Chapter 33
Carly
Seth had opened a portal to the nearest piece of land the second we’d gotten news that Emmett had fished Desmon from the ocean floor, heart still beating but not breathing, and Liam, Seth, and I had run through it.
I was now pacing a trench into the sand as Mateo stomped on Desmon’s chest with his lion paws, trying to pump the water out of his lungs.
“Come on, you idiot, breathe!” he growled.
Eamon had conveniently disappeared the split second he saw Seth; the demon still held a grudge against all wizards. That left Emmett and Gunnar facing off against Gillisandra, who looked like she was ready to set everything on the tiny island on fire.
“Cheater!” she screeched. “You have a stake in the outcome. You aren’t allowed to help.”
“I only jumped in after he found the artifact. That’s perfectly legal. You’re just upset you couldn’t cheat him out of the win by slitting his throat after. Not very sportsmanlike, Gilly.”
The bitch had tried to kill my mate after he’d already won?! I stopped pacing and turned to glare at the dragoness, suddenly really wishing my magic was stronger and less passive. If I could, I would have formed a lightning bolt and speared her up the ass with it.
Desmon still lay on the ground in his dragon form, limp and unresponsive. I swear, if he didn’t wake, I’d spend the rest of my life hunting this bitch down. If she was forced to take a hundred-year nap, I’d slit her throat myself as she slept.
Gillisandra puffed out a jet of steam, then charged at Emmett, only to bounce back off an invisible wall. But it clearly wasn’t Seth who’d made it: the wizard looked just as surprised as any of us when it happened. The hairs on my arms prickled, and I felt a chill despite the tropical night air.
Before us appeared a demon. Not like Liam or Eamon. One much more powerful and ancient. He towered over even the dragons, and his presence was so overwhelming it was nearly impossible to breathe. This must be the Gamemaster Desmon spoke of, the demon that had set up this whole competition.
“Gamemaster! I would like to report a cheater,” Gillisandra said, as she recovered from smashing against the invisible wall.
The demon ignored the dragoness. Instead, he raised his hand high in the air and announced in a booming voice so loud I wondered if they heard him on the other side of the planet, “I declare Desmon the winner. This competition is finished.” He reached out a massive hand and touched Desmon, whom Mateo was still trying to revive.
Desmon instantly coughed and sputtered, spitting out one last mouthful of water before sucking in a breath of air.
“Desmon!” I immediately ran to him, not caring about his proximity to the Gamemaster.
It would take a lot more than a powerful demon to keep me from my mate. I wanted no part of these stupid games that nearly cost me the love of my life. When we got home, I was going to tell Desmon he couldn’t participate ever again.
“No!” Gillisandra yelled. “Emmett cheated! He charged in and got in my way.”
The Gamemaster peered down at the dragoness like she was no more than a speck of dust. “Emmett only appeared on the scene after Desmon obtained the final artifact. He had already won.”
“What about that shark?”
“I had my demons follow it. It was not Emmett or a shifter with superior intelligence. There is no rule against encouraging a dumb beast to join the fray. It could have attacked either of you. I have spoken. You have until sundown today to prepare for your sleep.”
And then he was gone, leaving no trace except for the slight smell of brimstone.
Desmon was in his human form now. He looked confused. “My mate. Why are you here? It is too dangerous—”
I shook my head. “The competition is over. You won.”
“But the artifact—”
“Is here.” Emmett held up an anchor. Then he turned to Gillisandra. “Better get prepared for your long sleep. You wouldn’t want to leave any of your wards unset. You have made a lot of enemies.”
With a huff, Gillisandra leaped into the air and flew away.
“An ordinary anchor? That’s the artifact?” I asked, dumbfounded. It didn’t look like anything special to me.
“None of the artifacts had any real value aside from being part of the competition,” Desmon explained. He turned me to face him. “But today, I have won something infinitely more important than any artifact in the entire universe.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I have won a life with you!”
I didn’t wait for him to kiss me; I pulled him down and kissed him hungrily instead. And just like every time we’d touched before, we got carried away and became lost in each other. It was hard not to, when he oozed such masculine sensuality.
The loud sound of a throat clearing stopped us. “I hate to break it up,” Liam said, “but I don’t think here on the sand is a particularly good spot for that type of activity. Unless you like getting sand all over your junk. Don’t ask me how I know.”
He had a point.
Desmon turned to our friends. “Thank you, everyone, for all your help. I promise there will be a big bonus for everyone.”
“We didn’t do this for the pay,” Mateo said.
“I know.” Desmon put a hand on Mateo’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Mateo grinned, then said, “But I’ll gladly take a raise!”
Seth stuck up his hand. “Me too!”
Mateo looked like he wanted to give Desmon a hug but held back. Seth, on the other hand, didn’t hesitate. Then I gave Mateo a little shove, and he awkwardly pulled Desmon into a stiff one-armed side hug. Well, it was a start. I’d wager that Mateo hadn’t been hugged much in his life. And by Desmon’s reaction, neither had he.
“Carly and I still have several nights left at the villa,” Desmon said to Seth. “But I’d prefer to spend some time at home with my mate. Why don’t you and Liam take a Hawaiian vacation? I’ll extend the booking for another week.”
“Thank you. I do need some R and R after all that.”
Seth looked visibly older from over-taxing his magic, and it suddenly had me wondering if he used magic to keep himself looking perpetually young.
“Let me do one last thing for you, though.” He waved his hand, murmured a few words, and a portal appeared. “There you go. Enjoy your staycation at home. And congratulations on your big win.” He turned to me. “I hope this whole thing doesn’t scare you away. Welcome to the family.”
I grinned.
Emmett approached, and Desmon quickly moved to place himself between us.
“Congratulations on your mating,” said the other dragon. “Your human and monster allies have impressed me. I’m glad I placed my bet on you.” He looked at Seth and Mateo thoughtfully. “Perhaps I should adopt a few lesser beings as well. Farewell for now, brother. I’ll see you in a few decades.”
Then he walked off into the darkness.
It was only now that I realized Desmon had been, inadvertently or not, treating the two of them like sons. Seth’s father was an asshole, and Mateo had none at all. Desmon had stepped in and offered them both guidance, disguising it as employment. But it was clear they didn’t treat him like a boss. Those “I’ll take a raise” comments were starting to sound like two boys asking for more allowance to me.
Both of them seem to have near unlimited access to his home, except for his lair on the top floor. Seth dropped in anytime. Mateo had lived there for years. And according to Elana, he still sometimes showed up for dinner.
I didn’t think Desmon or Mateo recognized their unusual dynamic for what it was, though Seth probably did. He was perceptive. But I sure as heck wasn’t going to mention it. I didn’t want Mateo or Seth calling me mom, even as a joke. And I could totally see Seth doing that.
It wasn’t long before I was in the big tub in Desmon’s bathroom, soaking off all the salt and sand. My mate was in the water with me, and everything felt…right. The ordeal was over, and we could finally relax.
“I think I’ve had enough adventure and excitement to last me a lifetime,” I said as I settled back against his broad chest.
“I promise, life with me isn’t usually so stressful,” he said, nuzzling the shell of my ear. “Most of it is pretty boring. That’s why we have the games and competitions.”
“Yeah, about that,” I said, putting on my best stern school tour leader voice. “You’re banned from ever participating again.”
“How about betting?”
“No!”
“Aww. But I guess it’s worth it if it means I can have you instead.”
“Flatterer.”
“Back in the cave, you told me to tell you I loved you again after everything is over. Well, it’s over now. And Carly, I love you. You are my world, my everything. The only treasure I truly need.”
Warmth radiated through my body from his words, searing through me like dragon fire. I inhaled and then dissolved into a sob.
“I love you too,” I managed before happy tears filled my eyes. “I’m so glad I spilled coffee on your pants.”