Page 11 of King's Obsession

He ignored his smug human half. “One week.” He didn’t await an answer and strode back out, his heart pounding as he went back to his chamber to change when he caught sight of the formal robe he’d put on.

Dressing more like a human and keeping his demon form, he slipped unseen back into the portal room. He fidgeted with his black shirt cuffs and realized he was delaying.

He sighed and stepped through the portal into the forest, into daylight. He inhaled and followed his nose. At Dougal’s house, he came up empty. He looked around and listened, hearing nothing.

Where is he?Never had he had any patience, so his level of tolerance at not finding Dougal left his demon ready to go on a rampage.

He’s here. I feel him. It’s like the first time. Maybe it’s time you remember how much fun it can be playing hide and seek.

I’m not a child.Even as he said it, his blood burned hot at the idea of this time catching his troll and keeping hold of him.

See, you can see the benefits. Now let’s find him.

Chapter Six

Dougal

One of the most amazing things about the forest and the people who called that place home was that, oftentimes, words were never needed when actions spoke louder. Dougal knew from his breakdown before that any show of upset or anger would only sadden the forest and cause harm to all the living beings that dwelled within his borders. And yet his absence would be noted too, and Dougal didn’t want to cause anyone any worry.

Which was why, when he felt himself suitably put back together, and trusted himself not to collapse into a screaming heap in the dirt the moment anyone spoke to him, Dougal left his cabin and made his regular rounds.

He praised the young vine who was being so much more respectful to the tree it lived on, even managing a chuckle when the leaves tickled his fingers.

He checked the river that flowed through his land—cleaning up a few pieces of garbage left on the banks by careless fishermen. And when he was done checking every tree and making sure all the undergrowth had registered his presence and had felt calmed by it, Dougal made his way to the clearing, carrying his battered mug of cider as if it was any other day.

Dougal smiled and sat down on the log that had cradled his butt for more years than he could count. There was a basket of freshly picked peaches resting beside his seat, and Dougal raised his mug in a silent toast to Wanda and her blissful one.

It was as if that toast was a magical signal because Dougal hadn’t been sitting long before Silas appeared, trailed by Dakata, dressed in casual clothes. They brought along another basket of salads and baked goods.

Merihem and Peni weren’t far behind. Merihem was juggling a large cooler full of meat and a chair for his blissful one who was walking a little slower than normal thanks to the bulge around his middle. Seeing the cooler, Dakata started building the fire in Dougal’s specifically designed fire pit.

George and Scott were the last to arrive with more food and more chairs. Scott dragged his next to Peni’s—his belly hadn’t protruded quite as far as Peni’s had, but it was definitely noticeable.

George disappeared behind a tree and reappeared moments later in his bear form, coming over and sniffing at the peaches, before nudging Dougal with his head before he wandered off again to go to Scott.

On the surface of it, it was just another day and yet Dougal could sense the deeper meaning behind the impromptu gathering. He had a found family—people who cared about him, and who wanted to be supportive even if the words were never spoken. No one asked him if anything was wrong, there wasn’t any prying. Instead, by some unspoken signal, his family had gathered, showing their support for him and for each other.

We did this. We created the space where they could come—demons and their blissful ones, safe and cherished in our forest.Dougal didn’t expect to see Wanda and Christa. He knew how Wanda still struggled to be around the other demons, even though Dakata and Christa were siblings. The peaches from her trees were her own form of support. Reaching into the basket, Dougal picked one up and took a bite, enjoying the sun-warmed juices.

“He won’t even let me clean.” Peni was nibbling on a bowl full of salad greens as he chatted to Scott. “That big behemoth knows how important it is to me to have the space around me tidy, and the moment I pick up a mop or a duster, he snatches it out of my hand and starts cleaning things himself.”

“George is the same.” Scott actually chuckled. Dougal didn’t think he’d seen that before, but the man looked a lot more relaxed than he had in the past. “You’d think, the way they behave, they’d never seen a pregnant man before. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see George wandering along behind me, watching for some sign of a baby head coming out of my ass at any given moment.”

“I know.” Peni was giggling as he rubbed slow circles over his belly. “This one is moving around so much, and you know how every once in a while, a foot or something might go where you don’t expect it to. I wince, or I might go ‘ouch,’ and this thing of mine is there right in my face, going, ‘Is it time? What do I do?’ He’s a worrywart. Cute, but definitely a worrywart.”

Considering Merihem was Controller of the demon and human realm and feared across all realms, Dougal didn’t think cute, or worrywart were the terms he’d use to describe the rugged demon. That didn’t mean Dougal wasn’t filled with pride watching his friends chatting about happy times.

There was a curiosity coming from them, too. That was inevitable. But Dougal had kept his secrets a long time, and now… now wasn’t the time. Maybe one day… but even as he thought it, Dougal shook his head. Anything he said would be disrespectful to the man who ruled the demons in his glade.Even though you crushed my heart, I would never do that to you.

It was a couple of hours later. The sun was high in the sky, and the smell of cooked meat filled the glade. Merihem, Dakata, and George were all sprawled on the grass by their blissful ones, chatting quietly about business matters with Scott. Peni had left his chair and was curled up asleep on Merihem’s chest while Silas had stretched out on another log, his eyes half closed, humming softly.

Dougal’s mug was empty, and as he reached into his pocket for the flask he always carried, he frowned as something tingled along his senses. There was another being in the forest—a being whose energies Dougal knew intimately.

Trying not to let his worry show, Dougal closed his eyes, connecting with the trees, trying to find out where Asmodeus was exactly.

He was getting closer—in the daylight—and yet Dougal did not know why. Dougal had said his piece and besides, Asmodeus had never shown himself in the forest during the day before.

What are you up to, you pesky demon?The most obvious answer was that Asmodeus was spying on him, although Dougal had no idea why.Is he that upset about me crushing the stone, he’s… what?

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