Page 18 of Married to the Devil

“And you wouldn’t?” I ask. It’s frigid outside.

His arched brow is amused. “I’m not in the habit of allowing myself to be vulnerable to my opponents.”

He’s definitely aware I wanted to teleport him somewhere unsavory.

Want. I’m still willing to do it. If I need to.

The water from the faucet is icy, but it doesn’t quite wash away the memories of the night before. My eyes still have dark circles under them, and I ignore my reflection as I get ready for the day.

Sleep did not come easily.

Sometime after dropping Stella off with Stoneheart’s people, I’d made my way back home. I proceeded to pace until late into the night. At first, I’d contemplated whether I could get away with taking Stella away from Stoneheart or offer her the option anyway. That line of thought hadn’t gone anywhere that Stella deserved to tread. It would only make her a fugitive if not completely undo the sacrifice she’d made for Katarina.

After dismissing all other options, the only way open for me to keep her safe would be to keep my feelings in check. Stoneheart’s people are good. She will be well protected. Eventually each step I took left my mind blessedly empty.

At some point I forced myself to lie down, but that’s where the underlying current ofsomethingin that moment with Stoneheart had caught up to me.

I scoff in the morning light.

He’s trying to throw me off my game, and it’s working. I don’t know the specifics that occurred between Stella and him, but I do know that he’s usually much better at tactics than leaving a mate alone.

Avoiding Stoneheart is the best plan of action. To allow myself to be entangled with either of them is a recipe of disaster.

With that conclusion reached, I head to the kitchen. The manor is light and cheerful even in the face of the battles we’ve fought in the last week. Now that the wedding is over, the only thing for us to do is rest.

The older couple in the kitchen pull a grin from me. They sit in the breakfast nook, tea and pastries half eaten in front of them. The budding relationship between our driver and housekeeper reminds me that good things have happened even as we’ve dealt with other challenges. The Leonid threat is all but over now that we have an ally in place.

Katarina and her baby are safe and healthy, and Kalos has the opportunity to really be happy.

“Maggie. Jensen.” I greet each of them as I pour myself a cup of coffee.

“Morning, sleepy head,” she chides me, bustling from her seat to touch my shoulder before I can argue for her to remain comfortable. Maggie is a touch-oriented person. Her motherly affection exudes from her, and the motherless wretch I am, I love it.

“I half expected that I’d need to look for you passed out somewhere on the property,” Jensen says with a raise of his mug.

“You know me. I’m just a party animal.” My smile is wry. If Stella hadn’t called me last night, I may have very well been drunkenly passed out somewhere.

Maggie’s face softens, and she presses her hand to my cheek. “Of course.”

There’s a tingle of her healing magic against my skin, and the worst of the weariness fades. I make a small sigh of gratitude.

“I’m glad to see you pulled yourself out of bed,” she continues. The words are simple. She doesn’t go into any details, but it’s not like she missed my crush on Stella even if for the longest time I had.

“The day has to start sometime,” I say, my bravado false. The air in the room is of understanding. These people are the family I never had. I don’t like to worry them, but there’s comfort in knowing there’s someone to worry about me.

Maggie taps her palm against my cheek in comfort before pulling away. “Kalos was up early. He’s already in his office.”

I wince and grab a granola bar for a quick breakfast. With how that dragon has been with me lately, I don’t want to keep him waiting.

“He seemed in a better mood this morning,” she says.

“For my sake, let’s hope he is.” I pause after a gulp of coffee. “How is Katarina doing?”

“She hasn’t been down yet, but she must be doing better if Kalos is willing to smile.”

They are mates. Their bond isn’t strong yet, but Kalos is devoted to her happiness, and only she can break him from his usual grumpiness.

Maggie mothers me, but Kalos has been the only father figure in my life. He pulled me out of a bad situation and offered protection in exchange for my loyalty. He’s the reason I’m alive today.

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