Page 56 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
"What a day," she breathed, running a hand through her disheveled hair. "And it's not even over yet."
I sat beside her, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her but giving her space to breathe. "We can stay here as long as you need. Your family can wait."
The word "family" made her wince slightly, but she nodded. "Thank you." Her gaze drifted around the room before landing on her luggage in the corner. "Oh! I almost forgot."
She pushed herself up from the bed with renewed energy and crossed to her suitcase, rummaging through its contents until she found what she was looking for. When she turned back to me, she held the protection charm I'd crafted for her in her palm, the carved metal gleaming in the sunlight.
My breath caught. She'd held it to her chest as if it were precious to her.
"You like it," I was unable to keep the wonder from my voice.
Rosie returned to the bed, sinking down beside me with the charm cradled in her hands like something sacred. "Of course I do." Her green eyes, so luminous in the afternoon light, met mine with an intensity that made my ancient heart race. "I want to have it with me all the time."
She held it up, the intricate carvings catching the light. "Could I have it made into a necklace or something? So I can wear it?"
The request stunned me into momentary silence. In all my long existence, no human had ever wanted to keep something of mine close to them, to wear my magic against their skin by choice rather than coercion.
"Aldaine?" Uncertainty crept into her voice at my silence. "Is that not allowed or something?"
I reached out, covering her hands with mine, feeling the warm pulse of her life beneath my fingers. "It's allowed," I assured her, my voice rougher than I intended. "It's more than allowed. It's perfect."
Relief washed over her features. "Good. Because I don't want to be without it." Her fingers traced the carvings. "What exactly is it, though? You never really explained."
I took a steadying breath. This was a moment for honesty, for peeling back one more layer of the barriers between us.
"It's a protection charm," I began, choosing my words carefully. "But not the kind humans typically make. This comes from my realm, carved from a metal that isn't available on your world."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
A chuckle escaped me. "These markings channel that protection, focus it."
"What does it protect against?"
"Other demons, primarily," I admitted. "It marks you asunder my protection. Most would respect that claim and leave you be."
"Most?" There was no fear in her voice, only curiosity.
"There are always those who see rules as challenges rather than boundaries," I shrugged. "But they would think twice before crossing me." The words came out with a growl that surprised even me.
Her fingers closed around the charm, holding it tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, then leaned forward to press her lips to mine in a kiss so soft and sweet it made my chest ache.
I returned the kiss with restrained hunger, letting her set the pace, drinking in the warmth of her gratitude. When she pulled back, her eyes were bright with emotion.
"I keep thinking about what Blackwood said," she murmured, her free hand coming up to cup my cheek. "About contracts and demons. About what you said by the pool."
A flicker of uncertainty passed through me. "Rosie.."
"No, let me finish," she interrupted gently. "I know we need to talk about all of it. About what's happening between us, about this bond you mentioned." Her thumb stroked along my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. "And we will. Tomorrow."
I blinked, momentarily thrown by the unexpected reprieve. "Tomorrow?"
A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. "Tomorrow," she confirmed. "Tonight, I just want to be with you."
The simplicity of the request, the quiet certainty in her voice, undid me completely. This human woman, who had every right to demand explanations, who could justifiably fear the supernatural bond forming between us, instead chose trust. Chose me.
"Rosie," her name was a prayer on my lips as I leaned forward to capture her mouth with mine.
She responded immediately, the protection charmforgotten as she wound her arms around my neck, pressing herself against me with an eagerness that set my blood on fire.
