Page 25 of January Blues
I’d never heard my mate speak so much. His love for his realm and customs was clear. He seemed so much happier here. To be a good mate to him meant I couldn’t take him from his home all the time. There had to be a compromise. “Do you think we could set up a permanent portal so we could spend as much time here as we do back home?”
“If it was in a protected place, yes. Why?”
“I want to be able to split our time as evenly as possible between here and Northarbor. Making a portal every time we need one could be draining for you, but I’ve heard we can use crystals to make a solid one.”
We chatted about where we could live and set up our own portal as we walked through the orchard until the apples caught my attention. “What type of apples are these?” They were huge, almost as big as my head, and deep red with a black underside.
“Those are hell-spice apples. Would you like to try one?”
“Yes, please.”
Toth called out to a small demon, a water elemental, that had been tending the fields. “Jorgoth, would you mind setting up a sample tray for my mate?”
“Of course, Sir. I’ll do that right away.” He vanished in a splash of water.
Toth rolled his eyes. “He’s showing off because you’re new and look human. Let out your horns and wings.”
It was easier to call them from the void where I held them inside me this time. My emotions were much steadier, allowing me to hold the magic firmly. The worst had happened. My company had fired me; the orphanage didn’t want me, but the world still turned, my friends still cared, and my mate was by my side. I decided to look at this as a new beginning, starting with learning about the farm and Toth’s business.
“So your family doesn’t help you on the farm?”
He stiffened. “We weren’t on the best of terms before it happened, but once I gained a master, they no longer wanted to acknowledge me as kin.”
“That’s really shitty. It wasn’t your fault that a witch learned your name.” He gave me a half-hearted smile. “We’re family now. I’m sure the coven will accept you, too.”
“I wouldn’t count on that, Cody. You are enough for me. My employees are good demonkin. I will have no complaints once the contract with my master is done.” It still bugged me that he couldn’t say his master’s name. I had a few guesses, but he couldn’t tell me yes or no.
My tail snaked out, wrapping around his waist and offering comfort. “I’m not going anywhere, and I come with a hitman best friend.”
His laugh was long and loud, cut short when Jorgoth returned with a platter. His employee’s eyes widened when he saw me in my demon form. “Master Cody, you are demonkin?” He shrank back after asking, as if worried Toth would rebuke him.
“It’s quite alright, Jorgoth, my mate is half incubus. I wanted him to show you his form. You are my most well-connected employee here.” I swore I could see a blush starting on Jorgoth’s pale blue cheeks. “And I wanted your help in locating Cody’s father.”
“Anything you need, Master Toth, Master Cody. Enjoy your platter and I’ll begin the search.” Jorgoth placed the ceramic platter on top of a wall that separated two fields, and, with a low bow, dashed back towards one of the barns.
“Come, try the fruit.” Toth urged. He held out a piece of the hell-spice. I took it between my teeth and bit down. The texture was much the same as a crisp Pink Lady apple from back home. There was the expected apple tang, a sweet flavor bursting over my tongue, before a kick of spice, hotter than fire, ran down my throat. In one bite, it was an experience.
“Wow! That’s something!”
“We export them to the human realm. It’s used in cosmetics and potions. There was talk of making cider with it, but I don’t know anyone with the facilities to make and then pasteurize the finished product.”
“These apples would make amazing cider! I’m sure, together, we could find somewhere to make it.”
I loved seeing Toth’s home, but exhaustion was starting to weigh me down. While the ambient magic was feeding my inner well, I’d been on an emotional rollercoaster over the last few days, and needed just a quiet night with my man.
I stretched out on the bed, hand bumping into a sleeping Toth. From what I understood, I needed more sleep than most demons, so this would be a rare occurrence, waking up before him. I took a moment just to study him. He’d stayed in his true form, not the one he’d been forced into by his master. Both were beautiful to me, but I preferred seeing him as he was made.
I wanted to see those black orbs settled on me. I wanted his wings and arms around me. He was the best thing to happen to me, other than Damon, in so long. Slowly, I closed the distance between us and traced his face with a careful finger. I reached up to press my lips against his. He opened his eyes, smiling as they landed on me. I saw forever in that look. A happy life with a man that understood and accepted every part of me.
Toth wrapped his arms around me, kissing me deeply. “Mornin’,” he rasped against my mouth.
Sinking into the moment, I kissed him again, licking into his mouth, and pushing my body against his. I wasn’t hungry for sexual energy—the ambient magic was more than enough for me—but I was starved for the feel of him. I grabbed his hands, raised them above his head. My tail wrapped around his wrists, holding him firmly as I licked and bit down his body.
His cock was perfect. Shorter than mine, but thicker. He was vers, so I knew he’d be up for topping me whenever I was in the mood for that. Right then I wanted to get him off, then get inside him. I wanted to see how many times I could make him cum in one morning. His whispered pleas to me as I sucked him deep had me leaking against the smooth sheets. Grinning at his moans, I ran my tongue around the mushroom head, traced the veins to the base and back again. He struggled against my hold as I took him into my throat.
When he came, I swallowed it all and popped off his softening member with a grin. Toth looked sated under me. “Want more?” I asked.
He nodded. “Give me a minute.” He beckoned me closer. “Kiss me.”
