Page 31 of The Prince's Mate

I couldn't leave when others might still be suffering because of him. I had to get them out and make sure he never hurt another soul, human or otherwise.

I sighed and snuggled closer, and Walker instinctively tightened his arm around me. The last time I'd been held like this was around seventy years ago, when Damien and I had still been hooking up. Was it weird to think of Damien when I was in bed with his son? Probably. But I couldn't deny that I'd only ever felt this kind of comfort with Damien, though it'd been different in some ways too.

I felt comfortable around Day because I trusted him, because I loved him. After Walker, he was the most important person in my life, and he always would be.

Walker mumbled in his sleep and then turned on his back, removing his arm from around me. The sudden lack of warmth removed the last of my sleepiness, and I decided to cook him some breakfast. I wasn't the best cook, but I could whip up a breakfast.

Sliding out of bed, I tiptoed across the room. Once in the kitchen, I rested my hands on my hips and surveyed the counter. Spotting the coffee machine, I got to work. I'd watched Walker doctor his coffee the day before yesterday, so I knew exactly how he liked it.

While the coffee brewed, I grabbed a few eggs, settling on good old scrambled eggs since I was ninety percent sure I wouldn't mess that up.

Ro slithered up the counter as I worked, and I glanced over at him. "Hey, Ro. Sorry about yesterday."

I wasn't going to tell him I'd felt mortified when he'd slid out of Walker's pocket, knowing where Walker's leg had been seconds ago. Then again, it was Ro's own fault for sneaking in like that.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled, and I chuckled softly.

"I still can't believe you were third-wheeling with us all that time," I said, and he hissed in annoyance.

"I'm your bodyguard," he said, sounding miffed, and I raised a brow at him as I stirred the eggs.

"I thought Ajax was our bodyguard."

Ro'Shassz scoffed, his tail smacking against the counter. "Ajax, my ass. I've been protecting Walker since he was a kid, and I'm going to continue protecting him until I no longer can."

I was surprised at the sincere words coming out of his mouth. Ro was rarely serious, and even then he couldn't resist being snarky. I knew he shared a special bond with Walker, but knowing and seeing were two very different things.

"I know. I'm really glad he has you, Ro," I said with a smile, and he hissed softly.

"I think the eggs are done." He slithered off the counter. I started plating up the eggs, and just when I thought he'd left, I heard him say, "I'm glad he has you, too."

I was still smiling when I walked into the bedroom with Walker's breakfast and coffee, and my smile widened when I found him sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes.

"Morning," I greeted as I approached the bed, and he glanced up at me, smiling sleepily. His eyes lit up when he spotted the coffee mug in my hand, and he reached out, folding his fingers in agimmegesture.

Chuckling, I handed him the mug, and he took a sip instantly, humming softly. "Oh yeah, that's good coffee."

"I'm glad you like it," I said with a laugh.

I placed his breakfast on the bed between us.

"You made me coffee and breakfast!" he said with a grin, and I smiled.

"I did. I wanted to do something nice for you," I said as he took another sip, a pleased little smile on his face.

"Well, this is very nice," he agreed, placing the already empty mug on the nightstand before grabbing the plate of scrambled eggs.

He took a bite of the eggs as I bit my lower lip and waited for his verdict. When his eyes lit up and he started chewing furiously, I sighed in relief.

"How do you cook so well when you don't even eat?" he demanded, and I chuckled.

"I can't cook a lot, but I know the basics," I said with a shrug, and he rolled his eyes.

"Kitty, there's absolutely nothing basic about these scrambled eggs. Don't tell Da, but they're the best I've ever had," he said playfully, and I smiled, crossing my fingers over my heart.

"I won't. Do you want to visit one of the three demons today?" I asked, and Walker tilted his head from side to side.

"I guess we should do what we came here to do," he said, grinning cheekily.

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