Mia
I had no idea who this man was, but if there was one thing I noticed, it was that he was extremely beautiful.
He had light brown skin that appeared very moisturized and chiseled to literal perfection. A silk robe clung to his frame, but parted at the front, revealing a dark crop top and… I squinted. Was he wearing a skort?
Twin short horns were on his forehead, and from behind him where he laid leisurely, a pointed tail waved in a lazy manner.
And he was sooo pretty.
But from the way Xavir dropped to his knees and bowed low, to the way the man’s dark eyes suddenly began glowing with menace, even if the words out of his mouth were teasing, I knew he had to be dangerous.
I stood there stupidly, staring at him while he watched Xavir lower his forehead to the ground.
“My Lord,” Xavir said, his voice far more guttural than usual. “Forgive my slight. I had not expected to see you upon my return.”
“Hmmm.” The man was cat-like in his mannerisms, like a panther ready to pounce.
“I suppose it’s not every day you lot are graced with such beauty and perfection.
” He yawned, and even that seemed practiced.
“Though I must say, having to chase you down has pulled me away from where I really want to be.” He looked to me then, pursing his lips before he whispered, “Between my wife’s thighs.
” He giggled and winked at me, and I stood there, with my flabbers gasted, because what the heck was going on?
As though he was reading my mind, he pushed himself up to a seating position, leaning back against the couch, his arms splayed out along the back of it as he regarded me with curiosity.
“She doesn’t look like she’s kidnapped and in distress,” he mused. “But, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself.”
One minute he was sitting and the next, he appeared in front of me as if by magic or teletransportation. He took my stiff hand in his own and, very gallantly, bent over my knuckles. He didn’t kiss them, but I felt his breath.
“My name is Lorenzo di Morte.” His accent was thick, Latin or Italian, I couldn’t have been sure. But it was charming. He was charming. Even as a fire blazed behind his eyes. There was still something warm and kind about him, even though he radiated power. “And you are?”
“Um… Mia Song.”
“How lovely.” He stepped backwards and shot his eyes towards Xavir, who was still bowed low on the floor. “Come now, Xavir. So formal. Stand up. That position can’t be comfortable for your knees, big boy.”
What the heck was this man?
Xavir slowly pushed himself to a stand, his wings rustling behind him. When he did, he stood as still as a soldier waiting for his orders.
“Now, let’s get down to business.” Lorenzo clapped and disappeared before reappearing on the couch once again.
He crossed one leg over the other and flashed a flirtatious smile.
“I have a needy wife to get back to and I don’t want to be here all day.
So, Mia, let me catch you up. I’m a king of hell.
Surprise.” He made spirit fingers motions with his hands and made a goofy face before it went serious again.
“I want you to know that I’m all-powerful and could probably kick this guy’s ass without even lifting a finger.
That being said, I need you to tell me, full honesty, are you here against your will? ”
He leaned forward, his expression suddenly serious and probing. It made me nervous for some reason, the way he seemed to be searching me for a lie of any kind.
“No,” I answered firmly. “I’m here because I want to be. I… I love Xavir.”
Lorenzo’s expression didn’t falter. “He didn’t coerce you to be here? No blackmail? Torture of any kind? Nothing?”
“No.”
He blew a raspberry. “How fucking boring.” He clapped, then pushed himself to a stand, his long pink robe flowing behind him. “Well, have a nice marriage. Lorenzo is out.” He gave a dramatic twirl and started to moonwalk his way towards the door we stood in front of.
How was this guy bursting and full of energy? Seeing him go from serious to silly within seconds gave me complete whiplash.
“That’s it?” I asked, completely confused with what was going on.
Obviously I knew a little bit from what Xavir told me about the kings and his brothers.
They’d defied orders to find their brides in the human worlds, and Lorenzo was making sure I was okay and hadn’t been kidnapped…
That was sweet, but the situation felt anticlimactic, and I wasn’t sure if I was expecting something more than… this.
“Yah, I’m not about to send Xavir to the Pit to get his bootyhole tickled by demons.
” I must’ve made a face because his hand rested on my shoulder in a gesture of reassurance.
“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. It actually feels really nice.
Anyway, everything is in order here. You’re here because you want to be, you’re married, and everyone is happy. ”
Xavir, who had been quiet, finally spoke up, “You will not punish me, my lord?”
Lorenzo sighed with his hand on the door knob. “What is it with you two? Do you want a demon to fiddle your asshole?”
Xavir cocked his head to the side, clearly as confused as me. “No?”
“You’re missing out. Look, you aren’t being punished.”
“But Nazzar was punished.”
Lorenzo chuckled. “Hell yeah he was punished. He stole my wife’s shit out of our bedroom.
Probably got his rocks off watching me go to pound town on my amore.
You’re smarter than your brothers, so…” He pushed the door open and stepped outside.
“Oh, I almost forgot, if you see Qanek, make sure you tell him that my brother said if he kidnaps or terrorizes any human at all, he’s going to end up dead.
Kane and Ramiel will make sure of that.” Just as quick as the ominous tone had entered his voice, it left and he was yelling out “Toodles,” with a finger wave, before he disappeared in a dark cloud of smoke.
I stared at the spot he’d vacated, feeling like my head was reeling. “He’s a character,” I commented.
“My lord Lorenzo is the kindest of my kings. His compassion is renowned throughout the entirety of the Underworld. He arrived to ensure your safety and well-being and to prove that I had not stolen you against your will. Though I am surprised he spared me punishment when my brother was not afforded it.”
“Count it as a blessing. The punishment sounds…” I didn’t even want to think about it.
“Forgive me if he frightened you, my little flower. Shall we continue the tour of our home?”
I smiled at how safe he made me feel. Lorenzo had startled me, but I wasn’t afraid of him. He had a warm, comforting presence, the same way that Xavir did.
I slipped my hand into his waiting one and smiled up at him.
“Show me our home.”