Heavy brocade curtains draped windows and archways. Three massive crystal-drop chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Banquet tables lined the edges of the room while a phantom orchestra played classical music with a hint of the Middle East. Hundreds of Jinn, lesser Royals, and important landowners mingled around the room, the energy vibrating with power and magic and excitement that after centuries and centuries, Prince Asmodeus had finally chosen a bride to be head of his harem.

Azazil sat in his throne on a small dais at the north end of the room. He wore black silk pants, his feet bare, his torso also, although covered slightly by a long black cape. It had armholes so that it concealed some of his torso, but his bare arms were decorated with mysterious black tattoos, a pattern of swirls and curlicues Ari did not understand. Gold cuffs adorned both wrists, a large emerald stone in the center of each. A long, white braid threaded with thin, gold chains stretched down his back, and in his ears dangled earrings of emerald and gold.

His lieutenant, Asmodeus, and Ari’s detestable betrothed, wore black leather pants. His feet were also bare and he wore no shirt, displaying a powerful upper body. His long, dark hair spilled down his back like black silk, and he wore a decorative gold torc that clipped from the back of his neck and fitted in a wide off-circle across his collarbone and upper chest. Inset with rubies and emeralds, the torc matched the cuffs around his wrists. Spanning his massive biceps were plain gold circlets.

The two of them were dressed to impress. As, unfortunately, was Ari. Female Shaitans had come to her room hours before the “celebratory” feast, and outfitted Ari to Asmodeus’s request. This meant she was wearing an emerald green dress that revealed much more than she’d like it to. It was made of light chiffon silk and although long, the skirt was split into four panels so that when Ari walked, it revealed her bare legs. She was also barefoot, but she had a gold spiraling cuff that started at her ankle and wound its way up her right calf. It matched the gold spiral wrist cuffs and the spiral drop earrings. Her hair was loose because Asmodeus liked it that way. The vile bastard.

Ari glowered out into the ballroom, her expression only changing from hatred to agonized longing when she allowed her gaze to stop on Jai. He stood in the far right corner with the Red King, who stood vigil at his side. Jai’s gaze did not waver from her. Red clamped a hand on Jai’s shoulder to stop him from moving toward Ari.

“I keep warring between sympathy and amusement over this, Asmodeus,” Azazil suddenly said. Ari jerked her gaze to the Sultan to see he was eyeing Jai. “Perhaps we should move it along before my sympathy gets the better of me.”

Asmodeus’s expression darkened. “My mercurial master is not going to change his mind on me.”

“That sounded like a demand.”

Azazil tilted his head to smirk at his lieutenant. “You are getting bold, Asmodeus.”

“I just don’t want my fun spoiled.”

Ari waited with bated breath to see what Azazil would say.

He heaved a sigh and flicked a bejeweled hand at Asmodeus. “I am not going to change my mind. You need not worry. It’s just there are few real warriors among the lesser Jinn and we are baiting the one we have. I suggest you get your cruel torment over with before I decide to alter your vengeance to Ari only.”

“Fine.” Asmodeus growled in the back of his throat. He clutched Ari painfully by her bicep and dragged her down the dais as Azazil announced to the room that Asmodeus was going to have his first dance with his betrothed. The floor cleared quickly, the curious Jinn huddling to the edges of the room, their bodies like a treasure chest of jewels in such richly colored clothes.

To cause as much pain as possible, Asmodeus didn’t stop until they were on the south end of the dance floor, close to Jai and Red. Ari glanced at Jai only to have her head whipped around as Asmodeus hauled her into position.

She stood stiffly in front of him, not moving.

Asmodeus tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “Dance with me or I’ll make him suffer for your disobedience.”

“Bastard,” she whispered as she stepped into him and placed her hands very tentatively on his shoulders. It was quite the stretch since he was so tall, and she felt him bend slightly to her as his own large hands settled on her hips. He swayed them to the music and Ari felt the heat of Jai’s gaze burn on her neck.

The torturous moment seemed to last forever until Asmodeus drew her even tighter against him. She tried to strain back but he was too strong, and before she could stop him, he kissed her. Not a slight brush of lips against lips, but a hard kiss, forcing her mouth open so his tongue could touch hers.

Ari bit down hard and he made a rough sound before he yanked her away. She tasted blood on her tongue and smiled wickedly at him. Asmodeus’s face darkened and he whirled her around, pulling her back against his front so she was facing Jai. At that same moment, two Shaitans appeared in front of Jai, ignoring Red’s commands to step back.

Instead one of them pulled out a long strand of thin, hard leather attached to a gripped handle.

A whip.

The Shaitan gave an expert flick of his wrist and the leather cracked loudly against the marble floor in front of Jai. The guests gasped, excited whispers filling the ballroom.

“For every bite,” Asmodeus informed her quietly in her ear, “he suffers a lashing.”

Ari’s eyes sought Jai and she could see him battling with control. She gave him a slight shake of her head just before Asmodeus turned in his arms again and kissed her.

She let him. She didn’t respond but she didn’t bite him, either. Just as he let her go, Jai telepathed to her, I would have preferred the lash.

Ari closed her eyes, her shoulders tense with shame. I love you, she promised him. I’m just trying to protect you.

You can’t. This is torture.

Tears spilled down Ari’s cheeks as she turned back to face Jai. Their eyes met and she felt the connection to him hold tight, deep down in the very core of her soul. I promised I’d let you go if it meant saving you.

Then you should have run it past me first. I have a few issues with that promise.

Jai … please.

His expression shifted and she watched his shoulders slump just slightly, enough so that Red took a protective step toward him. Jai gave her a tiny nod. I love you too.

“Now, children,” Asmodeus’s voice rumbled loudly for all to hear. “It is rude to telepath in company.” He spun slowly on his heels and addressed the room. “I think the feast is over. I’d like to retire with my bride-to-be and sample her wares, as they say.”