13 #3
A big problem, feeling any kind of way about the demon in front of me.
The demon I’ll have to say goodbye to eventually when I go back to the human realm for my Ascension.
“What about you?” he asks.
“What do you mean?”
“Would you be interested in the very handsome member of the guard who wanted to talk to you? If it weren’t for the bond, I mean?”
“Very handsome might be stretching it.”
He just shakes his head, like he’s more than aware of how incredibly hot he is and doesn’t see any point in denying it.
“I… might,” I say, and damn me for giving him an inch because I’m sure he’s about to take a mile.
Finn, though, only allows himself a couple seconds of silent gloating before a more serious, contemplative look comes over his face.
“Is there someone waiting for you back in your realm?”
“No.” The possibility seems so concerning to him that I don’t have the heart to tease him about it. “What about you? Anyone waiting back at court?”
This time, Finn is the one to blush. All the way over the high crests of his cheekbones to the tips of his ears.
“Nobody… special.”
I smile at him like the cat that caught the canary. “So, somebody not special?”
His blush deepens.
“Or maybe more than one somebody? Are you trying to tell me you’re such a ladies’ man that—”
“No.” He coughs, clearing his throat. “I just have a lot of… friends.”
“Mmmhmm,” I drawl, turning back to a rack of vials that could use a good cleaning.
“Not that there would be…” he starts, then trails off.
I glance back over my shoulder and watch the conflict play across his face.
He sighs. “This is going to scare you off. I know it will. But I’m going to say it, anyway.”
“Well.” I turn to face him. “That’s not ominous.”
A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve always dreamed of finding my mate.”
“You’re a romantic? Color me surprised.”
“Hear me out before you judge too harshly?”
“Alright.” He looks serious again. So serious and earnest it’s hard to reconcile this part of him with the shameless flirt he was a moment ago.
“I’ve always dreamed of finding my mate, and I take it very seriously that the Goddess found me worthy of having one.”
A sharp pinch in my chest, somewhere dangerously near my heart.
“And I don’t expect it to be the same for you.
I’ve heard enough about the other witches who’ve mated with demons at court to know it doesn’t always feel the same.
But… I just want you to know, I suppose, that no matter how I’ve behaved in my past, I am endlessly thankful to have found you, Soleil, and I intend to show you I’m serious about this. ”
“Won’t all your friends be disappointed?” It comes out a little choked, with how strangely tight my throat has gotten.
What he just said makes me want to bolt.
Maybe.
I don’t know.
I just met this guy yesterday, and he as good as told me he’s all-in on this whole being mates thing.
It should terrify me.
And yet…
There’s something undeniable about the way the magick pools warm and satisfied in my chest.
Stupid mate bond, throwing all my better instincts out of whack.
“They’ll live,” Finn says with a shrug. “Like I said, I don’t have anyone special waiting for me.”
So does that make me someone special?
I don’t say the words out loud, because I’m pretty sure I know what the answer would be and I’m not sure I can handle it.
Not today. Not yet.
And Finn, thankfully, doesn’t seem like he needs anything more from me right now.
“If we’re all wrapped up here,” he says, nodding toward the entrance to the tent. “I think dinner is nearly ready.”
I let out a breath, grateful for the reprieve, and follow him into the deepening twilight.
It really is stunning here.
Night is falling fast, with the sun just barely dipped down behind the tallest of the peaks, but there are torches scattered about the clearing and a big bonfire burning in the middle that throws flickering firelight over the circle of tents.
As we make our way to where a couple of the guards are spit-roasting some sort of game bird over the fire, Finn pulls another question out of thin air.
“Does your name mean something? I don’t know if I’ve ever met a demon who has it.”
I glance up at him, a little shy, though I can’t put my finger on why. “It means sun. My mom is an astrologer—someone who studies the movement of the planets—and she gave me a name that means sun and Seren a name that means star. A little on the nose, if you ask me, but she does love a good theme.”
A wide smile spreads over his face, and it makes him look so much more like sunshine than I’ll ever be.
“Sun. I like it. It suits you.”
I snort. “Sure it does.”
“You disagree?”
I stop walking and turn to face him fully. “I mean, just look at me. Not exactly the picture of bright and happy sunshine.”
“I am looking at you,” he murmurs, gaze searching my face.
His crimson eyes leave little fires burning everywhere they touch me, and I make myself look away.
“Come on,” I say, trying for exasperated but landing somewhere closer to breathless and flustered. “Let’s go get something to eat.”