Bound by Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

his weight onto his knees and rolled first one, and then the other ankle, trying to get his blood flowing without breaking the ritual. He rocked his weight onto on knee and lifted the opposite, stretching his leg out behind him. He lost his balance and tumbled—
     
    —stumbled and fell. Beliaz collapsed on the rough stone surface that held back the lava and gasped. He hated his demon form and the longer he remained in it the more he wanted to kill, devour, hate, and… stay where he belonged.
    He heard a whisper, but no words that made sense to his ears. He lifted his head, drawing up his reserves to fight, to follow the way of his home world. Eden crouched beside him, glowing and speaking words without sound.
    "Don't look at me," Beliaz hissed. "I don't want you to see me like this." He held out a hand, fingers splayed. "Eden…"
    He forced his claws back and growled to prevent the scream of pain as demon flesh melted back to his human face. Horns retracted, flaking away as they returned to the bone structure of his head. When he blinked back the agony and looked up for his lover he was alone in a small cavern with a narrow tunnel leading in the direction of vicious screams.
    Beliaz struggled to his feet, swaying. He shifted into full demon form, completing the transformation just as a shadowfire portal opened and Andaras stepped out, a broken grin splitting his lips to reveal jagged shark-like teeth.
    "Come work for me, son of mine, and I will give you passage home."
    "No." Beliaz eyed the open portal, wondering if he could get past his father and into the portal before the demon could close it.
    Andaras laughed. "Not this one. I'm not stupid, child. This portal returns to my throne room."
    Beliaz snarled. Throne room. He'd normally laugh at that, but when he dragged himself from the lava crossing, he realized how hopeless his plan to escape Hell had been. He had no plan. His only intent had been to make sure Eden stayed safe, but until Bel placed the ring on his angel's finger, Andaras could, and would, summon Eden, and torment Bel with the guilt of failing his lover.
    "Okay, you're strong," Andaras said. "I see that. I'm willing to negotiate. Work for me for one century." Andaras rolled his head, his neck cracking and the noise echoing in the small chamber. "One century, no strings attached, and you're home."
    "No deal." Beliaz brushed past Andaras and strode towards the low-ceilinged tunnel. He'd take a bad plan over a stupid plan any day. A century would break him and they both knew it.
    "A decade," Andaras called.
    Beliaz ignored him and kept walking.
     
    * * * *
     
    "You're not fooling me, demon."
    That voice! The beast had the voice of… well, an angel. Full of magic and kindness, even though it clearly had cause to be angry and distrustful of Beliaz. And with good reason, he reminded himself. He had, after all, pulled the thing out of the sky mid-flight.
    "I have hunted with my father," Beliaz said. "But never did we find a beast so breath-taking."
    Warmth invaded his body, completely unlike the heat of Hell that fanned through on the despair of mortal souls and demon hate. His member hardened and slid from its protective sheath within his body, standing at attention and reaching for the angel. He'd rutted in Hell. All the demons did. Down in the circles, you fucked willingly or your bore the brunt of those that wanted it. Either way, you knew how it worked and you did it often. He didn't understand why the angel brought out the urges, but he needed the angel alive.
    "Stand," the angel said. "Fight or die."
    Beliaz stood and then wondered why he obeyed the order of an angel. The angel's gaze stuck to his hard member, purple and thick and dripping.
    "Demons don't mate with angels," the angel whispered. He shook himself, appalled that Beliaz would look upon him with such wanton, sinful desire. His fingers flexed and gripped his weapon, raising it up and out, readying himself. "Fight!"
    "No." Beliaz stroked his