Page 30 of D'Vaire or Nothing
“That was my plan all along.”
“Which is one of the many, many reasons I adore you. I’ve won again, Owliver.”
“One hundred and fifty credits, you doubled your money on that roll.”
“Exciting stuff until you remember the currency is a single cent.”
“It’s a multi-denomination machine; you can raise it if you want.”
Worth shook his head. “My frugal heart can’t handle it.”
“I’m having heart palpitations just watching you. I understand.”
“Hold me, Owliver. Somehow, we’ll make it through the night.”
Oliver laughed as Worth had wanted and was delighted with the kiss on his cheek. While it wasn’t like Worth to be trivial with money, he considered Oliver’s smiles more than worth whatever funds the machine ate.
Chapter 2
As the ruler of the Demonic Imps—Imperian Paszratorabiel Orxarias-Soriandras—walked into the diamond-themed casino, he smiled. The demon at his side made a humming sound nearly under his breath.
“Someone has been keeping secrets, Paz,” Praetor Sashati Orxarias-Soriandras remarked.
Paszra glanced up at his mate and gave in to the impulse to trace his fingers along the small swirls of red and black Sashati had used magic to add to the base of his jaw.
“Who?” Paszra asked.
A chuckle escaped Paszra as the goblin he’d appropriately named Owl sat up straight in the hood of Paszra’s dark cloak. The goblin was obsessed with reading and used the fabric as a comfy hammock where he could constantly engage in his hobby, no matter where their little family traveled. Near Paszra’s feet, Owl’s other half, Scout, chirped something emphatically to Owl, and the goblin raced down Paszra’s clothing to rest his sneakered feet on the floor.
“Before I get into Paz’s secrets, let’s discuss some ground rules, Scout,” Sashati said.
“Wait, my secrets?”
“Yes, your secrets. But as I was saying, we can’t have goblins running—”
Sashati was interrupted by the arrival of two dagger-toting goblins on skateboards zooming over to their friends. They were chatting excitedly in the little sounds that made up the only language available to them.
Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray was in hot pursuit of the two goblins. The Arch Lich had given them to him on the solstice many years ago. The sentinel grinned.
“Oh good, you’ve found Paszra and Sasha, enjoy yourselves,” Alaric instructed, then turned on a booted heel and stalked away.
“Great, now we have four goblins to prevent from destroying this entire resort,” Sashati grumbled.
“Patience,” Paszra instructed him. He loved Sashati and had once wrapped him in a tight impenetrable shield of magic to ensure no one would ever harm him. “All we must do is ensure they have a way to stay entertained. They will not willfully damage anything.”
Heedless of the conversation between Paszra and Sashati, the goblins continued to converse and even dash around on their skateboards. All except Owl. The book-loving goblin preferred to keep his tiny dark-red feet safely planted on the ground and in his cute shoes.
“How are we going to do that? This place doesn’t really have goblin distractions.”
“So, make some.”
Sashati frowned. “How?”
“You are a strong sorcerer. Figure it out.”
“No matter how long we are together, you remain committed to making me solve puzzles on my own,” Sashati grumbled.
“I would not wish you to grow bored with your ancient mate.”
