Page 137 of Demon's Bane

“And on that note,” Allison says, cheerful again as she addresses her mother. “I have two more conditions for the demon realm maintaining relations with the coven.”

“And what would those be?”

There, in the High Priestess’s expression, where I might have only expected to find exasperation, is a thread of something that looks almost like pride, a hint of amusement as she regards her daughter.

“A better glamour for Rhett, one that actually looks like him this time. And the coven’s assurance that he has full permission to live here in this realm with Joan. If that’s what the two of them want to do.”

I startle a little at that, surprised the queen is including my mate and me in her terms. Joan seems less surprised as she huffs a laugh and squeezes Allison’s hand where they’re still linked between their two chairs.

“And one more thing,” Allison continues, looking at me this time. “A job for you. If you want it.”

“An emissary,” Eren chimes in. “Between our court and the coven. We need someone who has knowledge of trade and can move through both our realms to help guide these uncharted new waters between us.”

“It wouldn’t be a full-time gig,” Allison hurriedly assures. “More of an on-call thing, so you and Joan wouldn’t be apart every day, but we thought it might be a good middle ground as you get used to your new life here.”

Nowthatdoes surprise my mate. Her gaze bounces back and forth between Allison and Eren before turning toward me.

“What… what do you think?”

“I think it’s a very generous offer.” It’s the only response I can give with the way my throat has thickened and a knot of gratitude has settled itself squarely in the center of my chest.

It’s a wonderful offer. A middle ground, one that will let me find some new purpose that will do both our realms some good.

“Think on it,” Eren says, clapping me on the shoulder. “And enjoy some peace and quiet with your mate before you decide. We’ll be happy to hear your answer whenever you’re ready.”

I manage a nod, and when I glance down at Joan, she’s beaming up at me with a smile that looks like dawn and springtime. New beginnings for us both.

“Witches in the demon realm, demons in ours,” Esme says quietly, studying the demons and witches in front of her. “An interesting future we’re creating.”

“One we’ll make together,” Allison says, just as quietly, and the glimmer of pride on Esme’s face is unmistakable this time.

“Well,” Joan says, clapping both her hands on her knees. “If that’s all you need from us…”

Esme gives her a wry smile. “I’ll send word by quill when the new glamour is ready, but yes, I suppose my daughter and Eren and I have more we should discuss in private.”

“Great.” Joan stands, relief clear in her tone for having an excuse to leave. “Then we’ll get out of your hair.”

“See you soon?” Allison asks.

“You know it,” Joan answers with a smile.

Out of Esme’s office, down through the warren of hallways and staircases, out the front doors into the sunshine and fresh air, I take my first full, deep breath as we leave the coven hall behind.

When we’ve made our way down the front drive and through a set of large, wrought-iron gates, Joan stops in the middle of the path and tips her head up toward the sky to let out a peal of laughter.

Unable to help myself, I draw her to me and lean in to taste some of that joy and relief on her lips.

“Did that really just happen?” she asks, breathless.

I kiss her again instead of answering, letting everything I’m feeling pour through the magick of the bond between us. In the press of my lips and the steady band of my arms around her, in my own deep chuckle of satisfaction when she lets me lift her into my arms.

“It did,” I murmur into the kiss.

Joan sighs into me, and the surreality of it all settles around us.

This life. Our future. Everything that’s happened and everything still waiting for us in this realm and the demon realm, in years and decades ahead. A beautiful impossibility spreading out before us.

“Come on,” Joan says finally, pulling back from the kiss and beaming at me. “Let’s get out of here.”

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