Mistletoe and Mayhem (Charmed Away Temp Agency #5)

CHAPTER ONE

“Absolutely not,” Ozen grumbled.

Avery smirked at him, waving the invite to Korath’s annual holiday party in his direction. “He promises no orgies.”

“He’s promised that before,” he growled, putting his hand out and taking the offered invite. “I’ve lost track of the number of times he’s said the same thing and then suggested he was innocent when several people followed him home. We’re not going.”

He had no intention of bringing his mate anywhere near one of his father’s parties. Not only did his father refuse to put away his true form, or any clothes on, there was always an orgy. And no one was getting anywhere near his mate.

Avery wrapped his arms around Ozen’s shoulders, leaning against his side. “He’s been begging for you to come visit,” he murmured, kissing his temple. “He misses you.”

He grimaced. That, unfortunately, wasn’t incorrect.

Ever since he went to Korath for help when he’d been confused about his relationship with Avery, Korath had been calling more often.

He took Ozen’s need for information as an invitation to change their dynamic and was disappointed when Ozen refused to bring his mate home for a visit.

Maybe he’d consider it if he could guarantee they wouldn’t be walking into a sex frenzy, and his father would put away his true form.

He wasn’t entirely sure Avery would be immune to other incubi’s true forms. He wasn’t immune to Ozen’s.

No, despite the small amount of guilt he felt for ignoring Korath’s attempts to reconcile, he couldn’t risk bringing his mate around his father. He was a lot older than Ozen was. His magic was more powerful. And he wouldn’t be able to take it if Avery was even slightly affected by Korath’s magic.

Picking up his pen, he was about to RSVP ‘no’ to the event when the phone on his desk rang. Avery picked it up automatically, his voice chipper as he greeted whoever was on the line. “Ozen Hawksley’s office, Avery speaking. How can I help you?”

With Avery sitting on the arm of his chair, he could hear the other side of the line and listened intently when he heard his grandfather’s voice greeting his mate.

“Hello, Avery. I’m assuming Ozen can hear me?”

Avery snickered, sliding into Ozen’s lap like he belonged there. Because he did.

“Yep, he can hear you. Good morning, Grandfather Sylix. How are you? How are your mates?”

Grandfather’s grumbling chuckle was warm when he replied, “Feisty as ever. They’re looking forward to seeing you at Korath’s holiday party.”

“You’re going?” Ozen demanded. He’d thought his grandfather would avoid the party for the same reasons he did.

“Yes, we’re attending. Family is important, and he is trying.”

The guilt Ozen had felt earlier compounded, but then his gaze drifted to Avery and he doubled down.

“I understand that, but–”

“He’s made a vow to keep his true form and his magic to himself,” Grandfather interrupted, his tone reassuring.

“It’s a family holiday party, not one of his usual events.

He has made sure to only invite those who respect those boundaries and will keep their true forms to themselves until the after-party.

You should consider it, Ozen. He misses you. ”

That was the second time he’d heard that just this morning, and his stomach churned with the guilt.

He’d been the one to open the door to that particular relationship.

And Korath wasn’t a bad person. Stubborn, and his morals didn’t align with Ozen’s in any way, but not a bad man. And he did love his children.

He looked at Avery, seeking guidance from his mate, who he trusted above all else. Avery gave him a soft smile, projecting love and reassurance along their bond.

“I think you should give him a chance. He’s trying, and you’d regret it if he was gone tomorrow.”

Ozen winced. “I’m sorry, my love. I didn’t mean to–”

Avery shook his head, cutting him off. “I didn’t say that to make you feel bad.

Your family situation is a lot different than mine was.

But I know you. Despite Korath’s flaws, you care about him.

He’s making an effort to bridge a gap that the two of you have had for years. Give him a chance to make it right.”

Centuries, if they were being specific. But he saw Avery’s point. He also recognized the subtext, though Avery told him that wasn’t his intention. Avery had lost his parents to illness. If given the chance, Ozen had no doubt he would go to great lengths to be able to spend more time with them.

Ozen’s shoulders slumped with a defeated sigh. “Fine. We’ll attend. But if his glamor even flickers–” he began, his tone filled with warning.

“He’ll face both our wraths,” Grandfather finished. “He’s assured me he will behave. Thank you for giving him this chance. I’ll see you in a few days.”

They said their goodbyes and hung up, but after putting the phone back in the cradle, Avery didn’t immediately move away. He wrapped his arms around Ozen’s neck, nuzzling him and soothing him with chaste kisses until Ozen’s growls faded and his good mood returned.

After checking ‘yes’ on the RSVP, the card shimmered and disappeared, taking with it Ozen’s ability to change his mind. It was for the best. He’d go back and forth until the day of the party if obligation didn’t force him to attend.

“That’s a neat trick,” Avery commented as he slid out of Ozen’s lap, heading for his own desk. “I know you’re nervous, but I’m looking forward to the party. I’ve only ever been to the shadow realm the one time, and I didn’t get to see much of it.”

Ozen’s lip lifted in annoyance of that particular memory.

He hated that Avery’s first visit to his home realm was tainted by the demon trying to block his entrance.

Ozen had been so pissed off about it, he’d been unable to control his own magic and ended up needing to apologize to all his friends the following work day for what he’d done.

Thankfully, none had been upset with him.

He’d actually gotten a few ‘thank you’s’ since anyone who had attended had enjoyed their evenings quite immensely. Then again, so did Ozen.

He glanced at his mate, considering the possibilities.

Perhaps after Korath’s party, he could take Avery to some of his favorite places.

It had been his intention the first time.

He could do better this time around. He watched Avery typing, his mate lost in a world of romance and magic.

His brows drew together slowly. This party, while he didn’t normally attend, was an annual tradition for his family. Did Avery have any traditions?

“Firefly?”

“Hmm?”

Ozen knew better than to start talking before he had Avery’s full attention. His author mate lost himself sometimes in the scenes of his book. It took him a minute to come back to reality when he was writing.

Avery’s fingers finally stopped typing, and he looked up, giving Ozen his full attention with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, what?”

Smiling indulgently, he asked, “I realize I’ve never asked what your family traditions are for the holidays. Human yule traditions are different, are they not?”

They’d been together for a few holiday seasons now, but with Avery’s writing schedule and Ozen’s work taking up a great deal of their time, they hadn’t done much in the past. Last year, they enjoyed drinks with friends on the solstice, but that was about as celebratory as they got.

He was remiss in not asking Avery sooner about his own traditions.

Nodding slowly, Avery pursed his lips. “They are. They celebrate something called Christmas on the 25th of December. There are decorations, presents, and a tree decorated for the holiday. I haven’t had a celebration like that for years, though. Not since my parents died.”

“Is it too painful to revisit?” Ozen asked cautiously. He wanted to experience Avery’s traditions but not if they were painful for him.

Avery shook his head, his smile a little tentative as he admitted, “I’ve actually missed the traditions a little.

My last Christmas celebration was when my mom was in hospice.

Dad was too heartbroken to celebrate anything after she was gone.

He died a year later. After that–” Avery shrugged.

“–I couldn’t stomach the thought of celebrating alone. ”

The pain of the loss he felt through the bond wasn’t a sharp pain. More of a dull ache after so much time had passed. He rallied with a smile, asking, “What parts did you want to try?”

“All of it,” Ozen insisted. “Every part that made you happy.”

Avery looked like he was fighting a grin when he pointed out, “We’ll have to do a lot of shopping then. And we’ll need to buy a tree.”

Ozen frowned. “A tree?”

“So, humans cut down trees and bring them into their homes to decorate?” he asked, confused, as they walked through the aisles of evergreens.

“That used to be the tradition,” Avery nodded. “Nowadays, most people buy the trees with the roots intact so they can replant them after the holiday season is over.” He gestured to the red bags around the bottoms of the trees that kept the roots and soil covered until replanting.

“Why not just decorate it outside?” Ozen wondered aloud as he considered the trees.

There were some bigger ones that were obviously fake, with glitter and fake snow sprayed onto the branches.

Avery had bypassed those in favor of smaller, replantable trees.

Ozen appreciated that. While reusing a tree wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, he liked the idea of giving back to the earth after their holiday season was through.

And they could revisit the tree later if they wanted, which made him smile.

“Some do, I’m sure, but I think space is a big reason people don’t.

I don’t know if you’ve been to the human side of town, but the housing situation isn’t great, and you have to spend a small fortune to have even a small yard.

Most humans wouldn’t waste that space planting trees when it could be used for other things.

” He finally pointed at a tree amongst the bunch.

“That one. Can you watch over it for a second? I want to get a staff member to help us–”

Ozen didn’t wait for that, picking up the tree and putting it in their cart. It wasn’t like it was heavy, and it didn’t even take up the whole space of the cart. He raised an eyebrow at Avery, a cocky smirk on his face. He did love surprising his mate.

Unlike most times when Avery would get turned on by Ozen’s strength, this time Avery crossed his arms over his chest, giving him a raised eyebrow of his own.

“I wasn’t asking for a staff member because I didn’t think you could carry it.

I was asking for help because I didn’t want you to get covered in sap.

” He gestured to Ozen’s suit, which had some sticky residue on it now, and smirked.

“Your dry cleaner is going to be pissed.”

Yes, he really was. He tried wiping it off, but it only got on his hands as well, and did nothing to get rid of the residue on his very expensive suit.

Cackling, Avery stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Thanks for grabbing it for me. Now, come on. Decorations are this way. I’ll take your suit to be cleaned on my way to see my agent tomorrow. She wants me to talk to her through the spin-off I’ve been working on.”

Always so diligent, his mate. Ozen let himself be dragged away, pushing the cart so Avery could have his hands free to pick the decorations he wanted.

He could ignore the stickiness on his clothes if it meant Avery was happy.

And the smile on his face said he was pleased with Ozen’s suggestion to celebrate the way his family used to.

That smile was worth a thousand sticky suits.