Page 73 of Demon's Mate
Harper’s eyes widened. After a long moment, he said softly, “Same. Well, I mean, not that I can compare, exactly.” His cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “I used to be so nervous, but I wasn’t. With you. It was even better than I dreamed, and I thought my fantasies were pretty good. You know?”
Ash grinned, and Harper’s smile broke free.
“That makes me very happy,” Ash murmured before covering Harper’s mouth with his.
Ash cleanedthem in the adjoining bathroom and brought Harper back to bed, where they curled up under the covers, Harper’s head resting on Ash’s chest. He’d returned his wings to tattoo form to make it more comfortable to lie on his back, but he’d left his horns, fangs, and tail in their natural state.
Ash was boneless. He could lie like this for a week and not get bored.
Harper’s fingers trailed over Ash’s left pec and down his side. Ash’s tail twitched. He brought it over his lap and laid it across Harper’s hips.
“Will you really help me with my coven?” Harper whispered.
Ash peered down but couldn’t see Harper’s face in this position. “Yes, I’ll help any way I can. If you tell me what’s going on, we can choose the best approach together. We can handle them however you want.”
Harper’s arm tightened around Ash. “They worship Lucifer. Does that change anything?”
“It won’t change me helping you if that’s what you mean. But I can’t say more than that without knowing the details. It may change how we tackle this.”
Harper peeked up at him, uncertainty in his eyes.
Ash waited. What was Harper thinking? He didn’t want to push and risk Harper shutting down again.
Harper’s gaze strayed to his glasses on the side table.
Ash reached for them. “Do you need these back?”
Harper shook his head. “They’re fake. I only started wearing them to change my appearance. My hair used to be brown too.”
Ash smiled. “I noticed the hair at your groin was lighter.”
Harper blushed. “I actually like how I look in the disguise. I never got to dress or style my hair how I wanted. My coven was controlling…” His words petered out, sounding defeated.
Ash ran a hand through Harper’s hair, hating that anyone had squashed his flower’s spirit. “I’m sorry you couldn’t express yourself around your coven, but I’m glad you’ve taken the chance to do it now and that you like how you look.”
“Me too.” Harper’s lips twitched in a tiny smile that lit Ash’s world. “My coven is awful. My dad’s the leader, and I couldn’t use magic against him or anyone. He kept me at the lowest rank.”
Ash frowned. “Your coven uses blood loyalty?”
“Yes.” Harper seemed confused. “Isn’t blood loyalty automatic within families? I know not all covens make members swear blood oaths to join, but families already share blood, so isn’t rank inherent?”
“No. Sharing blood isn’t enough to enforce blood loyalty. Not all families use blood to control their relatives. The practice is very old and has become less and less popular over the centuries.”
“Makes sense we’d still be doing it. It fits with everythingelse.” Harper let out a long sigh, drawing circles on Ash’s chest. “I’m powerful. My father would drain my blood to access my magic. I could never fight back enough to get away. When I got older and stopped cooperating, he would tie me down.”
Pain seared through Ash. “I’m so sorry, Harper. No father should abuse their child like that. You did so well, escaping him even with everything set against you. You made it through something most people couldn’t even imagine.”
Harper squeezed Ash tight, whispering, “I can’t let him find me. I’ll never escape if he gets his hands on me again. He used to lock me away, leave me weak and helpless. No one in the coven helped me.”
“Fuck, sweetheart, that’s awful. But don’t worry.” Ash tilted Harper’s head so their eyes met. “I promise I’ll protect you. Your father willneverhurt you again. You won’t have to live in fear of him or anyone ever again.”
Ash meant it with every cell in his being. He’d use all his considerable power to ensure Harper was never hurt again.
“Even a demon like you couldn’t take on a whole coven,” Harper whispered, showing how deep his fear ran. Not even Ash’s presence could banish it. But that was understandable. Harper had been alone and abused and had never had another person to lean on.
No wonder he was so afraid and guarded. Ash would have to show him what love and family were supposed to be like.
“You’re right. Going against a whole coven doesn’t leave me with great odds.” Ash wouldn’t treat Harper with kid gloves or sugarcoat things. Harper could handle anything, especially if he had support. “I’m not invincible. But I have my brothers. We don’t have to take on everyone at once. We can target your father or the coven members searching for you in the city. If you want to go after them rather than wait to see what they do next,just say the word. You can take control of the situation, Harper. I’m here to help you do that.”
