Page 34 of Dewitched

“I feel completely fine.” His right shoulder lifted in a half shrug. “Better than fine, really. Strong, like I just had an energy drink and a vitamin infusion.”

Owen frowned. “Do either of those things actually work on you?”

“I’m trying to paint a picture,talei.”

Chuckling, he held his hands up in supplication. “My bad. Please continue.”

“I’m just saying that I feel good. Like I was made for this.”

With another quiet laugh, he grabbed his mate’s face and dragged him close for a hard kiss. “Thank you.”

“You know,” Prince Nightstar said. “I did help. A little.”

He jerked his hands back and immediately turned to face the elf. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

Orrin gave him a kind smile as he rose to his feet and crossed the room to join his mate. “Enjoy your new life. That’s payment enough.”

“If we’re finished here,” Erus said into the following silence, “we should go. We have a meeting with Hades.”

The blood drained from Owen’s face, and he gripped the top of Fenix’s shoulder, his fingers digging into the hard flesh. “Hades?”

Erus bobbed his head. “Do you know him?”

Was he serious? Who just casually knew the fucking lord of the Underworld?

“No. Uh, never had the pleasure.”

“Nice guy. A little moody, but I’m sure you understand.”

Nope. Not even a little bit. What the hell was he even supposed to say to that?

Thankfully, he didn’t have to think too hard about it because Iliana chose that moment to interrupt.

“I have one more favor to ask.”

Her brother sighed. “I think you have met your quota.”

“Not you,” she shot back. “Erus, I know Fenix has a mate now, but I want him to stay as head of my Guard.”

Fenix stilled, and his big frame stiffened. “Princess.”

“I’m serious,” she insisted. “You’re my family. You belong at Nightstar Palace. Do you really want to leave?”

“It’s not about what I want. It’s just the way it is.”

“Well, I say it’s not.” She looked to Erus again. “Well?”

The big god sighed as if he found the entire conversation tiresome. “This family will be the death of me,” he muttered. “If you agree to add an extra member to the team, he can stay.”

“Yes,” Iliana answered immediately. “Send two, if you must.”

“That’s actually not a terrible idea.”

Her manicured brows drew together, and one side of her nose scrunched. “You don’t have to sound so surprised.”

Since Owen had zero clue what has happening, he could only listen, his eyes swinging from one side of the room to the other, like someone watching a tennis match.

From what he could gather, it sounded as if Fenix would be allowed to keep his position and remain at the palace. In exchange, the princess would be assigned an additional Guardian. Maybe two. No one had asked or cared about his opinion, but it sounded like a fair compromise to him.

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