Page 54 of Her Demon Daddy
It took me a while to work my way up to the captain. At first, I toyed with my craft, batting my eyelashes at the trolvor and listening carefully to their conversations so I could mimic them back with interest later on.
I was thrilled when it worked. The trolvor began sneaking me scraps of better food, giving me extra water to wash with, and ignoring me when their duties called for brutality– all in exchange for the feigned interest of a beautiful woman. When the captain stopped by to check up on his charges and make sure things were running smoothly, it was all too easy to turn my newly acquired skills to him.
Femininity is so often viewed as a detriment, both on Galmoleth and on Protheka, but I’ve found a way to weaponize it. Now, with a permanent bridge existing between Galmoleth and the demon country of Ikoth on Aerasak, as well as a human woman on the throne beside the king, the opportunities for power are endless.
“Captain, I’m beginning to feel a bit warm,” I simper, dabbing my hand gently across my forehead before dragging it across my chest lightly. The captain’s eyes follow my hand as it trails just above the swell of my breasts, lighting with lust.
“I’ll go get you a drink,” he replies hurriedly, flashing me a quick smile before turning and disappearing into the crowd of people. I take the opportunity to watch the rest of the party-goers strewn about the ballroom, laughing and dancing with glasses of wine in hand.
I lost sight of Siara and Asmodeus long ago, but the rest of the demons have proven just as entertaining to observe. Dancers glide across the ballroom floor, twirling and switching partners in time with the music, their lavish suits and dresses making them all look more like dolls than real people.
As my eyes skim across the crowd, I find myself stopping over one face in particular. The demon sits back lazily in his chair, the top fastenings of his tunic undone carelessly and his leg propped up on the chair beside him.
Empty glasses of gods know what litter the table before him, and he swigs down the remaining dregs of liquid in the glass in his hand as he stares at me. Something about the intensity of his dark eyes, the way they press on me heavily like a physical touch, has a scarlet heat crawling up my neck.
“Here you are, my dear,” the captain says as he steps into view. I look away from the other male hurriedly, smiling softly up at the captain.
“Thank you,” I say genuinely, relishing the way the wine coats my tongue. The captain nods, an almost shy expression crossing his face. He truly isn’t a bad male, and I don’t hate spending time with him. He’s just… easy. Predictable.
He’s useful,a small voice whispers across my mind. Despite his shortcomings, he’s proven to be kind and reasonable. I’ve been able to lobby for better treatment of the other girls, and I now have a whole cell to myself, complete with pillows and blankets and a washing basin I can use whenever I’d like.
He may be boring, but at the very least, he’s an advantageous partner.
The captain launches into a detailed joke with a long, rambling prelude, and I force a laugh as he gets to the punchline. No matter how hard I try to focus on the captain or enjoy the ball, however, my eyes keep wandering back to that male.
Every time I look at him, he’s already looking at me.
He is devastatingly handsome, with a strong jaw and crimson eyes that sparkle every time they meet mine. His full lips are pressed into a hard line, dark brows lowered in a brooding expression, and I can’t help but wonder what it is that he’s thinking about.
“May I have this dance?” The captain asks, extending his hand to mine with a flourish. I don’t have to force the laugh that slips from my lips as I place my hand into his.
“I’d be honored,” I say, giving him a small curtsy. The captain sweeps me onto the dance floor, swinging and twirling me in time with the lively music. The conversation flows easily enough, and I find myself truly enjoying the festivities.
Anywhere is better than the dungeons, I suppose, but being here in the palace with a human queen on the throne all but ensures that I’m treated as an equal, respected at least at the most basic level.
Andthatis more than I’ve had in quite some time.
Despite all of the merriment, however, I continue to catch sight of the brooding male in the corner. I’m no stranger to the stares of males, but it’s difficult to decipher his rank when he’s so… underdressed.
I decide to take a chance as I meet his eyes for what feels like the dozenth time over the captain’s shoulder, shooting him a sultry smile and a wink. I know he saw me, he was looking directly at me, and yet, his only response is a subtle twitch in his jaw.
A sudden flare of frustration rises quickly in my chest. He’s been staring at me all night, and hasn’t moved from that damn table. Is my attention not what he’s looking for? Why else would he be staring like that?
I stifle the emotion quickly, smiling back up at the captain. Fine. If he’s not interested, I’m having a perfectly good time right where I am.
Still, dance after dance, drink after drink, every time I look up, that damned male is looking at me. By the time the ball is drawing to a close, I can see the gleam in the captain’s eye. He’s eager to return to a more private setting, likely in the hopes that I’ll indulge his baser desires for the night, but I’m too distracted to play my part well.
“Excuse me for just one moment, captain. It seems there’s something I need to take care of,” I say apologetically with a curtsy. The captain nods, disappointment flashing across his features, but thankfully he lets me go.
Without a backward glance, I stride toward the table the male has been sitting at, that flare of frustration beginning to burn hotter and brighter behind my ribs. Just who does this male think he is, to ogle me in such a public setting?
The demon watches my approach, the corners of his lips quirking up slightly. The sight only makes me angrier, and I ache to wipe that smug expression off of his face.
“Well? Is this what you wanted?” I demand as I come to a stop in front of him, placing my hands on my hips. The male says nothing, though I could’ve sworn the smirk on his face grew just a touch.
“You’ve been staring at me all night,” I snap. “What is it that you want? Did you just want my attention?”
The slight smirk on the demon’s face turns into a fully-fledged grin at my question, but he still doesn’t respond. His eyes sweep down me slowly, assessing me in a way that makes liquid heat pool in my belly, before his eyes return to mine.