Chapter Twenty Eight – Lunch with him.

Chapter Twenty Eight – Lunch with him.
Taliya stood before the tall mirror, her breath shallow as she looked at her reflection.

The gown Lenora had picked out was undeniably beautiful… but it was also dangerously revealing. The deep crimson fabric clung to her like a second skin, hugging her curves, dipping low at her chest, and splitting at the side to show a scandalous amount of thigh.

It shimmered when she moved, like flames licking her body.

She should’ve been uncomfortable. Maybe she was. But a part of her knew—this was a weapon. And she was going to use everything she had.

“I’m not doing this for him.” she whispered to herself, eyes hard. “This is war. And I’m dressing for battle.”

With every step she took down the dark marbled staircase, her heart pounded in her ears. The heels clicked sharply against the floor, echoing through the vastness of the demon king’s lair.

Her dress swayed around her legs like a whisper, and her curls fell down her shoulders like shadows.

Kaidon was already at the head of the long dining table—an image of power, control, and something darker.

He sat like he owned the world, one hand curled loosely around a goblet of wine, his red eyes glowing dim under the chandelier’s gold light. And when his gaze lifted to her—

He froze.

Taliya felt it—the exact second the air shifted. His eyes darkened. His chest rose. And somewhere below that table, he clenched.

She caught the twitch of his jaw as he slowly turned his head toward the guards standing like statues against the wall.

“Out.” Kaidon growled, low and dangerous.

Nobody moved.

“I said, get the fuck out!” His voice thundered through the hall like a shockwave.

Taliya gasped softly, halting mid-step as she watched every single guard scramble out like shadows vanishing under fire. Only the maids remained, quiet and visibly trembling.

What the hell was that about?

She reached the table and blinked at Kaidon, whose red eyes were flickering—bright and wild before they slowly settled back to that usual deep burn.

“Did… I do something?” she asked cautiously, her arms wrapping around her waist.

But before she could react, Kaidon reached out and yanked her toward him.

She let out a surprised sound as he pulled her into his lap, the chair creaking slightly under the sudden weight.

Her cheeks lit up like fire, her hands automatically flying to his chest to steady herself.

“Wh–what are you doing?” she stammered, glancing around. Were the maids looking? Did they see this?

“I can sit—”

“No,” Kaidon cut her off, voice low as he gripped her tighter, his hands holding her by the waist like he was afraid she might disappear.

Then he buried his face into her neck, breathing her in like a drug he couldn’t resist.

“Do you want to kill me?” he growled softly, his lips brushing her skin. “Why the hell would you wear this out in public?”

Taliya stiffened.

“It’s just a dress.” she muttered. “Lenora picked it, not me.”

He didn’t respond right away—just kept his face pressed against her, his breath growing heavier, warmer. It fanned against her collarbone and made goosebumps rise on her arms.

“I’ll go change if it’s a problem.” she offered, already trying to rise, but he pulled her back down.

“No… don’t,” Kaidon murmured, his voice rough. “You look…” He paused. “Too good. But next time, wear something like this for my eyes only.”

Taliya swallowed hard, forcing a small nod, but her pulse was all over the place.

She shifted slightly on his lap, trying to get more comfortable—but then froze.

What the hell was that?

Her brows furrowed as she realized what was pressing against her. Her face flamed as she tried again to wriggle off, but Kaidon’s grip only tightened, his hands now spanning her hips, holding her still.

“Kaidon,” she muttered, barely holding in her frustration. “Let me sit. On a chair.”

But his jaw clenched, his breath hitching sharply as he leaned closer.

“Don’t move,” he growled. “If you keep squirming like that, I swear I won’t be able to stop myself. I’ll take you right here, right now.”

Taliya’s breath caught. Her eyes widened slightly.

She stilled.

But it was too late. He was already too far gone. His voice dropped an octave, hoarse, shaking with restraint.

“I want you so bad it’s driving me insane,” he admitted, and for once, the lust in his voice wasn’t cruel—it was needy. Starved. “And your scent… it’s not helping. It's like you’re tempting me on purpose.”

She blinked, unsure how to react, her mind racing. His words were burning into her, too heavy, too intense. And yet…

Taliya dared to look up at him. His red eyes, though glowing, were laced with something terrifyingly human—desperation.

But she still wasn’t ready to give him what he wanted. Not yet.

So she leaned back slightly and met his gaze head-on.

“Then control yourself,” she said calmly.

Kaidon stared at her, his chest rising and falling, nostrils flaring.

And somehow… he did. Just barely.

But that glint in his eye made her certain of one thing—

He was counting the minutes until he wouldn’t have to anymore.