Page 28 of January Blues
“Yes! And we can petition the kings and queens to grant your mate the same exemption. We just need you both to be recognized at court!” I nearly landed on the floor when he jumped up from the sofa we had been sharing. “We should do that now.”
“Your Highness, you have dinner plans. Your son’s friend, remember?”
Mori looked sheepish. “Sorry. I just want to fix things for you.”
“Thank you, Sir. We could go in the morning. I’m sure it can wait another day.” Toth offered. I’m sure he would have preferred to head straight to the royal court and get out of his contract, but he was putting me first. He was making it all too easy for me to fall in love with him.
Still January 20th
Toth
Isilencedmyphonefor the hundredth time as we entered Cody’s apartment. His father looked at every tiny detail of the place as Cody took some clothes into the bathroom to get changed into. I’d packed for a few days just in case and had showered and re-dressed before we left the demon realm.
With us returning to my realm and the hotel after dinner, I had decided to leave Hela behind. Not a popular decision. Both my mate and my pet were sulking with me at being separated for even a short time. While I was grateful they had bonded so well, I did wish they hadn’t.
“His home is small,” Mori said quietly as Gregori stood watch by the door.
“I believe he had a much larger apartment, but he sold it when he began working. He didn’t want to rely on his family’s guilt money.”
Mori’s lips twisted into a tiny smile. “He’s a good boy. I feel his good intentions and his growing feelings for you. Treat him well.”
“I’d rather end myself than hurt him. The deal my master brokered was awful. I fought against myself. I wanted to be free. Hated causing Cody any pain. I just didn’t understand why at first.” Mori’s hand landed on my shoulder. We were all in our human forms, horns gone and ears back to their rounded human sized look. “I’m just grateful fate gave me him as a mate,” I confessed. Mori squeezed me, his attention quickly averted by his son.
Like the rest of us, Cody had decided to dress up for the meal, wearing a suit that Damon had picked out for him. His friend had great taste. The gray wool clung to every lean muscle and curve. The silk lined jacket and waistcoat hugged him perfectly.
“Behave,” Mori growled.
I gave him a look of mock innocence as I mentally undressed my mate. To be fair, it looked like Cody was stripping me of my clothes in his mind, too.
“Newly mated, Your Highness. They can’t help it.” Gregoris began ushering us out of the door. “Let’s go or we will be late. We don’t want Mori to miss dinner. He gets hangry.”
Cody and I shared a look. Like my mate, I didn’t understand the bond his father had with his guard.
Damon stood from where he had been waiting for us as he saw Cody approach, my mate walking slightly ahead of us, walking fast in his excitement to see his friend. “Damon!” he called.
“Hey, sweetness. Who are all these handsome men?”
The assassin was interesting to look at. It took more than a passing glance to see the beauty in his features. He played them down with carefully applied prosthetics, contact lenses, and makeup. When I’d watched him and Cody before, I’d seen him in a mix of all of them. Today he was giving us a glimpse of what I was suspecting was his real face. His nose and pale blue eye color were his own. He didn’t appear to be wearing any cosmetics.
He pulled Cody into a tight hug. “I missed you, cutie. All okay?”
“Everything is great,” Cody assured him as he turned, keeping an arm around his friend. “This is my mate, Toth.” I held out a hand for him to shake. Damon took it, but pulled me into a hug.
“Look after him, please. He needs a lot of love,” he whispered into my ear. I nodded my agreement.
“This is my father, Mori and his guard, Gregoris.” Cody pointed to the two in turn. Mori offered a hand to Damon, who took it and shook it firmly. A strange expression flitted over Mori’s face, but as usual, he was quickly distracted.
“Guard? Are you important in the demon realm?” Damon asked.
Gregoris chuckled, but left Mori to explain. The man blushed. “A little.”
“A little? Care to expand on that?”
“Damon, leave it,” Cody begged.
“Is he mafia or something, sweetness? I don’t want you getting into danger.”
Then Mori laughed. “No, nothing like that! I just didn’t want to embarrass my son. He’s still getting over the idea himself.” Damon looked confused and a little annoyed. I hoped he wasn’t carrying weapons because Mori would get a knife to the eye, judging by his glare. “I’m a prince. So is Cody now. My family have agreed to that. They just have to meet him to put in the final approval.” Damon frowned and Mori hastened to add. “Which they will. His horns are magnificent. His wings will carry him far once he learns to fly. He is a fine demon and I’m proud to call him my son.”
