Page 58 of Hers to Keep

“No one knows why they didn’t step in when the Forest Lord was deposed,” Ashdei added.“Since it was what had created the imbalance in the first place.Whenever I asked, I was met with silence.”

“I wondered that too.For a time, I thought for certain they would come and render judgment on Basilio and the others.They should have been first in line to free me.But they never came.”Dohal tilted his head in thought.“My capture and the banishment of the Old One were not something that should have been tolerated under the balance they so often tout as their guiding principle.They must have had an ally who convinced them not to intercede.”

“Vincent, maybe?”Mari offered into the heavy silence that followed their revelations.

Dohal settled back on his haunches.“Perhaps.It could explain why he lingered here so long after your father’s death, even while you were pursuing him.My power would have protected him too.”

Mari rested her forehead against his nose.“I’m sorry for everything that has happened to you.I wish I could take some of that pain.”

“You do, bavi,” he rumbled low.“Every time you touch me.Every time you smile.You mend a little bit of that rend in my soul the same way you did my body.I will never be whole after what they did to me, but I can abide.”

“Okay.”She kissed his muzzle and let the matter rest.It was enough that she helped him however she could.“Do you want a phone so you can join the group chat with the rest of them?”

“I cannot use the same devices you do because of the innate electric current of my magic, but your house witch believes an acquaintance of hers can make adjustments and provide something for me.”

“You and Giselle seem to be getting along rather well,” Mari said with a smile.She was glad members of the household were welcoming the new additions.She’d expected no less, but the confirmation eased her mind.

“She and I spend a lot of time together in the early mornings.I don’t require sleep, and she arrives before the sun to do many of her preparations for the day.And while I don’t eat, I find the process of making baked goods quite pleasant.”

She blinked.“You’re helping her bake?”

“When I saw how much you enjoyed her morning pastries, I wanted to learn.So far, my contribution is mostly limited to mixing and kneading, but I find the idea that you get sustenance from something made with my hands incredibly satisfying.”The pleasure he derived from that was obvious in the warm tone of his voice.

Her dragon was the sweetest.She wrapped her arms around his head and pressed her face to his warm scales.“I love you.”

He started slightly and then nuzzled into her.“You are everything to me, and I look forward to finding every opportunity to prove it.”

“Do you need more time in the mountains today?”

“I am restored.You need not worry.”Magic pulsed through him as he triggered the change back to his other form.His body condensed and shifted until he stood before her in his human guise, gloriously naked.

She jumped up into his waiting arms and claimed his mouth in a fervent kiss.

Behind her, Ashdei snorted.“Show off.”

Dohal broke away from her kiss and leveled an assessing look at the demon.“Thank you for guarding her this morning.”

“Of course.I’m here to protect her above everything else.Our contract still holds.”

Mari glanced back at him.“Is there a reason not to nullify it?”

“Aside from that I don’t want to?With it in place, my allies in the Hells must come to your aid should something happen to me.”

The offhanded way he said it made her heart lurch.“You mean if you die.”

He shrugged one shoulder dismissively.“It’s an extra layer of protection for you in the worst-case scenario.”

She grumbled.“I hate it.”

Moving closer, Ashdei placed a hand on her back.“I have no intention of dying.I’m enjoying my time with you too much.”

Mari reached for him and pulled him into a quick kiss.“You’d better not.I don’t want to have to find you wherever you are and drag you back to me.”

Ashdei chuckled.“If anyone could figure that out, I believe it would be you.”

The way he looked at her warmed her entire body.She let out a long breath.“Okay, I need both of you to stop being so damned tempting before I forget that Cisco wants me to himself today.”

Grunting, Dohal smoothed his hands over her ass and turned with her in his arms to head for the house.She managed to talk him into stopping at the pool house for one of his long skirts before he shocked half the household, but only barely.

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