The Guardian Read Online Free PDF

was doing, he’d closed the distance between them and knelt on the floor
    by her side. His armor creaked ever so slightly from his movement. Her long black hair spil ed around her
    shoulders and legs, forming a shining weblike mantle. In that position, she looked even more frail and tiny
    than she had before … Like a little dark rose on his floor. And she smel ed like beauty. Most demons had an
    odor to them, but not her.
    She smel ed like the summer sunshine he hadn’t seen since he was a boy … back in the days when he’d
    believed in beauty and decency. When he’d looked forward to a future he’d stupidly believed would be
    bright.
    Back before his innocence had been so violently torn from him, and then thrown in his face.
    Hesitant, but too curious to stop, he touched a lock of her hair that dangled by her side. The softness of
    that one fat curl startled him. It was like touching a rose petal. At least this was what he remembered them
    feeling like.
    Slowly, he lifted it to his nose so that he could breathe in the pleasant, sweet smel that seemed to be a
    part of her. Oh yeah … It made him think of a home he’d never known or had.
    He closed his eyes to savor the scent as it ran through his blood like fire. Against his wil , his thoughts
    turned to what she might look like naked. How she’d feel beneath him as he tasted her tanned skin and took
    her.
    No, better yet, on top of him. Yeah, that was the image he coveted. With this soft hair tickling his skin
    while she rode him like no one ever had before. Slow and tender. With gentle kisses that didn’t draw blood.
    Like he meant something to her.
    Don’t be stupid. Since when did you become an old woman? Sex was sex. It was a meaningless
    animalistic act that the body needed from time to time. Only an absolute imbecile would drag emotion into it.
    And since when was sex ever tender? Especial y for something as disgusting as he was? Hel , he was
    lucky any female would lower herself to screw him.
    Lydia would never do so.
    That thought stung deep. But it was true. The first thing he’d done after his strength came back was find a
    demon lover to sate what he’d missed most—the only pleasure Noir hadn’t taken from him. He’d needed
    release in the worst sort of way. But the she-demon’s pale gray skin had been cold and dry, her touch rough
    and demanding as she’d clawed and bit him until he bled. She’d even knocked loose some of his teeth.
    And her hair had been rough and brittle. Nothing like the warm softness of his little flower.
    Open your eyes, sšn.
    As if she heard his innermost wish, she let out a low sigh and rubbed her cheek against her folded arms.
    She blinked once, then jerked as she realized he was right beside her. She immediately scooted away from
    him with panic in her topaz eyes. To his dismay, her actions caused her hair to fal out of his grasp. Her
    entire body tensed for battle, as if she expected him to break into violence for no reason whatsoever.
    “I…” he caught himself before he promised not to hurt her. He refused to give her that power.
    Better to be feared. Always.
    So instead, he moved to confront her.
    Lydia pushed herself up after he rose only to realize it didn’t real y matter. He stil towered over her and
    made her feel as if she’d fit into his pocket. May the gods help her if he did turn violent. It wouldn’t be much
    of a fight on her part. She’d already done her best and stabbed him, and he’d pinned her so fast and easily
    that it stil staggered her. But she would fight. So long as she breathed, she wouldn’t give in without one.
    That being said, he made no moves toward her at al .
    She stared at the demon, wishing she had some way to question him. If only she had her powers. Then
    she could send out her thoughts.
    As it was …
    Her best action remained staring her hatred in his general direction.
    She tried signing to him again. But al that did was cause him to frown. Something made twice as