Page 51 of Demon's Desire

Nico’s reaction had been worth it. The longer Nico looked, the more Onyx’s skin prickled.

“Ready for my wings?”

Nico’s gaze shot to his face. “Definitely.”

In a flash, Onyx released his midnight blue wings. He unfolded them and shook them out, keeping his other demon features hidden.

“Oh, wow.” Nico took a step forward, eyes wide.

“I’m very pretty.” Onyx ruffled his feathers.

The tips of his wings were much lighter than the feathers at his shoulders, creating a fading blue ombre. The effect was pleasing, even if it was due to a lack of pigment.

Nico’s eyes shone as they swept over Onyx. “You’re more than pretty. You’re amazing, Onyx. Thank you for showing me.”

Onyx couldn’t speak. Why was Nico thanking him? It was so weird. Onyx wasn’t amazing. Wings were an appendage like any other.

But Nico’s words had Onyx melting into a pile of blue mush.

“G’night,” he choked out and shot into the air, leaving Nico behind.

14

NICO

“What’s up with you?”Harper asked the next afternoon as they worked together at The Herb Emporium.

“Hmm?” Nico glanced away from the notebook he’d been pretending to study.

Harper let the curtain fall closed behind him and came closer. “You seem…off.”

“Off? No, I’m fine.” Nico tucked the notebook in a drawer. He’d been thinking about Onyx, and as much as his talented mouth and gorgeous wings were on Nico’s mind, they weren’t what plagued him. “Did you see Ash last night?”

Harper nodded. “He mentioned that you were with Onyx, and I get it. If you’re worried about Lucifer, we can make sure you’re protected at home, and even here at the shop. Actually, I’m surprised Ash hasn’t demanded to protect this place yet.”

It was a good thing Ash hadn’t insisted on overstepping like that. After last night, Nico was inclined to push Ash away, even if the impulse was probably off base. Ash wasn’t a bad guy overall. Not that Nico wanted to get into any of that with Harper.

“I’m not worried about Lucifer.”

Harper arched a brow.

“Okay, I’d be a fool not to have concerns about the Devil, but that wasn’t why I brought up the meeting last night.” Nico wasn’t sure he should ask Harper for details, but he wanted to know if the fight between Ash and Onyx last night was typical. “Ash and Onyx don’t get along, do they?”

Harper leaned his hip against the counter. “No, bickering is the best I’ve seen between them. Ash made it seem like Onyx had a bad attitude back when I first met him, but I don’t think that’s the whole story. Onyx and I had a rocky start, but he’s honestly the loveliest guy. He and Ash just rub each other the wrong way.”

It seemed deeper than that, but Harper hadn’t been there last night, and Ash might not have shared what happened word for word. Maybe the accusations tossed around weren’t typical.

At least Nico had been there as some form of moral support, even if Onyx hadn’t talked to him about it. “It’s great you and Onyx get along, even if Ash doesn’t.”

Harper smiled. “Yeah, Ollie likes him too.” He paused, clearly wanting to say something more.

“What?”

Harper dropped his gaze. “I’m glad you and Onyx are, um, getting to know each other. Kinda surprised, but maybe I shouldn’t be. I don’t know why Onyx gives such a bad impression when he meets people.”

It was most likely a defense mechanism. Onyx seemed to push people away to test them, and didn’t seem to want anyone knowing he liked them. At least it appeared he’d dropped those pretenses with Harper and Ollie.

Did that mean Onyx trusted the boys not to reject his friendship? Onyx still pushed Nico away. Did he not trust Nico, even after everything they’d shared?