Page 5 of April's Fool (Northarbor Coven Book 2)

Reunited

Amorandes

Joy. Pure and simple, flooded my system. My son was looking for me! I was going to meet him as soon as I could get to him.

“Where is he? You must tell me everything!” I implored the hellhound.

The demon realm was not as vast as the human one and we were governed by our kings and queens, with the gentry acting as advisers and a panel of elected representatives taking up the causes of regular demonkin. Yet, it seemed the gossip that I was looking for my son had reached a fair distance.

We were in the capital city, Hellasburg, with my mother and father, who preferred to stay close to their own parents. I liked to travel and kept several homes over the realm. The hotel that I’d been working on was in a nearby city called Eshura. Far enough away that I couldn’t fly home every night.

“He is in Djalling city, your highness.” Quite some distance. Even further away than Eshura, requiring a flight that would take hours unless we could portal, or teleport, though the magic for teleportation was rare and expensive.

The hellhound bowed low. “News arrived just this morning that you were looking for your son. Then the demon, Quezalintoth, asked one of his servants, my friend, Jorgoth, for help with finding the young master his father. When they came to stay at the hotel, I just knew he had to be the same son that our Prince Amorandes was looking for. I remember seeing you before, in your human form, and your scent is similar.”

He colored, the flush running up his hairy chest and up to his cheeks. It wasn’t polite to talk about scents, especially to royalty. I waved a dismissive hand, too excited to sit still and incapable of taking offense. “Please, tell me more. What is he like?” Gregoris laid a quelling hand on my thigh. I felt like I might vibrate out of my skin. I wanted to know everything about my boy.

“Oh, he’s a handsome one,” the hellhound said cheerfully. Immediately, it occurred to me I’d neglected to find out his name. “As I said—“

“Sorry to interrupt,” I said, cutting him off. “What’s your name? You know mine, of course, however I’ve been remiss and neglected to introduce you to Gregoris, my guard.”

The hellhound blushed again. He really was a pretty thing, with big puppy dog brown eyes, dark fur running all over his hybrid form. He matched Gregoris in size and build. “Oh, um, I’m sorry, Your Highness, it’s Conchobar. Most people call me Barr.”

“It’s nice to meet you Barr. Okay, so more about Cody!”

Barr grinned at me, the redness of his cheeks deepening and a sweet scent coming from him. What a sweet boy! He found me attractive, too.

I listened, with great interest, to all the details that Barr had picked up about my son and his new mate. Barr had gone to the trouble of learning more about his friend’s master. Jorgoth, his friend, was a water elemental that worked on Quezalintoth’s farm, helping the special apples grow. Quezalintoth had also been contracted by a witch, just like me. With sadness, I learned his family had abandoned him for it.

In that regard, I had been lucky. My parents had looked for a way out for me and then Mama had discovered royal parentage. She had been the one to petition for us to be recognized in the court. Sadly, it had come too late to save Cody from his mother’s family. It gave him privilege now, though. Once we could get him recognized by our kings and queens, he and his mate would be princes and therefore free from any contracts.

“Thank you, Barr, for coming to us. You must have used a lot of magic to portal so far,” I said with praise layering my voice. I had to reign in the suggestion. My incubus nature tugged at me, hungry for a snack. Barr looked like a tasty treat.

“Oh, it was no trouble, your highness. I can portal you to Djalling city. I just need to eat and refresh a little first.” The hellhound looked embarrassed at that admission. “If you could just excuse me while I—“

“Of course! So useful! It’s quite a distance and flying there would take so much time. The least we could do is feed you. Truly, please, it would be our pleasure to aid you after you came all this way with the news.”

Barr blushed prettily again. It was then I noticed I was giving out too much of my attraction pheromones. The poor lad must have been feeling the effects. I refrained from looking at what he was packing, though a good fuck would be welcome. If it wasn’t for Cody waiting for me, I would see if he was unattached and open to being shared with Gregoris. Both of us could do with a boost, and having a buffer would be good for distance.

“All I require is something small, Your Highness. I wouldn’t want you to go to any trouble.”

Gregoris intervened while I got myself under control. “I will see that something is sent up from the kitchens. When you are eating, we will pack lightly for our trip. ”

I excused myself from the table, giving Barr my seat and earning myself another blush and a simply stunning smile. His attraction to me gave me more of a boost in energy than my breakfast had. With a gentle caress to his cheek, I entered my room to pack.

Within the hour, I could be seeing my son for the first time since they had made me bind him.

Quite honestly, I believed that the magic owed me a little extra for just how patient I managed to be while the hellhound ate. Gregoris had fetched Barr a large snack that the young thing devoured with gusto. I actually felt bad that he was so hungry. Perhaps where he worked, they didn’t feed their employees properly. I would have to see to that.

“Gregoris?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Could you guarantee our employees earn more than the staff at the competitors’ hotels?”

“Sir?” His questioning look had my hackles raising.

“I will not explain myself,” I said somewhat sulkily. He raised an eyebrow, looking distinctly unimpressed. “Fine,” I relented and then softened my voice, though Barr was still likely to hear me. “I want to make sure my employees don’t have to go without while they serve the privileged.”

A distinctly familiar look crossed Gregoris’ face. It was a softening, like one would get when looking at a kitten doing something particularly cute. “Of course, sir. I’ll have that done.”

Proving that he had indeed heard everything, Barr gave me a grateful smile that was tinged with embarrassment. I could understand his pride feeling a little bruised, but I needed him to appreciate this small thing. Feeding him and improving the lives of my employees was nothing next to the gift that he had given me.

“Have we replenished your energy some?” I asked him, drifting closer. What a tasty morsel he was. I hoped he would be open to a night with me. After I spoke to my son.

I wished with all of my being that the magic would steer me into a kind and loving relationship with my son. I prayed he had no animosity towards me for what had happened.

“Oh, yes. I feel great. Ready to go? I better not be away for too long or the manager will be furious.” Barr tried to laugh the statement off, but Gregoris exchanged a look with me. If it was one of my hotels, then it was getting another manager. Barr deserved a raise .

“Just a second.” I entered my room and looked into the compartment I kept spelled for privacy. Opening it, I looked through the assorted jewels and gold, picking up some coins for Barr and then a stunning ruby that would suit him if he chose to keep it. Just in case, I found him a diamond so he could hold onto the red gem. Putting them into a pouch, I tucked it into my pants and joined them, ready to portal to my son.

We stepped through all together into the bustling city of Djalling. The portal opened up in front of a familiar hotel, one of my own. Exchanging a glance with Gregoris, I knew it would be under new management as soon as it was possible.

An officious demonkin, an air elemental with silvery blue skin, greeted us. He wore a perfectly pressed suit and concealed his wings. I hated him on the spot. “Ah, Your Highness, welcome to The Djalling Grande.” He cut a look at Barr that promised punishment. Barr slumped in defeat.

I snapped, unable to take the poor treatment. “You’re fired.” Barr looked terrified for a second, and I realized he thought I was speaking to him. “Not you, Barr, lovely. Now, take this token of my gratitude,” I handed over the pouch, “and go get my son for me, please. ”

Barr took the proffered gift and bowed low. “Thank you, Your Highness. Right away.” He scurried off, his face red.

“What is the meaning of this?” the air elemental stammered.

“Your Highness,” Gregoris breathed, pressing a hand to the small of my back, an intimate gesture in public like this. He could touch my wings easily. “Let me deal with this. I will get you situated in the conference room.”

The room was opulent, like most of the hotel was. I stood, unable to sit with how restless I felt. My son was just upstairs! He was within these same walls and I could speak to him for the first time in his life!

Gregoris wasn’t gone for long. He returned to my side with a grin on his handsome face. “He will be gone by morning. The assistant manager will take over until you can decide on a proper replacement.” Again he touched me, this time squeezing my shoulder. Too familiar.

Stepping away, I turned for the door when I heard voices outside of it. I couldn’t wait any longer. Throwing open the door, I greeted my son and his mate and hugged my only child close to me.

So precious. My boy was perfect in his demon form. He’d taken my coloring in his wings and horns, but kept his human skin tone. He was a beauty. It was almost a shame that someone had already bonded with him. Quezalintoth was a fine demon, though. He would cherish the gift that was my son.

I wasn’t sure of all that I said, so stunned to be in front of him. My tail was swishing around like I was a small child again. I was just too excited to calm it. I listened to Gregoris remind me of my title and flushed a little. This behavior really was not befitting of a prince, but I had only been one for less than thirty years, barely any time at all for a demon.

Gaining my manners, after another prompting from my rather amused guard, I escorted my son and his mate into the room so we could get to know each other.

It was easy to see that Cody had some trauma from his parents’ treatment and would take some time to warm to me. I could tell that my open affection and delight in meeting him went a long way to easing his worries over his reception into demon life. Mama and father accepted Cody was only half demon and would have both witch and demon abilities

We demonkin weren’t purists. All demonkin, half-breed or not, were welcome. In fact, I knew that some of the queens were infatuated with seeing how demon genealogy presented itself in other species. There was a precedent for a so-called halfling being made royalty. Of course, they would never rule, but they were bestowed with the title and privileges that accompanied it. There had never been a witch-demon hybrid, as far as I could recall, making Cody more special.

Seeing my son this close, it was clear to see which of my features he took on, aside from the demon ones. It appeased my hurt pride that his human features were much like my human guise. We had the same color hair, the same mouth. Our builds were different, though I wondered how much of that was from neglect as a child in Cody’s case.

Just getting to know him was a treat, and it was clear he wanted to do this again. It was a shame that the visit was ending. I clearly didn’t hide my disappointment well when Cody mentioned dinner plans with his best friend.

He tentatively offered. “Unless… did you maybe want to come meet my best friend? Toth will be meeting him for the first time as well.”

His smile when I accepted warmed my heart. Cody checked with his friend and when Toth, as he preferred to be called, received a call from his master, I pretended not to know that he was under a contract. The fact that I had gone to such lengths to learn about my son and his mate embarrassed me. I didn’t want to come across badly to them. It was perhaps a tad invasive to go to such lengths .

My eyes filled when I found out that Cody had lost his employment because of my binding breaking. It had been the only measure I could provide to ensure his safety. There was always a chance that a demonkin could find out who he was to me and use magic against him. I just hadn’t known how far his parents had gone, binding his witch side too, leaving him so vulnerable.

To make Toth feel better about his circumstances, and to let Cody know about his past, I explained about my own contract and the time around Cody’s conception. I wanted him to understand how badly wanted he had been.

Toth looked so forlorn that I wanted to make things better for them both, deciding then and there to go to the court and petition for Cody and Toth to be accepted as princes. It was only Gregoris’ reminder about our dinner plans that quashed my excitement.

Tomorrow. I’d make that happen as soon as I met this mysterious best friend. The hitman that had been sent to kill my son.