“Demon, your grip.”

His hands had tightened on her. Easy, Sian. She was a fragile elf, and still vulnerable to harm. “Pardon me.”

He’d been racking his mind for a way to win her affections. He’d never told her she was his mate—she’d taken his explanation of demon matehood . . . poorly—but perhaps ’twas time to confess all?

Or mayhap he should try seduction? As a handsome prince of hell, he had scant experience coaxing a female to bed—he’d always been plagued with females pursuing him—but how difficult could it be?

Kari would become fully immortal soon and must be needing a male’s touch to see her through this time of transition. After he claimed her and they shared that pleasure, she would never doubt they were fated to be together.

He told her, “I myself would be deeply aggrieved if we were parted. Which is why you’re coming with me to Pandemonia.”

She sighed. “Oh, am I?”

He drew her closer. “You will be mine, Kari. For all time. I will never be separated from you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You are infatuated with me, young demon. It will pass once you return home and surround yourself with fawning demonesses.”

“What I feel for you is no mere infatuation.”

With a challenge in her gaze, she demanded, “What aside from my looks draws you?”

“You are the cleverest female—nay, the cleverest being I have ever known. You can’t be bothered to read or study, but you make fools of all the elven courtiers who live by their considerable wits. You are merry whenever you allow yourself to let down your guard with me.” She loved hearing about Pandemonian legends of old, would grow relaxed as he spun tales. “And you are fiercely protective of those you love.” Her snobbish family. “If I could but earn that fierce love for myself.”

Casting him a soft look that made his heart punch his chest, she murmured, “You are the first male ever to answer that question adequately.” Yet then she tensed once more, and her tone turned flippant. “Clearly we are meant to be together.”

Was she jesting? “Why do you play games with me, little female?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You burn hot and cold.”

He thought he spied a flicker of something like . . . scheming in her dual-colored eyes. Gone so quickly. “I burn hot, my darling, then realize you do not return the tender regard I feel for you.”

“I am mad for you!”

Her gaze darted at his outburst. Dancers nearby glared at him.

He glanced over her shoulder. Her parents looked on with distaste, as usual.

In a lower tone, he asked, “Can you truly not know of my feelings?” He hadn’t bothered hiding them. He’d sneaked into her room to leave her gifts, and he’d danced with her at all of these ridiculous balls she adored. He’d even written bloody poems to her!

“Then why do you not trust me?” She sounded sad. “You tell me tales of old about Pandemonia, but never anything about your kind. You want to take me to your dimension, but how can I go there to be with you when you refuse to reveal details about it?” She gazed away, tears welling.

He had not thought of these things! Of course she would be nervous about living in a new world.

Out of loyalty to his kind, he’d withheld information. But if he could win this female, she would become his kind.

The dance ended. “I will tell you anything you want to know, Kari.” He curled his finger under her chin, lifting her face. “Anything at all.” Yes, Sian had been racking his mind for a way to win her affections; he decided on seduction. “For a kiss.”

Her eyes widened. “You are overbold, demon.”

“Steal away with me, and give me a single kiss.”

She worried her bottom lip, then whispered, “When the clock tower strikes three, meet me beside the lake.”

Anticipation made him nigh light-headed. Somehow he forced himself to release her. “With pleasure.”

Millennia later, Sian watched her spinning, seeming lost in thought herself.

He conjured her silk shift, bringing it to his face. As he inhaled her scent, his member shot hard as stone.

He considered calling for one of his royal concubines, but he couldn’t drag his gaze from the mirror.

Over all these long ages, he’d known countless females, purging himself of his need for his mate. But he had always wondered what his fated female would look like unclothed, trembling beneath him—

She tugged up her bra again, which pulled the material taut over her pert breasts and stiffened nipples.

He growled in response. How many times had he imagined what shade those peaks would be? And if she’d moan to have them sucked?

How many times had he come, teeth gritted with frustration because he was squeezing his cock instead of kneading those mounds of creamy flesh?

Frustration now; frustration then. Wondering if he’d ever be free of it, he recalled their meeting by the lake. . . .

Arriving an hour early, he’d paced the water’s edge as he awaited her.

The little witch had danced the rest of the ball with that king. As the pair had glided over the dancefloor, everyone murmured about how perfect they looked together. Kari had gazed up at the male with a besotted expression.

Sian’s fists had clenched until he’d realized her game. She was meeting him, which meant she wanted him, which meant she was only trying to make her demon jealous.

It was working!

He stilled when he scented her approaching down the woodland path to the water.

She wore a dark cloak, drawing back the hood as she neared. “I cannot believe I agreed to meet you.”

Flashing a cocky grin, he wasted no time closing in on her. “Perhaps I am not the only one keen for a kiss.”

She took a step back. “I want you to tell me of your kind, and then I shall kiss you.”

He stalked closer, backing her up against a tree. “A kiss should always come first.” His shaft was already hardening.

She craned her head up. “What are you doing, Abyssian? Stop being silly.” With her spellbinding eyes locked on his mouth, she wetted her full lips.

Her gaze rose to his horns. Smooth and black, they curved back from his temples. He was proud of them. A demon’s horns were used for fighting—but they also brought sexual pleasure. She would learn to love them, to caress the sensitive lengths for him.