Page 106 of The Devil and His Goddess

Sierra smacked the back of Mitch’s trimmed head. “Money isn’t everything, dummy.”

Mitch looked doubtful as he rubbed his head. “It’s pretty good, though.”

The teenagers exchanged looks and eventually nodded in agreement.

The exchange had happiness blooming in my chest, and the feeling didn’t fade as the day continued. Everyone had a thousand questions for Perseus about his band, being my boss, and being my boyfriend—because apparently that was what we were in everyone’s eyes. A couple.

I wasn’t mad about that.

We finished making multiple batches of sugar, gingerbread, and chocolate chip cookies. Everyone cleaned up before dispersing to decorate the house with all of the decor Perseus had secretly bought and had hidden until today.

By the time we finished, a fourteen-foot tall tree with twinkling white lights stood in the corner by the wall of ceiling-high windows. Greenery decorated the mantle below the TV with six stockings hanging there since my parents and brothers would be staying through Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tinsel, winter figurines, and more glitter than should be legal was spread throughout Perseus’s house. We’d completely taken it over with our antics, but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I hadn’t seen him smiling like this sincebefore.

While we decorated, Mitch and Todd poked at me to dance toThe Nutcracker, but since I couldn’t due to my “injury,” the two did so for us. The burly boys twirled and leapt around the living room, looking far more like newborn giraffes learning to walk than a danseur. It had everyone laughing hysterically, and poor Aiysha had to demonstrate how to do a lot of the moves they failed at, which earned her a round of applause.

Day gave way to night, so the Jacksons left for the evening. Perseus placed an order for pizza for those of us left, and while we waited for the food to get here for ourHome Alonemovie marathon, my mom and I finished putting out the final decor touches in the kitchen.

“Thank you guys for coming,” I said to Mom, unable to wipe the grin off my face. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling I’d done today, but I didn’t mind in the slightest.

She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me in to rest the side of her graying head against mine. “We’re so happy to be here, honey. And that sweet Perseus. When Aiysha called to say he’d invited us all in for the holidays, I was shocked. For one, you hadn’t mentioned anything about a boyfriend, and a veryhandsomeone at that. If only I were single and a bit younger.”

“Mom!” I laughed.

She chuckled and lightly bumped my hip over her joke. She continued, “He apparently wanted to do our Christmas traditions here with you, and right when I found that out, I knew he was a good man.”

The teasing air was replaced by a sweet warmth that made it hard to speak. “Yeah. He is.”

I looked out into the living room where Perseus sat on the couch with my brothers. The two boys had only gotten more star-struck as the day went on, and my dad was equally impressed by the young and successful man. The three Ashwood men gathered around Perseus as he played Christmas songs on the guitar. I thought Mitch might burst into tears right then and there, seeing as he was getting a personal concert from one of his idols.

Mom released me from her arms to grab my hand atop the counter. She squeezed it, so I looked back at her. “I know you’ve had a hard time lately. Don’t deny it, because your momma can see it in both youandhim. I won’t pry. I only bring it up now to say that we’re all here for you.” Her dark eyes moved to the living room at the sound of her boys growing excited. She smiled and added, “I’m glad he’s here for you, too.”

I followed her line of sight as her words wrapped around me and settled into my bones.

Mitch was waving a permanent marker at Perseus and begging, “Sign my forehead. Please!”

Perseus’s brow nearly rose into the golden hair that draped over his forehead as he stared at the fourteen year old like he’d fully thrown sanity to the wind. He looked over his shoulder at my dad for guidance, but my dad merely shrugged and rolled his eyes. “It’s Christmas time. Go for it.”

Perseus blew out a surprised breath but turned back to Mitch with his own shrug. He took the black marker and signed my brother’s forehead.

“Holy shit!” Mitch squealed as his eyes rolled back in an effort to look up at his forehead.

“Don’t say, ‘shit,’” Dad chastised.

“Sorry,” Mitch apologized meekly before raising his fingers to reverently touch the black ink on his face. “He really signed me. Perseus signed me! I might cum.”

Todd curled his lip in disgust as Perseus fought his laughter. My dad gave another roll of his eyes, unphased by his son at this point.

My brothers proceeded to pose with Perseus, snapping a plethora of photos with him and even calling in my dad to take some of all three of them. The love I had for the people in this room and the scene playing out before me had emotion gathering behind my eyes.

But more than that, my mom’s words continued to play on repeat in my head.

I wasn’t alone. I had my amazing parents and crazy brothers. I had Aiysha and her family.

I had Perseus—my demon, my peasant. I wasn’t alone, and I hadn’t been this entire time. Through every tear, every nightmare, every terrible moment where I’d been less than alive, he’d been right by my side. He’d endured every bit of that horrible storm with me.

And as those smiling green eyes met mine across the room, I finally felt the clouds begin to part. The sun’s warm rays shined down, and the butterfly unfurled her wings.

Chapter 40

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