Page 35 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

Oka’s expression had lit up. “Is he strong? Can he fight? Use a sword?”

“I don’t know—”

“If he can, you should accept. We wouldn’t have to live here anymore. He could protect us,” Oka had urged her with more emotion than she’d seen from him in a long time. His plea had nearly left her speechless. She couldn’t blame him for urging her to accept Vallen’s offer, but he didn’t know all the facts. She had told Oka that being friends with a demon wasn’t a good idea, and he had seemed to drop it.

“What are you thinking of, dear Shumei?” Vallen asked, soft and close. Goose bumps rose on her skin. His voice still profoundly affected her. Was it one of his demonic powers? Or was it the way he’d said her name?

“Why have you been leaving gifts in my home? I mean, they’re appreciated, but I don’t know how to feel about them given the nature of our…relationship. And they’ve caused me some trouble.”

With each gift, she had been pleasantly surprised, for all of them had been either sorely needed or greatly wanted. But such gifts weren’t easy to hide, especially when the poorest person in the village received them. The soap and comb had done wonders for her hair, which hadn’t gone unnoticed. And though she hardly spent much time with others, a couple of people had remarked on the sweet scent she exuded—usually by way of mentioning how she “used to smell.” Then there was Akiji, who had gone snooping inside her home…

On top of it all, the gifts were from a sex demon. Harboring any soft feelings for him had to be a bad idea, right? Whether or not he had been human once, he was a demon now.

“What sort of trouble?” he asked, eyebrows coming together.

“Someone found out about the venison, and he confronted me. He suspects a story that’s somewhat close to the truth, and…” She averted her eyes. “Well, I can’t say anymore that I don’t enjoy our arrangement—even if I still resent it on some level—nor can I say the opinions of the villagers would be any lower of me should they discover the truth, but Oka? I don’t know what would happen to him if the village learned of us.”

Oka might lose her, either to death by angry mob or banishment. He might be forced to live with Kimen and Akki, or struggle on his own to eat and stay warm. At best, he and Shumei would both be banished, but she had no way to guarantee their safety, even if Vallen’s offer were still an option. She’d once heard an old farmer whisper to his wife that he wished Kimen would banish Majo…right at sunset.

“Worse, I accidentally used magic on the one who confronted me—when he grabbed at me, and…if that came out, I could be executed.”

She took a deep breath, nauseous with worry, and laid her cheek on his shoulder. Vallen said nothing for a moment, just stroked her arm with his thumb, but she waited patiently as he collected his thoughts. He seemed to be the type who wished to say something once and say it right.

“Ever since I met you, I’ve been…consumed with thoughts of you. I’ve wanted to touch you,” he uttered, sweeping his hand up her flank. She arched in response. “To please you, but I would never risk breaking our deal and losing any chance of seeing you ever again, so I spent my spare time retrieving those gifts. They were my way of showing my desire and, selfishly, a way to keep me in your thoughts. They were never meant as anything else.”

“Vallen,” she whispered.

“I’m glad to hear you no longer regret the relationship we established, despite its risks. I want you any way I can get you,” he uttered, drawing her closer. “And I know I alone cannot change the deal we made. I cannot have you as I truly wish.”

She raised her head to look at him. “Is that why you’ve been more patient? Trying to prove something to me?”

“I’ve never fixed my worst flaw. From my selfishness and arrogance comes cruelty, and… Well, I thought if I at least tried to be less demanding—”

“That I noticed is a good sign,” she said. A genuine smile tugged at her cheeks, but it didn’t quite make it to her face.

“I want the name of the man who grabbed you,” he said with an edge to his voice.

“Why?” she asked with suspicion. She was certain she didn’t want Vallen interfering in any way. If he did, the chance of their relationship becoming known would greatly increase. He must have seen the distrust furrowing her brow, for he was quick to reassure her.

“I promise not to hurt him or even contact him while our deal still stands, but give me his name.”

She pressed her lips together, waffling on whether to tell him. But he had made a promise and he hadn’t broken one yet. “It’s Akiji.”

He nodded in response and held her a little closer. She had so many more questions for him, such as the magic language he’d mentioned, but she had already tarried long after their agreed-upon exchange and her lethargy from earlier had thankfully vanished.

Any moment now, she’d pull away and get dressed. She’d ignore how soft his lips looked and stop thinking of all the sensations his mouth and hands had wrung from her. She’d not be tempted to linger in his warm embrace. Any moment now.

“The candles are low,” she said, gazing into his heavy-lidded eyes.

He gently stroked her hip. “I have many more.”

“But we’ve already…” she said even as warmth flowered between her thighs. Only some of it was from him.

“Only if you want me. It’s your decision.” He sounded calm, but everything about his expression pleaded with her to say yes. His furrowed brow, his hot stare. Watching him struggle to rein in his dominant streak was…affecting.

He had told her to clear her entire morning, yet she hadn’t been gone more than two hours. Oka wouldn’t expect her for several more.

She definitely wanted him again. She wanted him as much now as when she had first seen him that morning, and she didn’t even feel all that guilty about it.