4. Chapter 4
Vanth
As a demon, there were very few things that scared me.
I hadn’t broken a sweat when I’d faced down a hell-mouth monster trying to make me dinner.
I’d traveled to realms where the sea was acid and one false step meant I turned into demon ooze.
I’d climbed to the top of a sleeping mountain monster and laughed when he woke up and tried to squash me.
And yet Eden’s glare made me want to run in fear.
“Vanth, explain knotting right now!”
The one advantage to the fear I was feeling was the effect it had on my cock. The unfamiliar swelling at the base was rapidly receding. I’d be able to pull myself free of Eden soon, which was both good and bad.
It meant I’d be able to give her the distance she wanted, but it also meant I would have to give her the distance she wanted.
I brutally suppressed the part of me that wanted to keep my greedy cock buried deep inside her. If I didn’t handle the next few minutes very carefully, I might never get this again.
“You read a lot of romance, right?” I asked. Maybe if I used an example she was familiar with, it wouldn't be as shocking. After she nodded her head, I continued. “Do you ever read any with a werewolf or wolf shifter?”
“Sure, there’s lot of shifter romances,” she said. “Not just wolves. There are lions, dragons, and a lot of others.”
Interesting, I might need to read some of those books.
“When the wolf shifters are having sex in these books, do their dicks ever swell?”
Her eyes went wide, then she started laughing. “Holy shit, I’m being knotted-knotted! I didn’t make the connection because, well, human guys don’t do that, and I guess I assumed neither did demons. Now that I’ve experienced it, I can 100% recommend it. 10 out of 10, would do it again.”
Her humor made me chuckle as the fear left my body.
By now my dick had deflated enough that I was able to slide out of her. We both let out a little gasp at the sensation.
I sat back and she did too. We were still staring at each other through the mirror. “Snuggles?” I asked.
She nodded and basically flopped down face first. She said something into the pillows that might’ve been, “Best Halloween ever.”
I laid down next to her and then gently urged her to roll to her side so we could spoon. Having her curled up against me felt right, as if I'd been missing this my entire life and hadn't known it. I waited for several minutes before broaching the next difficult topic.
“There’s more to the knotting thing than just making the sex good,” I said.
“Oh? Are you going to tell me you're a shifter demon?”
The image made me smile, despite my nerves. “No, nothing like that. Um, so, about those novels. Do any of them ever talk about fated mates?”
She nodded her head. “Of course. The idea of soul mates is so romantic. It’s too bad it’s not real.”
“Not real for human-human relationships,” I said. “But most of us non-humans spend our lives looking for our mates.”
“Including demons?”
Her tone sounded much too neutral, as if she was trying hard not to reveal anything. Was I already scaring her off?
I tried for a factual tone. “Yes, we have fated mates, among demons or other species. My cousin is mated to a gorgon. He’s immune to her special magic but if I look into her eyes, I get to find out what statuary feels like.
I have to wear special glasses when I visit or he spends all evening de-stoning me. ”
She didn’t laugh. Not even a little chuckle. Damn it, I was fucking this all up.
I wasn’t surprised when she sat up and turned to face me. Grabbing a blanket, she wrapped it around her shoulders, covering her nakedness.
She was frowning at me. I was terrified of what she was going to say next, so I tried for a distraction.
“Are you hungry? I could get some food. I cleaned out several bakeries, delis, and one small restaurant. Yuri approved of all the choices, and he has great taste. I swear it’s all very good.
I also have wine, or beer. If you want something else it wouldn’t take me long to pop over to your realm and get it for you. ”
She held up a hand, quieting my vomit of words. Heart sinking, I shut my mouth and waited for her to break my heart.
“Did you tell me about all that fated mates stuff because you’re trying to let me down gently?” she asked.
I blinked, confused. “Huh?”
“Are you trying to tell me you had some fun but I shouldn’t expect anything else from you?”
My mouth dropped open. “Why would I want to say that? I knotted you. That means I never want you to leave!”
It was her turn to look confused. “What?”
“Demons only knot with our mate,” I explained, bracing myself for her anger.
“Now that it’s happened, we’ll be addicted to each other.
It’s a demon thing. Once we’ve found our mate and knot, we create a dependency.
We can spend time apart, but we’ll always have the urge after some time to search the other out. ”
“You’re telling me that we’ll be together forever because you knotted me?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
She tilted her head. “What do female demons who pick another female do?”
I laughed. “I just told you we’re fated mates, and that's what you want to ask me?” She grinned and nodded. “Female demons have a knot too, but that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
Her eyes widened. “You can’t leave it there.”
“I can and I will,” I said. “I don’t want you leaving me for someone else. Female demons are the most beautiful creatures in any realm, except for you.”
She blushed a little and wrapped her arms around my neck. “So this is real? You, this place, and us?”
“It’s all real,” I whispered, pulling her into my lap.
She smiled and snuggled me. “And we’re fated mates. You think I’m beautiful and will love me always.”
“I don’t think you’re beautiful,” I objected with a little frown. “I know you’re beautiful. Unequivocally. Anyone who thinks differently is simply blind to what beauty is.”
She blinked rapidly. “I love you too.”
“Thank all the magic that fated mates exist,” I murmured. “Otherwise I’d never have a chance with someone like you.”
I pressed my lips to hers. This time the kiss wasn’t passionate, it was more about comfort and companionship. I loved all our different types of kisses.
It was hard to believe, but I was going to have a lifetime to explore all types of kisses with Eden.
Yuri’s voice sounded through the library's door. “Vanth? Eden’s friends are worried about her. You should probably bring her back out.”
I ended the kiss to respond to Yuri. “We’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“Okay, but if you take too long, I won’t be responsible for what Nan does,” Yuri said, with a clear warning in his voice. “She’s now the love of my life, so you're not allowed to do anything to her.”
That made Eden chuckle. “I’m happy for them, but we need to hurry. Nan won’t give up until she sees me.”
Grabbing under her arms, I lifted her up so she could stand, then I got to my feet. “I’ll help you with your costume.”
She chuckled, looking around. “We’re going to need to find it first.”
That’s when I saw a little scaly tale disappear under the desk along with a bit of shimmering material.
“The mandrake has it,” I said, letting out a frustrated breath. “She loves sparkly things. We’re probably never getting it back. I’m so sorry.”
Instead of getting upset, she looked intrigued. “Mandrake?”
“It’s a small species of dragon,” I explained. “They’re about the size of a little cat. There are several that nest in my castle. They’re always stealing shiny things, but usually it’s my silver pens or the odd gem. I didn’t think they’d go after your costume.”
She laughed. “I want to meet one of them eventually, but for now we’re going to need to figure something out. I can’t go out there naked.”
I held out a hand. “Think of an outfit. Concentrate on every detail, and I can create it for you.”
She placed her hand in mine. “Even my mermaid costume?"
“Yes, but it won’t be exactly the same. It should be close enough that no one notices.”
“You saw it. Can’t you recreate it from memory?”
I laughed. “I was too busy being nervous and excited over the fact you were here. I only remember the general outline of the thing.”
“We should probably pick some other costume,” she said. “Nan helped me sew some of the tale and she’s got an eagle eye for detail.”
“Then imagine anything, and I’ll create it.” I was eager to show off.
“Okay, but I’ve got a pretty good imagination.” She closed her eyes, frowning slightly as she concentrated.
I focused on her, feeling for what she was projecting. An image formed in my mind.
Oh, my adorable human was trying to challenge me! I wouldn’t fail her in anything and certainly not in something this simple.
Summoning my magic, I prepared to impress her!
Eden
If I thought I was going to throw Vanth with my costume request, I was mistaken.
The next thing I knew, I was covered in heavy fabric.
With his hold on my hand, Vanth slowly twirled me around so I could see myself in a free-standing, full-length oval mirror that I swear hadn’t been there a few seconds ago.
True to my imagination, I was dressed in a gorgeous, crimson and gold Elizabethan gown. Garnet gems were sewn into the bodice with strings of garnet beads going from shoulder to shoulder.
When he stepped to the side so I could see his reflection also, I found that he was dressed in a matching doublet.
“It’s perfect,” I said, admiring the jewels sewn into his doublet. “Let’s go show off to everyone.”
He gave me a broad smile. “As my queen wishes.”
I smirked. “Let’s see how good you are at charming Nan.”
The door to the library opened without anyone needing to touch it and we strode down the hall as if we really were royalty.
Hell, maybe Vanth was demon royalty. He lived in a castle, that had to mean something.
When we got back to the foyer, there was a platter of food floating around from guest to guest. I came to a stop, eyeing the platter.
“That’s Grumlum” Vanth explained. “He’s one of the ghosts that lives here.”