Chapter 31 Onyx
ONYX
The next week flew by, one thing after another annoying Onyx to no end. Why couldn’t the world leave him alone? He had a mate, and every minute he wasn’t strapped to his bed at Nico’s mercy was a waste.
Admittedly, the Orlovs had been dealt with, and that was worth taking the time away from bed to sort out. Rowan, Nico, and Valac had taken care of the brunt of it, with Onyx’s supervision. Emmett hadn’t been given the option to flee. Onyx had seen to that personally.
Michael, Nico’s other problem, had been taken care of along with the vampires.
Apparently, he’d come back to Shearwater Landing under the impression that Nico had taken up with his ex-girlfriend, and had broken into Nico’s apartment looking for an item to use to track his ex down.
After that hadn’t worked, he’d joined the Orlovs, since Rowan and Nico were mutual enemies, and their plans had turned to poison.
Onyx hated that Nico hadn’t come to him when he’d been in trouble, but he understood. That would never happen again. They had each other, and Nico didn’t have to put on a brave face or spare Onyx his troubles.
Luc hadn’t popped up. Onyx felt like a fool for believing his brother wanted to repair their destroyed relationship. Maybe everything he’d said had been to grease the wheels of his escape, garner a little sympathy, and avoid the prison Onyx, Ash, and Dante had built for him.
Nico said to give Luc time.
Onyx checked the mail as he entered his building, finding a letter.
He’d been at the gallery, meeting with Jade, whose name was actually Fiona.
With their initial meeting concluded and the gallery in Scott’s care, and Harper and Ash looking after The Herb Emporium for a few days, Onyx hoped to have Nico and the loft to himself for at least forty-eight hours without interruption.
He carried the letter upstairs and threw it on the entryway table. “Where’s my mate? I’m lonely.”
Nico chuckled from a seat by the window. He had a book on his lap and a bourbon in his hand. “I’m right here, little butterfly.”
“Good.” Onyx hurried over, his heart fluttering.
He hadn’t doubted Nico would be waiting as he’d promised. Nico was dependable and would reassure Onyx that he wasn’t being abandoned whenever he needed.
“You do realize I’m going to have to return to work eventually. Having the shop closed after I got poisoned was necessary, and I need these next few days off, but I’m not ready to be a kept man.”
Onyx perched on Nico’s lap. “I should hope not. You’ll have to stay occupied while I’m at the gallery. Scott hates having people underfoot.”
Nico buried his face in Onyx’s hair and inhaled. “We can’t upset Scott.”
“No, especially when he’s lining up a cat adoption for me.”
Nico pulled back. “What?”
Onyx pouted. “I’m getting a cat. You’re very important, but I need someone else around when you’re back at your apartment. As much as I hate to admit it, Dante might be onto something with animal companions.”
Onyx wasn’t actually keeping Nico prisoner as he’d fantasized, and they’d decided not to move in together yet.
Nico hummed. “I figured you’d lurk in my window while I was at home. Not get a cat to fill the void of my absence.”
Onyx playfully nudged Nico’s shoulder. “Dick. I’ve got a life. And soon, a very cute cat.” He paused dramatically. “You aren’t going to get scared on me, are you?”
“Brat,” Nico growled, affection flooding the bond. “I should teach you not to tease me.”
“Oh, no.” Onyx raised a hand to his forehead. “Not a lesson. Don’t spank me. My poor abused bottom can’t take it.”
They dissolved into laughter, Nico hugging Onyx close.
Fuck, this was it right here. Life didn’t get any better.
Onyx caught his breath. “I love this. Being with you is so damn addicting. Is it horrible that I keep thinking something is going to ruin it?”
“No. It’s scary to get what you want because it can be taken away. I get that. Why do you think it’s so hard for me to ask for help? Before you, I was afraid to rely on someone only to lose them, so I made myself manage without.”
Onyx cupped Nico’s cheeks. “Are you worried I’ll get taken from you?”
For a flash, concern lined Nico’s eyes. “I was when you were captured by Valac. But that’s behind us. He’s spreading the word that Lucifer can’t reimprison anyone in Hell, and that you never supported what Lucifer did. No one is coming after you again.”
It was true. Ren, Pamala, and her companions were also getting the word out about what had happened in the courtyard, and demons seemed to believe the story when it came from varied sources.
Luc had been stripped of his power. The Hounds of Hell no longer existed. Soon, everyone would know they had never been loyal dogs. Onyx, Ash, and Dante were guilty of no more than trusting Luc in the initial fall, same as any of them.
“No one is coming after you either.” Onyx poked Nico in the ribs. “Though none of your adversaries stand a chance against me. I’ll turn anyone who crosses you into dust.”
Nico didn’t laugh as Onyx expected. His forehead wrinkled. “Killing vampires and witches and sending them to the Realm of the Damned isn’t the same as permanent death, I know that, but it feels wrong leaving them alone in Hell.”
The abandoned magical souls had crossed Onyx’s mind, too. “It can’t be helped as long as the Eternal Realm bans all magical human souls. Who knows, maybe they don’t mind having the place to themselves. I could ask Luc if I ever see his miserable face again.”
Nico squeezed him. “Patience, little butterfly. He might surprise you, and if not, I’m here for you. Always. But why would you ask him about the souls in Hell?”
“When he disappears like he did in the courtyard, he teleports back to the Realm of the Damned.”
Nico’s brows raised. “He goes back down there?”
“It’s a good place to hide and not be bothered. None of us would willingly follow.” Onyx would hate the emptiness more than he hated everyone being stuck there. Did Luc?
“Can’t argue with that.” Nico kissed down Onyx’s neck, banishing his melancholy.
Onyx arched his spine. “That’s more like it. Tell me to shut up about Luc more often. I need your mouth on me instead.”
Nico reached under Onyx’s shirt and tugged on his nipple piercing. “Tell me what else you need.”
“Please don’t!” a panicked voice groaned.
Onyx and Nico spun around. Ash, Dante, Harper, and Ollie stood in the open double doorway.
“Excuse me!” Onyx sputtered. What the hell were they doing here?
Harper’s cheeks went bright red. “Sorry. Ash said he called.”
“He called, and I ignored him.”
Nico chuckled softly in Onyx’s ear.
“We brought food.” Ash held up several covered containers as if that meant anything.
Onyx set his fiery glare on him. “I didn’t ask for food. Nico is about to eat me, so unless this is turning into an orgy, we’re good. You can all leave.”
Harper went even redder, and Ollie coughed. Ash and Dante remained unfazed.
You didn’t hang around someone for three and a half thousand years without ending up a some of the same sex parties. Though Onyx would be the first to admit it had been forever since the three of them had been in a situation like that.
“Whatever you’re thinking, I want details later,” Nico muttered.
Oh, that wouldn’t be a problem. Onyx couldn’t wait to show Nico off in the right setting and have a little group fun. Not with these fools, but perhaps at the right club.
The bond told him Nico’s feelings were similar.
“We’ve hardly seen you all week,” Dante complained, coming closer rather than leaving.
The audacity!
“Can’t you take a hint?” Onyx hissed.
Nico pinched him.
“What?”
Nico cocked a brow. “We talked about this.”
Onyx sighed dramatically, dropping his head back. They had, and Onyx appreciated everyone coming to see him, even if the timing could have been better.
Ash waltzed over to the sitting area and made himself at home on a couch to unpack the food.
Harper perched next to him, turning to Onyx. “We can go if we’re intruding.”
Damn, the little witch was too sweet.
“You’re never intruding. I like you.”
Harper beamed, and Onyx went all fuzzy inside. Nico too. Seemed everyone had a soft spot for Harper.
Ollie joined Harper, squeezing onto the couch, and Dante gazed out the window. “Lovely view.”
“Pssh. Whatever.” It was nothing compared to Dante’s view from the clifftop.
Dante turned around, sounding offended. “I’m serious.”
Damn it, he was being kind. Of course, he was. This was Dante. Onyx swallowed his next remark, muttering, “Thanks,” instead.
Dante perched on an ottoman and accepted a cupcake from Ash.
Looking around at them all in his sacred space was surprisingly soothing.
Nico had suggested to Onyx that, if he was willing to give Lucifer a chance, maybe his relationships with Ash and Dante could improve too. Onyx had agreed. They deserved the chance more than Luc.
Onyx prayed he wasn’t opening himself up to more hurt, but in this moment, he could believe Ash and Dante were here because they wanted to be. Not because Onyx had forced himself on them, and no one appeared at risk of asking him a favor.
Ash cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for accusing you of betraying us.
” He focused on a sandwich rather than Onyx, but sounded genuine as he picked at the crust. “You’ve never done anything to hurt me or Dante.
You’d never choose your brother over us, and you always wanted the four of us to get along. I shouldn’t have forgotten that.”
“Yeah, well, it was na?ve wanting the four of us to stick together all those years ago, and no better hoping anything will come of Luc’s apology now. I’m surprised you’re not telling me off for giving him a chance.”
Ash scowled. “I’m trying to say I’m sorry, not tell you off. I was out of line before. You can give Luc a chance to change if you want. I’m not telling you what to do. You’re allowed to do your own thing, and I can do mine without thinking what you’re doing is wrong or taking it personally.”