Page 23 of January Blues
“Well, that’s okay. We can buy a place in Northarbor for when we’re here. We have my castle and farm in my realm. That is if I’m still here—“
Cody froze. “Castle? Buy a house? Toth?”
“If I can get out of this deal with my master, I thought that maybe—“
“We’ll get back to the deal and you leaving in a minute. You’d split your time here and there?” He pointed down, as if that was where my realm was located. We didn’t live in the earth’s core. It was another dimension, much like the elven and fae realm they had created. At one point, it even had a name. Unfortunately, it was long forgotten. Many had taken to calling it hell like the humans had.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, but I’d need time to arrange things on the farm. My orchard will need tending. As half demon, you’d be able to come and go as you please, certainly easier than me. You’d never be trapped.”
“Wow! I love the idea of being on the farm. Do you keep livestock or just grow crops?” He looked eager to leave and see it. It warmed my heart that he could find joy when life had been kicking him.
“A little of both.”
“So we could visit here, because I have responsibilities with an orphanage and the soup kitchen.” He deflated. Hela butted her head against his chin for more scratches. “That’s what I wanted the promotion for. That way I could direct the charity funding towards those causes.”
“We can find a way to help them together. There are things we can donate from the farm to the soup kitchen. In my realm, there are many of the same animals and plant species.”
“Really? You’d be willing to help?”
“I’d do anything for you.”
Cody’s phone rang with a call a few hours later. I’d let Hela’s true form out for a while so he could see her full majesty. The pair were very taken with each other. It settled my mind over our fast bonding. Nothing this good could be a bad thing.
“It’s Saint Helens, the orphanage.” He answered, putting the call on speaker. “Hello.”
“Mr. Valentine,” came a clear male voice. “Reverend Paul here. We wanted to talk to you about the recent development in your status.”
“My status?” Cody echoed.
“Yes. Now that it is widely known that you are at least part demon, we cannot have you involved with this institution.” My mate’s face fell at the brutal words.
“But—“
“We are aware you were attempting to increase our charity funding from your former employers. As a goodwill gesture, they have agreed to your proposition. So we thank you for helping the children. Unfortunately, we cannot have you volunteer here. We cannot be seen to allow demon influence around the vulnerable children. Again, we wish to thank you. With your help, life will be much easier for the next few years. However, publicly, we cannot have you here. I do hope you understand.”
Tears made their way slowly down his cheeks. I muted the call while he sniffed, unmuting so he could speak. “I understand,” he muttered and ended the call.
Hela wound her way around his legs, then reached up her paws to his waist, asking to be picked up. He tried but couldn’t lift her.
“Let some of your demon side out,” I suggested.
He closed his eyes, opening them as his horns appeared. Dark orbs glittered at me. Cody tried to pick Hela up again, hoisting her easily into his arms, where she purred happily and fluttered her wings in his face. “Hela!” he spluttered, shoving at them. She merely ducked her head, rubbing it along his arm. He still looked sad while he attempted a smile.
“Let’s go visit my farm.” I suggested out of the blue, surprising myself and Cody.
“Really?” His entire face lit up.
“Yes, I’m sure there are things for me to do. We can’t go into the castle—“
“Why not?”
I quickly explained about the contract and being locked out to an increasingly indignant Cody. It was cute how he wanted to defend me. I’d get my revenge on Basil. Austin I was going to leave for Damon. Austin may have won this round, but I’d win the war. He’d broken my Cody’s heart, and for that, he’d pay.
“Maybe, while we’re there, we could put feelers out about who your dad is, if you wanted.” I needed to get Cody distracted. We also needed to know where he came from.
“You said he’s an incubus.”
“Yes.” I had discussed what his coloring meant and how he’d replenished his energy from our sexual energy. Then I’d explained that he was part incubus.While I hadn’t wanted to overwhelm him with information, this was necessary for his wellbeing.
