Bat Out of Hell (Promised to the Demons #2) - Lidiya Foxglove Page 0,38

he never likes us to know."

"It's true," Gillian said. "He always gives us gifts at Christmas, but he'll make up a story about how someone he knew was just getting rid of them, or he'll punish us for something first and then when we're finally good, he'll give us our gifts begrudgingly."

"I don't know if I'd call that very kind," Bevan said.

"Did--did Lord Variel send me all of those desserts?" I asked, as I remembered how Mistress Kerra was trying to tell me something before.

"I imagine he did," Jameson said. "He was gathering up his magic ring and his knife to sell to make some quick money. It must have been for something."

I wondered if the mirror should have shown me the good things he’d done as well, just to be fair.

"What happened to the master?" Gillian squeaked.

"The faeries...we had a trial...they made me come up and look in a mirror and watch all the worst things he's ever done and then they reached in my head and turned him into a bat monster thing..."

"I'm not sure I love the term 'bat monster'," Bevan said. "I don't think you have to feel bad about it. It won't hurt Variel to feel very vulnerable for once in his life..."

"Lord Variel has been turned into a monster?" Gillian twisted her apron. "Where is he now?"

"Considering how long it took him to save me from being a monster, Bevan’s right. I don't think it'll hurt him one bit," Jameson said. "Let's let him stew and in the morning we'll get him a nice hot breakfast and check on him. Don't worry about a thing, Jenny. We'll take care of him, but..." He started wiping the stage makeup off his face. "How ugly a monster is he?"

"Personally, I think bat monster is a very attractive look," Bevan said.

I didn't know how to answer.

He's not an...ugly monster. No, I might call him fearsome, but not ugly. But he isn't himself anymore. And it’s a terrible feeling to be denied your own self.

Chapter Eighteen

Jenny

Bevan got a warm fire in the hearth and heated a tea kettle to offer me chamomile before bed.

"You've had a hell of a night," he said, handing me a cup with orange peel, honey and a little milk added. "I'm sure you're exhausted but your mind must be racing."

"I really thought you might be mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you? Because you made the enemy of my family into an Adonis?"

“It’s not a joke."

“It’s pretty funny, though.” He smiled at me. “And Piers looked so freaked out by it.”

I took the tea but then put it down again. "I want out of these clothes before I enjoy this drink."

"I've been waiting all night to get you out of those clothes. Because, of course, you look so uncomfortable. No other reason..." He spoke gently into my ear as he walked behind me and pulled a pin out of my hair. A lock fell on my shoulder.

"I am uncomfortable."

"I'm not that comfortable myself. My shoes pinch and this cravat is strangling me slowly."

"So you also need some help."

"Yes." He started unhooking the dress and as it fell to the ground I realized I had finally stopped noticing the sexy underwear.

"Wow," Bevan said. "I didn't realize there was so much going on under there."

"Or so little?"

His warm hands spread over my thighs and snapped the tops of my stockings against my skin. His body, even more warm, pressed against mine, holding me close.

"Get this corset thing off," I said.

"Yes, ma'am." He gave my hips a little squeeze and then started un-popping another set of hooks.

"I really worried you'd be jealous or something. I couldn't believe that was in my subconscious! I was just telling Piers that I was sure he could find love even if he was ugly. With someone."

"You said that? Ouch."

"I said he reminded me of Mr. Rochester..."

"Who is that?"

"From Jane Eyre."

"Oh." Bevan shrugged.

"Boys don't read Jane Eyre."

"I didn't. Did Piers?"

"Uh...yes. He did."

Bevan laughed. "I would have bet he did. Well, I don't think I'll ever be the jealous type. Unless you give me a really, really good reason to be jealous. Like letting Piers or Variel do this..." He kissed the corner of my mouth. "Or this..." He slid down to suck on my nipple just to the point where I squeezed my thighs, feeling a sudden gush of wetness hit the insubstantial underwear. "Or this." I let out a little shriek of pleasure as Bevan pulled the strip