Page 115 of Mated to Monsters
69
KHA’ZETH
The human’s receding footsteps echo off the halls as I’m left alone in the dining room with nothing but my thoughts. I rub my thumb and forefinger together absentmindedly, the feeling of her smooth, soft flesh lingering on the pads of my fingers.
That skin… beneath all of the dirt, tears, and grime, she has the most gorgeous olive skin, as if she were made to bask in the sun. The golden tones of her flesh only accent her large, warm brown eyes, which are made even more stunning by the thick fringe of lashes that frame them.
My mind wanders back to the way she looked at me when I held her chin, the way her full lips parted slightly as she tilted her head back. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought she wanted me to kiss her.
I almost did.
My eyes dart back toward the archway where she disappeared as if by thinking about her I’d suddenly summon her back to the table. I shake my head, glancing at the empty plate in front of me. I’ve lost all appetite for food, although my appetite in other areas is becoming harder to control.
I shake my head again, trying to clear my mind of all of these thoughts. The human is intended to be a broodmare. I can’t let these silly sentimentalities interfere with my duty. I’m to reproduce with the human for the good of the demon race, nothing more.
Despite my best efforts, I keep returning to how beautiful the girl is as I pace about the house, trying to keep myself busy. The Prince may be able to defy King Asmodeus’ orders and survive, but I have no such royal standing to defend me if I were to shirk my duties.
Even as one of the most powerful soz’garoth demons on the planet, I am still only a servant. And as a servant, if I were to fall short of the King’s expectations, even if only through hesitation, I’ll be tossed off of Galmoleth in short order.
I need to bed the human before the end of the day – if not for my sake, then for the girls’. They already lost their mother. If I were to go against the King, I’d be costing them the only home and caretaker they’ve ever known.
The thought sends a shudder through me and only strengthens my resolve to do what needs to be done. Female demons are coveted for many reasons, but their ability to maintain the race tops the list of reasons they are so heavily protected.
What may happen to them if I’m gone, and they’re forced into their duties too early…
I grind my teeth, refusing to let myself go any further in this train of thought. That will not happen, because I won’t give the King any reason to doubt me or my loyalty. I will do what needs to be done, all sentimentality aside, if only to protect my girls.
Chatter fills the front of the house, echoing back to the main hall where I’m seated in my armchair, brooding in front of the fireplace. A small smile tugs at my lips as the sounds of the triplets gabbing away about their friends and their studies makes the estate come alive again.
“...Nuh uh! I’m going to be the first one to gain the favor of the royal family; I just know it. I’ll probably even catch the eye of a prince, and then you’ll all have to listen to me!”
“Oh please, no prince is going to choose you! Besides, everybody knows you have a crush on Orthriun, and he’s just a normal Volvath!”
Elincia gasps, and Tanulia giggles from behind her. The girls finally turn the corner into the room, and before I can even greet them, Elincia whirls on me, her yellow eyes dancing with all the fury of hellfire.
“Kha’zeth! Valindra is being mean to me! Tell them I’m going to be with a prince and that they have to obey me because I’m going to be favored by the royal family!”
I groan as Valindra rolls her eyes over Elincia’s shoulder.
“I’m not being mean!” Valindra protests before I can respond, her violet eyes finding mine. “She’s not going to be with a prince, and besides, she’s just a baby. I’m going to mature first anyhow.”
“I am not a baby!” Elincia shrieks at Valindra. “You were only born eight minutes before me, and you’re not the boss of me!” I find my voice just as Elincia and Valindra are about to fly at one another.
“GIRLS,” I roar over them, jumping to my feet in case I need to pry Elincia and Valindra apart. My magic crackles around me, my aura sparking a deep blue in warning.
Thankfully, the sound of my voice stops all three of the girls in their tracks, Valindra freezing where she is, Elincia turning to face me, and Tenulia trying her best to disappear into the background. I huff, rubbing my face in frustration before sinking back down into my chair.
“Valindra, don’t antagonize your sister. Elincia, Valindra may not be the boss of you, but you’re not the boss of anyone else either,” I say firmly, looking at each of them as I address them.
“Besides, you’re all far too young to be worrying about mating,” I continue, giving them each a pointed look. “That’s still several years off, and you shouldn’t be pairing for status, regardless. You may find someone you love, and their status will not matter.” All three of the girls have the decency to look thoroughly chastised before Valindra walks over to stand beside me, crossing her arms.
“What’s wrong?”
I glance up at her, not bothering to hide the confusion and exasperation on my face.
“What do you mean what’s wrong?”
“I mean, you hardly ever yell at us, especially not over stupid squabbles. So, something must be wrong,” Valindra says, explaining in her usual matter-of-fact way. Both Elincia and Tenulia drift back toward where we stand, looking far too interested in our conversation for my liking.