FREE NOVELLA CHAPTER Chapter Fifteen
Demon Heart by Kiss Carson
Copyright 2021
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Dominique
lay on her back on the grass, arms extended like an angel of despair, and
watched the stars that pierced the dark sky. Every muscle in her body ached,
and her chest hurt. Beside her, the summoning candle flickered, grew brighter
and then dimmed. The flame had burned for over an hour and, once, had all but
snuffed out as though it, too, had given up. A deep breath controlled her threatening sob.
Zachary
hadn’t come.
Her
words were true. She loved Zachary. However, she needed to fight memories of Jaye.
She didn’t want to forget him but wanted to love again, and she’d found the
perfect man – well, demon – to bring her back to life. Unfortunately, her
perfect demon would not be coming for her. Zachary wouldn’t save a woman who
had killed her husband. She squeezed her eyes closed. Jaye’s voice haunted her.
Forever, Dominique, you promised.
More tears threatened. Dominique sat up and buried her face in her hands. Sobs
shook her body. Why hadn’t Zachary saved her? Because you killed me, Dominique.
“It’s true,”
she whispered. “I killed my husband.”
“Some
tragedies are beyond our control, Lady Demon. You cannot blame yourself for
what fate had predetermined.”
At the
sound of the deep, kind voice, Dominique's melancholia paused. Had she really
heard Zachary or was the sound another Forest of Despair hallucination? If she
lowered her hands would the Demon Lord really stand before her, or would hope
once again desert her? For a moment, indecision froze her. Heartache burrowed
deep. Her emotions couldn’t take another beating.
“I
heard your pleas but it was your declaration of love that mended my broken
heart.”
“You
came,” she whispered.
“You
summoned me.”
Dominique
finally looked. Zachary, real and, oh,
so gorgeous, squatted beside her. She met his gaze. Even in the midst of the
chaos caused by the Forest of Despair his grey eyes remained calm. The candle’s
flame now burned strong and bright. She watched it for a moment, awed by magic
she would never understand.
“After what I said at the hot spring I was
scared you wouldn’t come.”
Zachary's
expression softened as he cupped her cheek, the warmth of his fingers on her
skin very real. “I was equally frightened you wouldn’t want me.”
“I do
want you.” She held his large hand in both of hers. “I’m not married anymore,”
she said, the words harsh to her ears. “Jaye…My husband—.” She bit her lip and
lowered her eyes. Sorrow cut so deep.
Zachary
squeezed her fingers. “I understand,” he said quietly.
She
shook her head. “No, I don’t think you do.” Dominique squared her shoulders and
stared straight into his wonderful eyes. She had to say it. Grief couldn’t
control her life any longer. “Jaye, my husband, died of a heart attack two
years ago. So, technically, I’m a widow…” A small smile of realization tugged
at the corner of her mouth. “And married to you.”
Guilt
no longer weighed her down. Jaye’s voice had faded to nothing. Finally, her
life had come together and for the first time in years she felt truly alive.
She grinned. Yes, she loved a demon. Dominique briefly wondered if Zachary
could become human. Would he, if she asked? She wrapped her arms around his
middle and pressed her face into his chest. He smelled so good, just like a
fresh spring shower. Reluctantly, she allowed him to pull away.
“Come,
we must leave this forest. No amount of happiness or love will dampen our
despair.”
Dominique
gripped his fingers and groaned as he pulled her up. If she’d looked a sight
before, she must look really bad, now. She smoothed her hair only to find it
knotted and dry. Tears threatened. Unkempt hair was the least of her worries but
combined with pain and fatigue it was the end of the world. Zachary hugged her
close to his side as he guided her through the trees. Her feet sore, she
stumbled. Moments later she was cradled in strong arms, crushed to a wide
chest, her head tucked under Zachary's chin.
“I’m so
tired.”
“The
palace is close. There, you will receive medical attention. Not far, Domini,
and your suffering will end.”
Unable
to open her eyes she nodded and imagined she lay on a real bed with a soft down
filled duvet pulled up to her chin, and a plump pillow under her head. She
could sleep for a week and not feel an ounce of remorse. Vaguely, she felt
Gagan’s soft fur under her hands and moved with his rhythmic movement. She was hugged close again. Zachary's muttered words barely penetrated
the fog that filled her head. Exhaustion washed over her like a wave of cement.
Unable to withstand any more emotional or physical beatings, Dominique's body rebelled
and slowly shut down.
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