Chapter 24 #3
"Take your time," Ashland's voice replied, sending a shiver down my spine.
As if I’d take my time, knowing what was coming. When I opened the door, he filled the frame with his imposing presence, ice-blue eyes taking in my damp state. The energy between us crackled with unspoken tension.
"We need to talk," he said simply.
I nodded, following him into the adjacent sitting room. The space felt smaller with him in it, though maybe that was just the weight of everything unsaid between us.
"So," I started, perching on the edge of an armchair. "Are we doing the awkward 'you tried to spy on us' conversation or the 'surprise, we're mates' talk first?"
His lips twitched. "How about we start with 'I'm glad you're not dead'?"
"Always a good opener." I tried for humor, but my voice caught. The last few days hit me again, the fight, the spirits, Asrael's final moments.
Ashland moved closer, kneeling in front of my chair. "Palmer." Just my name, but the way he said it made my chest tight. "Look at me."
I did, meeting those impossible eyes. "I never meant to betray you," I whispered. "Any of you."
"I know." His hand found mine, warm and steady.
"You were a weapon aimed at us, but you chose to lower your blade.
That means something. It's so easy to take information as fact, especially when the person feeding you that information wanted us to be the villains, but you're your own person.
You made your own conclusions once you actually saw everything. "
"That's the thing, from almost the start… I knew you weren't what he said. The more I got to know you, the more I started doubting. But Ash, everything I felt was real," I insisted. "Is real. Even before I knew about the mate bond—"
"I know that too." His thumb traced circles on my palm, sending sparks of awareness up my arm. "You proved it when you fucking followed us to another realm and stabbed Asrael. You came for us. You chose to protect us."
"You’re mine," I said softly, and then with more conviction when he raised a brow, almost daring me. "You're all mine now, too."
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. "Are we? Say it again."
My breath caught at his tone. "You're mine," I repeated, stronger this time. "All of you. The leaders of The Exiled, the demons who run Port Black, mine."
He surged forward, capturing my face between his hands. "And you're ours. No more divided loyalties, no more secrets. Just us."
"Just us," I agreed, leaning into his touch. "Though 'just' seems like an understatement when there are six of you."
His laugh was low and rich. "Seven, counting you. Our fierce little witch who commands armies of spirits." He paused and smirked. "Though I have to admit, watching you tear apart a demon lord was possibly the hottest thing I've ever seen."
I snorted, some of the tension easing. "Talon said the same thing. You're all a bunch of violence-loving freaks."
"Says the woman who commanded vengeful spirits to exact justice."
"Touché."
We shared a smile, and for a moment I could almost forget the weight of everything that had led us here. Almost.
"What happens now?" I asked quietly.
Ashland's eyes darkened. "Now? Now we claim what's ours, properly and completely. If you're ready."
The possessive note in his voice made my belly flip. "I'm ready," I breathed. "I want this, want you. All of you."
He stood, pulling me up with him. "Then let's not keep the others waiting." His hand cupped my cheek one last time. "Let’s get you to the ritual room.”
I didn’t even get to release a squeak before we were spinning through the air for a second, and I stumbled slightly as we materialized in what had to be the ritual room, Ashland's strong hands steadying me before I could face-plant. "We could’ve just walked, you ass!” I slapped him in the chest, and he chuckled.
“A little warning next time?" I grumbled, but the words died in my throat as I took in our surroundings.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
The chamber was massive, perfectly circular, and absolutely breathtaking.
Crystalline formations jutted from the walls like frozen lightning bolts, each one pulsing with an ethereal blue light that made the whole space feel alive.
Ancient runes were carved into every surface—the walls, the floor, even spiraling across the domed ceiling in intricate patterns that made my head spin if I looked too long.
But what really made me do a double-take was the two king-sized mattresses placed dead center in the room.
They were draped in black silk sheets that practically begged to be touched, and piled high with what looked like every blanket known to mankind.
Faux fur, velvet, cotton, silk, a pile of textures upon textures, creating the most inviting bed I'd ever seen.
"Are those... decorative pillows?" I asked incredulously, counting at least twenty scattered across the beds in various sizes and shapes. "You demons have decorative pillows?"
Ashland's chest rumbled with amusement behind me. "Talon insisted. Something about 'setting the mood' and 'proper feng shui,' whatever the fuck that means."
I snorted, imagining my chaos demon carefully arranging throw pillows. "And the buffet? Expecting to work up an appetite?"
Because yes, there was actually a full spread of food and drinks set up along one wall—fruits, cheeses, chocolates, and what looked suspiciously like several bottles of very expensive champagne on ice.
"You'll need to keep your strength up," Ashland purred in my ear, making me shiver. "This isn't going to be quick."
As if I could get any more turned on, but somehow, his words did it. Focus. I forced myself to take in the rest of the room. The runes were fascinating, unlike any I'd seen before. "These markings... they're for protection?"
"Among other things." His hands settled on my hips, warm through the thin robe. "The room is warded against outside interference, and the crystals help channel and amplify power."
"For the mating ritual," I breathed, watching the blue light pulse stronger, almost in time with my heartbeat. "And... for bringing Jasper back?"
"Yes." His grip tightened slightly. "It's never been done before, combining a demon claiming with resurrection magic. The power required..."
I turned in his arms, meeting those impossible ice-blue eyes. "I can handle it. We can handle it."
His expression softened for just a moment before that wicked smirk I loved took over. "Oh, we know you can handle it, little rabbit. The question is..." His hand slid up my back to fist in my hair, tilting my head back. "Can you handle us?"
My breath caught at the possessive heat in his voice. "I think you know damn well that I can."
"Mmm." He released me suddenly, stepping back. "The others will be here soon. Last chance to back out."
I rolled my eyes, already missing his touch. "If you say that to me ever again, I swear to gods, I will summon every spirit in a ten-mile radius just to kick your ass."
His laugh echoed off the crystal walls. "There's our fierce little witch." His eyes raked over me, making my skin tingle. "Though I have to admit, I'm looking forward to seeing just how fierce you can be."
"Keep talking like that," I warned, fighting a smile, "and we might not wait for the others."
The air crackled with tension between us, and for a moment, I thought he might actually take me up on that threat. But then the familiar sensation of a portal opening rippled through the room, and I knew our private moment was over.
Time to see what these demons really had planned for their little rabbit.
The air shifted as my demons materialized one by one, each arrival making the crystals pulse brighter.
Felix appeared first, his hands already stained with what looked like ritual ink.
Then came Talon, practically vibrating with excited energy while holding two large shopping bags, followed by Rhodes, who was carrying an ancient-looking tome.
Misha's massive form took shape last, various ceremonial items clutched carefully in his huge hands.
"Where's Jasper?" I asked, noting our spirit's absence.
"Here." His voice whispered through the chamber as his form shimmered into view, more solid than I'd ever seen him.
"Now that we're all present," Rhodes began, his scholarly tone making me smile, "we should discuss the procedure—"
"Boring!" Talon interrupted, earning himself several glares. "Before we do all of that, I have some items here I’d like to present to my mate.” He grinned widely as he ushered me over to an empty table, placing both bags on top. Taking my hands in his, his face fell.
“What’s wrong, Talon?” I asked, suddenly concerned.
He squeezed my hands and met my eyes. “Normally, for an event such as this, I would’ve put in a lot more planning and work.
Now I fear I might’ve rushed things, and I really, really wanted this throw pillow that matches that dark purple one over there, but in hot pink.
” He dropped my hands and stormed over to the purple pillow in question.
He held it up as though it was the most offensive thing he’d ever come across, and then chucked it over his shoulder.
“We don’t make that in hot pink, sir.” He bounced his head back and forth while using the most mocking tone possible.
“Fucking hell, he’s crashing out,” Jasper stated but without an ounce of worry in our bond, so I wasn’t too concerned. But still, Talon needed to be comfortable.
“I love dark purple.” He threw an incredulous look my way and stood stiller than I’d seen him in a while.
He was stressed. For as much as he loved chaos and spontaneity, he loved doing his best to impress more.
“And I love all of this, Tal. Now,” I said, reaching for the bags, “show me what you got me.”
His eyes lit up immediately, that manic energy returning as he snatched the bags before I could peek inside. "Close your eyes, Bun-Bun!"