Page 13 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

Bale leaned close and took Darius’s empty mug from him. He brushed a soft kiss on Darius’s forehead before settling him down against the pillows. Darius wanted to growl and snap for this mothering behaviour, but the tea’s effects were muddling his mind. He liked the bit of affection. It soothed him, which he’d never admit, not in a million years. Bale knowing him was a gift he wasn’t ready to accept.

“Get some rest. Close your eyes and relax. I’m here and so are your bossy cats.”

“I don’t want to sleep though,” Darius mumbled, his thoughts drifting already.

“Didn’t say you had to sleep, just rest. Watch the sun rise and the stars twinkle. I won’t let anyone find you.”

Darius relaxed as best he could, clutching the soft black fur of Master Cat. He shied away from sleep, still terrified that tentacles were going to chase him if he tried.

Bale had a book in his hand, and the soft glow of the lamp shone down on the pages. He was very teacher-like, which made Darius smile softly. He wished he could fix Bale, but too much damage had been done, and Darius’s magic was blacker than most. His energy was too mutated, too rooted in destruction to do the sort of healing Bale required. Darius put the notion to the back of his head, where all his desires resided.

“Bale, what’s your biggest wish?” Darius asked in the quiet. He wanted to know and yet he also wished to remain in the dark, in case it was something he didn’t have the ability to give.

“Biggest wish?” Bale looked up thoughtfully. A small smile graced his face as he contemplated the outside. “To go flying once more. To feel the thermals under my wings. I miss it.”

Something else was hidden in Bale’s words, and Darius could only touch it briefly before retreating. The longing and desire to say "me too" filled Darius’s mouth, but he was absolutely terrified to admit it.

ChapterSix

Bale never managed to read another page as Darius drifted in and out of sleep. Every time he slipped into a deeper rest, he jerked himself out. The nightmare he had must have terrified him.

Bale wished he could help in some fashion, but dreams were tricky, and he had never mastered dream walking like Darius. The only thing he could do was offer his protection.

He regretted asking Darius those questions before bed. It seemed like such a quiet intimate setting; it seemed right to open a dialogue. Apparently, his interrogation and the memories they brought up clung to Darius and followed him into sleep.

Being with Darius had been a gift. And Bale was terrible at protecting precious belongings. He hadn’t realized the dedication it required to preserve such a bond. Darius was keeping him at arm’s length for his own peace of mind. If allowing Darius to hold him at bay was what he had to do, he’d do it.

When the sun began turning the purple sky blue, Darius’s focus turned to the window. His cats abandoned Bale and returned to him for the cuddles he offered. These morning rituals showed a softer side to Darius. He lavished attention on his cats, and they returned the favour without compunction.

“Bale?”

“Still here. It’s late enough if you wanted to get up?” Bale offered. Darius would be restless if he had to stay in bed longer than necessary.

“Need a shower.” Darius’s words lacked any sense and made Bale smile.

“That’s fine. I can—”

“Leave?”

Ahh, yes, the acerbic man reasserted himself once more. He grabbed the two empty mugs beside Darius and dared to look into the icy blue eyes. They appeared bruised and achingly vulnerable. As much as he longed to, it wasn’t worth the wrath to sneak a kiss.

“Do I have permission to make your coffee?” Bale asked as he straightened. He stroked a hand down the back of Bossy’s orange fur, wishing it was Darius.

“If Isaac’s up, ask him. If not, add water to the reservoir for a full pot. I’ll do the rest. Can you get some sausages from the freezer?”

Being asked to do household things settled some of his nerves. Darius wanted him around. Not exactly how Bale wished it, but it was enough for the moment. “Thank you.”

“For what? Anyone can do that shit. Go away,” Darius snapped. He scowled ferociously as he waited for Bale to leave.

Everyone was sleeping when Bale came downstairs. He peeked in the front room and saw Caspian entwined around Isaac, his fiery red hair tangled up in Isaac’s hand. Fire sprites flittered around Bale as he added more logs to the dying fire.

Doing chores around Darius’s house gave him a sense of purpose. Bale laid everything out on the kitchen counter and added water to the coffeemaker like Darius asked. He knew better than to mess with Darius’s coffee. The man was extremely particular about it.

With his people taken care of, Bale stepped outside and greeted the pale morning sun. He closed his eyes and lifted his chin, feeling the weak heat hit him and fill him with energy.

Giving back the coin to Hastur had nearly destroyed Bale. However, losing his wings and his horns was worth it to be here in this moment with the creatures he considered family.

“What’re you doing?” Darius’s crustiness interrupted his morning ritual.

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