Page 19 of Kisses at the Crossroads

“I have no idea what the anchor might be or how to create a new tether.”

“Neither do I.” My tail slithers and wraps around Trick’s waist. “Sorry about that.”

The most joyous laugh bubbles from Trick. “No problem.” His grin is infectious. “At the Winter Court, there was a demon guard that used to pick me up with his tail. I was a kid, and it was like a ride.”

“So you grew up in the Winter Court?”

Trick nods. “I was born in the Autumn Court, but mother moved us to the Winter Court when my brother and I started getting older. She never was too sure who our fathers are, and she didn’t want us to commit accidental incest should our tastes lean towards men. Like I said before, I was a courtesan-in-training.” His smile drops. “The day I fell through the veil, my brother was introduced to the Winter Court as a courtesan. I ran off with a boy my age during the party. We… had plans. But?—”

“You fell through the veil and couldn’t get back.”

“It sealed behind me.” Trick pushes to his feet and paces in front of me. “I thought I just tripped, but everything was so different when I got to my feet. The other boy wasn’t there. Drake was. He had iron shackles and I don’t know. I couldn’t understand him and he talked so softly I thought he was a good guy. He said something and nodded, so I nodded, too. He put the shackles on me, pricked my finger, and made me drink some weird concoction.”

My heart drops. “Fuck.” I pace next to him. “He must have asked you something that needed consent.”

“But I didn’t understand him. That’s not consent.”

“No, it’s not.” I stop and Trick bumps into me. I face him and get lost in his eyes. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Is there a way for you to be unbound from your crossroads?” Trick’s question throws me off and I take a few steps back. “I’m sorry.” He holds his hands up. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“No. Noone has ever asked me that. I don’t think anyone has ever asked a crossroads demon that question. Everyone assumes we’re happy as we are. But we’re cursed. We’re not supposed to be crossroads demons. Every one of us comes from a line of demons that pissed off the king of the realm. We’re cursed to a crossroads until?—”

My lips seal shut and I forget to take a deep breath before magic steals my mouth and nose. Trick gasps and stumbles back. I always forget we’re not allowed to tell how to free us. I hold up my hands. Hopefully, Trick understands everything is okay. Don’t be afraid, I try to tell him with my eyes.

“You can’t tell me, can you?”

I shake my head. Trick watches as my nose and mouth slowly come back. I take a breath, trying to keep from sucking it in harshly. Trick grabs a water bottle from a cooler I hadn’t noticed and passes it to me.

“What if that’s our bargain? You get me home and I free you, too?”

I swallow a too big mouthful of water and choke. Trying to imagine Trick destroying my crossroads is comical, but if he’s free from Drake’s influence, his magic will be stronger.

“It’s not a ridiculous idea,” Trick says.

“Went down wrong,” I wheeze out.

“Oh. Okay. I’m not a weakling.” He crosses his arms and I can’t help the grin. If I don’t watch it, he’ll steal my heart.

“Never thought you were weak.”

“Good. Because I’m not.” Trick nods and plops back into the seat by the table.

We talk for hours until the sun goes down and Trick starts to yawn. I have no idea how long we’ve been outside, but he seems brighter for all the sun he’s gotten.

I teleport us back to our designated room and immediately hate the idea of leaving him at noon. But what can I do? I let Frankie back in. She promptly lopes over to the bed and crawls in. Trick laughs and follows suit, then pets the bed beside him. “There’s plenty of room for all three of us.”

Trick cuddles up to Frankie, and she licks my cheek as I lay next to her. What would life be like if this is what I had to look forward to every day?

Chapter 11

Lark

There’s a huge arm around my waist, and it takes me a few minutes to remember yesterday. Pike’s cock presses against my back while his tail pets my hip. I don’t think he’s awake, but his tail sure is. I take comfort in his arms and snuggle deeper against him, despite his cock being in the way. His arm tightens around me as he pulls me closer. I miss touch and affection more than I can ever say.

Frankie chews at something by our feet and I realize Pike must have brought her toys and treats, too. She yips when she notices I’m watching her. Then she pounces between us.

“Oaf, Frankie, love, what have I said about letting me sleep?” Pike says as she licks him awake.

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