Page 52 of Unleashing Chaos

“Already making plans,” Chaos says, giving me a firm pat on the back. “I like him, Desideria. He is already considering those under your keep.”

The show of praise by Chaos creates a lump of emotion in my throat. It’s been a long time since I had a parental figure give me any attention. My last acts as a son went unnoticed. It didn’t matter that I was a kid taking on an adult task; no one told me good job or so much as patted me on the back. It feels good to be seen like that again.

Desi smiles and nudges me with her elbow. “He’s a creative genius, always thinking two steps ahead.”

My cheeks heat, and I shake my head. “Hardly, I’m just a graphic designer.”

“Stop it,” she chides me, pressing her index finger to my lips and turning to her parents. “Don’t listen to him. He’s not just anything. He’s so talented—he started his own company from the ground up.”

Chaos stops walking and sets his mouth in a firm line. He looks me dead in the eyes and says, “You know, if you ever need help, I can pull some strings . . . for a small price.”

I take a step back. “You don’t mean . . . Desi said you don’t do that. I mean, energies and souls . . .”

Chaos roars with laughter, and Desi’s mother whacks him on the arm. “Chaos, you almost gave the boy a heart attack.”

“Come on, Athena. It’s all in good fun. You have some preconceived notions you’ll need to overcome, but I got a feeling you’ll get there, son.”

Son. I let it sink in and bask in the sudden swell of pride it brings me. It’s nice to feel like part of a family again. A good family that loves each other unconditionally, that would stick it out through the tough shit. It’s a change from what I’m used to when it comes to my own family.

Desi’s parents look at her with such adoration, like they would turn a realm on its head if it made her happy, like they would set aside their self-preservation if it meant seeing her smile. I get it. That smile might not be mine for eternity, but it’s mine for the next two days. And I plan on being the reason for it until I have to let her go.

Sixteen

DESI

As we walk back to the carriage, Jace laughs and slings his arm around my shoulders. “Desi, are your brothers going to tease me like this too?”

“Of course they are. Father is a cupcake compared to them. They’re relentless. So get ready for it,” I say, turning and placing my palm on his chest, peering up into his face.

I’m playing the game, letting my parents see our affection in action, but I can’t help feeling guilty. They’ve accepted him so easily. I was sure my father would wear a hard exterior up until the end of our visit and my mother would treat him with that haughty royal attitude she dons just for dramatics. When I come back home for good without Jace, they’re going to be very disappointed.

Jace nudges me with his hip. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re going to enjoy them giving me a hard time.”

“I have to admit, it’s fun to see you get all flustered. It’s not like it happens that often, so it’s sort of like seeing a shooting star or something.”

“Trust me, you get me flustered too,” he murmurs so quietly I almost don’t hear him.

“What’d you say?”

“I—”

“It’s almost time for dinner, so we better get back to the house,” my father interrupts, and I could strangle him. “Jace, did you know that Desi gets irrationally angry when the family is even five minutes late for dinner?”

Before Jace can answer, I laugh and say, “When’s the last time anyone was just five minutes late? I’d be thrilled with five minutes instead of twenty!”

Jace flashes a million-watt smile with dimples and all. “That must be why we get along so well. I have a thing for punctuality too.”

“Just another reason you’re good for each other,” Mother says and climbs into the carriage.

I turn my face to the side and cringe. Our plan is working too well. My mother is practically etching our names into the his-and-her items she’ll buy for our home. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s imagining what her future grandchildren will look like.

The ride back to the house is full of lively conversation between Jace and my father, but Jace remembers what I told him before we left; he doesn’t take his hands off me the entire time. He’s either running his thumb over my knuckles or smoothing his palm over my thigh. When we pull up to the front door, he helps me out. We follow behind my parents, making our way to double doors that encompass an entire wall. The armored demons standing at each side pull on the iron door handles and reveal the dining room. Surprisingly, all six brothers and their partners are waiting for us.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” I say as Jace and I make our way along the stone-topped table to the two empty high-backed chairs in the middle. Doing my best to keep my composure, I glance at Jace from the corner of my eye. I’m sure a room with six red-headed demon princes and their eternal mates is quite the shock. Leather and chains, fine silk and suits, the other six future rulers of Infernis are intimidating to say the least.

“Good evening, my dear family,” my father says, his voice reverberating off the walls.

“Good evening, Father,” everyone replies in unison, my brothers keeping their dayglow-green eyes on my “future eternal partner.”

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