Bride of the Demon King Read online

  “I did. It is the best way.” The innocent expression was somewhat hampered by the horns.

  She chuckled and yawned.

  “I suppose that this excellent start to our first day together has come to an end. Come on, I will dry you.”

  Emrie put her hands on the edges of the tub and heaved herself to standing. He wrapped her in a cloth and set her on another one before kneeling and drying her gold skin from head to toe.

  She snickered as he picked her up and carried her to the bed that was barely large enough for him. He curled her against his body, and he whispered, “I am very happy to accept my tribute.”

  He laughed outright when she elbowed him in the ribs before trying to settle in a bed occupied by another living being. She could sleep on lumpy benches, in chairs, and leaning against walls, but it was odd to have a person in contact with her.

  She inhaled deeply and matched her breathing to his. It was a very successful day as the demon’s bride. Emrie looked forward to the next.

  She woke to feel something nibbling at her ear. She gasped and moved away. For some reason, the tip of her ear was extremely sensitive.

  Harrow chuckled, and his voice was husky when he said, “Good morning, my Queen.”

  She rolled over and rubbed the tip of the ear he had been nibbling. It was not the same shape it had been before. “What the hells?”

  She flipped the bedding off and walked across the chamber with long strides. In her dressing room, she looked in the mirror and blinked several times before she realized intellectually that it was her own reflection.

  “What...”

  Her ears were pointed and rose high to a sharp peak that her hair couldn’t cover. Her skin was a darker shade of gold, and her eyes looked like they were pools of ruby flame. The truly disturbing thing was that her hair was writhing softly, shifting and coiling before hanging straight.

  Harrow followed her, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Your beauty is beyond compare, Emrie.”

  She looked up at him and opened her mouth, seeing sharp fangs on her upper and lower jaw. “I feel a little different this morning.”

  He chuckled. “You are complete now. I have felt my own changes, but I will test them later.”

  She wasn’t in a position to look and see if he had two penises, but she could wait for later to ascertain that he hadn’t picked up that rare adaptation. Right now, she was concerned that she hadn’t known about the changes.

  “Was this in your books? It wasn’t in mine.”

  He was slowly moving his hands over her, relearning her after the changes.

  She paused. “Wait, am I taller?”

  “A few inches.”

  “Damn. Lilidara is going to be furious.”

  He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her neck. “She will adapt. She used to work for my mother and came here when I set up my own household.”

  Emrie sighed and tilted her head to one side. He smiled at her in the mirror and continued to work his lips and tongue over the column of her neck. When his hand slid between her thighs, she took a slight step to one side, inviting him in.

  He cupped her breasts in turn while his fingers drove her to distraction.

  Watching the colouration of her skin darken and light move where he touched was an eye-opening experience. If she focused, she could see flames under his hands. He smiled when she started to make those small noises that he delighted in.

  By the time she was on the brink, he was sliding two fingers in and out of her while her inner muscles gripped him tightly. When her release struck, he held her tightly as she rode his hand, his thumb pressing on the small nub of flesh that was the centre of the storm.

  She slumped in his arms.

  He chuckled. “This is the image that I want to hang in our quarters. You satisfied in my arms.”

  She smiled slowly and was turning to him, reaching to return the favour when there was a knock at the door to the outer chamber.

  A feminine throat cleared, and Tyda said, “My lord, there is an urgent matter that Reemor wishes to discuss with you.”

  Emrie chuckled. “The timing is unfortunate, my lord, but your responsibilities are heavy and must be attended to.” She ran her hand up and down his cock slowly before trailing it away.

  He grunted and gave her a narrow-eyed look. “They will, and then, I will attend to you, my whimsical Queen.”

  He patted her butt before he turned away and went to the wardrobe.

  His clothing choice was a knee-length skirt and boots. Nothing else was necessary.

  “I am guessing that I should get dressed as well for breakfast if nothing else.”

  He went to her dressing table and found a brush. With quick strokes, he got his locks in order.

  “I will be in my office unless someone tells you otherwise. If things change, I will send a messenger.”

  She nodded and went to her wardrobe. She slid on some thigh-high boots and grabbed a tunic that wrapped in a deep vee and was open to the hip. The sash that hung with it wrapped around her and uplifted her breasts a fairly obscene amount.

  “Harrow, before you go, can I have Private Jamis?”

  He had been watching her dress, and he jerked his head so that he was now looking at her face.

  She smiled and pulled her hair down, braiding it in loops that set off her ears. “Private Jamis, I would like him for my private household. He is a prime candidate to be my apprentice.”

  “You can have six chosen men in your private guard and as many ladies’ maids as you wish. I will order Reemor to prepare lodgings for your private corp.”

  He was in front of her in an instant, holding her head and kissing her until her mouth was aching and swollen, as were other parts of her.

  Before she could grab him and haul him back to bed, he was gone.

  “Damn, he moves fast for such a big guy.”

  She grinned and went to the dressing table mirror to finish arranging her hair.

  Tyda came in and looked at her in surprise. “My lady. You look... different.”

  “I am aware of it. It is apparently a side effect of our union.” She grinned. “He got taller, too. He doesn’t fit his trousers anymore. It is skirts for him until he can get some new ones made up.”

  Tyda blinked. “Is that common? I mean, will I change like that?”

  Emrie looked at her little demoness. “Eventually. You will need a demon lord to trigger the final changes, but learning and putting what you learn into action is what will drive your own transformation. I am a little sorry to have burdened you with it. I was rather focused on the moment.”

  “So, I will have to marry a demon lord?”

  Emrie rocked one hand from side to side. “Marry is a loose term. You will have to mate with one to gain your full power.”

  “Aren’t I too old for that?”

  Emrie stood up, and Tyda stared up at her.

  “No, Tyda, you are not too old to let yourself learn and grow. It is a parasitic situation that has caused the demon lord tradition of taking brides that have just reached adulthood. The males are afraid of being controlled by the females simply because if we have the right education, we are infinitely stronger and can do things they could never dream of.”

  Tyda whispered, “Like to make demons?”

  Emrie grinned and went to her, giving her a careful hug. “That is only one of the things that you can do, and I wouldn’t recommend it until you are somewhere secure and have the skills and strength to defend your new demon.”

  “Defend?”

  “Yes, every single demon lord who is looking for a match is going to be knocking on our doorstep.”

  Tyda looked nervous. “Why?”

  “Because brides can die. They can be raised in confinement and weak. If they don’t have an opportunity to be strong, they won’t be. Those brides can elevate their demon lord slightly, but they soon die.”

  Tyda blinked. “Why?”

  “Find me a place to eat, and I can discu
ss this further. Oh, and if you have a chance, have Jamis found. I am going to make him an offer, and you, you are not going to be traded like a farm animal ever again. When you choose your mate, it will be your choice, and he will be lucky to have you.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Tyda smiled shyly.

  They left the queen’s chamber and down toward the hall workmen were bustling and shouting orders to each other. It seemed that the king’s chamber was actually being given an overhaul.

  Tyda led her past the men, and Emrie heard the clattering of tools as she approached. Her tunic was full enough below the waist to keep her covered if she was standing still, but walking, her boots and the skin of her upper thighs would flash with every step. The cleavage on display was more than she had ever shown in her lifetime, but today, it felt appropriate.

  The men bowed low, and some knelt on the ground as she passed. When they were out of earshot, she murmured to Tyda, “I didn’t think my hair was that good today.”

  Tyda laughed. “I think it is your presence and your added height, my lady.”

  “Ah. Yes. Things do have a slightly different perspective. So, where are we finding breakfast?”

  “The great hall, my lady. The kitchen staff will serve us there, and you can meet some of your people or, at least, be on display to them.”

  “Ah, yes. That part of things. I wonder if the ogres are still here.”

  “They are. They have plans to leave later in the day after they get you to bless their daughter with a name.”

  “Bless? Oh my. That is going to take a bit of thought.”

  “Have you done it before, my lady?”

  “Twice but not an ogre child. I am not quite sure what to bless them with.”

  Tyda gave her a small smile. “I am sure you will think of something.”

  “So, when do you think Lilidara will have your clothing ready?”

  “Aside from this gown, she has delivered two different dresses. Your colours will be in action tomorrow.” Tyda smiled. “Thank you again for accepting me. I did not want to be dismissed to another demon lord habitat.”

  “The others?”

  “They scattered, grabbed their jewels and headed out the moment they were able. It means that the stronghold is short a few dozen men, but no one in their right mind would attack a newly mated demon lord.”

  Emrie snorted. “Except another demon lord would consider it a moment of weakness. Either way, I will feel better after a meal.”

  “Right this way, my demon Queen.”

  They were still giggling softly as they entered the hall and all conversation stopped. It seemed that some of the occupants were appalled that their lord had managed to find his match, but some of them might have wanted her to be shorter. Finding a bench to fit would be tricky, but fortunately, she had a new assistant to show her the way.

  Chapter Eight

  Seated a few feet from the throne was a peculiar place to have breakfast, but everyone in the kitchen brought her their breakfast specialties and introduced themselves. It was a nice, casual court. Emrie liked it.

  Tyda watched quietly and politely as the kitchen staff presented their best. It was when they had returned to the kitchen that Emrie pulled the faces for some of the food combinations.

  She was nearly finished with her tea when Harrow came striding in through the main doors. Damn. He really did leave the building in the skirt.

  She sipped at her tea while he approached, and he inclined his head. “My Queen, we are about to have visitors. Are you ready for your debut?”

  She got a few bits of information from that sentence. It was another demon lord, he was coming armed, and he didn’t yet have a bride.

  She smiled calmly. “Tyda, please go to my medical chamber and alphabetize the books for two hours or until I call.”

  Harrow looked relieved. Emrie finished her tea and got to her feet, standing next to him. “Where do you want me? Next to the throne? Left, right?”

  “On the throne. It is yours, after all. Feir will choke when he sees you.”

  She walked with him to the throne room while a cloud of servants scrubbed everything in a wave that left the room smelling of lemon and mint.

  The retainers on hand gasped as he took her hand and settled her in the throne. She was glad she had worn boots. She would be terrifying enough as it was without her arched feet making her tunic slip and exposing way too much thigh.

  Tyda disappeared in the stronghold, and Emrie heaved a sigh of relief. There were a few things she wanted to do today and fighting a strange demon lord wasn’t one of them.

  Emrie shifted slightly and placed her hands on the arms of the seat. She grimaced. If she had thought about things instead of acting, she wouldn’t have transformed Tyda quite so soon. It had felt like the right choice, but she had been a little freaked out at being the only female in the interior of the stronghold. She had literally made a friend.

  Harrow stood next to her with his wings flexed wide. His men arranged themselves in even lines, and Reemor stood at the base of the dais.

  At the end of the hall, the doors opened, and a demon lord strode in with his men stomping in behind him.

  Emrie scowled. That was going to be a lot of mud for the housekeepers to scrub away. How rude.

  The demon lord swanned up and stood with his legs apart, leering at her. “So, this is the little bitch?”

  Reemor cleared his throat. “Presenting Demon Lord Feir.”

  Emrie smirked. “Ah, a chosen name.”

  The lord flared his wings out. “What?”

  “You chose your name. How ridiculous. Let me see what your name was.” She got up and let her impulse carry her to the edge of the dais. His head was even with her breasts, but that didn’t matter. He was too stunned to do anything.

  “Ah, there it is. Dorwin. Your birth name was Dorwin.” She stared into his eyes and saw his entire childhood and his developing cruelty. When she got to his treatment of his women, she curled her lip. “You are definitely more suited to the name you were born with.”

  She turned her back and headed back for the throne. She felt the heat of his hand as he reached out to grab her, and Harrow’s wing snapped the side of his arm, slicing it wide.

  Emrie returned to the throne. “So, you have come here to Harrow’s home for what reason?”

  Feir was holding his arm to stop the bleeding. “Damn you. She should get what is coming to her.”

  Harrow inclined his head. “I do agree. Please answer my Queen. Why have you come here, Feir?”

  Feir looked at Harrow and raised his brows. He reached to grab his sword and winced. He had to settle for gesturing to his men. “I have come to take your bride, Harrow. You are far too weak to keep her.”

  Emrie laughed from the depths of her soul. “That is not happening. Not in this life, nor the next.”

  Feir smirked as his men stepped forward. “It is happening, little bitch.”

  “Little? I don’t suppose you noticed, but I am at least two inches taller than you. Besides, you and Harrow should handle this. It is what demon lords do, do they not?”

  She reached out to Harrow, and when he took her hand, she pressed a kiss to it. She sent him energy and good wishes with that kiss.

  “May I fight in your defense?”

  She grinned. “Please. I look forward to rewarding you later.”

  He winked, and he moved to stop the encroaching warriors from making it to the dais.

  Emrie watched the strong muscles of his back flex and twist as his wings slashed and speared the men who were rushing them.

  The sounds of battle and the scent of blood filled the air. Emrie inhaled deeply and was a little surprised to find that the scent didn’t fill her with any sort of agitation. As a healer, the smell of blood was a call to action, but now, she was amused by it.

  When one of the attackers made it past Harrow, Emrie simply stood up and looked down at the man with fire in her eyes.

  He stopped in his tracks and
fell to his knees, his sword out of his hand.

  “Forgive me, my lady.”

  She reached down and stroked his hair. “Look up at me.”

  He looked at her, and she smiled at him. “Will you swear fealty to me? Remain in my service?”

  He blinked. “I am sworn to Lord Feir.”

  “I can break your oath, but you would be mine to call upon until death.”

  His smile was instant. “I am yours, my Queen.”

  She crouched and kissed him, breathing her power into him. “Stand, Doryn, and join my King’s ranks.”

  He stood, looking at his hands as they darkened to a mahogany-bronze. His horns pushed out of his forehead, and his tunic tore as his wings sprouted. She had not been expecting it to happen that quickly. She must have dosed him a little too much.

  He stood up and watched his claws grow.

  Emrie had to stop watching him as more men poured into the hall. “Really?”

  She watched Harrow finally closing with Feir, and she twisted her lips while she fought the urge to help the men who were lying wounded.

  She was about to leave the hall to stop the urge to heal all of them when she saw him, Jamis. He was lying on the ground and breathing hard through the wound in his torso. He was hers!

  She walked past the warring men and found her healing assistant, looking him in the eyes. “Do you still want to learn the healing arts?”

  His eyes were wild, but he nodded.

  “Will you devote yourself to me, as my apprentice?”

  He nodded, he tried to speak, but a bubble of blood was all that emerged.

  Her kiss had a different purpose this time. She needed to heal as well as create a bodyguard. The trickle of energy did what it needed to do, but when her energy coursed through Jamis, the transformation was controlled.

  She whispered against his mouth, “I give you speed, cunning, strength, and wisdom. When you are ready, Jamis, you will learn the arts of magic and healing.”

  His body was arcing with the change. She stood up and clapped her hands.

  The fighting around her ceased immediately.

  Doryn was at her side, the swords in his hands were dripping blood. She had no idea he was ambidextrous.