Page 4 of Once Written in Gilded Blood

He helps me off the desk and sets me down gently, a wide grin that steals my heart. “Of course you can. I’ll help you take it out tonight so we can finish.” He winks at me.

I swallow the nerves and excitement that rise within me.

The clock on the top shelf of his bookcase dings and catches my attention. Oh Neptune, we’ll be late!

Kalel reads my hastiness in the way I straighten out my dress. We have a reservation at one of the most enchanting cafés in the kingdom, and I don’t plan on being late just because we decided to fool around.

“I won’t be letting you finish anything if we’re late to lunch!” I give him a playful glare.

“We’ll see about that,” he says with a hunger in his gaze.

Kalel turns back to his dark oak desk and grabs a small vial. The glass is an amber brown and has a cork stopper in place. “I almost forgot, I had a bit of time and was able to make this for you.” He passes me the vial.

I hold it delicately in my palm. “What is it?” I glance back up at him.

He sets his hand on my shoulder gently. “It’s a heat inhibitor—that way you won’t have flare-ups as often, and it should ease your pain too.”

It’s been a difficult few months being around Kalel, with my curse of Venus making my heat kick in more than it ever has before. Our bodies react to one another whether we like it or not.

My eyes widen a fraction, and I clutch the vial tightly. “That’s so thoughtful. Thank you.” I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him. His ashy scent fills my senses, and for a few silly moments, I think everything can only look up from this point on. My life here with him will be lovely.

“It’s quite a simple concoction too. So if you get low, just let me know and I’ll make more. That way I know it’s you who wants me and not just your heat controlling all your thoughts,” he jests and presses a kiss on top of my head.

I smile as he touches my neck softly with two fingers as he walks by to open the door. His eyes drink me in, hunger still evident in his stare. The sultry expression he has makes my cheeks warm, and my core aches for his teeth in me again already.

Gods, this man.

When we were still at each other’s throats on our way to Devicit, he only drank my blood once a day, other than when he wanted to punish me. But now it’s two or three times a day that he wants to feed. I’ve grown to look forward to it because it almost always ends with him inside me just like today. My heart races at the thought of the stopper deep inside me, and at how it feels with each step I take.

Wouldn’t be the worst thing if he had a small snack while we’re out today. And another one later this evening in bed.

Kalel’s horse is already prepped and ready for us by the time we reach the stables.

The stableboy, Ustel, is one of the kindest demons in the kingdom. He has short, shabby brown hair that sort of reminds me of a horse’s mane and dark-brown eyes that never hold animosity toward anyone. His suspenders are always down around his knees, and I’ve never seen him in one of his long-sleeved shirts without some sort of stain or tear in it.

“Hi, Alira,” Ustel greets me casually with a friendly smile.

Kalel speaks with all his staff in this manner, and it’s just one more thing that has led my heart to fall into a deeper hole with his. He treats others with such compassion—something that isn’t utilized enough in Alzhor, or in the other palaces here in Devicit, for that matter.

All of Kalel’s staff seem happy to be here, and it creates a warm, inviting environment that I wish to never part with.

“How is Ember’s left hoof today, Ustel?” I chirp back, excited that it’s him working the stables this morning and not his apprentice. Ustel is around my age, I think. It’s hard to tell who ages slower or faster among all the different demons, but he looks like he’s in his thirties.

Ustel stretches his arms over his head and lets out a long yawn that makes me yawn in return. Kalel is immune to the power of yawns, so he just cracks a wry smirk at both of us.

“Ember’s already back in the fields running around, thanks to you.” Ustel grins and hikes his thumb over his back, pointing to the farthest grazing field where I quickly locate the dark-brown mare.

I let out a breath of relief. “Oh, good, I was worried that her infection might worsen, but I’m so glad to hear that she’s already feeling better.” A sliver of pride runs through my veins that I’m actually able to contribute to something around here other than sharpening swords and helping train some new knights at the training grounds.

It’s not hard to imagine why I’m not welcome on the training grounds, but fighting is all I’ve ever known. Without it, a sense of uselessness has replaced my sense of belonging.

After being practically kicked out of the training grounds more than once, I took to studying in Kalel’s apothecary room, learning about many medicinal herbs and concoctions had started to take root in the empty parts of me.

“Who’s the potion master now?” Kalel teases as he lifts me easily onto his stallion.

“Spare me. Healing an infection is the least of what potions can do,” I chide back, and we both break out into a laugh.

Ustel crosses his arms and smiles at us as Kalel hops up behind me and pulls me close against his chest. It’s a warm embrace, and I wish moments like these would last forever.