Page 63 of Inflamed By an Incubus

Rosalind noticed of course and flicked a mischievous look over her shoulder. “You know… he still isn’t happy that you dumped me with him… or that you tricked me with your powers, making me compliant so you could escape alone.”

“I wasn’t trying to escape alone.” He frowned at her now. She was only teasing and stirring the pot, but he hated the thought she might believe he had ditched her so his chances of survival had increased. “We all agreed we should split up.”

“We didn’t all agree. I didn’t want to split up, and you men grouped together to overrule me.” She huffed and glowered at him. “Bros before hoes, right?”

Fenix sighed. “It wasn’t like that, and you know it. It was safest for you to go with your mate. I was only thinking of you, sweetheart. I hope… He wasn’t too… Did he—never mind.”

Rosalind paused at the side of the building and sighed as she turned to face him. “It was rough there for a while, but we worked things out. Maybe you’re right. It was better I went with him. It allowed us the time we needed to get to know each other and… I totally made him fall in love with me.”

Fenix could easily believe that. “And how is your husband? Is he housebroken yet?”

She grinned at that.

“Nearly. He’s getting there.” Her smile faltered. “And your mate? Vail told me what you said about her.”

Fenix exhaled hard as all the light and warmth that had been filling him faded away. “I need to see her every second of every damned hour and I can’t, because if she sees me too much there’s a chance she’ll fall for me… and then it starts all over again. It’s tearing me apart, Rosalind. I need her so damned much.”

Her fair eyebrows furrowed and she stroked his arm. “We’ll help in whatever way we can.”

He appreciated that.

Wanted to tell her as much but a feral growl shattered the pleasant day, rolling across the land like a thunderstorm.

Fenix lifted his gaze, looking over Rosalind’s head towards the rear garden of the cottage, and braced for impact as he spotted Vail storming towards him.

Rosalind spun away from him.

Vail disappeared, leaving only a faint shimmering outline of himself behind, and Fenix’s pulse jacked up as he tensed and sent up a prayer to any god that was listening, sure his life was about to come to an end.

The elf reappeared right in front of him, not an inch separating them, and grabbed hold of him.

Not to kill him, but to hug him tightly.

Fenix stood as still as a statue, unsure what to make of the elf prince’s reaction or what to do in response to it. Rosalind gave him a pointed look when he glanced her way and nodded with her chin towards her mate. Fenix followed her silent order and embraced the male, awkwardly patting him on his back.

And realised Vail wasn’t wearing his armour.

The male drew back, his tainted violet eyes bright as they locked with his, and it was strange seeing the elf smiling when the one he had left in Hell had spent every second looking homicidal or smitten.

“It is good to see you.” Vail cupped Fenix’s nape and drew him closer, pressed their foreheads together and murmured something in the elf tongue. He released Fenix and glanced down at his petite mate.

While Vail had an inch on Fenix, he had twelve of them on Rosalind. She barely reached his chest. It didn’t stop her from snuggling up to him with a big smile on her face as her blue eyes lifted to lock with his. They sparkled with silver stars.

With happiness.

Vail growled and swooped on her lips, swept her up into his arms and pulled a giggle from her as he dropped his mouth to her neck and peppered it with kisses.

Fenix couldn’t hold back his smile. It was good to see them getting along. When he had left them in Hell, they hadn’t exactly been on the best of terms with each other, but now looking at them made Fenix yearn for Evelyn, for his mate, all the more.

Rosalind caught his look and pushed against her mate’s shoulders, her fingers rucking up his black T-shirt. “We have guests.”

Vail scowled at him, a look Fenix was more used to seeing on his face and one that said the elf wanted to eviscerate him so he no longer had a guest and could focus on doting on his mate. When Rosalind clucked her tongue, Vail reluctantly set her down and eased her away from him. The two of them looked as if they really did belong together, with Rosalind in her black dress and Vail clad in black jeans and a matching T-shirt.

Fenix suspected that Rosalind was responsible for his wardrobe. Vail had the air of an elf who would have dressed in the more traditional black knee-length tunic jacket, tight trousers, and leather riding boots that Hartt wore if left to his own devices. The sort of clothing that would have made him stand out in the mortal world.

“I tried to heal the flowers you pushed me into but today is not a day where nature likes me.” Hartt huffed as he rounded the corner behind them and exchanged a look and a nod with Vail before looking at Fenix. “Have you filled them in on why I brought you here?”

Fenix shook his head and felt the weight of Vail and Rosalind’s gazes on him as the air surrounding them grew tense. “I’m not really sure myself. I mentioned my suspicions that Archangel are up to some dark shit and finding information on a sorceress called Aryanna, and next thing I know I’m here.”

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