Daniella lay flat on her back, the obsidian sand biting into her skin. Now that she'd finally learned how to circulate the blessing, she felt like a live wire. Every inch of her was buzzing, a frantic hum of power that made her fingers twitch against the dark grains.
Jasper stood over her, a dark monolith blocking out the moons. His face was a blank mask, cold and unreadable. "It's enough for today!" he barked, turning his back on her to start the long trek toward the castle.
Daniella didn't move. She kept her eyes locked on the sky, watching the moons—each a different, bruised shade of violet and crimson. Jasper hated the demon realm, but to her, it was beautiful in a fucked-up way. It was a place of endless beauty and peace, mixed with the casual reality of torture, murder, and sex. But then, nowhere was perfect.
"Everything out here bites, Daniella," Jasper called over his shoulder, his boots crunching rhythmically on the glass-like sand.
With a heavy groan, Daniella hauled herself up, brushing the black dust from her thighs. The grit stung her raw skin as she jogged to catch up. She still didn't get why they couldn't just use some form of magic transport. This walk back always felt like torture; the wind whipped at her like a lash, and every few feet, a predator was ready to eat her.
"What's next?" she asked, staring at the back of his head. The last two weeks had been pure hell. Having him poke and prod at every pain she'd ever suffered was less than ideal. She was hoping to move on to something more practical. More violent. Any chance to punch him in his smug face, she would appreciate.
Jasper slowed his pace until they were side by side. "Right now, you're no better than a battery. Useless, truly." He didn't mince his words.
Daniella didn't let her spirit be deflated. It was just his way—harsh and unyielding. But not untrue. As much as she felt like she could take on the world, she was still a baby in this realm—weak and easily silenced.
"I'll teach you how to destroy," Jasper continued. "Your power... we don't exactly know what your limits are. What parameters you have. We'll discover them."
"What is your power, exactly?" Daniella asked, glancing at him. "I've watched the others. No demon is like you. There are some overlapping areas, but ultimately you seem entirely unique. You're just not like them."
Jasper stopped dead in his tracks. Before she could react, his hand shot out, his fingers curling firmly around the back of her neck. He hauled her toward him, forcing her head to tilt back until she was looking up at him, her throat exposed. His face moved closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin.
"I could show you a live demonstration of copulation," he whispered, his eyes dark with a sudden, sharp hunger.
Daniella didn't flinch. She leaned in closer, until her lips were grazing his with every syllable she uttered. "I want to be Queen," she murmured, the ghost of her breath ghosting over his mouth, "more than I want your dick inside of me."
She let out a low, mocking chuckle and pulled away from his grip. Her stride picked up as the castle began to loom in sight, leaving him standing there for a second too long.
Inside the castle, they crossed paths with Opal, who smiled as he led five men away on leashes, a violent aura radiating off them.
"Part of the zoo?" Daniella asked, quirked an eyebrow. Jasper only nodded in disinterest.
Entering their chambers, Daniella was quick to strip and step into the shower. The clear glass enclosure sat in the middle of the room, leaving nothing to the imagination. As the hot water hit her, steam billowed out, masking her figure in a soft haze.
Jasper pushed his domain outward until the room was encased in shadowy protection, then sat on the couch facing the shower. He watched the water glide down the curve of her spine, only to be lost between her thighs. His skin felt like it was on fire. His cock, thick and heavy, pressed painfully against the coarse fabric of his trousers. He could feel the dampness of pre-come staining his pants, the friction of his clothes becoming a form of exquisite torture.
He closed his eyes for a moment, fantasizing about her wet body gliding over his. He imagined her naked and dripping, crawling up his lap, her green eyes wide and indulgent as she looked at him. He wanted to lick a trail of water beads up the inside of her thigh until he reached her glistening, soaking cunt.
"Crawl," Jasper's deep voice rumbled, dripping with seduction.
Daniella only frowned, looking at him through the glass with a face full of confusion. She shut off the water and stepped out, wrapping a robe around her. She walked past him, heading straight for the bed.
"There are an abundance of maids, Jasper. Choose one," she said, a humored smile playing on her lips. She wasn't taking his arousal seriously at all; she seemed genuinely amused by his frustration. "The pale skin, green eyes... I mean, the hair would be hard to find, but black would be enough, right? Go on. Find your bed warmer."
"You're still mad!" Jasper slammed his palms against the cushions, his teeth gritted.
"Obviously! It would scare you for how long I can hold a grudge."
"I'm starving!" he growled.
"I will not stop you! Partake in the buffet. There are nothing but willing holes. Find one!"
Jasper's body erupted into demon fire and he vanished.
Daniella was just drifting off to sleep when a loud, wet moan erupted in the room. She shot up, looking at the foot of the bed.
A woman with pale skin and long black hair was spread wide against the footboard. She had brown eyes that darted to Daniella, flashing a challenging, triumphant smirk—as if she had won a prize. Daniella ignored her entirely, keeping her eyes fixed on Jasper.
She noted the girl's features. Pale, dark-haired, thin. He actually took my suggestion, she thought with a sick flick of flattery. He'd found the closest thing to her he could get his hands on.
Jasper was behind the girl, his hips thrusting with a forceful, punishing pace. He didn't look pleased. His black eyes were hyper-focused on Daniella, gauging her reaction.
"This is childish!" Daniella snapped. The bed swayed with every hard pump of his hips.
"I told you I was hungry!" he growled. He gripped the back of the prisoner's head, slamming her face into the wood to muffle her moans. He didn't want to hear her; he only wanted to see Daniella.
Daniella felt a surge of irritation, but she leaned back against the headboard, a coy smile returning. "Harder! Go on. Fuck her harder."
Jasper's thrusts became savage, a beast under a spell. The prisoner's smirk vanished, replaced by cries of genuine, overwhelming sensation as Jasper used her body to access a release he couldn't find elsewhere. Her wetness dripped down her legs, her body spasming, but Jasper never looked at her.
"Keep going!" Daniella whispered, licking her lips. She slowly pulled the sheets down, teasing him with the body he was currently trying to replace.
Jasper's clawed fingers dug into the prisoner's back as he reached a roaring completion. He tossed the girl toward the wall, where she burst into a glittery spectacle of black sand. He climbed onto the bed, hovering over Daniella, a deep growl rumbling in his chest.
"Sleep!" she ordered him.
Jasper's body slipped under the sheets. He dragged her against him, pinning her back to his chest and burying his face in her neck.
As she felt the heat of him, Daniella realized how easy this part was. The sex, the laughter, the physical intimacy—those things came naturally between them. They were easy. But apologies, understanding, and empathy? Those were languages completely lost to their connection.