Chapter Eight #2
Blue eyes, eyes of the gods, focused on him.
“That’s one of the many reasons I’m trusting you with this.
I see your heart. You’d give your life to keep her safe.
Plus, you’re one of my twin’s warriors and all that nonsense.
Yada yada. Whatever.” He pulled an empty bottle from the bag and a bottle of formula.
“This is premixed, so it’s fairly idiot-proof.
She’s up to six ounces.” He pointed out the lines, showing the six. “See. Idiot proof.”
He motioned for Stone to hand Celina to him.
He had never been more torn. It was the devil.
It was her grandfather. He was her devil grandfather.
Stone fought a hysterical laugh. Maybe his mind had snapped.
He passed Celina to Lucifer. Stone watched as Lucifer stole several kisses before pulling a padded thing from the bag.
“I’m about to ruin her day, but you need a crash course.
” He set Celina on the pad and went to work on changing her diaper.
Stone studied every move. This was important to him.
He wanted to take good care of Celina. Stone ignored the way Celina screamed and fought.
He blocked out who taught him what he needed to know.
Nothing mattered but ensuring Celina got proper care.
Lucifer snapped her pajamas back together and passed her to Stone. “She’ll settle down as soon as she’s warm again.”
If Stone stayed focused on Celina, he somewhat forgot he was alone with the king of Hell. “Say you’ve got this.”
At Lucifer’s demand, Stone snapped to attention. “I’ve got this.” The way Celina still cried belied his words. He didn’t know how to stop her from making that sound.
Lucifer held his stare for a minute. It wasn’t comfortable. “Feed her. She’s hungry.”
“On it.”
Lucifer gave him a sharp nod and stole another kiss from Celina. “Papaw will be back later.”
Celina settled down. Her cries turned into fussiness.
The moment Stone worked one-handed to make her a bottle, she calmed.
“Oh, I see how it’s going to be. As long as you’re in charge, then no one gets hurt.”
Celina smiled.
Stone melted. This one little girl really had everyone she met wrapped around her finger. Stone wasn’t the least bit mad about it.
If Lysander hadn’t heard Stone in his head for the past sixteen hours, he would have gone after him sooner.
Another successful Were baby slept in a new momma’s arms. It was a good day.
As always, when Lysander popped onto Frost’s property, alarms sounded.
They were immediately silenced by Leif. Leif nodded his way, but not a single vampire moved from their post. Everyone looked on edge—like they were extra on guard tonight.
With a mental shrug, Lysander strolled inside.
There were no demons on duty. The place was eerily silent.
Stone had asked Lysander to come to him.
While Stone’s thoughts had been strangely blank on the matter, Lysander hadn’t been suspicious in any way.
He hoped the request was a case of Stone missing him.
Now that he was here, something felt slightly off.
There was an odd static in the air that crackled.
It wasn’t magic. It was pure, unadulterated power. Lysander picked up the pace.
By the time Frost’s office came into view, Lysander felt like he had waded his way through the power hanging in the air.
Fairies were extremely strong, but they were also light.
They felt any change in the environment.
A golden glow hit Lysander first. It wasn’t like he needed to shield his eyes, but it was noticeable.
Then Lysander saw him. A golden god with molten swirling eyes.
Black wings draped the floor. Some of the world’s most notorious vampires stood guard over him.
They seemed twice the size of normal vamps.
Unsure of what to do, Lysander gave a small wave.
Frost, Gemini, and Stone sat nearby, looking completely at ease with the huge, winged creature. Audor leaned against the wall right inside the doorway, openly on guard.
“Hi.”
Lysander blinked when the man spoke. He sounded… normal.
The glowing stranger laughed. “That’s oddly nice. No one has thought of me as normal in a long time. We’ve been waiting for you.”
He could read minds. Lysander wasn’t surprised. Everything about him screamed godly power. Lysander eased Stone’s way.
Before he made it, Stone stood. He snagged Lysander by the waist and reclaimed his chair with Lysander on his lap. Stone kissed him. It was a sweet brushing of lips on lips. “Hey, baby.”
Lysander nearly melted at the sugary greeting.
Stone gestured toward the winged beast. “This is King Jonathan.”
Jonathan gave him a nod of greeting and waved toward the men flanking him.
“My mates. Cin and Niall.” He motioned toward two giant Scots and a demon lining the wall.
“Faol, Lire, and Dougal.” Each man nodded at him as they were introduced.
“I’m here with a new-assignment order for Stone.
As his mate, you have the right to be here for any commands he receives. ”
Lysander hadn’t known that, but he appreciated the inclusion.
He looked at Stone to check his reaction since his mind was blank.
Stone loved Wulfe. If asked to serve elsewhere, he didn’t know how Stone would feel.
Lysander wouldn’t exactly love it either.
Their home might be in Faerie, but it was here in Faerie.
Jonathan didn’t leave them hanging for long. He focused on Stone. “Audor has already agreed to step into your role as Frost’s personal guard.”
Ouch. They already had a plan to replace him.
“Celeste recognizes your loyalty and hates to ask more of you, but she’d like—if you’re willing—for you to become Celina’s personal guard when she’s in this realm.”
Lysander’s gaze shot to Stone and then to Frost and Gemini. Frost and Gemini looked unruffled. He hoped they had been consulted. If not, they were obviously fine with the decision.
“It is my honor to serve.” Stone sounded so professional—like the lifelong soldier he was.
Everyone looked at him. Lysander had no clue why. He hadn’t been ordered to do shit, nor did he answer to Celeste. “What?”
A huge smile exploded across Jonathan’s face at his open confusion. His pot-of-gold swirling eyes crinkled in the corners. “Do you give your permission?”
“Oh.” He felt out of his depth. “If this is what Stone wants, I’m fine with it.
He loves Celina and would protect her with his life.
” As Lysander said the words, it dawned on him why he was consulted.
Guarding Celina would be a lifelong high-risk position.
There might come a day when Stone literally died protecting Celina.
He imagined the great-niece of a goddess and granddaughter of a god would be a prize for anyone looking to strike against the heavens.
Even after recognizing why he was being asked to agree, Lysander felt no different.
Stone loved that little girl. There would be no more ferocious guard than Stone. He would support Stone in this.
Jonathan’s smile never dimmed. “I see you, too, are a powerful warrior. Do you know I’ve never met a fairy?”
He seemed very nice. His observation made Lysander smile. “Crazy. I’ve never met whatever you are before either.”
Jonathan and his entourage all laughed. He swiped his eyes as if he found Lysander hilarious. “I’m a Nephilim.”
Well, shit. Lysander hadn’t been wrong about the power thing. Nephilim were born of an angel and human. They were more powerful than most anything in heaven or on earth. An amazing pick to be king, especially if he was as kind as he seemed.
“It’s very nice to meet you. Maybe I can give you and your mates a glimpse into Faerie one of these days.” They looked to be a virile group. He imagined they would enjoy themselves in Lysander’s realm.
“I’d love that.” He stood. “For now, I have to get home. My brother is currently decorating a surprise party that I’m not supposed to know about for my birthday.”
Everyone groaned, including Frost and Gemini.
Jonathan laughed. “Don’t worry. I intend to pretend I didn’t know. You know Tam is horrible at secret keeping.”
Frost stood. “We’ll get Celina and meet you there.”
The group dispersed, chatting the entire way.
Lysander waited until they were completely alone to turn sideways on Stone’s lap. “Everyone’s gone. You can stop hiding your thoughts now.”
Stone looked baffled. “I’m not.” His features cleared.
He chuckled. “Celeste’s request wiped my brain clean.
I guess I still haven’t completely recovered from the shock.
I know you don’t realize it, but this assignment is the highest of honors.
Celeste could’ve chosen anyone to be her niece’s sentry.
This is a massive…” Stone didn’t seem to know how to finish that thought—like there wasn’t a strong enough description.
“Compliment to your character,” Lysander supplied.
“I don’t know why you’re surprised. No one outside of her family could possibly care for her the way you do.
As much as I pray we never find out, I know you wouldn’t hesitate to give your last breath to save her from any threat. You’re the right choice.”
A sweet and slightly embarrassed-looking smile touched Stone’s lips. “I’m humbled.”
“I am too.” Confusion crossed Stone’s features. Lysander didn’t make him ask or dig through Lysander’s mind. “Being blessed with you as my mate makes me wonder why. You’re obviously considered one of Celeste’s most trusted guards. Why would she choose me for you? I’ve done nothing to deserve this.”
Stone’s sexy gaze moved over Lysander’s face.
“I can’t believe Celeste expects anyone to earn love.
You’re my other half. I’m not special. If anyone has no idea why they’re so blessed, it’s me.
You could’ve had royalty as a mate. But we were given each other, and I’m so damn grateful for that every second of the day.
” Stone always made Lysander feel warm all over, inside and out.
It had always been that way from the first moment they met.
“We should go home, don’t you think?”
A wicked smile stretched across Stone’s lips. “Definitely.”
“None of that,” Gemini said, strolling into the room carrying all of Celina’s stuff. “You two are going with us. Guardian and all that. Wherever Celina goes in this realm, you do too.”
Lysander might have been annoyed if he weren’t curious as hell about the king and, apparently, there was a brother too.
Plus, he always enjoyed a good party. Stone and he exchanged a longing look, but they were also equally excited by the opportunity.
They smiled. Lysander scrambled from Stone’s lap.
Everything about life felt brand new since their pairing.
They would savor this blessing together.