A Demon's Plaything

The Elite Guards #2.5

by Amelia Hutchins

Previously Released in Love Potion Anthology
Lilith has spent her life in the ruins of her mother’s court that the Horde destroyed. Summoned to her father’s court, her entire world is turned upside down. Her father has offered her to the Horde to pay the tithe owed to them, and she’d rather die before bowing to the Horde, but if she intends to keep her secrets, she will kneel to the murderous Horde who destroyed her kingdom, and left it in ruins.
Asrian agreed to take one for the team, to marry one of the elusive, wanted brides of the lesser courts. He expected a spoiled, pampered princess, and anything other than what he finds waiting for him in the Shadow Court.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Fae, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance, Demons

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2019

About the author

Amelia Hutchins is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of the Monsters, The Fae Chronicles, and Nine Realm series. She is an admitted coffee addict who drinks magical potions of caffeine and turns them into magical worlds. She writes alpha-hole males and the alpha women who knock them on their arse, hard. Amelia doesn’t write romance. She writes fast-paced books that go hard against traditional standards. Sometimes a story isn’t about the romantic aspect; it’s about rising to a challenge, breaking through them like wrecking balls, and shaking up entire worlds to discover who they are. If you’d like to check out more of her work, or just hang out in an amazing tribe of people who enjoy rough men, and sharp women, join her at Author Amelia Hutchins Group on Facebook.
Books by Amelia Hutchins along with reading order for the series.
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/12402...

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authoramelia...

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LEGACY OF THE NINE REALMS

Flames of Chaos
Ashes of Chaos
Ruins of Chaos
Crown of Chaos
Coming Soon
Queen of Chaos
King of Chaos 2024
Reign of Chaos


THE FAE CHRONICLES

Fighting Destiny
Taunting Destiny
Escaping Destiny
Seducing Destiny
Unraveling Destiny
Embracing Destiny
Crowning Destiny
Finished Series

THE ELITE GUARDS

A Demon’s Dark Embrace
Claiming the Dragon King
The Winter Court
A Demon’s Plaything
Standalones, which can be read alone.

A GUARDIAN’S DIARY

Darkest Before Dawn
Death before Dawn
Midnight Rising -TBA

MONSTERS SERIES

Playing with Monsters
Sleeping with Monsters
Becoming his Monster
Revealing the Monster
Finished Series

WICKED KNIGHTS

Oh, Holy Knight
If She’s Wicked
Book Three -TBA


MIDNIGHT COVEN BOOKS
Forever Immortal
Immortal Hexes
Midnight Coven
Finished Series

BULLETPROOF DAMSEL SERIES
Bulletproof Damsel
Coming Soon
Silverproof Damsel 2024
Fireproof Damsel

Alpha’s Claim Standalone

WITHIN THE DARKNESS
Moon-Kissed
Book 2 TBA
THE DARKEST FAE
King of the Shadow Fae
Coming Soon
King of the Night Fae
Queen of the Stars

Fate Series
Whispers of Fate (Intro to Kahleena’s book)

If you’re following the Fae Chronicles, Elite Guards, and Monsters series, the reading order is as follows.

Fighting Destiny
Taunting Destiny
Escaping Destiny
Seducing Destiny
A Demon’s Dark Embrace
Playing with Monsters
Unraveling Destiny
Sleeping with Monsters
Claiming the Dragon King
Oh, Holy Knight
Becoming his Monster
A Demon’s Plaything
The Winter Court
If She’s Wicked
Embracing Destiny
Crowning Destiny
Revealing the Monster
Whispers of Fate

Reviews

[Alaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm slowly crushing this series. Very slowly.. but I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. So while I'm not really loving the Fae Universe anymore.. because seriously things have gone down hill around book 4. I guess I'm glad I dove into A Demon's Plaything. Maybe?

In it, you will meet Lilith and Asrian. Both were okay but everything was very insta-y and I really disliked the whiplash they were giving me. The one good thing that kept this being a page turner was the bantering. It didn't matter if it was with the main or side characters. Banter is good no matter who is speaking.

Other than that, the book was just okay. The ending was a smidge interesting and I'm glad that they finally chose each other but I will be very happy once I finish all the books.

[Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely a winner for me!

It's a novella, sort of...and yet, it feels complete filled with emotional range fit for a novel...

[itsmeesahara❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Life isn’t black and white, and we who live in the grey part of it have to choose which path we take.”

Another great addition to the wonderful world of Faery. Here Amelia added the Lesser courts after adding the dragons. 🐉😮
This one is a quick & short read about Asrian & Lilith, who is the Heir of the Night Court and Queen of the Shadow Court. (Lilith has interesting powers 😮😲😉)
I just wish was longer 😊 still it was a good read 👍🏻

[Jac K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m getting there… only 6 more books…. and this one was only 128 pages!!



A Demon’s Plaything tells the story of Lillith and Asrian. Lillith is from one of the lesser courts (Night Court) and has been betrothed to Asrian (Elite Guard-Ryder’s bro) to secure relations. This is short, so we had insta-lust and a plot-Lite storyline with plenty of sexy-time.

“I can be your fucking fairytale, or I can be your fucking nightmare. That choice is yours, princess.”

Bottom Line- Ok read. Both were quite likable, the length was appreciated, and we had banter in lieu of overzealous monologues. Lilith was quite angry, she reminded me of Syn from the first to Fae Chronicle books and the "I hate you because of your dad" vibe is similar to the Dragon King book.

**Random- but did anyone notice Caileen is written like he's one of Alazander's sons? He's one of the Horde Princes setup in arranged marriages with the lesser courts for the tithe. It looks like he's betrothed to the Winter Court's princess... when he's Syn's self-appointed guardian from the Blood Kingdom and was part of Faolin's guard. He was appointed to the triplet's guardian in Seducing Destiny. What's up with that? Not to mention, who is Torin (Tor)? He's also a Horde Prince set to marry someone from the Summer Court that apparently adores him, but I've never heard of him... and can't find his name in any of the books. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[Tamika · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I need to say, you gotta know when to wrap a story and go out with a bang....

This series has dragged on for so long that it has lost steam. The first four books in the Fae Chronicles were great, and then they just watered down.

It seems all the characters at the heart of it all are just children in big beautiful bodies with issues none of them dealt with.
Meet Lilith, the 6 year old in a grown woman's body.
Great fighter, brainless when understanding people's emotions, intentions other than her own, but wait, she's really smart too? Or so the author says.
I didn't like the way she was portrayed in the beginning... it was just... mehhhhh.
I liked who she turned into towards the end though her journey was not well unfolded, she was too busy having mind blowing sex with Asrian to have an actual story unfold about her in between but hey, it's in the Fae Chronicles universe, sex should NEVER be neglected, but character development that actually makes sense? Sure! throw that down the drain, why not?

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novella set in the Fae chronicles world this has an arranged marriage mild enemies to lovers trope and I enjoyed it though it doesn't hold a candle to the longer books. This wasn't really dark in any way and the romance was actually a sweet one. 

Lilith is the shadow queen and the the night court heir after her father cannot pay the tithe to the current horde king Ryder she is bartered away in marriage to his brother Asrian for a year and a day. But Lilith hates the horde they were the ones responsible for destroying the shadow court many years prior. She holds them responsible for her mother's death so the last thing she wants is to be handfasted to one of her enemies.

This was a short read that was ok it's not my favourite out of this series and if I'm honest I wasn't that fond of Lilith finding her reasoning and attitude to be very judgemental. I mean her treatment of her sister was bloody cold and I couldn't warm to her. Asrian I liked and I thought he was patience personified I really couldn't see what he saw in Lilith other than he thought she was hot. Anyway, this was decent enough and well written just not that memorable.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ish

It has to be one of my least favorite Amelia Hutchins books.... There are so many different characters and things going on now.... its all making too much noise over the story.... the first books in this world have been some of my ultimate favorites....

Unraveling Destiny it just got too much too complicated and over the top since then the books have followed suit, Claiming the dragon king being the exception.... (i loved that but was too similar to Ryder and Syn book)

I think the Author needs to pull back a bit and let us explore the world a bit slower..... Still a good read... the characters didn't have the usual Amelia Hutchins chemistry but it was still a sizzler

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

”I can be your fucking fairytale or I can be your fucking nightmare. That choice is yours, princess.”

This book was short and satisfying! Each time we get to read about another one of Ryder’s brothers, it gets better and better.

I only remember reading about Asrian a few times so far, but this book made me really like him.

What I enjoy most is watching Ryder and his family prove people wrong about them. Showing them that they aren’t their father or responsible for his actions.

Lilith was.. Ok? I felt bad for her at one point but the way she treated her sister after finding out she was actually another daughter of Alexzander, I wanted to scream at her.

I enjoyed the ending though and I like Asrian and Lilith together.

4/5 🌟’s

[Tammy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this story in Love Potion anthology series. Short stories are usually not my favourite because I love to spend as much time in the world with the characters as possible. However, the story of Lilith is mind blowing. I never knew a short story could give me all the feels like this one did. I thoroughly enjoyed this as it ties in so well with the Fae Chronicles and gives you an ever larger understanding of how big faery is and how different their way of life is to the human world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend you read this as part of the Fae Chronicles series

[Jeanna Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really couldn't say this book was more than ok. I have read the first 3 of The Fae Chronicles (I will be continuing with the others as I get them) so I thought I'd try this one from Amelia as well. It was a disappointment. She says at the beginning of her books that she doesn't write love stories. So why am I cringing at all the mushiness that is in this book. Sure they don't say their in love but still there is all this talk about it won't be just a year and a day. Asrian wants Lilith to be his forever. And it was for sure an insta-lust as they won't call it love. They were both very attracted to each other and really isn't that what insta-love really is too. Attraction. Because it sure can't be that you really know the person yet. What I did like in this story is all the hate that Lilith felt towards everyone. I loved how angry she was and I guess because it was a short story it all tidied up in a nice little bow too fast. Did feel right to me. The sex scenes were mediocre, I expected better. There was just so much talking and if you took a shot for every time one of the Horde said "it wasn't their fault, their father was the one that did it all" yeesh, you'd be wasted half way through the book. It was annoying.

[LadyJosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m digging Asrian and Lilith as a couple so much but the book was sooooo short!
This has been happening way to much lately with Hutchins’s books. The ones I wish were shorter and to the point are never ending, and the once I wish were longer are way too short🥲
Wish we got more of Asrian backstory and what he went through, and Lilith’s powers are so interesting wished they got explored more in the book!

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. I am actually glad to have read it. Asrian isn't one of the more well known Horde brothers. So I wasn't all that interested in reading this one. But he ended up stealing my heart just like the rest of the boys. And man! Lilith was a sight to behold! She was so sassy and quick witted even if she was a foot and a half shorter than him. Hahaha. This was cute! On to the next!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love💘

Even just as a novella you are drawn you into a world that Amelia Hutchins has perfected. You've immediately been drawn to her characters, drawn to the damaged broken beings that they are. So his brother must go marry a princess of the Court in lieu of a tithes. Ryder must unite the realm. . Only she isn't to happy. Adrian and Liliths story is bittersweet and hot. Lilith's scars were limitless. Asrian's turmoil was astounding. It wasn’t long but it felt like a lot of story. It was well written and I enjoyed the characters.

[Deana The Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This is the 2.5 book in the Elite Guards series and 12th overall book within the Fae Chronicles universe. This book should be read after Becoming his Monster (Playing with Monsters #3).

“I can be your fucking fairytale or I can be your fucking nightmare. That choice is yours, princess.”

Ryder, King of the Horde, works to unify Faery by continuing to marry his brothers off to daughters of neighboring kingdoms.

Now it’s Asrian’s turn.

Asrian is furious he is set to wed Lilith of the Court of Shadows. He feels as much of a pawn in Ryder’s plans as anyone, but he only needs to make it one year and a day with her. If she is not carrying his heir by then, he can walk away.

Lilith, likewise, is horrified to be married off to one of the Horde princes because everyone knows they are brutal beasts just like their father was. And nothing and no one can change her mind.

This book is another little slice of life in one of the Horde prince’s lives in which, like his other brothers before him, he is forced to wed an unknown from a subpar court. But what Amelia Hutchins does so well is an enemies to lovers story unlike anyone else.

Under brutal circumstances, both Asrian and Lilith realize that, yeah, there’s something there ... and then have mind blowing sex. Although Lilith does not play a huge role in the rest of the overall series, it is nice to fill in the blanks with this short book.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm way behind on my 2021 reading, so with about 72 hours left in the year, I've turned to novellas. Not totally fair, but I'm so far behind, it would also be impressive if I can get close to my goal of 100 books at this point. Anyway, my problem is that I'm not finding myself super into novellas and instead of quickly knocking these out, I'm struggling to finish. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong ones.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 29%.
I thought I could push myself to finish this but I just couldn’t. I hoped that I’d like this book but it just wasn’t so.

2/5 Stars

[Amanda M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic read from start to finish. You'll be turning pages, wanting and needing more of this story. It's fast paced with a few surprises.

[Katie Silvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best within this world

Amelia does it again. Another Home Run for the journey that is the Fae Chronicles.

Even just as a novella Hutchins amazingly draws you into a world that she has perfected. You've immediately been drawn to her characters, drawn to the damaged broken beings that they are. She makes you enjoy the pain they've been through as you witness them pick up the pieces of the destruction that was left behind.

Lilith's scars were limitless. Asrian's turmoil was astounding. Together, they both just captivated my attention; held my heart in theirs hands.

A Demon's Plaything launcher it's way to the top of my list of favorites within the Fae Chronicles.

[EroticaAfterDark (Lilith)]

On sale for a limited time.



Merged review:


On sale for a limited time.

[Tiffany (Bibliophile Babes Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star edition to this series

I really enjoyed going back to this beautiful world amd falling in love with nrw characters. I loved reading Asrian and Lilith's story. Every Elite Guard book gives more insight and background into how Ryder and the Horde came to be amd operate. I also love how it ties into the Fae Chronicles and gives you a glimpse of what's going on so it stays fresh in the mind. I wish the story was a little longer, but then I'm sure I'll see more of them in the next book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Lilith and Asrian’s story!

Finally got to read A Demon’s Play Thing! I very much enjoyed it. It wasn’t long but I felt like it told a lot of story. It was well written and I enjoyed the characters. Lilith got on my nerves, just like Blane did, during the beginning with her prejudice towards the Horde. I understand it though.
I loved the ending. Very much looking forward to the next book.

[Melanie Zuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Every book this woman writes captivates you. Amelia's books are like no other. Just when you fall in love with one of her characters, another is right behind. Make sure you read them in the suggested order. She never disappoints!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the fae stories

These stories are so good and the keep you going back for more. Amelia is the best and so creative. Strong females with issues and strong alphas who know what that want and don't take no for an answer

[Shaughna A. Culpepper-Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Demon's Plaything

Ms. Hutchins has done it again. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love that the women are strong and can stand and fight with their men, yet still remain feminine.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how even though this was a short story it got to the point and I now have another kick ass female to love!! Erie girl...I can't wait until I get to your story, I feel a strong connection to your cray!

[Lauren Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this world!!

I absolutely adore the world Amelia has created! Even though this was a short story, it is yet another glimpse into the characters I've come to love! I cannot wait to see where the rest of this story is headed!

[Michelle(Chelle) aka Nightshade - Cake Whisperer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novella set in the Fae Chronicles world. One of Ryder's Horde brothers Asrian is betrothed to a lesser fae and this story covers their "courtship".

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only negative is, I wish it was longer. Great quick read back in their world.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why oh why have I never read a book by this author before?!? 😭😭😭 In all of my book groups I don't think I have even seen a book mentioned by this author before. But let me tell you I am so glad I have run across this book. I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to dive into more books from this author. If the rest of her books are like this one Amelia Hutchins will soon be a favorite 1-click author of mine.

The agony, pain, anger, hatred, and betrayal that Lilith felt in this book just rolled off the pages. I cried so many tears and felt just as many emotions as this character did in this book. It was freaking awesome, and I freaking loved loved this story.

Asrian... I feel like we didn't learn to much about him in this story. Which didn't bother me in the slightest. I was so taken in by Lilith's character that for me Asrian was more of a side character then a main character. 😆😆😆

While I suppose this story could be classified as a HFN story. It didn't really come across as a romance to me. Yes there is attraction between the 2 main characters, and they do get married in this story. (for reasons) It still doesn't come across as being a romance, or the two of them being madly in love with each other. While love is discussed in the book, neither character claims to love the other. And I was perfectly fine with that. I would have been just as happy with this book if they hadn't been together at the end of this story. In fact I think my little 🖤🖤🖤 would have been happier if they hadn't! 😆😆😆

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 Stars

A Demon's Plaything is the twelfth book in The Fae Universe (The Elite Guard Book #2.5) by Amelia Hutchins - which is a sprawling, intoxicating blend of dark fantasy, romance, and political intrigue that pulled me into a world where beauty and danger are inseparable.
Across interconnected series like The Fae Chronicles, Legacy of the Nine Realms, and The Monsters, Ms. Hutchins crafts a universe that feels both lushly magical and brutally unforgiving.
Her fae are not the gentle, whimsical creatures of fairy tales - they are cunning, seductive, and often ruthless - with court politics as treacherous as any battlefield. The writing is unapologetically sensual, laced with sharp banter, intense chemistry, and high-stakes emotional tension. And, again, Ms. Hutchins excels at building morally complex characters who blur the lines between hero and villain, making you question loyalties at every turn.
Battles, betrayals, and passionate encounters tumble one after another — but that’s all part of the addictive pull. If you enjoy immersive worldbuilding, fierce heroines, and romance that burns as hot as the danger surrounding it, you will want to binge these books asap.
A captivating, high-voltage fantasy romance series that’s equal parts seductive and savage - perfect for readers who like their fae with a bit of a bite.
Happy Reading…