Page 65 of Hell Burns Between Us

He was objectively very handsome.

Only there was a causticity to his handsomeness that made her gut tighten; which, until recently, she’d thought was just general nerves about having a mate. But no. That was not what was making her uneasy. It was him.

His eyebrows arched in constant ill-humour, his mouth a tight line of disapproval. She had once thought him serious, perhaps even quietly thoughtful. But now she saw him for what he was: egotistical and arrogant to a harrowing degree.

And while she’d originally believed his high position had meant he was smart, she knew him now to be a gigantic oaf. She hadn’t known that demons could rise in power while being simultaneously under-qualified and extraordinarily dim.

Every time they met she’d think: This time. This time he’ll say something even a little bit clever.

Alas, not sounding like a moron was beyond his capabilities.

A soft wind caressed her cheek as she considered what her options were. She had never heard of anyone breaking a betrothal before. Her grandfather would likely rage at the very idea of it… the rest of her family as well. It was simply not done!

Surely her parents would understand. They had to agree that she deserved someone better suited to, at the very least, simply liking her for who she—

Red flashed across her vision.

Like being plunged into the waters of an ice-covered lake, shock stole her breath as Valus’s fingers clawed clumsily at her throat.

What is he—

Horror splattered over her, thick like oil smearing across her vision, choking her screams, as Valus ripped the small serpent from her throat, hurling it into the air.

Fingers dug into her skull like hammered nails. His face, distorted and angry, filled her vision and before she could grasp what had just happened—he was slamming his lips against hers.

Instinctively, she shoved at his chest, trying to break free. His hands tightened, holding her in place. The desperation in her rose. She pushed harder.

No!

Her fingertips sparked with hot frantic energy—she did not want this!

Again she pushed. And again.

Until, on the third time Slang’s markings sizzled against her wrists and a flash of furious energy surged into her. This time when she pushed at his chest, a crack of white-hot power burst from her.

The next thing she knew Valus was thrown from her, his form a disgusting splotch in the bright blue sky. His body carved a tarnished streak through lush cotton clouds, shrinking until he was no more than a speck on the horizon. A ragged breath later he vanished completely.

She bent, drawing in a few rough breaths. Her pulse pounding in her ears.

She hurried to where Valus had thrown her snake and found its little green form winding its way back toward her. Crouching down, she gently picked it up, inspecting it for injuries.

“I’m so sorry about that,” Peri said, cradling the snake in her hands. “You poor, poor thing.”

The snake, unhurt, curled itself around her wrist, nuzzling her skin. “Tell Slang that I’m especially grateful for their bites today,” she whispered. “Were you able to bite him when he grabbed you?”

The tiny serpent gave a quick nod.

“Then he’ll be really suffering, wherever he landed,” Peri sighed with a mix of satisfaction and guilt. He was going to be very cross about this, she was sure. But for the moment, she allowed herself not to care about him or how he would make her pay for this. “I suppose you’ll have to go now.”

The snake nodded again, before wriggling its body slightly, signalling for her to release it. Peri set it down, watching as it vibrated with a soft hum, then slithered off into the meadow.

Glancing up, the sweeping hills tightened in around her until she could barely suck in a breath.

She wiped her mouth slowly, her hands trembled at the ghost of Valus still there.

She’d been told that kissing her mate—or future mate—would fill her heart with joy, not drain it from her. She leaned over and retched on nearby flowers.

Slowly, she forced herself to stand. Her legs wobbled beneath her and she doubted she’d have enough strength to walk the rest of the way to her courses. She opened her bottomless satchel and whispered the name of a calming draught that she always kept on hand. It wasn’t ideal because it tended to make the drinker feel almost numb with calmness.