Page 59 of My Demon Desire
“Oh my god, Annalise,” George gushes and Rachel fans herself. “Where did you say you found these hunks?”
“Um… Colorado. Sorry, I had to bail on work, I feel awful you guys had to cover my shifts.”
"Well, I got promoted to assistant manager because of it."
"And I got a raise," George adds.
I tuck Mom's spell book under my arm. "That's awesome, you guys." I hug them both with my free arm, then glance back at Kaden, Reis, and Thorne watching me with hungry eyes.
"It was worth it for us," Rachel says, smiling.
"Absolutely," George agrees. "Now come on, let's whip you all up some drinks on the house."
"I can help." I hand the spellbook to Reis who is closest at the table to me, then help my friends make us all coffees.
After we finish our drinks and jokes, I pull Rachel into a hug and then George.
"I'm so sorry I've got to go. I'll miss you."
"Oh come on," Rachel sniffs. "You're only moving to Colorado, it's not like you can't visit or we can come to see you."
"Right." I force a smile even though my chest feels like it's been cleaved in two.
We say goodbye and both Thorne and Kaden wrap their arms on either side of me as we walk away. I know my friends will be okay, but I'll miss them.
"We need to put a spell on them again," Reis says and I nod, wiping my tears. "They can't ever come to look for you."
"I know." I release a shaky breath. "Tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow. I don't want the spell to interfere with the one I did to get them both upgrades here." Truth was, I didn't want the fact they couldn't cross over into the fae realm and see me to matter. That the idea they could travel to me, even if not real, would be a bit of home I'd carry with me.
"Hey, you all right?" Reis pauses in front of me, brushing his fingers against my cheek.
"Yeah. With you three, I'm really good."
Reis gives me a soft smile, then opens the book, creating a portal in an alley.
Thorne walks through first, holding my hand, while Kaden comes after I do. Then Reis follows and closes the book, sealing off the human world.
"You can come and go home as often as you like," Reis says.
“Thank you.” I wouldn’t have to put a spell on my friends. I could just buy a house in Colorado to visit them. My throat tightens because as much as I'll miss my friends, my dad and my men are here.
"I am home. This is where my heart, my soul, my body, and all of me are. With you three."
They hug me in a circle, me at the center, and I never want to lose this.
* * *
Three months later...
Istep across the threshold of the castle, staring in awe at the grandeur before me. Even after all these days being here, it still feels like a fairytale dream.
This place is so huge, I still get lost among the white marble floors and golden walls that look more elegant than anything I've ever seen. The rugs that stretch out in the long hallways are soft as silk, but thick like velvet and cushion my footsteps to the gold and silver throne. Urns with exotic flowers seem to dance in the sunlight and I drag in a shaky breath.
All three of my men wait at the empty throne for me. My father, a mortal man, stands tall and proud by the side of Emrila, his new love. As I watch them together, I can't help but feel a sense of pride and happiness for him.
He never imagined that he would one day be ruling alongside the fae again, but fate had other plans for him. He's been helping me as my chamberlain here at the castle and the entire fae realm.
Dad fell in love with Emrila after I suggested they work together to help bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom.
