Chapter 9

Selene's hiking boots made squeaking sounds as they thumped along the stone floor. They echoed off the corridor leading to the castle's front gate, while Arkaya walked silently beside her. Up ahead, Selene could see a slice of blue sky through the open gate, the sun high above the bridge leading to the forest. Yesterday, the queen had told her they would leave at dawn, but between Hollen's packing skills and Arkaya's magic tricks, it was nearly midday.

As they got closer, Selene saw the silhouette of a man standing near the gate. He had his back to the castle, with a large pack strapped to his shoulders and a brown satchel slung across his chest. Strands of black hair blew around his shoulders, while sunlight made the ridged tips of his horns gleam. He stood perfectly still, staring out at the bridge that led to the vast forest before him. A lonely presence dwarfed by a towering expanse of the unknown. Waiting. For her.

Samael.

Reality hit, hard and fast as a sledgehammer to her chest. Selene's lips parted, and her mouth went dry. Although brief, her time in the castle had made her forget how big Aurelia was. How threatening the landscape looked and the way the woods pulsed with eerie gloom. And now she was alone with a single lifeline. There was just one man charged to be her guide, protector, and companion. And technically, he wasn't a man at all.

Am I really doing this?

A constrictive feeling seized her chest, causing her to cough. But the dryness of her mouth made one cough turn into another, and then another. Arkaya laid a hand on her arm, looking concerned, but Selene waved her away.

The sound of a deep voice caused Selene to jump.

"You're late."

Selene nearly choked again as she turned to see Samael staring down at her. Tall, grim, and looking very irritated.

His gaze traveled from the top of Selene's head, down to her boots, and back up again. He must share Hollen's disgust of her jeans and boots, she thought. The icy disapproval in his expression was clear.

Well, this is a great start.

She opened her mouth to apologize for her tardiness, but Arkaya cut her off. "The fault is entirely mine, Samael. Packing took longer than we expected." She leaned back to look up at him. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes." A small frown pulled at the corners of his mouth.

"Then this is farewell," Arkaya said, pulling Selene into a hug. "Safe travels, dear human. The queen sends her best wishes. If you experience any… unexpected proceedings, you will always have a place here. Remember that."

Selene found Arkaya's phrasing odd, but she dismissed it. "Thank you. I'm so grateful you found me in the woods."

Arkaya smiled back and then turned to Samael. "Safe travels to you too, demon. I hope this journey gives you peace."

He nodded, then Arkaya turned to glide back into the castle. A small lump formed in Selene's throat at the sight of Arkaya's retreating back. Bereft of her friend Hollen and her guide Arkaya, Selene now felt truly alone in Aurelia.

"I trust you are prepared?" Samuel said.

"Yes, I'm ready."

In a voice like gravel, he said, "Let's begin."

As they left the castle behind to journey into the Malkina forest, Sam fought to keep his gaze from raking down Selene's frame again. Every muscle in his body had tightened with want at his first glimpse of her that morning. Last night, he had worried that she would slow their progress by wearing shoes that blistered her feet. He'd been ready to endure complaints about the mud that would surely collect on the hem of her fine gowns and vowed to be patient when she lamented the inevitable damage to the gems she would be draped in. Yet she wasn't outfitted at all as he expected.

Snug canvas breeches hugged every line of her legs. She wore a close-fitting jacket, unzipped just enough to show the comely line of her throat. Her pack was much smaller than his, and the belt clipped at her waist accentuated the curve of her hips. Sam's fingers had itched to tunnel through the mass of hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. He even found her boots admirable—cut high enough to support her ankles and soled with a thick tread.

The dark-clothed woman that had stood in the castle gates looked more like an accomplished warrior than a pampered courtier, and the contrast made his heart pound. He felt so flustered that the only way he could keep from falling at her feet was to lash out at her tardiness.

A pack of wild birds pecking at the ground scattered as they passed. They would follow the dirt path leading out of Malkina territory, which could take a few days. Then Sam would consult a map for appropriate routes to take them to the Goblyn castle.

The forests of Queen Thema's lands were ancient and lush, with canopies of trees offering shade. They walked in silence as the castle grew smaller behind them in the distance. Sam was uncertain of what topics of conversation were appropriate for a human, so he kept quiet.

Eventually, Selene spoke. "L-lovely weather, isn't it? We're lucky it's sunny."

"Yes," he replied.

"Have you traveled this way north before?"

"Not this way specifically."

"But you know where we're going, right?"

"Of course," he said, more harshly than he intended.

"Okay. Are there any dangers I should be worried about? Lions and tigers and bears, oh my?" she said with a small chuckle.

"I do not know of those creatures, but there are no threats for you to worry about."

"Got it."

They didn't speak again for another two hours. The forest grew darker as they ventured deeper inside. Small animals and birds peered at them curiously, then hid. The way Selene watched them made him wonder if she found the creatures of Aurelia intriguing or frightening. He chose not to ask.

When they passed over a tangle of tree roots, Selene stumbled, and instinctively, Sam caught her by the elbow. He could feel the heat of her body through the cotton she wore, and he couldn't help but let his fingers linger, noticing how large his hand looked against her small arm. When she fully righted herself, she looked up at him and said, "Oops, thank you."

Sam nodded, noticing her cheeks were flushed. He quickly pulled his hand back and closed his fist, wanting to preserve the tingly feeling that touching her brought.

Later, after passing a boggy creek, Sam felt the brown satchel slung across his body grow warm. Then the fabric abruptly expanded with a thonk, bulging with the weight of its sudden contents.

Selene jumped back and pointed at the pouch. "What was that? Do you have some kind of animal in there?"

"It's our dinner."

"Our dinner is a live animal?"

"No, it's… " Sam looked to see if there was a suitable spot for them to stop. "Do you see those fallen logs? We'll take our meal there."

Selene's eyes darted from his face to the pouch. When they reached the clearing, Sam pulled out two bundles. She eyed it skeptically.

"Is it… alive?"

"Not anymore." Sam said. He heard Selene's small gasp when he extended a black claw from under his fingernail to slice through cloth wrapping of each package. He thrust a bundle into her hands.

She sat on the ground and gingerly unwrapped the contents. "It's some kind of sandwich? And is that fruit? But where did it come from?"

"Thema's kitchens," Sam said. When he saw the confusion on her face, he tugged on the strap of the brown satchel he wore.

"Aurelians call this a switch pouch. They were created to exchange messages and supplies for the sisters when they travel. Each one has a twin—this one is linked to a pouch at Thema's castle. What goes in one bag emerges in the other."

"So, all our meals will just appear?"

"Yes. It will be simple fare, don't expect a feast." Sam eased himself to the ground, unnerved by how charming he found her wonder at this most basic of Aurelian tools. "Do they not have things like this in your world?"

"No," she said. "My sister would kill to have one of these connected to her favorite pizza place."

Sam considered asking what pizza was, but said, "Do you come from a large family?" He found himself craving to know more about her.

"I'm the oldest of three. I have a sister named Cass and a brother named Evan. They're twins. What about you?"

"I have no siblings." That I know of. He had often wondered if his parents had more children after he had been taken. Did they wish to replace their missing son with a new child? The wistful ache he felt every time he thought of his parents turned to dread as another question sprang to his mind.

"Are you mated?"

Selene paused. "Do you mean married?"

He didn't respond, just studied how she averted her face.

"I live with my boyfriend, sort of, but we're not married."

Sharp, jagged envy clawed at him. Of course she had a lover waiting for her in the mortal realm. Why was he so surprised? And inexplicably enraged by the idea of a faceless man putting his hands on her?

"Are you betrothed to your lover?" he asked.

"My lover? Goodness, that's quite a term."

"You share a bed, don't you?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer it."

"It's complicated," she mumbled.

The strain in her voice raised Sam's anger up another notch. This man was clearly unworthy of her. "Is he wealthy? What gifts does he bestow upon you?"

"Are all demons this nosy?"

He gave her an assessing look. Most people he had observed became alight with joy when discussing their mates, not fretful and reluctant. He knew he should drop the subject. But there was a question that made his jealousy simmer with primal intensity. Perhaps it wasn't appropriate in human customs, but he had to know.

"Does he satisfy you? Pleasure you as a mate should?"

Selene's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"He doesn't, does he?"

Her mouth opened as if she were going to protest, but she didn't. Only raised her chin and said, "It's none of your business." She took another bite of cavefruit and looked away.

Sam crossed his arms and leaned back against a nearby tree. He fails to please her. A small bud of satisfaction rose up within him at the realization. This man was a fool. Selfish, careless, and undeserving. If Sam were a human—one betrothed to someone like Selene, he would shower her with gifts. Vanquish her enemies and indulge her every whim, especially in their bed. She would feel no uncertainty about her satisfaction.

Not that Sam was experienced in the art of pleasuring females, but he'd be a quick study.

He tried to keep his voice neutral as he asked, "What is your beloved's name?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Why do you care?"

"Curiosity."

"It's Kevin," she said, digging her toe into a patch of dirt on the ground. "Kevin P. Norton is how he prefers to be addressed both on stage and in life."

Sam smiled as the perverse pleasure he always felt before exacting vengeance rose.

Kevin P. Norton. When this was all over, and Sam was back in the Underworld, he vowed to put in a word with the Magistrate of Souls. He would tell her to summon him when this human's time had come so Sam could be the first, the only demon to exact vengeance upon him.

Within the Underworld's Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude, Sam would stand before the human, close his eyes and feel the impact of every wrongdoing he ever committed in life. Hear every lie Kevin P. Norton had ever told. See every act of cruelty and hatred he carried out. Feel how the man's neglectful behavior affected Selene—and know of his spiteful deeds that hurt others.

Then Sam would take all that pain, all the suffering Kevin P. Norton ever inflicted and turn it back upon him. He would make his soul experience the pain he caused in life… and maybe with a little extra before he was allowed to transition to the Afterworld.

They ate in silence until Selene said, "What about you, then? Are you mated?"

An unseen spark of energy seemed to course between them as he met her eyes. A current of attraction, of connection—like the one he had experienced in the ballroom—seemed to crackle in the air.

His voice was husky as he said, "I am not attached to anyone… of this world."

Selene felt frozen as Samael's eyes locked with hers—like he had pinned her in place with the weight of his gaze.

"We've wasted enough time. Finish your food," he said.

Although it was obvious she had been dismissed, she couldn't look away as he stretched his arms over his head. His body was so big, so powerful. It was distracting. The moment he caught her watching him, she feigned a sudden interest in her shoelace before he could give her another one of those penetrating, toe-curling looks.

Were all demons so intense? The way his dark eyes fixed on her was disconcerting. It was like he was looking into her soul, making her feel bare and exposed. It was not like he was imagining her naked; it went deeper than that. It was almost as if he could see inside her, straight to all her secret fantasies. And what was worse? His expression seemed to say that he wanted to fulfill them.

Stop this. You're going home soon.

"How fatigued are you?" Samael asked.

"I feel all right. Better after eating."

"Good. Are you able to hike for a few hours more or do you want more breaks to rest? I assume humans have less stamina—"

"I'm fine," Selene said defensively. She sat up straighter, eager to start moving and stop thinking about betrothals and shared beds. "Let's push through. I feel bad about our late start."

"That's not necessary… "

"No, I insist." She stood and brushed the crumbs from her thighs. Pulling her backpack on, she snapped the clasp at her hips with a clink. When Samael failed to get to his feet, she prodded, "Ready, Sam?" Then, she blanched with horror. Did she just say Sam? Where had that come from? "I'm sorry. I meant to say Samael."

Samael stared up at her. "What made you call me that?"

"I don't know. It seemed like a nickname for Samael. It—it suits you."

"My mother used to call me Sam."

Selene felt more warmth creep into her already heated face. "Sorry, it won't happen again."

He got to his feet and pulled on his pack. "You may call me Sam from now on." Then without another word, he set off down the path so quickly Selene had to jog to catch up.