Ruby Shadows (Born to Darkness #3)(25)

“Whoa,” I said softly, pulling the horse up short as we came to the banks. Though I still entertained thoughts of keeping him, I was aware that it would be difficult to bring him through the terrain of several of the seven levels. Also, a beast his size was not exactly inconspicuous. Reluctantly, I decided that I should send him back.

I dismounted first and then held up my arms for Gwendolyn. I saw the little war that went on in her face as she looked at my outstretched arms. Part of her wanted to refuse my help as well as my touch but she was still frightened of being on the unfamiliar animal. I wondered what had happened to her to make her so afraid of horses. Just another mystery to add to my little witch’s past. I swore to myself I would solve all these riddles in time—then maybe I would be free of her spell over me, whatever it was.

“Come, Gwendolyn,” I said in a low, commanding voice. “Unless you’d rather dismount yourself.”

A stubborn look came into those bewitching green eyes.

“I think I can manage.” Lifting her chin, she began to clamber off the steed’s broad back.

I frowned. I admired her stubbornness and independence, but those two qualities might get her killed when we entered enemy territories. Perhaps a small lesson in obedience was in order.

I was still standing by the Demon-steed’s head and a quick tug of the reins caused it to stamp and snort, shifting its considerable weight to one side.

Gwendolyn gave a little shriek and tumbled off—right into my waiting arms.

“Careful, mon ange,” I murmured, pulling her close to my chest. I savored the feel of her lush body pressed against mine as I held her. Gods, she was the most tempting little creature! I wanted her badly—much more than I should. I knew many of my kind would have simply taken what they wanted by force but I did not relish such encounters. I preferred to bring her to me slowly, step-by-step—although if the way she was struggling against me was any indication, she had other plans.

“Let me go!” she demanded. “You did that on purpose.”

“Perhaps.” I set her on her feet at last and she straightened the red silk dress I had chosen for her. It clung to her beautifully, outlining her full breasts and the taut little points of her nipples as well as the rounded curves of her ass and hips. Truly, she was lovely. Especially when her eyes bright with irritation and her cheeks were flushed with anger as they were now.

“You need to stop. I’m not putting up with your foolishness the whole way through Hell.” Gwendolyn straightened her dress with quick, angry motions. Then she crossed her arms over her breasts, hiding the tantalizing sight of her tight nipples pressing against the thin red silk. I wondered idly if she didn’t like the feel of my eyes on her—or if it was her own reaction to our closeness that bothered her more.


The horse, which had been standing quietly on the banks of the Styx, chose that moment to lean over and investigate her hair with its nose.

“Oh my God!” Gwendolyn jumped toward me with a little gasp and wound up pressed against my chest. I put my arms around her obligingly and tried to smother a grin.

“He’s simply scenting you, mon ange,” I told her. “I think he likes you.”

“Well, I don’t like him.” Gwendolyn shivered and stepped away from me.

The horse nudged her again, snorting gently as it pressed its nose to the back of her neck.

“Cut that out!” she exclaimed, turning around.

“I’m telling you, he likes you,” I told her. “Here, give him this.”

Reaching into the air, I pulled out an apple—a rather large one as the steed was built to carry a twelve foot demon.

Reluctantly, Gwendolyn took the apple from my hand. “Really? You want me to feed him?”

“Really.” I nodded at the horse. “Go on—give it to him.”

I watched with interest as the horse lipped the apple from her palm and crunched it messily. Such animals were usually fed on living flesh—which I did not tell Gwendolyn—but this one seemed to have retained enough of its mortal ancestry to enjoy other things as well.

Gwendolyn asked for another apple, which I obligingly produced. As the horse ate it from her palm, she tentatively reached up and stroked its glossy black neck. She had to stand on her tiptoes since the animal was so massive but she did it without fear.

“Good boy,” I heard her murmur. “Are you a good boy?”

The horse snorted and nudged her again with its huge head—clearly Yerx’s massive Demon-steed was taken with my little witch.

I must confess I was impressed—not just by Gwendolyn’s mastery of her fear but by the fact that the horse came so quickly under her sway. It was the second animal from my realm which had shown itself partial to her. Cerberus, of course, was not to be trusted but he had surprised me in his attentions to the little witch. Could it be she had some power over the denizens of Hell? Or were they simply unable to resist her innate goodness, much as I was unable to resist myself?

Gwendolyn fed the horse several more apples and then I decided it was time to send him on his way back.

“Enough,” I told her, taking her by the arm to lead her a little ways away. “I must send him back to the Great Barrier now. Back to where he belongs.”

“What, so he can carry that nasty big demon around all day?” she protested. “No offense to your ‘friend’ but he must weigh a ton—literally! That can’t be good for the poor horse’s back!”