Daemon's eyes gleamed with sudden intensity as Venus's words hung in the air between them. Anything? The girl was either very foolish or very brave to make such a blanket offer to a man like him. But there was a certain guileless honesty in her eyes that gave him pause.
He released her chin, his hand sliding down to wrap around the back of her neck possessively as he leaned in closer, until his lips were a mere hairsbreadth from hers. Venus's pulse jumped beneath his touch, and he could feel the heat of her skin, smell the sweet scent of her breath.
"Be careful what you offer, girl," Daemon murmured, his voice a low, silken rumble that sent shivers down Venus's spine. "Some gifts come with high costs."
His gaze flicked back to the egg, then to Venus's anxious face. Then, slowly, deliberately, he brushed his lips against hers in a fleeting, ghost of a kiss. Venus gasped softly, her eyes fluttering closed, and Daemon felt a surge of triumph at the evidence of her desire.
"Very well," he whispered darkly against her mouth. "I will hold you to your word."
Then, more loudly, he continued, "Serve me loyally, Venus. Be my eyes, my ears, and my hands