Page 88 of Demon's Bane

Not from the moment she walked into the hall. Not through any of the dozen dances we shared. Not when we spoke to the king and queen, to some of the Crescent witches in attendance, to a handful of acquaintances from my days in Gales Harbor.

There’s nothing in this hall, nothing in this entire realm, that could have drawn my attention away from her.

“Sure,” Joan says, beaming up at me. “I think we just about closed the place down.”

She loops her arm through mine, letting me lead her from the hall, and I try not to let the sweep of pride inflate my ego any more than strictly necessary.

“Allie portaled me down here earlier,” Joan says as we walk. “How fucking cool is that? Apparently she got some demon magick now that she’s mated to Eren.”

It’s something King Eren and I discussed in more detail earlier, that his mate now shares some of his powers. It seems to be a product of the bond they solidified when Queen Allison recast the bargain, when they stepped into the Veil and into the heart of the Goddess herself.

He also told me a few other things, things I don’t want to let myself dwell on this night.

He told me there have already been a handful of other witches who have found demon mates and made their own bargains in the Veil's embrace.

He told me these witches have reacted similar to his queen, gaining new powers and the long life granted by the original bargain, a lifespan extended to match that of a demon. The relief of that last fact, easing the worries that have been plaguing the corners of my mind ever since I recognized Joan as my mate, has taken up residence in the bottom of my soul like a warm, mellow glow.

But I’m not going to let it consume me tonight.

Not even when, with each passing hour, I feel as if Joan and I are being pulled closer and closer to that edge, deeper and deeper into the ties that bind us.

We haven’t decided, not about any of it. What the future holds or how we might find a way forward together. What it means that we come from different realms and different lives, that the gulf between those lives feels insurmountable.

But tonight all I want is to bask in my mate’s presence. All I want is her eyes on me, and mine on her. To drink her in—the joy in her expression and the laughter on her lips.

And that Goddess-damned dress.

I’ve been torn all evening between standing back so I can admire her in all her breath-stealing glory and let the entire court do the same, and putting myself bodily in front of her so no one else can get a single glimpse.

Strangely, it’s the most like myself I’ve felt in a year.

Here, in the company of some of the same demons I used to cross paths with in my work with Monblair, in the midst of dancing and drinking and conversation, with the worries of my life feeling a thousand miles away, I’ve been able to relax into something resembling the male I once was.

Well, at least some version of it. Because there was never a time when I would have been able to imagine what it would be like to be here with Joan, on an agonizingly wonderful edge of wanting to claim her for myself and show her off. To have the world know she’s mine and keep her tucked away where no prying eyes can find us.

But luckily I’m done having to balance that edge as we walk out of the hall and into the cavernous, open center of the court. We’re nearly alone, only a handful of other demons and a witch or two milling about as they drift off to wherever they’re staying tonight.

“Would you like another portal back up?” I ask, nodding to the layers and layers of balconies above. “Or can I fly us there?”

It hardly seems possible, but Joan’s joy glows even brighter as she turns to me and grins.

“Flying, please. I’m dying to see what those wings can do.”

Goddess above, the way her words make me preen like a youth. I can’t stop the flare of my wings behind me, or the surge of pride that runs through me to see Joan’s eyes widen in wonder and appreciation.

I reach for her, and she comes to me easy, letting me lift her into my embrace and looping her arms around my neck as she settles against me. With a mighty sweep of wings that’s absolutely meant to impress her, I lift us into the air. Joan shrieks in delight and fright, clinging even more tightly to me as the gossamer fabric of her dress billows around her.

I hope she knows I’d never let her fall.

I’d never let her be in danger or fear for a single moment. Never. Never with me.

All too soon, we reach the level of the mountain where the king and queen keep their chambers, along with another set of rooms reserved for their personal guests. I’m loathe to put my mate down, however, and fly us in a couple of lazy arcs before hovering mid-air a few yards away from the balcony.

“Show off,” Joan teases.

I lean down to kiss and nip at her neck and she sighs, tipping her head back to give me better access. “Only for you.”

Her skin is warm and fragrant beneath my lips, tasting of her tea spice and sugar, pulse pounding in the hollow of her throat. Mine races to match it, a spark of desire kindling in my blood.