Free Vala Eminence by J. F. Jenkins

and pulled away from the thing she had been forced to marry. “I'm glad you care enough for me to aspire to greatness. That touches me in ways I can't describe. I'm still not ready to give myself to you fully. There's a lot I don't understand, Hades, and I want to be fully awakened in this body first. It isn't fair to the girl to use her at my convenience. Only one of us should be allowed to have control.”
    â€œOf course, my queen. I understand,” Lucien said. “I will find a way to give you that control. You're right; it really isn't fair. Are you sure there isn't anything you want me to do in regards to your gift? He is yours .”
    â€œRelease him,” she whispered.
    â€œI'm afraid I can't. Once branded, forever claimed.”
    â€œYou could get rid of the brand. You just don't want to.”
    â€œHe's a contingency plan,” Lucien said coldly. “When I'm certain I won't need him, then I will put forth more effort to free him from his bond to you.”
    She sighed. “Somehow I'll have to manage.”
    â€œPerhaps if you indulge your desires in me, you'll feel less frustrated in your lack of connection to your pet?” The demon moved his hands to caress her bare stomach. Cheyenne flinched, and that was more than enough to make Denver want to charge over and pound the snot out of the monster. Or try to. A growl left Lucien's lips and he pulled away from her roughly. Denver could barely make out the red marks of the scratches left on her skin. What other ways was he hurting her?
    The glistening of tears trailing down her cheeks was reflected in the artificial sunlight of the garden. Cheyenne turned her body away from him and curled herself into a small ball.
    â€œI'm going home now,” she whispered.
    Lucien returned to his fake, tender self and rubbed her arms in a slow soothing manner. “I'm sorry, darling. I have forgotten that your host is so much more fragile than my own. Please forgive me.”
    â€œForgiveness I can give, but not my happiness. I'm going home now.” And in the blink of an eye, Cheyenne was gone from sight.
    For a while, all the demon did was sit in the chair, his gaze blank and unfocused in front of him. Denver would have given anything to be able to read minds then. Demon or not, Lucien had to have an interesting brain to pick through.
    Growling, Lucien got up from the chair and stormed past Denver to leave the garden. Blending in with the shadows, Denver followed.
    â€œI don't know what she wants from me,” Lucien grumbled. “She has a palace, companionship, and kindness. I have yet to be uncivil with her. My duties as a loving husband have been fulfilled. I haven't even taken physical pleasure with a human since our wedding. And still, nothing. She won't have me.”
    Probably because you're creepy and gross, Denver thought. Or it might have something to do with how she only has eyes for me. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm pretty awesome. Once you experience awesome, it's hard to go back to mediocre.
    Lucien's eyes narrowed and he peered around him. “I feel unwelcome in my own home.”
    Because you don't belong here. This is my home. And as if the castle were in tune with his thoughts, the lights began to dim, and a breeze chilled the hallway.
    â€œI don't know what is going on, but I will find out.”
    Yup. Denver smirked. You'll know when I want you to know.

Chapter Five

    â€œYou are not focused Mr. Collins,” Mr. Thantos stated and slapped his hand on his desktop. Denver lifted his gaze to the teacher, expecting to see rage or even frustration, but instead saw a certain kind of desperation.
    Running a hand over his face, Denver let out a soft whistle. “I'm trying, okay? It's hard to not let my mind wander sometimes. I can't help that I was born with the attention span of a squirrel.”
    â€œYou were not born with any such thing,” the angel said. “That is something you