Page 139 of The Demon's Fire
“You are?” Kole locked wary eyes on Skyler.
“Yes. It meansfrigid. But when you say it, it sounds as if it meansdarling.”
With a hand to her stomach, Ranca bent with laughter. “I like her, Kole, maybe better than I do you. Come, little human, give us a hug.”
Skyler hesitated before accepting the warm embrace which nearly cracked her ribs.
Ranca patted Skyler’s back before she stepped away. “This calls for demon ale. Sit. Sit.” She pointed at the couch as she hurried to the kitchen, her loud voice trailing off. While she carried on a one-sided conversation from the other room, Kole distracted Skyler by nuzzling her neck.
Like guilty teenagers, they flew apart when Ranca returned with a tray of drinks. “Here I am going on and on about what I’ve been doing. Tell me about yourself, Skyler, or what you see in this lump of a male.”
Skyler accepted the tall glass from Ranca while resting her other hand on Kole’s knee. “He has his strengths.”
Ranca roared. “Strengths, huh? I suppose the boy does. I adore him.” She set her ale on a table beside her chair. “What can I do for you two? Other than tell you how happy I am for you.”
Skyler regarded Kole before she spoke. “I need a surrogate mother to assist me in preparing for the Settling. I’m here to ask you to fill that role.”
Obviously taken by surprise, Ranca blinked away the mist in her eyes. “You want me to prepare you for the Settling?”
Skyler nodded. “If I’m not being too impertinent.”
The large woman popped up off her chair to draw them both into an unbreakable embrace. “I never had a daughter. Just this unruly boy for an adopted son. I would love to be your surrogate mother. You pay me a great honor, Skyler.”
“Believe me, I’m the one honored. Kole speaks fondly of you.”
Though brushed away in haste, tears escaped from Ranca’s eyes. “See what you’ve gone and done, you rascal.” She scrubbed a hand across Kole’s buzz-cut hair. “You made me weep. I always knew you loved your Ranca, even when you were a trying youth. So like your young Da.”
Skyler’s lips curled into a smile. “He is?”
“Ah. Aedon. I grew up with Kole’s father as my playmate. We got into so much trouble as young demons. Mind you, we were equally guilty as instigators. Lucky for us, we were called to the Firebrands before we ended up imprisoned in Outcast Keep on Darque. That’s when we met Hestia, shortly after she became a warrior.”
Ranca paused in her story, likely lost in a memory. Then she chuckled.
“Hestia. Now, there was a female. And a handful for Aedon. He never suffered from misogyny, the disease which infects many of our males. Good thing, too, because she would never have stood for it. The first time they met, she challenged him to a sparring match. When she set him on his ass, fire shot from his love-struck eyes. They mated not long after. Since cooking, cleaning, washing, anticipating her mate’s wishes were never her thing, I suspect Aedon pitched in around the house. But they kept up appearances. Demons in those days, and especially Horach, their tribe’s leader, were tough. Aedon claimed to set the rules. Ordered his mate to fetch and carry when others were around. She did with a sly smile. He told his family he allowed Hestia to be a Firebrand because he could watch over her.”
Ranca slapped her knee. “Ha. Good one. The female had a mind of her own though. One Aedon respected. They lived the lie to be accepted. But then the Demon Insurrection came along. They refused to live the falsehood. So Horach shunned them. They never regretted their decision. Proud.”
Kole grew silent, but eventually threw an arm across Skyler’s shoulders. “See. A strong female is in my blood.”
Ranca rubbed a thumb over her lips, lost in thought. “Yes, the Insurrection was a tipping point. Like me, Hestia and Aedon sided with the Firebrands rather than the rebels.”
“Horach’s still a bastard.”
“He is. The male’s been grumpier since he was on the losing side. Chapped his demon ass.”
“After my parents’ death, Ranca welcomed me in when none of my family would.” Kole’s eyes smoldered.
Skyler leaned her head against his hard, strong shoulder.
“Bastards. Aedon and Hestia were my best friends. Of course I took you under my roof. That’s why you’re such a fine male. Your relatives never had the chance to turn you into an asshole. Why do you think your female Firebrands are so loyal to you? You are your mother and father’s son. You are who they raised you to be. They would be as proud of you as I am. Although … I admit, there were times…”
Kole glanced down at Skyler. “I was an angry boy, acting out often.” He twisted toward Ranca. “I don’t believe I ever thanked you. Thank you for not tossing my ass to the road.”
She brushed aside a tear. “It was my honor to raise you. Even when you set fire to my shed. Okay. Maybe not then. Now, what’s the date for this mating ceremony?”
“The Seventh Moon.” Kole pulled Skyler closer.
“What! So soon? Boy, though I have missed you, be gone. Skyler and I have much to do.” Ranca chugged the rest of her ale, slammed the glass down, and rose. Pacing, she ticked off plans. “The choosing of the names. We must gather the oils. Prepare for the task she will be required to undertake. Have a gown made. Design the palanquin. Then there are the jewels, crown, and veil. We must select the flesh artist.” Ranca sucked in a deep breath.
