Page 129 of Knight’s Retribution

Then that nightmarish stare came to Kyler. “You haven’t eaten.”

Her heart thundered in her chest. “I wasn’t very hungry.”

Diemos pulled out the chair. “Sit and eat. Then we bathe.”

She rushed to do what he asked. She had to take this slowly, pretending she returned his affection, or he’d never believe her.

He watched her closely as she forced herself to eat, his gaze unwavering, so utterly unnerving that her heart raced and her skin crawled like there were a million spiders scuttling all over her. She didn’t know what she was putting into her mouth; she tried not to think about it. It looked like human food, but it didn’t taste like it. It didn’t taste like anything.

She swallowed the last bite, and he stood, holding out his hand. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day, my precious one.”

Her stomach churned, and she took his hand, because she didn’t have a choice, but instead of refusing to look at him, she glanced at him and offered a small smile as they moved to the bathroom door.

When he’d first forced her to bathe with him, she’d fought it, with everything she had. She didn’t anymore. Not after the punishments he’d dished out.

He’d treated her like a wild dog, beating her down over and over until she’d eventually stopped fighting.

Letting him think he’d tamed her could only work in her favor.

In the bathroom was a deep, sunken tub, or more a small pool. It was big enough to hold a dozen people. Diemos removed his jacket and shirt, then his dark trousers, revealing his long, leanly muscled, pale body. He was hairless, completely, and on his back were two jagged scars.

Kyler didn’t know what caused them, but he’d told her if she told anyone about them, he would cut out her tongue.

“Come,” he said and held out his hand.

She took it, letting him lead her down the stairs into the water. Releasing her, he leaned back against the edge.

“My scars, they intrigue you?”

He’d caught her looking.

Intrigue wasn’t the right word; horrify was more accurate. “I’m sorry. They’re none of my business.”

His head tipped to the side, and he studied her for long minutes. “I used to have wings, when I was a child. My father took them from me out of jealousy and spite.”

She said nothing, not sure if he would welcome her questions. He didn’t usually like it when she did. “I’m sorry,” she said again.

“My father is Lucifer…which makes me half angel.”

Lucifer’s son? She barely stopped herself from recoiling.

“He said it was to keep me safe, but it was jealousy because his own wings were taken from him when he fell. It’s why I crave the light, why I need the ability to leave this place, to move between realms freely. I want my wings back. I want to fly like I was born to do. I want it all, and I’m going to have it all.” He smiled, all sharp teeth. “Now you’re mine. It’s only a matter of time.”

She didn’t know what that meant, but again she didn’t question him. He told her what he wanted. Questions only angered him.

“No one can know any of this. You know that, don’t you, my darling? I know you don’t want to anger me.”

“I will never tell anyone, I promise.”

He studied her again, and she stilled. “How was your day?” he asked, suddenly changing the subject, obviously happy with her reply.

“Quiet…lonely,” she said, giving him the truth for once, giving him a little more than she usually did.

His head tilted to the side. “No visitors?”

He knew Taren had been to see her and why, and he was testing her, he was always testing her. “The healer, of course, to check if I needed her, and Taren before her…” She dipped her gaze, not even having to fake the pain she felt over what that asshole had shown her. “He ah…showed me images from home…of Rocco.” Silence. He was watching her so closely it was visceral, like his hands were gliding over her skin. “He…he was with another female.”

The water sloshed as Diemos closed in, and Kyler forced herself not to react, not to cringe back.