Page 44 of Deviled Eggs

“Why don’t you do it then?”

“Fine! Give me the suit.” He holds his hands out towards me, and I scoff, rolling my eyes as I thrust the giant rabbit head against his chest.

“Like the pretty princess would ever risk being seen in this getup? Please, Micah, you’re far too arrogant for that. No, you’d rather send your fucking errand boy to do the things that you consider to be beneath you.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know I’ve fucked up.

“That’s really your opinion of me? I thought…” A flash of pain crosses his expression before he becomes stony faced again, sneering at me in a way that’s both familiar and foreign. “Never mind. Come on,errand boy.Let’s move along and get this done, then.”

I hate how he has closed himself off to me, no matter how much I deserve it. The face he’s wearing right now isn’tmyMicah—it’s the one he shows everyone else.

“Fuck, Micah—”

“Are we doing this or not?” Demons don’t often feel regret. We are selfish creatures by nature, but as I hear the hurt in his tone and watch him rebuild those walls that I’ve spent weeks demolishing, a crippling wave of it slices through me.

Apprehension lines his face, and he crosses his arms as I step closer. I reach out, holding on to his forearm. “I’m sorry… I’m being an ass.”

“Thanks, I’ve noticed,” he snaps, and jerks out of my grasp.

My eyes squeeze closed as I summon patience. Just because I’m the one to blame for the argument doesn’t change my basal nature. It’s difficult to defy my instincts, but I force myself to remain calm. “That’s fair. I deserve that. Once we’re finished with today’s work, will you let me make it up to you?”

“Make what up to me?”

“This,” I gesture between us. “All of this. How tense I’ve made things the past few days.” His eyes are guarded as they meet mine. “Please, angel.”

“What have I done to ruin us?” The quiet question might as well have been shouted with the way it hurts, and he stares at the wall so hard I’m surprised he doesn’t bore through it.

“You haven’t done anything,” I insist, but he shakes his head.

“Then why have you pushed me away?”

“Because I’m a fool.” I tentatively reach up and tuck his hair behind his ear, and his eyes finally return to mine. I spot the exact moment he caves.

“It is very hard to take you seriously when you’re dressed in that,” he scoffs, but I catch the slight tick to his lips. I offer him an apologetic grimace, taking the small concession he’s offering. “Are you ready, darling?” The rarely used pet name kicks me in the chest again, and I squeeze his arm before releasing him.

“For you to turn me into a giant rabbit? Sure. Ready as I will ever be.” He steps closer, giving me a strained smile as he leans in and presses the tiniest kiss to my lips. Magic tingles across my skin, and his expression twists to mild horror as he stares at me.

“Dear God, it’sghastly.Straight out of my nightmares.”

“I’m getting an idea for a new torture center in Hell.” I grin as he grips me with pinched fingers, like he’s disgusted to come into contact with my body as he leads me to the mirror. The face that is reflected at me is horrific—a disproportionally giant bunny head with enormous, cartoonish eyes, a pink nose and whiskers, two buck teeth, and fuzzy, floppy ears.

“What the actual fuck is the matter with humans?” I ask and he just shakes his head, a shiver working his spine. “I’m not alone in saying this is batshit crazy, right?”

“Come on, let’s get this over with.”

“You’ll stay with me?”

“I’ll always stay with you, Xal,” he says, before his cheeks flush and his gaze darts away. “What I mean is, of course I’llbe there… for support.” Still dodging my eyes, he hands me the colossal rainbow basket. Colorful eggs fill it to the brim—plastic ones, not real ones.

Believe it or not, we did learn a thing or two from our mishaps.

The basket weighs a ton as I take it from him, and he loops his arm through mine and waits. Once I nod to confirm I’m ready, he pops us into the outskirts of an enormous park.Meet The Easter Bunnyis printed on a large banner at the entrance, and I raise a brow at Micah.

He shrugs. “I thought it was a good idea to throw some marketing out into the city to gather a larger crowd.”

“Well, mission fucking accomplished,” I mutter, as I stare at the masses swarming the park. A heavy, grey sky hangs above, but the air is surprisingly warm for early April, and people are strolling about, enjoying the mild weather. “Jesus Christ, I don’t think a demon has ever been in the presence of this many children.”

“Do try not to corrupt them. Watch your mouth and mind your language. You’re on the job, not gallivanting around Hell.”

There’s my pompous prince. I make sure he’s looking at me before I give an obnoxious roll of my eyes. “Alright, boss. Where do you want me?”

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