Page 15 of King's Obsession

They had almost reached the riverbank when Asmodeus said, “In all this time I never realized you were such an exhibitionist.” There was a pause before a deep belly laugh burst out of him, and as Dougal joined in, he figured his mate really didn’t mind.

“The trees always applauded. They think we make a very powerful and passionate couple.” With excellent reason, because it was the truth.

It was after a late supper that Dougal dragged the elephant lurking from the corner of the room into the middle of it. Asmodeus had enjoyed his time in the forest. They’d made love again, against another tree, to tumultuous leafy applause. Asmodeus even gave a little bow, and Dougal couldn’t stop laughing. It was the sort of day Dougal had dreamed they could have—magical.

Except, he couldn’t forget that his mate was the king of the demon realm, and he knew Asmodeus would never forget it either. He just wasn’t bringing it up, and any time Dougal mentioned the party Asmodeus was going to hold, or anything related to his mate’s life in the other realm, Asmodeus found a way to change the subject.

“So,” he said slowly, tracing his hand down Asmodeus’s chest. They were sprawled across Dougal’s couch. “When do you think it would be a good time for me to go to the demon realm?”

Asmodeus’s muscles went rigid under Dougal’s fingers. “I am hosting a party in your honor. We will go then. I will present you to everyone in my realm.”

“Hmm, I’ve been thinking about that, and while I think the party is a wonderful idea and a great honor, don’t you think it might be helpful for me to visit the realm before the party? It would help me gain my bearings, you could show me your private quarters…” he trailed off, hoping Asmodeus would take the hint.

“We could do that.” Asmodeus fidgeted and then settled. “Only then people there would see you before I’ve made my proclamation about you being my blissful one.”

“I think that would be a good thing.” Dougal rolled over onto Asmodeus’s chest, smiling into worried eyes. “I could meet a few people. I don’t imagine for a second that you fill your living space and offices with hundreds of demons.”

Asmodeus shook his head.

“Meeting a small number of demons would give us an indication of how they’re going to respond to my presence in your life. Easier to handle than at a huge party.”

“They will accept you. They will have no choice because I am king.”

“And that’s not a kingly thing to say at all.” Dougal teased. “People respond better to ideas when they’re introduced to them gradually, at least in my experience. I’m also someone who likes to know the ins and outs of my surroundings. The demon realm is going to be a new place for me. I want to know where the bathrooms are, if your bed is as comfortable as it looks, and if there are places I can go for a quiet five minutes if the party gets too loud. Maybe find a couple of allies there who won’t object to my presence in your life.”

“You have three demons who are allies already, as well as the king of the realm firmly on your side.”

“That is all very true, but I’m curious about your realm. Surely you can understand that. I know you want to keep me safe, and that warms my heart. But our fear,”—he stroked Asmodeus’s neck—“it’s a shared fear, and I know that. I can feel that. The only way we can get past it is by facing your realm together.”Preferably without a thousand demon eyes watching while I get used to the place my mate calls home.

It was as if Asmodeus’s dark eyes were boring into his soul, but Dougal didn’t break their gaze. He had nothing to hide. Asmodeus needed to learn Dougal could protect himself and watch his mate’s back, all at the same time, and Dougal knew that realization could only come on the demon realm. Asmodeus had protected his forest already.

“Very well. We will go. I will share my private living space with you, my blissful one.”

“Aww, there’s no need to be so formal about it.” Dougal popped a quick kiss on Asmodeus’s nose. “Let’s do this.”

Chapter Nine

Dougal

He immediately missed the trees. The moment Dougal’s body reformed in Asmodeus’s realm, it was clear no one gave a shit about greenery. The room they had landed in was cozy enough. Dougal recognized it as Asmodeus’s sitting room. He’d often spied on his mate through the stone, sitting alone in the dimly lit room, staring at the fire which never seemed to need replenishing or ever went out.

“I don’t like the cold,” Asmodeus said, who must have noticed Dougal looking at it. “I like to watch the flames dance.”

“The flames have a life of their own, for sure.” Dougal looked around. “I have seen you in this room so many times and never imagined I might stand here one day. I dreamed about doing it but never imagined it would happen.” He wrapped his arms around himself and rubbed up and down his arms. “You don’t have trees here, do you?” It wasn’t a question. Dougal couldn’t feel any of the light and brightness of his forest.

“We have trees,” Asmodeus said grimly. “They don’t tend to the light like yours do.” He waved his arm around. “Well, this is it. This is my living space. That door there,”—he pointed to a huge black door to Dougal’s right—“that leads to my waiting room, and further on from that, is my reception office and the personal staff. The waiting room is where I see solitary demons or small groups who have something they want to complain about. My throne room is for more organized group and family protests.”

“Are all the walls and ceilings black?” Dougal glanced up. Admittedly, the ceiling was so highly polished he could see their reflections in the marble, but it was all black. “That could be why you feel this room is so cold.”

“They used to be gold in my father’s time. I changed them when he died.”

All right then. Enough said about that.Dougal closed the small distance between them, wrapping his arms around Asmodeus’s waist. His mate was like a statue, frozen, as if he wasn’t sure how he was meant to act, and yet Dougal had seen his mate through the stone ruling his realm for centuries. “Give me the mini tour,” he said with forced cheer. “I showed you off to the trees earlier today. Now it’s time to show me your realm. Show me the areas that mean the most to you.”

Asmodeus

The nerves would not let go of his stomach and the knots grew painful with each gentle nudge his troll gave him.

See what happens when I listen to you, he bemoaned to his human half, who was in his absolute element and still tickled pink at the playful side of their blissful one.

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