Page 329 of Night's Fall
Aleksei ended their kiss with a quick one onLaura’snose, and she turned and cuddled into him, nestling her head under his jaw.
“You’re constantly so cute,I’mgoing to have to do a warp trip to theSixRealmssoIcan visit one of their ancient vomitoriums,”Aleecejoked.
She then reached between her thigh and the cushion of the chair she was in to pull up herPalm.
She looked at the display, said, “Engage,” and then, “Hey,Mom.”
“Where are you?” his mother’s voice came from his sister’s unit.
“AtSpikebackfor drinks withLexandLaura,”Aleeceanswered, then turned the display around to circle the company as she carried on, “Nowwe’re going to haveShape’swith them.”
When the display hit her,Laurawaved.
Gods, she was adorable.
“I take it this means you and your brother won’t be at pre-dinner drinks in ten minutes?” their mother asked.
“Sorry,Mom.LexmentionedShape’sand we were all in.Thatjust happened orIwould have commed.”
“Fine.I’lltellCook.Loveto all.”
The last she called out to the room, and he knew she disconnected whenAleecetucked thePalmbeside her again.
Aleksei letLaurago before he pushed himself up to get a drink, and as he moved to the drinks cart, they lapsed into general chitchat.
Understandably, it had been a busy time since the attack atCelestialPalace.
But now, things were settling.Laurahad broken the seal on her first appearance.Shewas going back to work.Theywere ensconced atSpikeback.
This was their life.Busy.Steady.Together.
But no one was plotting their murder.
So it was good.
On this thought, his creature snapped to attention so fast,Alekseihad to let out a sharp breath as he turned swiftly.
This was becauseLaurawas alert on the couch, her eyes to the door, and the beast in her chest was alert too.
And they were becauseCatlawas bursting through it.
She was carrying what appeared to be a large, framed, wrapped canvas.
And her eyes were wild.
“Oh my gods!Youwillnotbelieve whatDadhas done!”Catcried toLauraas she raced to the sofa, resting the canvas against the side.
Laura slowly stood, asking, “What’she done?”
“He arranged a marriage for me.”
“Holy fuck,”Timmuttered.
“ByLilith,”Aleecewhispered.
Bloody hell,Alekseithought.
This was a demon thing.Itused to happen all the time, but now, only occasionally.Andthat occasion was usually when the patriarch decided his daughter had dallied too long in finding a match.
