A Dangerous Demon King (The Sentinel Demons Book 4) by J. S. Scott Page A

of the Sentinels. With her scarred face and her past—including her human life as a street urchin—Sophie knew she’d never be this man’s mate. He was too gorgeous, too royal, too wise, too powerful…too much of everything.
    Feeling a man up when he’s helpless is cruel, Sophie. It could get you into a lot of trouble when I finally wake up.
    She startled at the rumble of Kristoff’s voice in her head, mortified that she had been fondling him when he was unable to rebuff her. Really, it was pretty rude to be fondling him as he slept. But it was hard for her to control her actions when he was lying right next to her. Even if she could never be his, the instincts of her soul and body were clamoring for their mate.
    She backed off to her side of the massive bed.
    I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. She was instantly contrite. Touching him had been so wrong for so many reasons, not to mention making her ache for him more than she had before she’d touched him again.
    Never be sorry for touching me. As your mate, I’d always welcome it. It’s the way of Sentinel mates. But right now, all I can think about when I feel your hands on me is claiming you.
    He’d seen her quite clearly. Why would he want to touch her?
    He answered as he picked up her thoughts. Because to me, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for my radiant? How many times I was certain my mate had somehow perished.
    She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. No. But I’m not fit to be the mate of the Sentinel king. You know what Zach and I were as children. And I’ve been used and defiled by demons for two hundred years, Kristoff. I’ve been gone so long I don’t know how to function in this world. This is all some kind of mistake.
    It’s not a mistake. You. Are. Mine.
    Sophie shivered at the primitive tone in his communication, but it wasn’t fear that caused the reaction. Her body began to go up in flames, and she desperately needed…something. Her core clenched, and she felt a flood of heat rush between her thighs.
    Whatever Kristoff was feeling, she felt it, too, and it was a connection so elemental that she ached to be part of him, even though she barely knew him.
    Don’t over think this, Sophie. The mating connection is strong, almost powerful enough to overcome Athena’s magic. Sleep. It’s been a long day for you, and I can sense your weariness. Come back to me. I feel better when you’re close.
    She frowned as she answered. I thought it was painful.
    He answered with strained amusement. I’m screwed either way because it hurts when you aren’t touching me, too.
    Sophie moved back to Kristoff’s side of the bed. I’m starting to think that having a radiant is more of a curse than a blessing.
    His powerful voice came back to her quickly. No! A radiant is never a curse. You put light in my soul, and you take away the emptiness. Being bonded mates is intimate and special. It’s the one good thing that happens for Sentinels. It’s just the mating heat that really sucks.
    Sophie reached out instinctively and touched his bare shoulder. I burn here. And I feel like my body is about to catch on fire. Is that the mating heat?
    He let out a mental groan before answering. Yeah. That’s where the mating mark appears. And the heat is from the need to be joined together.
    Even as Kristoff spoke telepathically, Sophie was yawning. She snuggled up close to him and put her head on his chest, comforted when she heard the strong beat of his heart. Trust shouldn’t come easy to her, but for some reason, she felt safer being next to him. Goodnight, Kristoff.
    He made a mental noise that sounded like something between a growl and purr, a sound of complete satisfaction before she closed her eyes and fell instantly into a peaceful slumber.

    “She has to accept that she’s his radiant and bind herself to him,” Athena said the next morning as she paced the kitchen in the