Lucifer's Cage (After Dark Book 6) by Sarah Bailey (short story to read .txt) 📗

to him. The urge passed as soon as it came.

No. It is clear she is forcing Candace into this. Causing trouble for her is not what I wish.

Despite his anger at her lies and secrets, he would not antagonise the queen until he had answers.

“Now, our young couple will open our ball with the first dance,” Gwilliana said with a flourish.

Theodus led Candace down the stairs to the side of the balcony. The fae dispersed to the sides of the room, leaving them alone in the middle of the floor. She placed one hand in the prince’s and the other on his shoulder. The music tinkled through the room and they began to move.

Lucifer clenched his fists. Her luscious curves in that dress drove him crazy.

I want to tear it off her. Have her beneath me again. I need her heat and the way she looks at me with such affection. My little witch.

He’d missed everything about the woman dancing with another man. She’d found a way to dig herself right into his immortal soul. They’d never be free of each other. That much was clear. Her gaze kept falling on him.

He listened, drowning out the other sounds so he could hear their soft conversation with each other.

“It has been a long time, Cadmi,” the prince said.

“Yes, I suppose it has.”

“Your mother tells me you do not wish to be involved in the wedding preparations.”

“Looking at flowers and pretty dresses all day? I think not.”

The prince smiled at her, light green eyes twinkling with amusement. Lucifer didn’t like the way the prince was looking at Candace.

“No, you were never such a delicate soul unlike those of your mother’s court. Your dual nature I suppose.”

“My witch blood you mean. Does it repulse you as it does the others?”

“Did your mother not tell you? I put myself forward when she approached the other courts to find you a mate.”

He could hardly blame this prince. Candace was beautiful with fire running in her veins. She was from two different worlds and to him, she was everything.

“Why would you do that? Everyone hates me. Well, I suppose now they know who I really am that might change.”

Candace looked away from him. Her eyes seeking out Lucifer again. The expression on her face almost made him take a step towards her. There was longing in her eyes.

“Because you and I are not so different.”

“I see.”

Her gaze was still stuck on him and not the prince. He needed to be patient. Bide his time until he could demand answers from her. He would possess Candace again. Own every inch of her body as she trembled and clenched around him. It would be sweet, delicious torture. Worth each moment they spent joined with each other.

When her dance with the prince came to an end, her hand was claimed by another prominent member of fae society. She danced with many until she was finally alone. She stood by the windows of the ballroom, staring out at the grounds with a faraway look in her eyes.

No one seemed to be paying attention to her. He silently approached her. His hand curled around her lower back. He leant close to her ear.

“Hello again,” he whispered.

She shivered turning to him with wide eyes. Her perfect mouth fell open on a gasp. The next moment it snapped shut and her eyes blazed with anger.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed.

“I’m here to see you. Haven’t you missed me in your bed?”

“You shouldn’t be here. Fuck. Do you have any idea how much shit I’ll be in if she finds out about you?”

His fingers brushed over the skin above the scandalously low back of her dress. He felt her lean into his touch.

She can’t help it, can she? She craves me as much as I do her. I will have her. I will have her again and she won’t be able to deny me. That prince be damned. She is mine and she knows it.

“I am not leaving until you and I have a little talk. Don’t you think you owe me that much after you kept the truth of who you are from me?”

Chapter Sixteen

There was silence between them for several moments. She glanced around the room, but it seemed no one was looking their way. Her expression was resigned when she turned back to him.

“Not here. We can’t talk here. I’m not supposed to leave. I’m the guest of honour.”

“Then dance with me.”

He didn’t allow her to object. He took her hand and tugged her out onto the floor where the next song was beginning. The heat of her body drove him crazy. He tugged her closer, his hand splayed across her back.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Don’t make a scene,” he whispered.

She put her hand on his shoulder. Her face was flushed. They started to move to the music, twirling around the other couples.

“We’re too close.”

Their bodies were pressed together, his fingers dangerously low. There were a few disapproving looks from the fae around them.

“Stop. If she sees you with me like this, she’ll know.”

“You forget, you are mine, Candace or should I call you Cadmi?”

“Don’t do this now, please. I promise I’ll explain everything.”

He leant closer, his breath fanning across her cheek.

“You are mine.”

She was silent, her violet eyes wide with fear and desire.

She can never hide it from me.

There were no further objections from her mouth. He could feel her arousal coursing through her veins. He knew she could feel his pressed up against her stomach. Every movement between them made the ache worse.

When the music came to an end, she took his