, I allowed my presence to help keep it contained while I fumbled through the new wave of emotions ripping through me.

My pet was bringing out a part of me that I had either never experienced or it had been buried so long that I'd simply forgotten about it. It certainly meant the world to me that she felt embraced by my world to the point where her soul yearned to see where I came from. It was certainly way more than I could ask for considering how we met. I drew in a slow breath, the gears in my mind already turning.

It seemed the decision to show her pieces of Vegas that meant more to me than it would for others had been the correct direction to go toward.

The physical contact seemed to help where Quinn's involuntary trembles were involved, although she couldn't stop them all. A violent one ripped through her as soon as the jet touched down on the tarmac. Still, she managed to suppress a yelp and suffer in silence. The restraint would go a long way in the demon world — especially my little corner.

Lila slipped through the velvet curtains, causing my pet to immediately straighten like nothing had ever happened. "They're waiting for you outside, sire. The vehicle has already been cleared."

"The tarmac?"

She lifted her jaw. "Also cleared. No threat detected on the airstrip."

"Thank you, Lila." I eased off the bench. There was a slight chill trickling down my spine when I noted the way the stewardess was staring at me with an expression I was used to seeing from pussy that I'd already tapped. It was certainly a reason that I tended to ensure a rotation of staff to prevent them from clinging this badly.

Apparently I'd forgotten to get this one transferred during the recent chaos.

I held out a hand to help Quinn up once she'd freed herself from the buckle. It was impossible to miss the sudden shift in the air — and the fact Lila had yet to excuse herself. It took everything I had not to acknowledge her any further while I waited for Quinn to slip her shoes back on. Yep… Definitely need to get Lila off jet duty if I plan on getting Quinn used to the idea of flying…

There were times I didn't mind when the pussy that I'd tapped attempted to compete with possible competition, but that was before I bought Quinn. It was certainly before I realized my little pet was a hybrid with a buried succubus nature. The mere fact that Lila couldn't cause a knot like Quinn could meant that I had absolutely no interest her.

The stewardess' demeanor started to change the more I catered to Quinn and simply ignored her. The muscles in her jaw flexed as she was forced to leave us to get the jet door open. Even once that task was completed, she had to take up the post by the steps and wait for us to depart. Those pale hands were tightly clasped in front of her as she struggled to keep her emotions suppressed until we were gone.

Although the cool breeze carried into the jet wasn't enough to do more than raise goosebumps along my skin, I could tell Quinn still had enough humanity left within her that she noticed the shift in temperature. It was nowhere near as bad as Montana, but the sun had yet to rise. I shrugged off my suit jacket, tucking it around her shoulders.

Lila's eyes narrowed.

I made a mental note to have her dealt with — with the high possibility she would probably never work the same flights as me ever again — and guided Quinn off the jet.

Aydin waited for us by the SUV, his arms crossed over his chest and a slight smirk painted on his face. He pushed away from the vehicle as soon as we reached the bottom step. "So this is the woman everyone's talking about." His smirk grew. "She's a stunning one, sire."

Tucking an arm around Quinn's waist, I kept her close while I surveyed the vehicle behind the demon. The initial survey of my pet left me irritable, especially so soon after dealing with a jealous former tap. Yet the demon was quick to avert his eyes and I was able to suppress the irritation. I've turned into a jealous man myself. "Where is Archer?"

"He was forced to take a few detours, so he's running behind." Aydin reached out to tug open the back door. "I believe he mentioned something along the lines that he had a tail he needed to shake."

My upper lip curled at what that meant. Not only had the Nephilim managed to uncover there were eyes on the building and took one of Archer's own as prisoner, but now the bastard was tailing the demon lord himself. Only a being that was accustomed to walking in the shadows to avoid being seen would have the ability to track someone else from that world. It took everything I had not to let my swearing run loose.

This was not the time or the place to lose my temper.

Quinn eased into the SUV first and I brought up the rear. "Is everyone going to look at me the way they did?"

An amused snort escaped me. "The stewardess was staring out of jealousy, pet. I made the mistake of fucking her during a trip before I was caught up with business. No one has ever seen me remain with someone for as long as I have with you, which makes her wish she was in your shoes." I nudged my head at Aydin as the demon waited for the jet staff to close it up and take off. "He's merely curious about you for similar reasons. I had no need to settle down until our paths crossed."

Her cheeks became a sexy light pink. "You really were the playboy type, weren't you?"

I arched an eyebrow at her, relaxing in my seat. "Does that bother you?"

My pet wrinkled her nose. "No. That was before we met." Her gray eyes drifted away as she hesitated. There was no doubt in my mind that there was a question burning on the tip of her tongue, but she wasn't sure about releasing it.

"Speak, pet."

Closing her eyes, Quinn sucked in a deep breath and trapped the air in her lungs for a moment. While only a few seconds passed for me, an eternity had gone by for her while she fought for the bold strength she needed to heed my request. "Do I need to worry about finding another woman in your bed?"

Are you going to maintain that lifestyle?

I lifted my jaw. The movement was enough to squeeze a flinch out of her and the sight of it caused a wave of guilt to surge through my veins. There was no regret on my part with how I lived my life prior to our meeting. I spent every single moment indulging in my personal desires while expanding the family empire. Seeing her endure such uncertainty made me determined to show her that she had nothing to concern herself with.

As soon as I reached out and brushed my fingers along her jaw, my pet melted into my hand. The frazzled nerves were still there, just below the surface, but my touch was enough to bring that peace she yearned for back with fresh strength. "You will never have to worry about another taking your place in my bed, Quinn Faxiss."

She sucked in a breath at the mention of her father's family name.

My fingers continued to stray along her jaw. All it took was a slight shift for me to catch most of the stray hair with my thumb so that I could tuck it behind her ear. "I had no reason to settle down before we met. No signs from Fate that you were due to cross my path before long. The window for me to find my mate had long since passed for me, as it had for all my demon lords. So a mate…a family…none of it had crossed my mind. Yet the first time I lay eyes on you…" I shifted so that I could lean toward her, bringing our faces close within seconds. "You were so defiant in the face of danger. Looking me dead in the eye even with the condemned all around you."

Quinn's body shook as the heat from my skin chased away the chills haunting her. "I didn't expect you to come down from that room," she breathed.

"Nor did I." I smirked. "You had a strong pull even before I took you for the first time, pet. Rest that weary mind of yours. You've managed to tame a beast that no one ever thought it could be done with. You own me."

Those words seemed to help drive away the last of the uncertainty lurking within her, especially when I purposely chose those. It was true that I had bought her in the beginning to use that pussy until I got bored and sent her on to one of the others. Yet she'd caused a reaction in me that no one thought was possible. Not only had I knotted her, but I'd bonded with her on a level that I'd never experienced.

I wasn't going to let her slip through my fingers if all she needed from me was my loyalty.

I was content to literally slip off the seat and go down onto my knees for her to believe I was extremely serious. Quinn was quickly distracted by Aydin climbing into the driver's seat, leaving there to be no need to quite yet. My lips twitched as I reluctantly eased back and let my hand fall to her knee.

"The penthouse is ready for you." The demon shifted until he was comfortable. "Should I take you to the hotel?"

"No. There are a few things I wish to do before we check in." I could see a quizzical expression leak out onto Quinn's face. It took everything I had to remain focused on the demon instead. "Take us to 149 Angeles Street."

Aydin immediately threw the car into gear. "As you wish."

Aside from the music he threw on for simple background noise, none of us made an attempt to carry out a conversation. I was content to let my thoughts stray while Aydin drove us toward the outskirts of Vegas. The energy humming within my pet was certainly amusing. It was driving her nuts that I wouldn't clarify what we were doing.

Yet the possibility of a surprise excited her.

So she remained still, those stunning gray eyes occasionally shifting toward the window to take in the sights. That heart of hers had finally settled now that the jet had been left behind. Cars she could handle.

It wasn't long until Aydin pulled the SUV over to the curb just outside of Mystic Silks. He threw a quick glance at the building. "Should I go inside and make sure it's clear?"

"It's not necessary."

Only a fool would attempt to lay eyes on a building owned by my mother's family.

Quinn didn't budge until I gave the demon necessary instructions to return in an hour and I shoved the car door open. She gratefully took my hand as she eased out. It didn't take her long to realize that my presence had already attracted attention from the tourists strolling by on the sidewalk, which meant their eyes also found their way to her. She flushed, her grip tightening on mine.

I was pleasantly surprised that all it took was a gentle warning on my part for her to realize this would simply become a part of her life. Sharing the spotlight with me and earning all this attention was the price of being my mate. Despite the nervous energy buzzing beneath that delicate skin, she managed to conceal all those emotions behind a calm demeanor.

Hell, Quinn even looked like she was enjoying herself.

As soon as Aydin took off and cleared the path for us, my pet curling her arm around mine, I led the way into the shop. The edges of my lips twitched as every single customer within swung their eyes our way with several of them gasping. There were even remarks leaking into the air that the prince of demons was in the building.

"Hello! Welcome to Mystic Silks." A young redhead emerged from the office, no doubt pulled away from her task by the sudden silence within her shop. Once she rounded the corner and those pale silver eyes found their way toward us, she halted. "Asher. This is quite unexpected."

I responded with a small nod. "Emersyn."

My cousin drew in a breath as she struggled to process that I was actually there. Once the full weight of reality finally returned, she shifted her attention to the others. Clapping her hands together, she remarked, "Back to work! All of you. I don't pay you to stand around to ignore my customers."

Her staff quickly resumed their duties, encouraging quiet conversations.

Emersyn crossed the shop, clasping her hands together in front of her. "It's been a very long time since you've graced this town with your presence, cousin. We were all beginning to fear that your growing duties were going to keep you away."

The edges of my lips twitched. "Business brought me back."

She scoffed. "Of course that's why you're here. Still. It's always a pleasure to see you." Her gaze strayed toward Quinn, who tensed. "Who is this lovely doll on your arm?"

"Emersyn, I would like you to meet my mate, Quinn Faxiss."

Those pale eyes snapped back to me. Her jaw dropped. "Don't fuck with me like that, cousin," she growled. "Everyone knows the last of that bloodline was killed off several decades ago."

My grin grew. "Apparently they missed one."

Emersyn stared at me for a moment while she struggled to process the bomb I'd just dropped on her. It took several long minutes before she slowly nodded, running her fingers through her hair. "I'll be damned. That's quite a find." She held out her hand toward my weary pet. "I am Emersyn Kaia. Asher's mother was my aunt."

That reveal seemed to be enough to help drive those pesky nerves away. Quinn's body started to relax. "You two are related?"

My cousin's fair lips curled into a small smile. "Not much of a family resemblance, huh?" She clasped her hands together in front of her while those pale eyes flickered in between us. "I take it you brought Quinn here to spoil her?"

I responded with a small nod of my own. "She has a closet to fill."

My pet tensed beside me. "I don't even know what styles I like," she hissed at me.

Although Quinn hadn't meant to give away her past through those words, that was all Emersyn needed for her to catch on to why I had brought us here. She held up a finger for me to wait before she turned away. "I need all customers to check out and be on your way! We will be closing early today. I do apologize for the sudden change, but it is necessary. Make your way to the registers so the staff can help you cash out."

Quinn nibbled on her lower lip as the others scrambled to heed her command. "That's really not necessary…"

Emersyn peered over her shoulder, arching an eyebrow. "It will be much easier on you if we have an empty shop. There's really no need to fret. My business does well and it will not hurt for me to close my doors early today. Besides, I'd like to focus on you. Help you find what you like as well as some…necessary clothing choices for the days to come." She gestured for us to take a bench nearby before she headed for the registers to help tend to the customers.

The lines moved quickly as the staff worked to clear the shop, yet it didn't stop the repetitive glances in our direction. It was one thing for me to make a surprise visit, but it was another thing entirely for me to have a woman on my arm. I was normally only seen at my own places of business with the club as my fixed point. It wasn't long until the last one was ushered out the door and the staff clocked out to follow.

Emersyn locked the front door once the final demon left. Returning the lanyard to her neck, she turned on her heel and flashed Quinn a wide smile. "Before we get into this, I would like to make it clear that you shouldn't feel any shame for what your past may have held. It doesn't matter to me why this…type of setting might leave you baffled. We'll start out with a few random things until we start uncovering what you like and what you simply can't stand. Sound good?"

I knew it had been a wise idea to bring my pet here when my cousin's comforting choice of words helped drive the tension away.

Quinn responded with a small nod. "That sounds great."

"Fantastic!" My cousin clasped her hands together with a pleased grin. Those pale eyes shifted toward me. "Do I have a deadline to be concerned about?"

I shook my head. "We're not in a rush. We flew out as early as we did so that I could show Quinn some of the hidden gems that I'm rather fond of."

The fact that I had dropped by the shop out of the blue like this — especially when Emersyn catered more to the female sex rather than the male, leaving me with no reason to come by — had certainly been surprising enough. Yet I had chosen those words carefully to help clarify why I was doing this. Her eyes misted, leaving her scrambling to maintain that bubbly demeanor. The smile that spread across her face was a pleased one mixed with a tweak of sorrow. "Very exciting, cousin. I still have some wine stashed away in my office if you'd like to help yourself to some. Won't have that angel blood, though." She wrinkled her nose.

Quinn cocked her head to the side, a quizzical look leaking out across her face. "Do you not like it?"

"Oh, sweetie, I enjoy working six days a week with one day off." My cousin plopped a hand on her hip and flashed the best smile she could manage with the emotions still swirling within her so strongly. "The last time someone managed to convince me to add that shit to a glass, I found myself waking up two days later with one hell of a hangover. The amount of texts I got from employees broke my damn phone." She gestured for Quinn to join her. "Come, come! Let's get started."

My pet's piercing eyes found their way toward me. While Emersyn was family and it was clear we had a decent relationship, it seemed she still needed that final confirmation that she could completely unwind. All it took was a small nod from me for her to ease off the bench, shrugging my jacket off while she went.

I relaxed against the bench, watching her trail after Emersyn. Her uncertainty was part of the reason why I had chosen the locations that I had today. The Council wouldn't be arriving for a few more days and I was determined to help Quinn realize she had every right to be in my world. All the tormented memories of her childhood could be left behind.

Just because humanity had turned its back on her didn't mean demon kind would do the same.

QUINN

"So, let's start with what you know you're comfortable wearing." Emersyn led the way toward the back corner of the shop, her pale silver eyes straying along all the racks hanging from the wall. "Is there anything that we should keep away from simply because it irritates the hell out of you?"

I nibbled on my lower lip, my steps far less eager. "I-I really… I don't…"

I could feel all the frazzled nerves within me building up that energy again until parts of my body were starting to shake. It certainly helped when the shop had been emptied like it had, leaving me with less prying eyes while I struggled to figure this out. Still, that didn't mean that I would be able to open up like she was hoping for.

The demon turned on her heel, facing me so quickly that I almost ran straight into her. She seized me by the shoulders while she trained those beautiful eyes on me. "Let's get one thing straight before we spend the next hour with awkward tension, Quinn. I don't care how things started out for you. It doesn't matter if you grew up in the demon world or you were born into another one entirely. Hell, I don't care if you grew up with a regular metal spoon in your mouth instead of a golden one. My family doesn't give a damn, which I'm sure is why Asher brought you here."

My lips parted, but I couldn't bring myself to respond. Was I really that easy to read? She'd managed to hit the nail on the head as to why I was so nervous about this outing. It was one thing to be a hybrid at birth, but who could overlook the fact that much of my childhood had been spent in a dog cage with a cigarette burning my flesh? That didn't mean that I wasn't willing to try and find the confidence Asher was determined to help me obtain.

Emersyn shifted a hand to cup my cheek. "How about we grab a few random things for you to try and we'll go from there?"

I managed a grateful smile. "I like that idea."

"Fantastic." She winked at me before turning to grab different things off the racks. It wasn't long until she had a nice stack draped over her arm, yet she still managed to weave her free arm around mine to guide me toward the back.

My steps faltered as soon as we reached the changing room. I watched her trail down all the stalls, her spare hand pushing against each door to ensure that they were all empty. It wasn't until she'd checked the last one before gesturing at me to approach that I finally moved. "I don't know if I'm ever going to get used to the fact that there's always the chance of a threat against Asher," I confessed.

The demon held up a shirt for me to take in as I passed by her. "If you're not accustomed to living the life of royalty, then yes. It can certainly be overwhelming for a while. Although it's normally not this stressful. The two of you just happened to cross paths when the tension between angels and demons hit a high," she scoffed. "I knew it was only a matter of time before Marcillo got desperate. He despised handing over territory to Asher."

I tucked the shirt against my chest, the material brushing against my skin sending a wave of chills down my spine. I didn't dare start pulling off my own until the demon had tugged the door shut behind me. "So…it won't always be like this? With everyone always looking over their shoulders?"

She released a small chuckle. "Not if Asher has his way. He doesn't tolerate the type of behavior Marcillo is portraying. Which is why he aimed for the critical states so early in the negotiations. It's also why Salvatore had no problem with allowing his son to come over here and live the lifestyle that he did. Asher still gets shit done in a timely manner."

Nibbling on my lower lip, I mused over her response while I worked on unbuttoning the soft top. Once my skin was free from the tight material, I tossed it down onto the small stool tucked into the corner and worked on pulling on Emersyn's first choice. While I didn't mind the way it dipped so low in the front, I found my skin crawling from how revealing it was in the back. It took everything I had to force myself to finish.

"How's it look?"

I reluctantly tugged the door open and came out to do a quick spin. "I…don't think I care for it." Bringing an arm against my chest, my eyes found their way toward the sole mirror hanging on the back wall. It was comforting that most of the cigarette burns had faded, leaving me to hunt for those that were even the slightest bit noticeable. Still, the fact they were still there left me nauseated.

Emersyn approached, peering at me in the mirror. "Want some that covers the back for the time being?"

My eyes dropped immediately. "You can see them."

The demon wrapped one arm around me for a loose hug, her chin resting on my shoulder. "Yes, I can," she admitted. "Although, I can also sense they're fading. I don't know how that's happening nor is it any of my business. Sometimes it just takes us a little bit longer to make peace with our past and let it go."

It shocked me how much Asher's cousin was able to soothe my soul without pushing too hard. I managed to return my eyes to the mirror, seeking out eye contact with her. "You've dealt with something similar, haven't you?"

Her lips curled into a small smile. "I'm afraid so. I thought I found the love of my life when I was a few hundred years old. Turns out the bastard was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. He worked his ass off to make me leave the family business and cut off contact with everyone. That didn't stop the abuse from starting before he had me completely isolated from everyone. By then, I thought I'd burned bridges with everyone. I thought I was stuck with him." Her silver eyes dropped slowly. "Out of everyone on both sides of the family…Asher was the last person I expected to hunt me down."

Chills trickled down my spine at her admission. While it wasn't exactly like my story, it held enough similarities for me to realize this demon was baring her soul to someone she barely knew and that meant the world to me. I reached up to squeeze the arm still tucked against me. "He seems very loyal to family."

Emersyn chuckled softly, finally pulling back. "You wouldn't be able to tell from the lifestyle he enjoyed growing up, but he is one of the most loyal men I've ever come across. He'll walk into a wolf's den and beat the fuck out of everyone in order to protect those he loves. That kind of loyalty… It takes betrayal to the family for it to waver. Him coming for me that night…helping me break free from that life…I can never return the favor. He's got my support until the day I die."

Sorrow swept through my veins as the images I'd been forced to endure with Calianna broke free from the darkness. It was agonizing to realize that she had turned against the family like she had. I couldn't argue with the desperate reach for freedom, yet Lazarus seemed like the last choice anyone should take.

If his sister had not fled Italy the way she had, flinging herself into the arms of the only Nephilim to walk the earth…would Asher have released her from the binds she sought to escape? Or would he force her to still go through with the marriage?

Emersyn pulled away from me, immediately pulling off a few articles of clothing before she reached a black top further down. "Here. Try this one." She faced me and held it out with a grin. "It's revealing in the front but conceals the back. It'll show off Asher's mark nicely."

My cheeks flushed with a surge of heat. "Is it a good thing to show off?"

A giggle escaped her. "Quinn, demons don't mark someone unless they've found their mate. You are the only person on this earth with Asher's mark on you. So yes, it is something to show off with a shit load of pride because that means he chose you as his mate. Even if he didn't quite understand what those feelings were at first."

I threw a quick glance at the chosen top. It was barely more than a tank top, except the back was completely covered like I wanted with black lace that would help conceal most of the scars while the front offered total sex appeal. Excitement trickled down my spine at how it would look on my skin. There was absolutely no resistance on my part about going back into the changing stall and switching the shirts.

My legs threatened to grow weak beneath me once the material settled on my skin and I was graced with a stunning view. The front dipped low, exposing part of my breasts while reaching down toward my stomach. Thin golden chains prevented it from flinging wide open, maintaining that bold tease. I honed in on the tattoo peeking out from underneath. The air hitched in my throat when I realized it had changed — just like Asher's.

Emersyn knocked on the outside of the stall. "Everything okay?"

Swallowing, I poked my head out of the curtain and gestured at the tattoo. "Why did mine change?"

Her light silver eyes dropped toward it. It only took her a moment to process what I was asking before those fair lips curled into a pleased smile. "Asher marked you. So when Salvatore…passed…and the power of the king was transferred to him, it mirrors his rising rank. You are his mate, Quinn, as well as an extension of himself." She paused while a thought seemed to process. When those gears started turning, her entire face lit up. "Keep that one. I'd like you to try something with it to see if it pairs up well."

I watched her with a hint of curiosity while she completely bypassed the clothing pile we'd collected and simply went back out to the shop. Granted, most of the clothes we'd brought with us had been shirts, but it did make me wonder what had her so excited.

"What are you up to, Syn?" Asher's voice was quiet.

The demon responded with a chuckle that was nothing short of a mischievous noise. She refused to answer him, simply racing back into the changing area with a pair of black slacks draped over her arm. When our gazes locked, she beamed. "They're black leggings. Sexy, but comfortable. I absolutely love wearing these simply because they show off your ass and you, my dear…have an ass that needs to be shown off."

My cheeks grew hot. Hell, the entire upper half of my body was burning with embarrassment. "When did you get a chance to look at my ass?"

She snorted, shoving the hanger at me until I reluctantly accepted it. "I'm bi-sexual, Quinn. If Asher hadn't already marked you, I would've attempted to take you out for a movie, dinner, and maybe some fun experimentation afterward. The ass tends to be one of my favorite features on the female body. Now go! Put it on."

Wrinkling my nose, I suppressed the urge to argue with her. While I was more comfortable with the idea of working our way through the rest of the top stack, I could sense it would be absolutely pointless to protest. I tugged the curtain back into place and worked on shedding the jeans to replace them with the leggings. As soon as I started pulling them on, a similar smooth martial as the top hugged my skin.

If Asher could be converted into a type of clothing material, it would certainly be tied into this stunning sensation. There was no way Emersyn could go wrong with both articles of clothing being black. It helped emphasize my pale complexion as well as drawing attention to the mark nestled on my breast. Utter delight washed through me as I took in the seductive nature the clothes brought — all with the necessary comfort I yearned for.

A low whistle had me spinning around and instinctively bringing my arms up against my chest. Emersyn didn't look the least bit insulted that I was attempting to cover myself up. Her grin simply grew. "Like I said…if Asher hadn't already claimed you," she purred with a wink.

"I'm going to be cooked alive if you keep up with remarks like that," I growled.

"Remarks like what?"

Emersyn straightened with a squeak while I sucked in a sharp breath. Once she processed that it was simply Asher strolling through the open doorway, she released a huff. "You're going to help me look for someone as stunning as Quinn, Asher, or I swear I'm going to become the grumpy relative you never want to see at family gatherings." She drifted out of the way, gesturing at me.

As soon as his golden eyes strayed in my direction, his features changed. The normal cockiness that I was so fond of gave away to pure shock. He immediately pulled away from the doorframe. His gaze strayed, surveying me to take every inch in. The longer he stared at me, the more he seemed prompted to approach with hungry steps.

While there was a part of me that yearned to bolt in the other direction — which would probably turn this into a game of cat and mouse in the middle of a clothing shop — the rest of me was content to remain perfectly still until he was on me. There wasn't an ounce of resistance in my body when he prompted me back into the changing stall until I was flat against the back of it with him against me. My heart skidded to a halt before going crazy in my chest as I stared up at the hungry demon prince I had become so fond of.

"Do you like these clothes, pet?" His growl was a velvet rumble originating from his chest and it threatened to leave me wet.

All I could do was offer a nod.

Asher turned his head slightly, locking gazes with a very intrigued Emersyn. "Find her more like these, Syn."

"As you wish, cousin." Those pale blue eyes shifted toward me and she offered a wink. "Just don't destroy my changing stall, please. I would like to have all of them functioning for tomorrow." She grabbed the stack still tossed about on the floor before she retreated back out into the main area of the shop, whistling an innocent tune the whole way.

My lips parted when Asher left the curtain wide open. If it wasn't for the fact that the rest of the customers and the staff had already been ushered out, I probably would have ended up too much on edge with prying ears listening to me scream the prince's name. Except Emersyn was still in the building and she'd already made it clear she found me absolutely adorable.

Ass and all.

A curious hum rumbled from my demon's chest as he trickled those fingers down the tight shirt hugging my upper body. He put just enough pressure against the material to where it left a trail of fire and goosebumps, leaving me to tremble against him. While there was a part of him that toyed with the idea of slipping his hand underneath to tease my breasts, he seemed to be more drawn to my pussy.

I sucked in a sharp breath as he shifted a hand and managed to squeeze it in between the soft material and my silky underwear. The mere fact that his fingers grazed against me was enough to squeeze one hell of a whine from my lips. Once he nudged the material out of the way to slip a finger in, my hips bucked against his hand. "Fuck me!"

It was purely meant as an outcry that tapped into the chaotic sensations he always pulled out of me whenever he touched me, yet that smirk on his face became mischievous. "Soon enough, pet." He added two more fingers inside. With my back already pressed against the wall, he was able to work his hand around until he struck gold.

The orgasm struck hard and fast, leaving me to sink against him while my juices coated his fingers. Although that smirk grew, drawing that one orgasm out of me clearly wasn't enough to appease the incubus within him. I could only whine as he continued thrusting inside me, dragging me right back up that intoxicating mountain until he threw me straight over the edge.

There was no way in hell I would be able to stifle the noise that came out of my mouth, even if my life depended on it. As I sank against the prince, I briefly wondered if any of the tourists passing by outside had managed to hear me. Even if they didn't, Emersyn certainly did.

Almost as if on cue, quiet footsteps padded in our direction and a pair of fresh black leggings were tossed inside. "I know you a little too well to not anticipate you having other plans before checking into that hotel, cousin. Let the poor girl change before your driver gets back."

Asher responded with a deep growl that couldn't be mistaken for anything beyond a playful warning of ownership. "She's not leaving these behind for you to sniff and masturbate to later, Syn."

"Please. I'll have those lovely little noises you squeezed out of her to do enough for me," she fired back.

Flexing his jaw, Asher resisted the urge to continue on the conversation when it was clear his cousin was enjoying the playful banter. He simply settled for rolling his eyes and tossing the clean leggings over his shoulder. "Strip," he ordered, gesturing at the soaked pair I still wore.

My jaw dropped. "Did you just roll your eyes?"

The question was a rather simple one, yet it seemed to puzzle him that I would even ask. He drew his head back with a slight frown. "Perhaps?"

"That was fucking adorable."

A challenging expression crossed the prince's face. There was still a hint of amusement tugging at those lips, although he was content to lean forward and prompt me to press against the back wall until my head ached from the pressure. "Either take those off voluntarily or I'm tearing them off, pet." Those piercing golden eyes remained locked on me while he raised the hand still coated with my juices, coyly licking them clean one finger at a time.

I couldn't bring myself to break my gaze away from him, not even when he ran his tongue along that final finger. It didn't matter how well he'd sucked on them, I could still detect the strong aroma of my own pussy clinging to his skin and that left my legs weak beneath me. Not heeding that silent command certainly prompted the high possibility that he would follow through with his threat, which also ran the risk that I would probably lose the underwear in the process, too.

The fact that I couldn't budge an inch made me realize my own body had turned against me with the hope he would.

True to his word, Asher grabbed a fistful of the leggings — taking care to only steer clear of my top — and jerked back with one hell of a pull. If it wasn't for the fact that my body was pinned against the stall wall, I would've gone with it. With him as the sole resistance to keep me in place, the material gave away with a loud rip that seemed to echo around me.

"Asher Alessio Aeternus, did you rip that fucking top?"

The prince paid absolutely no attention to the question released at a borderline scream or that my jaw had just hit the floor. While my mind was reeling from the sudden revelation of his middle name, he seemed more concerned with getting the underwear off me in one go, too. It wasn't until he'd tossed both articles of clothing outside the stall that it finally occurred to him that I had been stunned silent. His eyebrow twitched. "What?"

I wasn't sure if it was learning such a private detail about my demon or that my mind was still struggling to play catch up with what had just occurred and it was taking a little longer for it to process that I was now standing half naked in the stall. "Asher Alessio Aeternus," I repeated softly.

His eyes narrowed into thin slits. There was a part of him that could just sense that I was going somewhere with this. "Yes…"

My lips curled into a coy smirk of my own. I peered up at him with it still growing by the second. "Should I scream your full name the next time you take me?" I purred. Where the sudden boldness came from, I had no idea. Perhaps some of it tied in with the fact this was the second time he'd found a reason to give me orgasms with company lurking nearby. It was certainly turning me on the more he did it, which left me wondering if I would be roaring his name by the time the chosen task finally came to pass. That could only mean having a Council member bearing witness would be a walk in the park.

The gods knew I would be horny enough to beg for several rounds by then.

Asher's hand lashed out, the swift movement keeping me locked in place. There was just enough tension to prompt more juices to run down my leg and flood the entire back half of the store with a fresh aroma of my scent. "You're not going to be able to walk for days when we're done with that task," he hissed in my ear.

My mind drifted back to the first time he'd taken me. He'd left me with aches strong enough that I certainly attempted to spend the next day in bed. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that he hadn't gone at me with everything he had either purely because knotting me had taken him completely by surprise. If holding back had left me that sore, just how bedridden would I be once he didn't? I leaned my head back as the cool air caressed my pussy, leaving me to shiver. "Promise?"

He responded with a guttural growl that only left me wetter. "You're playing with fire, pet. I'm keeping track of how often you choose to be defiant with me with this sudden boldness of yours."

Clicking my tongue, I leaned forward so there was only a matter of centimeters lurking between us. "Are you going to take it out on my ass later?"

I should have known better than to give this man ammo when full penetration was off the table for the time being. As soon as those piercing eyes flashed, I could feel my cocky behavior faltering. Oh, shit.

Just because I had been brought into a demon's home and fully embraced by their world didn't mean that I had gotten used to all of the abilities they seemed to have. One being the blurring speed that Asher had no problem using against me. His hand lashed out, grabbing the cushioned stool from the corner and yanking it closer so he could sit down. With an iron grip on my throat, he brought me down with him and left me sprawled across his lap.

A loud squeal escaped me when he smacked my ass with enough force that the skin struck stung for a full minute afterward. The lingering sensation could only mean there was a nice handprint standing out on my skin that I would be feeling for several long days and he would do everything he could to remind me that it was there.

Every strike he delivered to my ass left it even more on fire and the shop was flooded with my mewling noises. If that wasn't enough, the strong smell of my pussy dripping was certainly going to haunt the changing rooms for a long time. It was only getting worse when I could feel Asher's cock harden beneath me until it was pressing against my abdomen.

Fucking hell. As soon as the task revolving around sex got dealt with, I needed to ensure we repeated this scenario but with the desired ending my body desperately needed. Still, every smack he delivered brought enough sting to where it acted like an orgasm in its own way. I shifted slightly so that I could shove my hand underneath me, seizing that large bulge.

The prince jolted as soon as my fingers attempted to dig into his pants. "Quinn Faxiss…" he warned.

"Asher Alessio Aeternus," I rasped.

Again, big mistake.

Again, I didn't give a damn about the consequences. Especially not when he shifted underneath me, his hand delivering one more slap that sent red dots scattering my vision shortly before he thrust his fingers back inside my pussy. His hand had grazed my pussy often enough to where my clit was on fire and the thrusting sensation quickly threw me right back onto that mountain that I enjoyed. The orgasms ripped through me back to back until the room was starting to spin around me.

If it wasn't for the fact that we were currently at the back of his cousin's store with the entire bottom half of me lacking clothing, I would have accepted that lovely abyss with open arms. The migraine when I regained consciousness was slowly becoming less of a problem, so the idea of fainting from his torment had become even more appealing. Still, there were far too many tourists outside that didn't need to see my raw ass.

Asher stopped just shy of me succumbing. He gave me a few minutes to regain my breathing while he continued flicking a finger gently against my clit. "Such a stubborn pet," he mused. "I suppose I'll have to start getting creative with your punishments."

Fucking hell. Wording a promise like that was enough to leave my juices trailing down my leg.

He spoke softly to himself in his native tongue while he reached out of the stall long enough to retrieve the torn pair of leggings. With a few quick movements, he managed to wipe my pussy dry before he eased me off his lap. "Get dressed. We have a reservation to get to."

I remained on the floor while I delivered the best glare that I had. "When in the hell did you have time to make a reservation?"

Those golden eyes flashed while the edges of his lips twitched. "While you were changing, of course. Now get dressed. I'd like to show off my queen to this city." Easing off the stool, Asher left the changing stall.

Defiance was absolutely no fun when the prince wasn't around to bear witness to it — and offer promises of more punishments should I refuse to heed his command. Using the stool to rest my weight on, I reluctantly eased off the floor and retrieved the fresh pair of leggings from where he'd dropped them. My entire ass ached with every movement I made, which essentially squeezed out a mixture of pained hisses and soft groans.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind that the bastard could hear every single one and he had a smirk painted on his face.

True to my gut feeling, I found those lips curled into a coy smile when I emerged from the back with my entire body now covered. The fact that my movements were slow didn't help my case at all. I scowled, choosing to lean on the edge of the counter while Emersyn finished bagging up all the clothes she'd found for me.

Asher planted a credit card on the counter once the last article of clothing had gone in.

Her pale blue eyes dropped to it before she flung the best glare I'd ever seen at him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Paying you," he fired back without missing a beat.

The demon immediately slid it back toward him. "The hell you are. You're family and so is she. Consider it a gift."

Asher's piercing golden eyes narrowed into thin slits. He didn't make a move toward that card. "That doesn't mean I'm not going to ensure you're paid for what you sold today, Syn. You closed up your shop to ensure this experience went as smoothly as it could for Quinn. I won't tolerate you taking a loss on profit." He gestured down at the card. "Use it."

I peered between them as the pair entered a tense staredown, although neither of them had an ounce of rage lurking within their aura. It seemed closer to a typical sibling argument that was worth the front row seats for.

Emersyn responded by slamming a hand down on the glass while jabbing at the register. A loud ding echoed off the shop walls, the drawer flying out before she slapped it shut. As the receipt paper started printing out, she flashed a victorious smirk at the prince. "I don't do this for the money and you know it. All I ask is to be invited to the wedding."

"You're a pain in my ass, Emersyn." My demon responded with a low growl.

"And you're a thorn in my side, but I love you anyway." Her grin grew. Tying the top together, she slid the large bag toward him. "Now go tell Dario I said hi. Tell the fucker he still owes me some tiramisu. I will be stopping by tomorrow to collect it."

If it wasn't for Aydin pulling up along the curb outside, there was no doubt in my mind that Asher would have been content to keep the argument going for a little longer. The sun reflecting off the SUV's paint job was enough to attract his attention and squeeze an irritable growl out of him. "Tell him yourself, Syn." Grabbing the bag off the counter, he gestured for me to follow.

Her expression shifted into a pleased, angelic grin. "Pleasure to see you again, cousin!" Those stunning pale eyes flickered in my direction and she offered a wink. "It was also rather delightful to meet you, Quinn. If my cousin fails to take care of you properly…"

"Emersyn." The jealous edge leaked into Asher's voice, squeezing a snicker out of her.

Nibbling on my lower lip, I offered a small nodin the demon's direction before I scrambled to follow the prince outside. Every movement I made reminded me of the punishment that I'd just endured — as well as the fact that a new pair of underwear hadn't been included. This fucker was making me go commando.

Fucking hell.