Page 86 of The Demon's Delight
There was no mistaking the strong, angular features of the man in particular. Coltor was indeed his father’s son. The larger woman, too, resembled him plainly. The smaller woman had softer features, all light to their dark, including her friendly, open expression.
“Hailon,” I confirmed.
“Shall we go?” Magnus gestured with his arm toward the carriage. “I’m sure you’re a bit anxious to get to the city? Your brothers mentioned something about a short timeline.”
“I’m… not coming,” Seir said. My mouth dropped open and my chest felt like he’d dropped a boulder on it. I knew our time was short, but I’d let myself get comfortable, to pretend he would get to stay with me. “I’m sorry, Moonflower. It’s time. I can feel it.” He scrubbed at his chest, my heart aching behind my ribs just the same. “I’m trusting you with my mate, Magnus.”
The men made steady eye contact, and the smile slipped from the gargoyle’s mouth as he gave a solemn nod. “I understand, demon. If it brings you peace, your brothers have done the same. She will be safe with us.” They clasped one another on the arm, a hushed conversation passing between them. There were lots of wide eyes from Magnus and several nods, then a smile before they embraced one another quickly and separated.
“Don’t mind us,” Imogen said, and when I glanced over, she was very casually cleaning one of her weapons with the tail of her shirt.
“Right, we’re only here for decoration, I suppose,” Lovette teased, arms crossed.
Seir’s face lit up, and he strode to them, pulling them both in for a hug, one in each arm. “I know you wouldn’t have come if you hadn’t already accepted such heavy responsibility. Thank you.”
“Aren’t you sweet?” Lovette patted him on the shoulder.
“You all have my eternal thanks.” He pulled me off the road, going several paces away from the gargoyles into the softer dirt. A single little purple daisy was still blooming near his foot, the kind I’d made a crown out of one of our first days together.
He plucked it, then tucked it into my hair, fingertips lingering on my cheek. He sighed deeply, golden eyes sad. “I need you to banish me, Moonflower.”
Chapter 38
Seir
Hailon tucked herself into my body, arms wrapping around my middle. I held her back, arms tight around her shoulders, my tail wound securely around her leg.
“You’re safe with them, and that’s all I’ve wanted since the moment I figured out what was happening to you in that house. I feel very confident nobody would survive crossing you unless you wanted them to, but I’m not willing to take the risk. And I’m very thankful there are others I know will look out for you in my absence.” I breathed in deeply, face nestled in the space between her neck and shoulder, trying to bolster my courage to leave.
“Ridiculous demon. As you said, I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, Moonflower.” I kissed her forehead. “But my point is you shouldn’t have to. Youdon’thave to. My family can be your family. They already are.”
She glanced over at the gargoyles patiently waiting by the carriage. Her lips parted again, but instead of the argument I thought was coming, I got a very gentle kiss. “Thank you.”
“Truly, it’s been my honor, Hailon.”
“That sounds ominous.” Her arms tightened around me. “That sounds like goodbye, Seir.”
“I don’t mean it to.” My stomach lurched. I could feel the echoes of the preparations being made to summon me back in my bones. “Make me a summoning circle, Moonflower. Show me how well you can draw my sigil.”
“I don’t want to.” Her voice was weak, throat constricted with tears.
“I know. But you must. It’s the best way to ensure I can come back to you quickly.”
After several more breaths, she pulled away with a sniffle and picked up a stick the size of her arm.
In the soft soil, she executed a perfect summoning circle. My pride flared when my sigil appeared next, well drawn and including several little marks that were her own flourish in the strokes. She pulled my dagger from its sheath and poked the tip into her finger, dripping three little drops onto the ground in the very center of her art before handing it back. I licked the remaining smear of blood from my blade and put it back in my belt, the flavor as bright as I remembered on my tongue.
“You have to say the words, Hailon.”
“I know.” She sniffled again. Our eyes met, and she threw herself back into my arms, my strong mate clinging to me as desperately as I held onto her. “Come back to me,” she whispered.
“I will,” I promised. “I always will, Hailon, I swear it. No matter what happens, I will come back to you.”
She nodded into my shoulder and slowly measured out the next several words, the ones that would send me away from her. I closed my eyes, breathing her in, and captured her mouth in a kiss.
Then my arms were empty, and my chest ached.
