Page 62 of How to Fall in Love with a Demon

Miley sighed. “I’m going to spend all night trying to keep you from doing something stupid, huh?”

“No way. If you get between me and something stupid, I’ll move you. Or he will, I guess.”

Miles shook her head.

She had on a glittering, dove-gray dress that matched her eyes and fit the black-and-gray dress code the female guests other than me had been given. Her dark hair was pulled up in an elegant bun, a few curls hanging loose to frame her face.

Brynn wore a simple black silk dress that tied around her neck before flowing over her curves and to the ground. The simplicity of it made the light in her blue eyes stand out, and was absolutely stunning.

“Ready?” Miley asked me.

“I guess.” I let out a long breath.

Brynn smiled. “It’ll be great.” She caught my hand and squeezed as I reached the door, and Miles pulled it open.

As we left the room, they pulled their masks on, both made of fabric that matched their dresses and covered the upper half of their eyes.

I would be the only one not wearing a mask, which was kind of stressful, but I’d survive.

We reachedthe ballroom soon enough, and as I’d expected, Anastasia was waiting at the top of the massive staircase that led inside. She greeted both of my friends with hugs, not yet wearing her mask either.

Brynn and Miles headed down to join the party, while Anastasia and I slipped over to a balcony that let us look out at the party below.

Shit, it was breathtaking.

The room seemed to sparkle, with soft lights and candles positioned strategically so everyone could see, but nottoowell. It made the whole space look ethereal, and a soft layer of some sort of mist or fog floated through the room, adding to those vibes.

Soft instrumental music filled the air, played by a few performers dressed in gray and seated on a stage far to my left. Tables lined the room to the right, covered in food that smelled sweet from where I was.

A huge group of people moved and danced in the space, the grayscale colors of their clothing blending with the fog and adding to the atmosphere. Though I was expecting it, it still surprised me when I noticed the first demon, his dark pink wings standing out in the crowd.

After I saw him, I noticed another, with deep purple wings.

And another, with crimson.

And another, with violet.

There were so many of them, dancing, talking, and eating. Their wings and tails were all in shades of red, purple, and pink that should’ve looked ridiculous but were too damn magical. If I hadn’t been used to Rafael’s demonic form, I would’ve probably been nervous.

“Rafael warned me your sister-in-law might try something. I was ready when she showed up in a bright pink dress,” Anastasia murmured to me.

I grimaced. “Classic Alena.”

If the whole thing wasn’t about demon traditions, I wouldn’t have given a damn what anyone else wore. But clearly, with how particular they were being, their strange, over-the-top parties were important to them.

Anastasia’s lips curved upward. “Your mother loaned her a black dress, thankfully. They’ll both complain about it if you see them tonight.”

“That’s also classic for both of them.”

She laughed softly, her eyes bright as she watched the dance below. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of attending a mating celebration. There aren’t many demons out there, and those of us who are unmated don’t seem to have any desire to take a partner. So, thank you for giving me a reason to put this together, even if you did so unwittingly.”

My eyes widened slightly, and I forced my gaze to remain on the crowd. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“One of my sons would’ve let it slip that Rafael was seeing you at some point, if you were truly together before he went to prison. I appreciate you being dedicated to keeping him safe, as well as free. Your secret is safe with me.”

“The guys told me you wouldn’t lie to your government for them,” I admitted.

She smiled. “I would do anything I had to for them. I’d just rather they not know that, or they would ask me to bend the rules for them.”

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