Once Upon a Demon's Heart (Cruel Fates #1)

by K.M. Moronova

My heat cycle is bound to be in full effect soon and the thought of it coming on when I’m so cl...

“Stop moving, you’ll only make this take longer.” My lower abdomen warms, and my undergarments are already wet from his foul mouth. Please if there are any gods left, don’t let him know how my body lusts for him. Kalel stills, hands clamped do...

Do. Not. Fuck. The. Godling. I chide myself as her sweet scent nearly knocks me over.

She’s so delicate in my arms, even when she struggles against my hold. I close my eyes and try to will away the blood flow that’s been redirected to my cock, but the bulge inevitably grows under her ass and she gasps when she feels it. Her scent thickens with excitement for it.

No. I’m not going to fuck her. I clench my jaw and bite down on my lower lip with the last remnants of my restraint. Well, maybe if I just don’t knot her, it would be okay, wouldn’t it? Fuck. I hate her so much, is that why I want to rut into her so badly? I want to make her scream in pain, but I’m not allowed to hurt her. Fuckin...

As I’m hashing out my internal conflict over her, she starts grinding her hips over my crotch. The breath leaves my lungs and my throat dries. All my control goes to the wayside. She whimpers out in pain and clutches her stomach.

Is she? No, please tell me she isn’t going into heat. My cheeks warm and the veins in my hands are protruding. I tamper down my monstrous urges and let my teeth sink into her neck instead. It’s either feed and bring her body back to normal levels with my venom, or I’ll end up breeding her in here for fucking hours. She cries out as I suck down her golden blood. It tastes like the sweetest of apples. Rich with life and nectar. How can something as vile as her taste so ethereal?

I can’t despise her less just because she’s the most enchanting creature I’ve ever laid my eyes on, but the curve of her pouting lips begs to differ. The sorrow in her eyes is tangible like violets dipped in salted tears. I crave her to no end.

Her blood spills down my lip and trickles over her breast. I release her neck and stroke my tongue over her soft flesh. She sucks in a breath and lets it out when I don’t lick her chest more. Fuck.

I want to bite her breast and flick her nipple with my tongue—make her whimper and writhe in my arms like a helpless little thing. I like that she’s so weak to me. It makes the urge to fill her with my come overwhelming. I want her to suffer, but why do I also want her to see me? I want her to find comfort in my arms as much as I wish to bring tears to her weary eyes. She will endure my pain, no matter how I yearn to covet he...

Kalel wipes his lips and lets me go. My body is definitely warmed up now. I try to ignore the fact that I just had a flare up and was grinding my hips on his cock like some lovesick succubus. I just thank the gods that he doesn’t bring any attention to it. I put it out of my mind as I rub my throat and wince at the slight pain that flashes at the touch. It will likely bruise.

Kalel’s brows crease at the motion. “You make me out to be such a brutal man, you know that?” “Brutal demon, and aren’t you? You’ve spoken so much about how terrible I am. But what about you? The blood on your hands outnumbers mine, twenty to one,” I grumble. Not that he’d understand my jab.

I expect him to get mad at my comment, but he remains silent, staring into the fire. I’ve seen first-hand how he fights. How he kills. So why does the melancholy I find in his gaze make my heart ache so much? Perhaps it’s because together we c...

Kalel remains silent for a long time before he slowly mutters, “I’d like to think I’m more than what I am on the battlefield.” His voice is smooth and placid. A dark strand of hair falls over his forehead as he gives me a side long glance. “Are you o...

“Yes. I know nothing else.” I tell him what I think he wants to hear.

He shakes his head slowly as he stands and moves to my back. My spine straightens as his thighs wrap around me on either side. His cold lips meet my shoulder, making my chest lurch. At least the fire is warm; I try to focus on the flames. They cast out the chill that had set into my bones—another kiss, this time on my neck.

I prepare myself for the sting of his fangs once more, but it doesn’t come. Instead, I’m surprised by the weight of his chin on my shoulder. “Are you warming?” He asks—the cruel edge his usual tone carries has lightened. “Yes.” He remains behind me, holding me, relaxed with his chin on my shoulder. I don’t bo...

“What will happen once we reach Devicit?” I ask in a mere whisper. He rolls his face so that his cheek is now pressed to my shoulder. I can feel his gaze. “There will be a peace agreement issued once we arrive safely, then the war ends. That’s it. Then you will live in my mansion for the remainder of your days. Although you’ll hear the demon-folk call it Lornhelm Palace.”

I turn and look at Kalel. His hair is as dark as night—the fire’s glow is absorbed into the shadows of it. And yet his eyes flicker like embers lost in the dead of winter. “And then what? Will I be your prisoner until I die?” I imagine being locked in a dark room for the remainder of my life.

He brushes his hand through my hair, the silver luminescent strands reflecting the warm light of the fire. I try not to flinch at his touch, but his eyes catch the movement, narrowing before he pulls away. “That depends on you, little godling. If you try to escape, I’ll have to place wards to keep you from leaving the kingdom, but I’d prefer not to do that.” “I’m free to roam the kingdom?” I raise a brow. He nods. “You’re not my prisoner, Alira. You are going to be my wife. Even if we don’t like one another, I will respect your status as my equal.” His voice lingers like smoke and moves through my chest. I didn’t think he was capable of kindness. Not after realizing who and what I really am.

“Will we be expected to…” Breed. I can’t even finish saying the words. He shifts uncomfortably at my back, knowing exactly what I’m asking. “Yes, it’s the only reason the King approved the peace offering. It’s why you put yourself up as a sacrifice, is it not?” he says ...

I shrink into myself more and let the numbness in my mind take over. He doesn’t say anymore either. He just...

By the time the sun sets, I’m frozen to the core again and my back aches. But my mind is the weariest of all, thinking about my future and if I’m willing to endure a life of retribution.

As soon as Kalel’s tent is set up, I groggily go to the pile of blankets on the ground and collapse into the nest. I find a small fragment of solace in it—it reminds me of hiding when I was a child. The knights would often look for me and find me on the floor curled up in blankets. Someplace warm and hidden away from the world. The nostalgia of it soothes me.

I watch him carefully as he moves about the tent. His hair is perfectly smoothed to the side and his golden eyes remain empty as he looks through the reports on his desk for several minutes. When he finishes the first batch, he glances my way. It’s dark in this corner of the tent, and I’m peering at him through slitted eyes, so I don’t think he realizes I’m also observing him. He pauses for a few beats before returning to his pages.

He spends the better part of half an hour reviewing his reports before stretching his arms over his head and standing. My hands curl into the blankets as he approaches me and kneels at my side. This is the one part I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.

I slowly sit up and tilt my head for him, gathering my hair to one side so it’s out of his way, assuming he wants to feed. He only had a few sips earlier today, so I’m sure that’s what he wants. He hesitates this time and is slower to bring his mouth to my flesh.

The bite doesn’t hurt like it did earlier. I hardly notice the penetration this time, though he’s also not being as brutal as he was in the cottage. A wave of exhaustion rolls through me, and a whimper flees my lips. He wraps his hand gently under my neck and guides me down to the blankets so I fall backward. I can hear each draw of blood he takes from my neck. Each savored gulp as his Adam's apple bobs. My eyes fight to remain op...

“I need to scent you, I promise I’ll be quick.” He guides me into his lap, pressing a kiss on the side of my throat before stroking his tongue over it a few times. A rumbling purr rolls from his chest as he continues to lick me. It’s much more intimate this time. I writhe in his hold as my body instinctively responds to it. Heat pools in my lower stomach and an ache throbs for him. Gods. Not again.

Kalel notices and lets out a low growl as he moves to my wrists. He presses kisses on each before lapping at them with his tongue. My cheeks burn. I want to bury my face into the sheets, but all I can do is watch as this handsome demon marks his scent on me. He licks his lips when he’s finished and slowly stands.

“Are those the only spots?” I ask with a heady voice, hoping he can’t see the blush across my cheeks. His eyes widen and he flexes his jaw. “No, but for now it’s good enough. We’ll need to build up to the rest when we get closer to Devicit. We will have more time to be… acquainted that way. Otherwise, the demon-folk will be more prone to try to kill you,” he says with a gravelly tone.

I offer a nod and settle back into the sheets. He gets comfortable in his bed, licking his lips like he wants to keep feeding from me or scenting me. We watch one another carefully, distrustfully. Borderline lustfully. A demi...

It’s still dark when I’m woken by sharp, uneven breaths. Pained gasps and groans. I sit up instantly, alarmed. It sounds like someone’s been badly hurt. The tent is dark and cold. The ticking of snow against the tarp brings me into my surroundings. I’m still not used to waking up away from the barracks in Alzhor.

My eyes adjust in a few moments, and I realize the distressed sounds are coming from Kalel. Has he been wounded? I rise from my bedding and approach him carefully. “Kalel?” I whisper, hesitant on getting too close to him. He snaps his head in my direction, those sharp teeth flashing at me. “Stay back, Alira,” he rasps.

His eyes are feverish, and another roll of pain has him clenching fistfuls of his sheets and exhaling heady breaths. I freeze, something visceral hitting my nervous system and making my core flutter. I watch the rise and fall of his chest, the painful way his veins are protrudi...

This is the same way I get when I’m in heat. My chest tightens at the thought. Is he in his heat cycle right now? Do demons have heat cycles? Oh gods. “What’s wrong?” I ask again, trying to keep my panic contained. He sits up, grinding his teeth and shakes the sweat clinging to his forehead as he bites out, “Nothing. Go back to s...

He groans and lets his body fall back into the sheets. His breaths are heavy, and he kicks the blankets to the floor...

“Are you… in heat?” I ask awkwardly, cheeks on fire. His eyes fill with horror, and he looks away sharply. “I won’t tell you again, little godling. Go. To. Bed.” Kalel’s voice is gruff and on edge. Like he’s on the verge of losing his self-control. I don’t listen to him. Maybe it’s because I know what it feels like firsthand. It’s agony, especially if you don’t deal with it. It’...

Kalel lunges at me, pinning my arms to the ground and breathing heavily over me. His eyes are filled with anguish and sweat beads down his forehead. My eyes trace over his bared fangs. “Alira, run. I don’t think I can keep myself back much longer,” he growls, forcing himself off and clutching his head like voices are shouting at him.

What do I do? I want to help him. He’s in agony right now and I can’t explain the way that his groans are causing me heartache. Each one digging into my chest more and tugging at my sympathy for him. “Let me help you,” I whisper, reaching for his arm and trying to give him comfort.

Kalel jerks away from me and shoves my chest back. My shoulders hit the ground, and his hands are slamming on either side of my head in the next breath. “I don’t want your fucki...

His eyes narrow with disdain. “I want to destroy everything about you. I loathe every part of you. Why is it that I must be punished to be with a filthy creature such as yourself? You want me to fucking tear you open? You want me to fuck you raw until you can’t walk straight?” His eyes are feral. Drool spills from his lip as he thirsts for hurting me. My body trembles. Terror has never moved through me the way it do...

“I won’t tell you again. Get out or I’ll hurt you in ways that I’ve longed for. Ways that you’ll never recover from,” he ...

Kalel’s breaths are ragged and his expression is hard, but there’s so much agony in his amber eyes. It takes the sting out of his words. I still feel them, but they come from a place inside him that is bruised—a wound that has long since festered into rage. I force my jaw to stop trembling and stare into his cruel gaze. My heart hammers in m...

Leaving him like this would be harsh. Even if he hates me. Even if it makes me hate him just the same. I take a grounding breath and slowly lift my hand to his face. His hair is wet with sweat and he’s trembling like I am. Kalel’s eyes are hooded by dark lashe...

“If hurting me will soothe the pain that wreaks havoc in you, then hurt me, Kalel. You’ll find there’s not much left inside me that can be broken.”

My voice gets lost somewhere between us as his control fractures and he drops to his elbows, so our noses are touching. “How bold of you to assume I feel anything,” he whispers against my lips. His alder wood scent slips into me like an intoxicating drug. I shudder at the touch but hold his gaze steadily. “One has little to assume when your weary eyes give you away.” His eyes rake over me, filled with desire and hunger.

“You foolish flower.” Kalel leans into me more, pressing that taut body against mine as he strokes his tongue up the side of my neck. Tasting me. His cock is already hard and throbbing against my thigh. “You make me crazy, you know that?” I let out a small gasp as he lifts my thin sweater and hooks a finger around the waist ...

Kalel glances at me before moving the fabric to the side, clenching his jaw tightly, and turning his head to the side like he can’t bear to think about what he’s about to do. He lowers his hand to my center and presses two fingers inside me. I firm my l...

He groans and pushes his fingers all the way up to his knuckles. Kalel’s head lowers to mine, lips against the shell of my ear. “I won’t knot you. I only need enough relief to make this go away. I despise you, little godling. I hate everything that you’ve made me do.” He removes his hand, soaking wet with my arousal for him. Th...