Page 11 of The Demon's Sinful Serenade
"Setting shit on fire sounds like a good time." She leaned forward on the couch, watching me move back into the bedroom. "So, he's off doing... what exactly?"
"Royal business." The words came out just a touch more bitterly than intended. Trying to soften them, I angled my body and jangled the shoddy window latch while giving her a ‘see, I was right’ stare. She conceded the point she had never made with a grimace. "Kaz and his mate spend their days playing nice with the ifrit court. Diplomatic crap."
"That bothers you."
I glanced back over my shoulder to find her still watching me, head tilted. Too perceptive by half.
"Things have been different since Kaz became the ifrit king," I admitted, surprising myself as I worked a screwdriver into the stripped screw. "Clan dynamics are shifting."
River shifted on the couch, curiosity flickering across her face. "You two are close?"
I nodded, focusing on securing the window latch rather than meeting her eyes. "We've known each other since we were kids. I punched him in the face the first time we met."
I could practically hear her eyebrows trying to merge with her hairline. "And he didn't have you executed or whatever royal kids do?"
That pulled another laugh from me. "Nearly. My family was visiting the Kadhan compound. We were young, eight or nine. The brat was showing off for his friends, talking shit about outsiders. I took exception."
"Naturally. So, you decked royalty."
"Seemed like the thing to do at the time." I shrugged. "He admitted to provoking me, which saved my family from consequences. But that's Kaz—responsible and oddly fair. I've had his back ever since."
"And now he's king and you're..." She gestured around the cottage. "Here."
"Here," I agreed. I finished with the window latch and moved back to the living room, double-checking what work had been done and still needed doing.
River watched me, fingers idly stroking the neck of her guitar. "You miss him."
I grunted, not wanting to admit how much I felt left behind. "It's the job. Duty comes first."
"The best friendships adapt," she said, thoughtful. "Poppy and I went through phases where we barely talked for months when I was on tour. But whenever I came home, she'd have my favorite cookies waiting, and we'd pick up right where we left off." She tucked a blue curl behind her ear. "Different doesn't mean worse. Just... different."
"Pretty wise for a rock star." I turned to study her. She sat with her legs tucked underneath her, framed by sunlight streaming in from the kitchen. Beautiful. Vulnerable. Mine.
An ache pulsed in my chest. My mate. Here, now. And in danger.
Your flames will burn brightest in the shadow of death.
Fuck prophecies and witches who toyed with fate. I'd never give up. Never.
"I write songs for a living, remember?" She grandly swung an arm over her guitar. "Gotta get philosophical sometimes, or they all end up being about sex and heartbreak."
"Those sell better anyway," I assured her. "Plus, the ones with blood and gore. And always add fire. Humans love a good fiery apocalypse."
"True." She laughed, the sound bright in the quiet cottage. "But the philosophical ones win awards." And she returned to her guitar, fingers dancing across the strings as I continued securing our temporary fortress.
CHAPTER FOUR
RIVER
"After you." Zane held the door to One Hop Stop open, his golden eyes scanning the interior even as he gestured for me to enter.
The familiar scent of hops and cedar hit me as we stepped inside, mixed with the usual chatter of early evening regulars. Vanin looked up from behind the bar and nodded in our direction. A few patrons turned to watch us pass, but most were absorbed in their drinks and conversations.
"Straight to the stage area," Zane said, his voice low and close to my ear. "I need to do a sweep around the place. Check for anything unusual."
"Yes, sir." I gave him an exaggerated salute, complete with a heel click. "Any other orders? Roll over? Play dead?"
His gaze traveled slowly down my body, then back up, the heat in it making my skin tingle. "Let's save the obedience training for later."
