Immortals After Dark 07 - Kiss of a Demon King

it back?"
    "1 believe I was." Of course, he'd only been ruler for very few years.
    "You left this kingdom mired in the past. No advances even for the time. No roads, no tolls, no permanent portals connecting Rothkalina with other provinces."
    "I didn't have time! I'd been at war with the Horde from the first day of my rule." When that crown had first sat so heavily on his head. "And you forget-many of my kind can trace. Beings shape their world by necessity. There wasn't a need for clunking metal contraptions or blowing up mountains to build roads."
    "If you keep the kingdom without arteries, then only those who can teleport can prosper. I'll bet you're feeling the-sting of that right now since you can no longer trace."
    "Because of Omort," he grated. In the past, Rydstrom had been able to effortlessly trace from Rothkalina to other planes and civilizations. Now he was in his own kingdom, traversing Grave Realm- by foot.
    Just another reason to slay Omort. With his death, Rydstrom and Cade's ability to trace would be restored.
    Sabine continued, "And what about other non-demon beings who might want to make Rothkalina home? You're hardly attracting them to settle here."
    "Like the Sorceri?"
    "Maybe." She raised her chin. "We're not without talents."
    "Rothkalina has a dearth of wine drinkers and slave keepers."
    She ignored his sarcastic comment. "Not that they'd want come to this medieval plane anyway.
    We're merry, and the rage demons are stodgy and stuck in old ways."
    "Then what's your excuse for wanting to remain?"
    "Here there are no Vrekeners and no humans. Demon, even an evil sorceress needs a safe home to call her own."
    If you accepted me, I'd give you one. ...
    "It's not like Tornin is a premium castle though," Sabine continued. "Don't you really want to get back in Tornin because of the well's power?"
    He tensed. "Do you know what it does?" Because Rydstrom ... didn't.

    "Maybe I do. But don't worry, I won't tell. I like that everyone's imagination runs wild. Some think it's a mystickal prison, a power base, a wish granter. Oh, and that it resurrects the dead. Do you even know?"
    "I know that my breed of demon was created solely to protect that well. Tornin was constructed to house it. It's my duty to safeguard both."
    "And you always do your duty. Doesn't it ever get boring? I think that's why you're so attracted to me, because I've shaken your reasonable, rational, ordered life. I'd wager that you've felt more excitement with me in the last week than in centuries."
    That hit far too close to home. "And I think I've never known anyone as egotistical as you."
    "Egotistical? Try self-confident. Should I be meek instead? Would you like me better then?"
    "No. I've never wanted a meek woman for my own. I've wanted a queen-"
    "And now you have one."
    They carried on in silence as the terrain grew more punishing, leaving him to mull over her words. Even with their history, the fact remained that he had her.
    The one he'd longed for... .
    She began lagging behind again. Fortunately, the brush opened up just ahead, revealing a scene below them. The sun blazed down on a clear green pool fed by dozens of cascades.
    "Do we have to cross this water, then?" She rubbed her forehead on her shoulder, trying to keep the sweat from her eyes. "I can't swim. Even if you released my hands."
    He opened his canteen and helped her drink, then took a healthy swallow. "All Lore creatures can swim. It's instinctual."
    She gave a bitter laugh. "I can't tell you how wrong that statement is."
    "Have you drowned?"
    "I don't know how to swim. Never learned. An out-doorswoman I am not."
    "Have-you-drowned?" he snapped.
    "More-than-once?" she snapped back, her eyes growing blue with anger.
    Obviously, this was a sensitive subject with the sor-ceress. "I'm weary of this, Sabine. You give me hints of what you're like, about your history. Am I supposed to spend the rest of the day wondering if you've drowned? Or why you don't like people touching your face-"
    "Sorry I don't feel chatty just now! I'm out of breath and need to rest!"
    He shook his head. "We press on-"
    "We have to stop! I'm hurting here. My arms have been asleep for twenty-four hours. And when was the last time you wore metal against bare skin? There is one reason for this top-to look fabulous. Not to trek through the wilderness. Out here it collects sand, which rubs against my breasts. And they are already far too sensitive because you were forever kissing and sucking on them