Page 103 of Demon's Mate

The bond grew between them, strengthening with eachpassing day. Ash wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to the way their connection heightened physical intimacy.

A burst of happiness hit Ash straight in the chest. Had it come from him or Harper? Not knowing was an even better feeling than anything they’d achieved in the bedroom.

Ash had his mate. Everything was better shared with Harper.

“We should get going,” Harper said once he finished his treat.

“You’ve got your potions?”

“Yeah. I’ll go grab my bag.” Harper hopped off the barstool and headed down the hall toward Ash’s room.

Harper had a long talk with Nico the other day. He hadn’t been surprised to learn Harper wasn’t working for anyone. He’d known Harper was a witch after thoroughly assessing him on his first visit, when Harper had only worn the bracelet as a disguise.

“We’ll have to come back for the pastries,” Harper said as he reappeared. “I don’t want them getting crushed in my bag while we fly.”

“I’ll tell Dante not to eat them all.” Ash took out his phone and shot off a stern text.

“Where is Dante?”

“I’m not sure. I think he’s been spending time with Onyx.” Ash hadn’t seen much of the blue-haired demon, which was perfectly fine.

“Have they had any word of Luc?”

“No.” When Luc disappeared, he escaped the Human Realm, returning to Hell, but there was no way he wouldn’t be back. “Dante is working on a spell to break illusions like the one Luc used, so there’ll be no more hiding in Shearwater Landing for him. We’ll be able to sense when he reenters this world, and if he can’t mask himself, we’llfind him.”

“Good.” Harper adjusted his bag with a sense of finality. “I can’t believe after all that sneaking around, he just ran off to hide.”

“I’d say he’s regrouping, not hiding. He won’t try anything until he thinks he has the upper hand.”

Harper’s jaw clenched. “He won’t fool me so easily next time.”

“No, he won’t, but don’t worry. He’s fooled all of us at least once. If not more.”

Luc’s return wasn’t as concerning now that Ash and Harper were mated. It was still a problem. Luc would hunt Ash, Dante, and Onyx until he dragged them back to the Realm of the Damned. But as his bonded mate, killing Harper would be no different from killing a demon or an Eternal, and that was a line Luc had never crossed. Harper wasn’t vulnerable like he’d been before.

Luc still had to pay for hurting Harper, but Ash could be patient. He’d get Luc back for that along with everything else. He, Dante, and Onyx would make their stand in Shearwater Landing. Ash almost welcomed the inevitable confrontation.

“Come.” Ash led Harper out to the balcony.

“Can we fly all the way to The Herb Emporium?”

“Sure thing, sweet.” Ash hoisted Harper into his arms.

Harper’s magic sparked with excitement.

Being near Harper was even more intoxicating now that he wasn’t suppressing his power. Their magics danced together in an echo of the mating bond. Ash loved the tingle of Harper’s power playing with his.

Ash soared over the city, catching a sea breeze and riding it inland.

He had to hand it to Dante. This place wasn’t bad. It beat his isolated lodge in the mountains by a long shot. He had all he needed from the mountains right in his arms. His sweetflower.

They landed on a deserted side street near The Herb Emporium, where Ash removed his illusion of invisibility.

Harper led the way down the street. “Come in the shop with me this time?”

“Sure.” Ash nudged Harper’s shoulder with his. “I’d like to see you brew sometime.”

“Yeah? I guess I can set up my stuff at your place rather than brewing in the middle of the night at the apartment. I should make you something.” Harper’s brow crinkled. “Do witch potions even work on demons?”