Page 39 of Grabbed By the Guard

Apollyon opens his mouth, then gives Glaine a second look when he notices that he probably has an extra pair of horns than he remembers.

I wait to see if the other demon will comment on it, but after taking a moment to compose himself, he lowers his gaze—and I’m even more determined to keep Glaine from lopping them back off.

“I don’t want to disturb you and your mate, but it cannot be helped. I must speak to you.”

Glaine settles his massive hand on my shoulder. I notice that his skin isn’t as scorching to the touch as it used to be, and I don’t shake him off as he says, “You will speak to us both.”

“Glaine. I’ve had a message from Duke Haures. I’m sorry, but I think your female should stay behind.”

Oh, does he now?

I open my mouth to argue, pausing only when Glaine rubs the side of his thumb along the top of my shoulder blade. It’s a gentle yet possessive caress, not a warning to keep from talking, but I do because the big demon is plenty ready to argue on my behalf for me.

“My Billie is an intelligent female with a sharp tongue. Whatever Duke Haures to say, she should hear it. I’m sure it affects her as much as it does me. I will protect her from all dangers, Apollyon, but I will not belittle her. She doesn’t hide. More to the point, where I go, she goes.”

Poor Apollyon. He’s the head honcho in Nuit, but between Glaine’s arrogance and his soldier bearing, you wouldn’t be able to tell.

I reach down, reaching past Glaine’s shadows, squeezing his solid thigh in a show of appreciation. Maybe he’s been paying more attention than I thought—or he’s a real quick learner when it comes to parsing my essence—because he couldn’t have defended me better if he tried.

Apollyon’s gold-colored eyes glimmer. “Yes, I understand. But?—”

“But,” interrupts a female voice, just out of my line of vision, “you can blame me for this, Glaine. I requested that my mate spirit you off for your conversation so that I could have a moment with the female who seems to have brought the smile back to such a grumpy guard’s face.”

The big demon jolts in place. I take the opportunity to sidle a little closer, peeking out the open door.

She is as tall as Apollyon, with a similar broad build, but that’s where the similarities end. Her skin is a rich golden shade, almost like the other demon’s eyes, and she has orange hair that she wears in a style that reminds me of Sierra: a thick plait that she has tossed over her shoulder. Instead of shadow coverings like other demons, she follows Apollyon’s lead and has on actually clothes: a dress that’s woven from brown and white and yellow fabrics, plus a pair of leather-looking boots that I’d give my eyetooth for at this point. The deep brown matches her dainty horns, so much smaller than the male’s that it’s undeniable that they’re more feminine.

The pretty demoness smiles warmly at us both. “Hello, Glaine. Won’t you introduce me to your mate?”

It takes a moment for him to react. But, instead of offering this demoness my name, he breathes out hers.

“Lilith.”

I go still, the return of my inexplicable jealousy slamming into me so fast, it freezes me in place.

Lilith.

CHAPTER 15

CHITCHAT

BILLIE

Lilith is sitting on the couch in Glaine’s living room. I try not to take offense to the fact that I didn’t offer her the seat, Glaine did, and that’s when Apollyon brought him outside so that the two of them can chat.

I know what’s really going on here. Lilith is Apollyon’s mate. She’s also the female head of the demons who live in Nuit. That makes her in charge, and since Apollyon really doesn’t want to talk to Glaine in front of me, she’s now my babysitter.

What do they expect? That now that Loki removed the chains from the two of us, I would say ‘peace out’ and leave Glaine behind in his village. Please. I learned my lesson. It’s like hooking up with the right lawyer or venue planner. Stick with the one who can get you further. Leaving Glaine now when I’m so close to getting home… that would be like cutting off my nose to spite my face.

And I have an adorable nose, thank you very much.

It’s not fair that I’m being so rude to Lilith for reasons I can’t explain. I know that, too. She’s been nothing but pleasant after greeting me, and has kept her expression welcoming no matter how much I can’t shake this feeling like she means something to me.

Or Glaine.

It would be so tempting to pop into his essence to check. I don’t, though. Is it because I have an idea what I’m going to find? Maybe. It’s just… it’s better to make small talk with the demoness while I wait for him to come back and update me on what the clan leader says.

Because he will. I’m sure of that. For good or for bad, whether it’s news I want to hear or not, he’ll tell me.

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