Page 19 of Undesirable
“Of course. I’ll always come when you call. Don’t let that get you killed.”
Frost ran his hand down Gemini’s arm. “It’s not me I’m worried about. I don’t know why he chose to torture Gemini instead of me, but I can’t have that. My heart can’t take it.”
Gemini wrapped his arms around Frost and kissed his temple. “I’m okay, baby. Luckily, I didn’t lose any fur the way Yuri did.”
I’m perfectly fine with the way thatworked out.
A huge smile spread across Riku’s lips as Yuri’s words brushed his mind.
Brownie flashed a smile Yuri’s way too, as if he heard.
“We should head home. Our house is a mess from our intruder. I’m glad everyone is okay.” He hesitated. “Except Fen, of course. Hopefully, that works out.”
To be fair, Jörmungandr was a god. There really wasn’t anything they could do. Frost wasn’t being heartless. He just put his faith in Celeste, as he should.
“A leg up, Brownie.”
At Lucifer’s command, Brownie turned back into a hellhound and let the pair use his back to climb through the mirror.
I should probably go help.Yuri sounded like he didn’t really want to go, but he felt obligated. Frost had done his best to heal his burns.
“I think you should stay. Frost and Gemini probably need some time alone.”
Okay. That’s true.His chipper tone died a swift death.What about the house, though? It’s my duty to protect it. Is it okay after Jörmungandr got ahold of it?
Lucifer didn’t respond.
Riku looked his way, expecting he would answer. He merely looked as if he waited for Riku to finish his conversation.
“Oh no. That’s a bad sign. Did he levelthe house?”
Lucifer blinked. “Why did you ask like that? I’m not keeping anything from you. It looked okay from the outside. I don’t know about the inside.”
A thought occurred to him. “Can you not hear Yuri in this form?”
Lucifer shook his head. “He isn’t my companion. He’s yours. I can only hear Brownie. That’s how it works.”
Wait. What?Yuri sounded as confused as Riku felt.
“What do you mean? Are you saying he’s like my pet?”
Hey, now. I’m no one’s pet. I love you and all, but I’m a free wolf.
Riku couldn’t blame Yuri for his outage. “I love you too. Don’t worry about my feelings. I’d feel the same in your place.”
Lucifer and Brownie exchanged glances. It wasn’t really fair for them to think of him as ignorant. Wolves were Odin’s creation. Riku didn’t get in Odin’s business. Lucifer took on an exaggerated, patient expression. “Yuri saved your life. At least, that was his full intent. He truly believed you were in danger when he leapt into that fire. He’s a creation of Odin. That type of act always comes with a high reward. In Yuri’s case, he’s been promoted to a guardian wolf. Your guardian.”
Whoa. Really? Odin sees me? Me? I’m no one. Is that how you became a guard?Yuri asked, focusing onBrownie.
Oh.
At Yuri’s ‘oh,’ Riku realized Brownie had answered, but Riku couldn’t hear.
He says—again—he’s not a creation of Odin. He earned his position through violence and blood.
Lucifer didn’t roll his eyes, but Riku felt it.It wasn’t quite that dramatic, but I’ll let him keep his pride.
At Lucifer’s words, Riku realized he could tell when Lucifer kept his thoughts between them. It was nice having a private line.
