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Was it fair? Melchom cocked his head to the side, observing his Dove as he switched outfits. He wasn’t sure why the words stuck with him. There was no malice behind them. Just a casual statement Melchom couldn’t even disagree with. It still felt wrong, though. He just couldn’t pinpoint why exactly.

The idea made his mood sour. There were too many things lately he didn’t feel in complete control of. It was unnerving. So unking-like.

“We’ll talk about it later.”

For now, they had a hellhound to visit, and Melchom couldn’t say he was looking forward to it. If he’d been in a better mood, and this wasn’t Hell, he would’ve asked Beelzebub for help. He was the only Prince of Hell who could exert some kind of power over those beasts. Alas, he’d have to figure it out on his own.

“How do I look?” Dove stood on his toes, swaying his hips and posing in different ways.

When Melchom had first seen the set, he thought it would look ridiculous on anyone—even on his Dove. But Dove would be happy with it, so Melchom would figure out a way to live with all that protruding fabric.

Somehow, his Dove didn’t look ridiculous. He looked ethereal, regal. It reminded him of one of those fashion Instagram accounts he’d perused in his rare visits to Earth. His Dove glowed, looking lavish. Expensive. Worthy of standing beside his throne.

The sight shouldn’t be affecting him this much.

“Walk behind me at all times,” he commanded, deliberately ignoring the question.

“Okay?”

“Don’t think I won’t chain you to my side.”

Apparently, that was enough to have his human shoot some fear-induced adrenaline his way. It was also enough to make him… horny, picturing images of a collar and a leash Melchom would encourage him to revisit.

Later.

“Come on, Dove.”

“Fine. But you promise no minions, or heavy head prodding.”

“I promise.”

Melchom was glad no one could hear them there. Him? Making promises to a human? A gift? It was unheard of. It would be centuries before he heard the last of it from the Princes and some of the most valiant minions.

“Why don’t we go through a portal?” His Dove asked the second the door to the hallways opened. “Isn’t it easier?”

“No.” Portals weren’t teleporting machines like the ones Dove was picturing. Melchom didn’t want to waste time explaining, though. “Now quiet.”

Of course, that wasn’t a command his human was going to obey easily. No, he was oh-so-ready with some kind of retort. Melchom used his powers to pinch Dove’s lips together before he could utter it. Minions were watching. That meant every action would be broadcast to the Princes.

The surge of anger that flew out of Dove hit Melchom square in the chest. Melchom held off a grunt and the pang of disappointment in himself, too. He should’ve warned the human of the rules when they were outside of the chambers.

He kept getting distracted around Dove.

Stop fighting, he spoke into his mirror maze. There are too many eyes on you to give them anything.

Melchom gave Dove a second to process what he’d said. When he noticed Dove’s eyes widen, and his throat bob up and down, he started moving. Fast.

He didn’t let go of the hold in the human’s vocal cords, but his Dove still followed, right beside him. Only a tremor racking down his spine every couple of minutes hinted he wasn’t all right.

Melchom would have to be okay with it. Not being all right wouldn’t be grounds for any commentary, anyway. They expected the gift to not be all right. They probably expected him to be in worse shape than he was.

It was too late now for any kind of glamour, so Melchom kept walking. No time to berate himself, either.

He had time, however, to notice the increasing fear that clouded his human the closer they got to the caves. As filling as it was, Melchom needed to make him stop. Going down there was already going to be tough enough.

Fuck it.

Yanking the human to his side, he set a guard around the two of them right by the stairs leading to the caves. Everyone keeping an eye on them would be wondering what was going on. Melchom would make up something about playing with him or tricking him into a false sense of security. It wouldn’t be a complete lie.