Chapter Seven #2
How were these demons just so…much like humans?
The group reminded Atlas of the friends he’d had in high school.
Before they’d all gone off to college or to start their lives.
He rubbed his chest as warmth filled him.
Atlas had been so alone and now he had friends again.
More than that he had someone who was interested in spending the rest of his life with Atlas, a new home, a job.
Just so much more than he’d ever thought possible.
“He’s getting overwhelmed,” Seb said quietly.
“Here, sit.” Asmos pulled out a chair, forcing Atlas down.
“I’m okay,” Atlas promised. “I just never thought that I would have this again. Friends. A future. I was going to learn how to take out the monsters inside the flickers.” He swallowed hard. Atlas hadn’t meant to make that confession just yet.
“No one could blame you for that,” Seb said. “They killed your family.”
“Yeah but—” Atlas wasn’t a bad person. He really wasn’t. The thirst for vengeance had been the only thing that had gotten him through the last couple of years.
“They’ll be found,” Asmos told him. “I was with Mamm when he put Tristan and Jason on the task of tracking down what happened.”
“Oh!” Adam perked up. “That’s perfect. They’ll do a good job.”
“More of the pack?” Atlas really was hearing all about this paranormal family that seemed to do everything.
Adam giggled. “We’re more of a family. No one calls us a pack except for the demons.”
“That’s what you are though,” Ari said. “An Alpha dragon with the sweetest alpha mate. A mixed pack of paranormals that welcomes everyone.”
“Not everyone,” Adam said but then laughed. “Not yet anyway.”
“Between the pack and your minions, I feel like there’s some kind of connection between everyone I meet,” Atlas pointed out.
“You’re just very lucky,” Adam teased.
“I really am.”
“Did we get to the favor?” Ari questioned. “I feel like we always get sidetracked around Adam.”
“Because I’m awesome-sauce!”
“I did need a favor,” Atlas admitted. “Bel wants to court me.”
“In order to mate,” Asmos said smugly.
“Yes. I want to court him back. I’m not sure I’d know how to do that back home but here…” Atlas rocked his head back and forth. “No clue how I can do that.”
“Oh, My Lucifer!” Adam screeched. “Yes!”
“That’s so cute! You are courting a demon prince,” Asmos added.
Atlas glanced over at Seb and Ari. They were the calmer ones after all. “What can I do for him? I want to get him a gift. Or take him to dinner or something.”
“We’ll help,” Seb promised. “I know the perfect present you can bring back to him today.”
“You do?” Atlas leaned forward as excitement and relief filled him. “Really?”
“I have a gorgeous flower that my mother-in-law helps me keep up with. I’ll have Ash put one in a pot and bring it over. Just be careful. They bite,” Seb told him.
Atlas laughed but when he looked around at the others, they were all nodding at him.
“They bite? A flower bites?” They had to be fucking with him.
“Hell flower,” Seb said. “Beautiful and dangerous. Perfect for a demon gift.”
“Okay, thanks,” Atlas said sincerely.
“You know what we need?” Ari asked.
“No!” Adam shouted.
“No,” Asmos whined.
“Yes!” Seb danced in his chair. “Research.”
“And a spreadsheet,” Ari claimed. “We will get Bel the best mating gifts ever.”
Atlas looked over at Adam then Asmos. Had he thought that Seb and Ari were the less chaotic ones? Not with how fast they were talking while making plans about where to find the right research materials.
“You did this,” Adam accused. “Now we’ll be getting lists sent to our phones for hours.”
“Days,” Asmos said dramatically.
Atlas shrugged. This was really Bel’s fault. He forgot to warn Atlas about Seb and Ari. Maybe he didn’t know? This could totally work in Atlas’s favor. Or for revenge.
“While they’re distracted, I have a very important question for you, Atlas.” Adam’s tone was sugary-sweet as he batted his eyes toward him.
Every internal alarm bell of instinct was alerting Atlas to be very careful here. “What’s the question?”
“How would you like to become one of my minions? I promise to take care of you, feed you, make sure that you’re always safe and happy. Doesn’t that sound amazing!” Adam clapped his hands as he finished speaking.
“Aren’t your minions usually demons?” Atlas questioned.
“I thought Mal said no more minions,” Asmos said.
Adam waved both of their concerns off. “I’ll sweeten the deal. You can use our pool whenever you want as one of my minions.”
“I don’t think Bel would approve of this,” Asmos told them.
Atlas hummed. “I could just make my own pool at my house using magic.”
Adam huffed. “Stupid magical plane. That is totally not fair!”
“Your minions use their magic for you,” Asmos pointed out.
Adam rolled his eyes. “Not the point. I really want to figure out why magic is so strong and different on Luci’s private plane.”
“Me too,” Atlas agreed.
“You could just ask him,” Asmos offered.
“It would be much more fun to figure it out on our own. Who knows what we can learn. And use to make lives around here even better.”
“I think life is pretty damn good already,” Seb said as he typed on his laptop.
Atlas had to agree with Seb. Life really was pretty damn good. This new life anyway. And the future that was apparently going to consist of him having a demon prince as his mate.
* * * * *
Bel
Sauntering down the street with Atlas by his side, Bel felt like the most powerful demon in the world. They were certainly gaining more attention as they headed for the outdoor café that Seb and Ash had recommended.
His mate, the sweetest boy in the world, had given Bel a mating gift and asked him out for dinner.
A date.
Bel was on a date. With his mate.
“Wait.” Atlas stopped walking before turning toward him. “Are we getting all this attention because of me or you?”
He stepped closer to his mate. “What do you mean?” he asked quietly. Bel wasn’t certain if Atlas knew that most every demon and paranormal in the area would be able to hear their conversation if they wished.
Reaching out, Atlas clasped Bel’s hand in his. “I just realized that you don’t spend a lot of time in this part of hell. This isn’t your private plane. Is there somewhere else you would prefer to go?”
This boy. Bel’s mate. He was concerned that Bel was uncomfortable.
Not scared to be walking around hell. Bel was beginning to think that he might never understand the way that Atlas’s mind worked.
“I quite enjoy the café that we’re going to although it’s been decades since I’ve been.
It was a good recommendation from Ash and Seb. ”
“You’re sure?” Atlas stressed.
Bel moved even closer. One hand in Atlas’s and lifted his other to cup Atlas’s face. “Thank you for worrying about me. I want to continue our date, please.”
Atlas pressed his cheek hard against Bel’s palm. “You’ll tell me if you’re uncomfortable or want to leave?”
“I will,” Bel promised. “If you will do the same.”
“Sure.” Atlas shrugged. “Although I’m still so curious about everything.”
“As long as you don’t mind the demons staring. They are more used to seeing mates and other paranormal creatures around than they used to be. But as a demon prince who doesn’t come around here often and with a new mate, we will be the talk of the community.”
“According to Asmos, we already are,” Atlas teased.
“That is because Asmos likes to start the gossip.” Someone really needed to take Asmos under their thumb and get that boy in line. Not that Bel was sure who would be able to handle the feisty demon without suppressing what made Asmos special.
Atlas laughed then popped onto his tiptoes and kissed Bel’s cheek. “I like my new friends. Thank you.”
Bel wanted to touch the place where his mate had just laid his lips. Instead, he nodded stiffly. “Everyone loves you already.”
Dropping back down onto the flats of his feet, Atlas grinned. “They’re all crazy.”
“I knew you would get along with them,” Bel told him.
Atlas shook his head before pulling on Bel’s hand. They continued their journey to the café but this time hand in hand.
“You didn’t tell me about Seb and Ari. You were going on and on about Asmos and Adam but Seb and Ari are obsessed with lists. I have twelve messages from Seb just since I left him.”
Bel chuckled. “In my defense, I don’t know Seb or Ari that well.”
“I figured,” Atlas said. They paused as three young demons on four legs scrambled ahead of them and into the park. “Kids are the same anywhere, aren’t they?”
A harried demon ran after the kids, calling out to them.
Bel shrugged. “I have spent so much time in the private plane that I can’t really answer that. Most of the residents of my community are the oldest of our kinds. Not many children running around like they are here. I enjoy seeing the younger generations.”
“Look at you getting out more because of me,” Atlas teased.
They crossed the street, red dirt kicking up after their steps, to the outdoor café on the corner.
It was late enough in the day that only a couple of tables were taken by other demons. Bel ushered Atlas to the corner table that would allow them some privacy and was also under a big umbrella. His mate was still getting used to the heat of the realm.
“I am excited to try some food from your realm,” Atlas said as he sat and peered around.
Bel should have thought about that. He’d been feeding Atlas food that the boy would recognize. “We could order a couple of entrées and share so you can try more,” he offered.
“Yes please.” Atlas’s grin pulled a smile from Bel.
The boy was always so happy. Easy to please. No doubt or questioning. He accepted that Bel wouldn’t lead him wrong. It was a heady feeling. “I’ll do the ordering then.”
“Thank you.” Atlas reached for Bel’s hand once again. “And thanks for taking me on this date.”
Bel swallowed hard. “Thank you for asking me.”
“And I’m glad you liked the bitey flower,” Atlas said.
“I hadn’t thought about having a garden of my own. I never really had time. I haven’t seen that flower in a very long time. I will cherish it always.”
“Until it dies,” Atlas said. “Then I’ll get you a new one. I do have a hookup, after all.”
“Given proper care it won’t die,” Bel assured his mate. “But I will accept another one though. You are reminding me of things that I once enjoyed and haven’t thought of for a very long time.” Seeing hell through Atlas’s eyes was refreshing to an old demon like him.
“Good.” Atlas turned his attention to the server who stepped up to their table. “Hello.”
The waiter dipped his head at Atlas then Bel. “Prince Belphegor, you honor us with your visit.”
Bel smiled kindly at the demon. “I am honored to be here. Your café came highly recommended by Ash and Sebastian to my mate.”
The demon turned to Atlas. “Sebastian is a very good customer. He enjoys the mix of food from around the realms. Very adventurous palate that one has.”
Atlas beamed at the server. “That’s what he said.”
The server placed two menus on the table. “I’ll bring you some water and bread. Take your time and let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thank you.” Atlas picked up his menu even though there was no way that he could read it.
The server walked away to check on the other tables before disappearing inside.
“I can’t actually read this,” Atlas confessed. “What language is it exactly.”
“An old demonic language,” Bel replied. He placed his hand on the back of the menu, sharing his magic with his mate. “Tell the magic you want it in American English.”
“Oh!” Atlas responded. “American English please.”
Bel snorted. The boy still spoke to the magic out loud every time. It was cute. On the private plane, Atlas could use magic like it was second nature. Being in hell proper was different.
“They have an appetizer called around the realms that will offer you tastes from here, the human realm, fae, and some others if you would like to start with that,” he offered.
“Absolutely,” Atlas answered. “Even with the language change I don’t know some of these words.”
Bel took the menu from him. “I’ll take care of everything.”
Glancing up, Atlas met his gaze. “I trust you.”
“Thank you.” Bel would do everything in his power to make sure he never lost his mate’s trust.