Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
MORGANA
Irealize I’m still tipsy, but I’m also worried about my young, fearless polar bear. Lucas has all the brash bravado of his age and still hasn’t quite figured out that he can’t just rush into things without considering how devastating it would be to Liam and me if he gets killed.
Not that this time was his fault, but I am tired of shit trying to harm my cuddly mate.
Settling on the edge of the couch with a little wobble, I glare as Rogue cackles at me. Kat cringes, both at the near-miss and at my frustrated expression.
Luckily for all of them, the men haven’t deigned to pause their argument about what holiday movies we should watch.
The demons of Discordia obviously know little beyond what Kat has discussed with them, while the surface dwellers have a more extensive catalog in mind.
I don’t care what they pick; however, I’m definitely interested in what we get to eat.
It needs to happen soon for a multitude of reasons, and I’ll weigh in when that comes up.
Inside the prince’s suite, the air has gotten hotter than it was in the corridor.
Seven men—a veritable menagerie—cluster around the suite’s coffee table and the fancy seating.
They’re all exuding ‘alpha’ dude energy except for my injured bear and the lion carrying the baby phoenix.
I think that’s simply a function of what they’re doing right now.
I chide myself immediately for thinking ‘alpha’ means a damn thing about how men behave despite my knowledge of how real men behave.
Taking care of yourself or a baby doesn’t make a guy less manly—it makes him more because he’s not toxic and gross.
“I think we need to deal with dinner now that our ladies are among us,” Damon says as he looks at me, Rogue, and Kat. “The others will be starving if they’re using a lot of magic to do whatever.”
“There’s a smart one,” I murmur as I wink at him. “Rogue picks them well. But I agree, even if we have to go back to Kat’s room to make the food.”
“Babe, you hate cooking,” Lucas rumbles. The polar bear is running on half empty, yet he still looks at me like I invented gravity while trying to ensure I don’t have to do things I don’t enjoy.
It’s not hard to see why I fell into his trap so easily, nor why I didn’t fight being mated to him.
“No way.” Oriel looks at us as he pauses in picking at his black nails.
He’s perched on the edge of a chair, tapping his feet on the cushion.
“I am not crowding in that kitchen to start things when KK is worn out and tipsy. Plus, Salem’s off with the others.
He’ll lose his mind when we fuck his shit up. ”
Xerxes arches a brow and then they smirk at the crow demon, as if they know a secret the rest of us do not. “Interesting that you are certain Kat can’t help us figure it out.”
Oriel rolls his eyes. “The girls have been drinking, dipshit. KK doesn’t have a big tolerance, as we all know, and Salem left them crunkle-food. Don’t be a pain in the ass.”
I watch them do a little dance of eyebrows at one another, and it piques my curiosity. There’s definitely something going on with her, and those two know about it. I can’t figure out if one or both were involved, but they’re knowledgeable about certain things.
Archie is sitting cross-legged on the floor holding the baby sling with the phoenix hatchling in it. Javi is watching us all, golden eyes like two amber jewels, as he chews on Archie’s index finger. I make eye contact with the lion shifter, and he grins before he tosses his opinion into the ring.
“I’m definitely hungry. I bet Javi and the little ass-kicking rodent are, too. We have too many shifters in this room not to get this shit done soon. Let’s try to stay on target, hmm?”
Slash—the demon in Kat’s group with the most BDE in the current group—finally pushes off the doorjamb to look at our motley crew.
He was pretending not to listen to the arguments, but his eyes never left Kat.
His primary concern was her, and now he’s entering the fray because he wants to ensure someone is making sure she’s taken care of.
I like that; he’s grounded and thinks of her first. It doesn’t mean I’ve changed my mind about that behemoth being her first ride, obviously, because he’s a monster.
Rogue fans herself briefly as she grins at the chaos.
I’m not surprised she enjoys it, but I’m glad when she shouts, “Everyone shut up! We have to work together on this, so movie talk, flirting, and grumpy men shit needs to fuck off until we get it done. If no one else is gonna say it, I will. Put them away, gentlemen.”
“We will order from DormDash,” the shark demon says with a finality that offers no opportunity to rebut his decision. “Oriel is correct in his thoughts about Salem’s kitchen and our ability to produce enough food to feed the masses, without destroying the order and cleanliness of the space.”
Kat looks at the big guy with a smile that tells me she’s so very hung-up on him already—whether she knows it or not. “I liked that pizza place. Plus, it probably has a big enough menu that everyone can get things they want, right?”
The younger Gemini blinks and looks surprised. “You guys can get Purgatory to deliver here? If so, hell yes, I’m on board. Their shit is fucking baller.”
Lucas leans forward, his eyes on me as he murmurs, “I want protein. Whatever has a shit ton of meat on it. I need to load up. You can decide for me, Lady M.”
I smile, nodding at him. “Me too, babe. I ate some snacks, but they’re not enough for me either.”
Oriel jumps in as he looks at the others. “Hellfyre chicken wings are not optional. And we can’t forget the Brimstone-fired cheesy snacks. KK hasn’t had those yet.”
Rogue tilts her head as she looks at the demons. “Anyone got a menu for this place? I’d like to see it before I place an order.”
“We need birdseed, or at least, like, something Javi can eat. Do you have things phoenixes can eat, Kat?” Archie says as he looks at the small girl sitting in the prince’s chair as if it’s her own.
She grins. “In our room, I have things Salem makes for Dottie that I’m pretty sure that screaming rooster can eat. We’ll get them both some. If not, we’ll try some leftovers from our snacks to see if he tolerates them.”
I wave my hand, nodding towards Rogue. “I agree with her. I have to order for myself and some that aren’t here, so I’ll need to look at the listings to get it right.”
Xerxes grins, walking over to the desk area to rummage for a moment and then makes a victorious sound when they find a tablet.
“Here we are. I think we can pass this around so the new folks can decide what they want. I know Annie and I will share a Hell Veggie triple extra large pie with the usual additions, Slash.”
The big man arches a brow. “You will do the ordering, Xerxes. Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t… navigate devices that are not mine, and you know it.”
The cobra demon blinks and covers their mouth. “Shit, man, I’m sorry. Obviously, I know what you want, so we’re good there. KK, do you know what you’d like?”
She shakes her head, walking over to where I’m waiting for them to bring me the menu. “I’ll look with Morgana, if that’s okay. Last time, you guys ordered before I got out. I’d like to see options since it was so tasty.”
My lips curve up as I watch the Discordia demons light up with pride when she’s able to state her needs without apologizing to a large group.
They’re definitely working their cute asses off at helping my friend find her voice without pressuring her.
“I’m happy to share with you, Kat. Rogue, too.
Sit with me, and we’ll see what this amazing place offers. ”
Kat gestures for the tablet, and Xerxes hands it to her with a fond smile. “Just tap that icon with the horns and tail, yeah? Then you and the ladies can decide what works. I’ll use my phone to take the order down in my Dash app.”
She gives them a shy smile back and then turns to me as she does as instructed. “Okay, Morgana. Let’s do this.”
As Kat scrolls, I notice the food has mostly familiar things as types of entrees and such, but I’m unsure about the items that are being used in it.
Hopefully, she can answer my questions, or one of her guys will chime in if I ask.
I don’t know what the shit the difference between ‘Black Cow’ meat versus ‘beast meat’ is anymore than I could name different hockey sticks if Lucas asked me.
Damon comes up behind us, studying alongside our group. “Can we get a second order of the wings? I think Ang and I will enjoy them; we like spicy food, and I’d bet Oriel is going to go to town on them if he asked.”
Oriel flips him off, but I can tell that it’s good-natured. “Probably get like four, X. They’re a fave.”
Xerxes murmurs affirmatively, and I go back to the list. Frowning, I lean in to whisper to Kat. “This meaty pizza thing is probably good, but I’d say we need at least two of the biggest size. I’m hungry, and so is Lucas, plus the dragon.”
She snorts, shaking her head. “No, based on our last order? I’d say we get five triple XL-sized ones. X, did you hear that?”
“On it, KK.”
“We need one with seafood-type things for Slade. Iggy will eat it with him.” When everyone looks at me, I shrug. “He’s not a fish, and he grew up in a seaside gang on the west coast. Slade likes seafood, and Iggy has been his roommate for years, so he does the same.”
It takes a bit, but Rogue, Kat and I work through the weird toppings and various dishes until we have an order that will take a fucking van to deliver. When we’re done, I grin at her conspiratorially. “I think you just made your first ‘in-charge’ move with your jokers. Way to go.”
Her face heats and her eyes dart to the crow, who seems to know the second she lays eyes on him. His eyes twinkle with merriment, and her blush deepens.
I could be incorrect about the whole ‘first in-charge moment’ thing; they’ve got a vibe.
Now that we’re done ordering, the room dissolves into micro-conversations.
Archie is trying to get Javi to stop biting his finger, Rogue playfully shoves Damon off the back of the couch, Lucas tells Slash about how he once ate an entire walrus, bones and all, and Xerxes snarks at Damon about royal shit versus gang royalty shit.
I like way more than I should have given that we will eventually part ways.
I stretch, walking over to the window on the far wall so I can stretch my colossal frame.
The world outside is dark and imposing, with the lights of the campus blurring into the fog.
I see the lights of what I believe is that arena they’ve spoken of and, far beyond, the orange burn of what I suppose is the exit to campus into Hell proper.
As I turn back, I take note of what’s going on now that I’ve moved.
Slash approaches Kat without warning, holding his hand out for her to stand. She does, and he leads her away from the couch. “You survived,” he says.
Kat looks up with a proud grin. “I did, and it was very good. You guys were right; I like these women as friends.”
It’s rude to eavesdrop, but it’s not like these people don’t know about supe hearing.
“Your behavior is much less beleaguered than before. I am pleased with your efforts, little demon.”
She turns red again, murmuring, “Thanks, Daddy Shark.”
I almost snort, but he shakes a finger at her reproachfully. “What did we say about you spreading that silly name? I will not have Oriel and Salem mocking me at every turn, even if it is satisfactory to hear you say it somehow.”
Kat laughs, this time her lips curving into a much more flirtatious grin than I’ve seen yet. “But I enjoy ruffling your fins as well, Slash. You have the best reactions to things, including how much you just protested yet I saw your chest puff up.”
Slash shrugs, his expression unrepentant. “It is true that my shark and my demon find that… interesting. However, it should not be for public use. They do not appreciate others hearing it, I believe. Perhaps you may use it in our private sessions only?”
She tilts her head, twisting her mouth as she whispers, “Aye, aye, Daddy Shark. Just you and me.”
That makes him choke and sputter before he purposefully walks away. I see Kat snicker, and it makes me think again that she’s hiding something. Whatever it is, it’s given her a shit ton more courage.
Rogue flounces up to me as I scan the room for clues. “So,” she whispers, “is the plan to get everyone wasted or just full of carbs? Because I can’t imagine them serving this food without some sort of drinks.”
“Whichever keeps them all from eating one another is fine by me,” I whisper back.
Rogue snickers. “So, are you gonna forgive Kaspar anytime soon, or what? No one complaining about him being a dick has to be an improvement, right?”
“Maybe. Let’s see what the reports from the others say when they return. He’s been doing better since another body dropped.” I shrug as I look at Lucas chatting with Archie. “Those two get along like long-lost bros. After we figure shit out, they’ll definitely have to hang out.”
“You’re right, but you’re lying about your dragon.
The professor too. I think you want your whole family.
” Rogue leans against my shoulder, then tilts her head.
“You’re kind of an inspiration to Kat and me, you know.
We haven’t had good female role models, obviously, and you’ve got your shit together pretty well,” she says, so quietly I almost don’t hear.
I grunt, then feel my face go hot. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a fucking mess. No one looks up to me; in fact, they mostly scorn me up there.”
Kat walks over, studying us for a second. “Uh-oh. Serious talk. What’s up?”
“Rogue says you two can use me as a role model, and I said she’s full of shit.”
The newly emerged supe beams at me. For a second, her anxiety drops away, replaced by pure, feral joy.
It’s so contagious, I can’t help but smile back.
That’s when she says, “Fuck yeah, we can. You’re a survivor, a brave person, and you don’t take people’s shit.
You are a good role model, and I’d be okay with that. ”
“Told you so,” the Fae says with a snicker. “Now you’re stuck with us, Lady M.”
Oh, that’s just fucking fabulous—I have groupies now, and they’re much more fragile than me.