Page 70 of Barbi and the Villain

Suddenly, it dawns on me.

“Oh my God! You are a vampire, aren’t you?”

He throws his head back and laughs.

“A vampire,” he repeats, shaking his head. “I have heard of those beings, but I am sorry to tell you I am not one.”

“Then what are you? Why won’t you just tell me?” I sigh in annoyance.

“I come from a realm called Tartareia,” he replies. “We used to be called the Sons of Tenebreis, but a lot has changed since the old days. To some, we are gods. To others…” he trails off, his eyes blackening as dark mist surrounds his body. “We are demons.”

“Oh,” I murmur, slowly taking in the new information.

I am mated. Quite accidentally, if not forcibly. To a god/demon.

You wanted adventure, Barbi. There’s nothing more adventurous than being stuck with a god/demon for an eternity.

Lucky fucking me.

“If I satisfied your curiosity, we can now return to the cabin and prepare for the journey ahead of us,” he says as he grabs my hand.

The black mist envelops us, raising us off the ground and propelling us in the air.

“I have one more question,” I add after a moment’s thought.

“Hm?” He hums as he spares me a glance.

“Are you…gay?” I ask on a whisper. “Not judging or anything, just curious.”

“Am I…gay?” he repeats, chuckling. “And how did you reach that conclusion, Barbi?”

“You are, aren’t you? I knew it,” I muse quietly. Now it makes more sense why he hates being mated to me. The fates really did a number on him.

“Is this because I will not consummate our bond?”

“Oh, of course not,” I mutter awkwardly, waving my hand around. “But you mentioned a vow and…”

“You do not have to concern yourself with that. Our partnership will work just fine as long as you do not get yourself in trouble. Is that clear?”

I wet my lips as I consider arguing with him again. But what am I going to gain from that?

“Right. Until we find a way to void the bond.”

“Precisely.” He nods.

And I’m still left wondering if he is into women or not. I guess it doesn’t matter now, does it? It’s not as if our relationship will become…more. He has his weird vow and I have…well, I have standards.

We fly up the mountain and we reach the entrance of the cabin. From this perspective, I can see that the house has been built into the rock itself, with some of it jutting out to allow for his aerial entrance. A smart way to ensure no one would trespass.

We get in and he locks the door behind. Two loud barks erupt in the small house. PomPom and BonBon rush toward me, happiness etched on their faces as they see me.

“My babies!” I call out, extricating myself from Nykander’s hold and opening my arms to receive my two fluffy angels. They whine and lick my face, and I cuddle them in my arms, murmuring sweet endearments.

Nykander grimaces and heads to the closet. He opens it to reveal a few outfits, as well as a couple of dresses similar to the one I’m wearing.

“Take a shower and change. We will leave in a few hours.”

I give him a reluctant nod as I pretend to lavish all my attention on the dogs. But my mind still cannot help but focus on the fact that he’d changed my clothes and cleaned my body. As in, he’d likely seen me naked. And based on his vehemence that he wouldn’t touch me… Maybe he really isn’t into women and I have nothing to worry about. But why do I feel a small seed of disappointment?

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