Page 19 of The Misfit Mage and His Devilish Desires

“Is that so?” I pursed my lips in this questioning disdain.

“It is, and while my natural dominance in the relationship is obvious, we’ll have to downplay it while in Hell.” Bez adjusted his tie. “It must appear that you run things between us.”

“You’re such an ass.”

“I am what I love.” Bez slapped my butt with his hands and squeezed tightly until I yelped.

“Hey!”

“Is for unicorns.” He playfully batted my cheeks. “And we’re fresh outta of those.”

“I’m glad your mood has lightened.”

“I can drag my feet as we face Hell, or I can walk hand-in-hand with you, smile on my face, and something provocative swimming in my thoughts.”

I smiled, giddy and annoyed. Annoyed that his immature charm always soothed me. While I had no idea what to expect in Hell, at this Devil’s Banquet, or from Lilith herself, I would step into danger with ease, knowing I had Bez at my side.

6

Bez

Since Kell needed more time with the flame to make a copy of Lilith’s signature, I dragged Wally home. A short reprieve as we’d need to grab the essentials before heading to Mora’s and then to Hell itself.

“Weather!” Wally called out as the iron-spelled gates opened. They reached nearly two stories in height and proved the only way in and out of our manor since Wally had created a towering stone fence to keep our Cerberus locked inside while we went to work. Apparently, the hound had the behavior of a Husky, which was a Mythic beast I’d never heard of until Wally mentioned it. But they dug holes and jumped fences and whined about everything and pretty much did all the other annoying things that Weather enjoyed.

“Weather,” he yelled again, adding a smooching sound with his lips. The name held affection and absurdity as Wally sought to give the Cerberus purpose behind the personas of his identity.

Three heads that make up one being. Just as the weather changed throughout the day, Weather’s personas differed from hyper, hostile, and calm.

The giant lumbering hound with short, coarse black fur darted toward us once he heard Wally’s call. He towered over us and was nearly half as tall as the front gates, with shoulders easily twenty feet wide and almost too wide for the only entrance in or out. With the flames that reached an additional five to ten along each of their thick necks, Weather was definitely too big. But he’d often jump or burrow his way out of the yard until Wally started adding invisible incantation barriers to put an end to that behavior.

Sunny, the center head, immediately went to lick Wally.

“Stop.” I pointed a finger, halting the beast in his steps.

Antsy steps with claws bigger than my fucking torso bounced back and forth for affection. Purple flames burned brightly around the ankles and matched the same purple fire that framed Sunny’s head and filled his eyes. The fire at the Cerberus’ feet turned blue, indicating Stormy had taken full control.

The aggressive left head always demonstrated the most self-control. A difficult task when he had a flighty other self that demanded kisses and playtime every second of every day. He nipped Sunny’s ear until the hound settled, and the blue flames burned brightest along his body.

Fiery collars, each a different color to represent where Weather’s three persona drew upon their power. Sunny’s flames had the most magical energy, whereas Stormy’s flames contained the most heat and ferocity. And while Cloudy kept his head low and sniffed Wally’s extended hand with soft eyes that held the gentle heat of orange flames, there was a pureness to his fire, unlike the other two personas.

Wally pet Cloudy’s nose, getting the wet slobber of the beast all over his hand. I shivered and let out a visceral, gagging protest.

“You need to stop babying him,” I said.

“Someone has to.” Wally stretched his arms wide so he could wrap them over Cloudy’s snout and hug the beast. “You’re such a bully to him.”

“It’s called obedience training.” I snapped my fingers. “Heel.”

Cloudy yelped when he accidentally shoved Wally off, but his body obeyed my command, and Weather sat at attention with his shoulders squared and his three heads looking straight ahead. Blue fire covered his ankles and chest and trailed down his back, but as the three formed a proper consensus, purple and orange flames joined the extensions of the body.

“Good boy.” I nodded. “Go fetch your favorite toys and bring them for our trip.”

Weather bolted through the yard with Sunny panting excitedly as he led the way to the best toys they’d buried for later while we made our way to the house.

“So…” Wally lingered at the front door, eyeing me with a suspicious amount of questions hanging on his tongue. “I don’t need to pack or dress for the party, but we need to find Weather a babysitter?”

“Do you wish for Antoninus to watch him the entire time we’re gone?” I gestured to the scorpion hanging onto Wally’s shoulder.

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