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ASH
Ash ended what was left of Arthur Nightingale’s life quickly and sent him to a watery grave. There was no point lingering over the task. Returning to Harper’s side was more important than punishing his father. The afterlife could have him.
Ash and Dante returned to shore and dealt with the rest of the coven. Mind control was easiest, even if it wasn’t the most moral way to approach the situation. Ash could threaten and intimidate the witches, but the Nightingales had been hunting demons. They might attack rather than run scared, even without their leader.
Ash wanted them gone. Away from Harper forever, without any risk that they might regroup and come back to Shearwater Landing.
He banished the Nightingale Coven from the city, forcing the members to run home. Their leader was dead, and they were no longer welcome on the West Coast.
He’d keep tabs on the coven. Whether he’d share that with Harper, he wasn’t sure. He might keep that plan to himself, at least for now. Moving on was most important for his flower. But if Arthur was replaced with someone just as bad, further intervention might be necessary. If the Nightingale Coven ever caused trouble in the magic world or among humans, he’d deal with it.
After disposing of the destroyed car and checking on the driver—who only had minor injuries—Dante flew back to the apartment building with him.
Harper’s faint presence prickled in the back of Ash’s mind the whole time they were apart, a newly formed awareness telling him his mate was safe. He wouldn’t have left otherwise, regardless of the apartment’s protections.
Now that Ash was nearing his mate, the connection flared, as if welcoming him home.
How had he not realized the mating bond was this complex or dynamic? For thousands of years, he’d seen the mating ritual as the singular event to bind him to his mate, but he and Harper were already weaving together.
Ash and Dante landed on the roof and headed down to the apartment, their wings, tails, and horns tucked out of sight.
“I just want to see he’s all right before I go,” Dante explained as if he needed an excuse.
Ash smiled. Dante was attached to Harper already. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you want to stick around.”
“No, probably not, but I need to track down Onyx. He completely ignored my calls.”
Ash grunted. If Onyx had helped, maybe they wouldn’t have lost Luc. But he’d worry about that later. He knocked on Harper’s door.
There was a scurry of movement within the apartment before the door swung open.
“Hi.” A frazzled Ollie stood before them, his hair disheveled. “Harper said it would be you, Ash.” Ollie looked him over, gaze catching on Dante behind him. “Um, hi to you too.” A slow smile curved Ollie’s lips, and he ran a hand through his hair.
“May we come in?” Ash asked.
“Oh.” Ollie shook himself, tearing his eyes away from Dante. Maybe he was surprised that neither Ash nor Dante wore shirts, but it was too late to do anything about that now. “Yeah, of course. Harper was just telling me all about the cult he escaped and how his dad tracked him down today. He seemed so off when I got home, I had to ask, but I never thought… Fuck. I’m so glad you were able to help him, Ash.”
“Me too.” Ash studied Ollie as they walked to the living room. Harper probably hadn’t told his friend the full story, but it was good Ollie knew Harper had a traumatizing day. Saying the Nightingales were a cult wasn’t too far from the truth. “I’m glad he has you to talk to.”
Ollie flashed him a sweet smile. “Yeah, of course.” He flopped down in an armchair, his gaze returning to Dante.
Ash joined Harper, who was slumped on the couch. “Hey there, flower.”
“Hey.” Harper hugged Ash tight. The moment dragged out. When Harper finally released him, he pulled away slowly, as if he didn’t want to. Harper’s cheeks darkened as he registered Dante standing in the doorway, like he was embarrassed the other demon saw him be so clingy. “Hey, Dante. Come sit. There’s plenty of room.”
Dante jolted like he’d been caught by surprise. His eyes flicked from Ollie to Harper, then back again. “That’s okay. I can’t stay. I just wanted to check on you.”
Harper gave him a tired smile. “I appreciate it.”
What was with Dante’s expression? It changed too quickly to be sure.
“Anytime, Harper. I’ll see you soon.” Dante nodded to Ollie, gaze lingering, then turned and left .
Ollie shot a meaningful look at Harper. “You should definitely invite him over again.”
Harper gave a nervous laugh, body vibrating against Ash. “Yeah, maybe.”
Was Ollie interested in Dante?
Ash had to tell Harper not to get Ollie’s hopes up. Dante was waiting for his mate, and while he’d reacted to Ollie, Ash didn’t think it was more than general appreciation. Ollie was attractive. Anyone could see that.
Unless… What if Dante was reacting to Ollie’s scent? To Ash, Ollie gave off a faint typical but not unpleasant human aroma. Nothing like Harper’s bluebells.
Ash’s heart rate picked up. No. It was too much to hope Dante would find his mate so soon after he had.
Harper and Ollie chatted idly, then ordered food and put on a show they’d been watching together. It was nice to be along for the ride. Anything that made Harper smile was good in Ash’s book, especially if he could hold Harper close while it happened.
After they ate, Harper’s eyelids started to droop. “I think I need to lie down.”
“Of course,” Ollie said softly, his brows coming together. “Are you sure everything is wrapped up with your family, and they won’t keep bothering you? I’m happy to send anyone buzzing into the building away.”
“Thanks.” Harper got up and walked over to Ollie, squeezing his shoulder. “They won’t be coming around.” He shot a look at Ash.
“No, they won’t. It’s all taken care of,” Ash confirmed.
“Okay, good.” Ollie’s posture relaxed. “I’m glad you got away from them, Harper. You’ll always be welcome here.”
“Perfect because I’m not leaving.” Harper grinned, the light not quite reaching his tired eyes. “But I seriously need to lie down. I think the day’s catching up to me.”
Ollie patted Harper’s arm and let him go.
Ash rose and followed Harper into his room.
“It’s all done?” Harper asked as soon as the door shut.
“Yes, your father is finding out firsthand what the Realm of the Damned is like, and your coven won’t be back.”
Harper shifted restlessly from foot to foot. “Is it terrible that I don’t feel bad about it?”
“About your father’s untimely end?” Ash clasped Harper on the shoulder. “No, not at all.”
Harper’s hand fisted the hem of his shirt. “But you said I was a good person for not wanting to kill him.”
“And I still think that was very good of you, but it’s okay to want justice. You’re still a good person, Harper. Your father hurt you in despicable ways. He deserves what he got.” Ash’s hatred for Arthur Nightingale simmered, heating his blood. Maybe he should have punished the witch just a little. He shook himself. “I’d say Arthur deserved worse, but that’s just my angry side, the one that rages at an unfair world and wants to make it right even when I can’t.”
Harper nodded hesitantly like he wasn’t convinced, so Ash went on, “Do you think I’m a bad person, or demon, for wanting to kill your father?”
“No,” Harper said automatically.
“Then neither are you. You don’t have to feel guilty about your reaction.” Ash squeezed Harper’s shoulder, and he relaxed under Ash’s touch. “His death won’t undo what happened, but it’ll stop him from hurting you or anyone else, and you’re not wrong for wanting that. Besides, the magic world doesn’t play by human rules. There’s no ‘right’ way to deal with someone like your father. What would we have done? Gone to the human police?”
“No, you’re right. When you put it that way, anything else would have left me looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. My father was power-hungry and abusive. He believed it was his right to take what he wanted, and I’m glad he’s gone.” Harper released a breath and seemed to unwind as he wrapped his arms around Ash. “You’ve destroyed all my monsters.”
“All of them? You mean your coven?”
Harper buried his face against Ash. “One of the men you killed at the port was the one who assaulted me. It was such a relief. He’d caught me, but then I woke up, and you’d taken care of it.”
Ash squeezed Harper tight. His pulse spiked. If he’d known… But no, it didn’t matter. It was done. “I’m glad I was there. I’d been following you around since the club.”
Harper pulled back. “I know, Luc mentioned you’d been stalking me.” He bit his lip. “I probably shouldn’t think that’s romantic.”
Ash grinned. “But you do?”
Harper nodded. “And not just because of how bad it’d have been if you weren’t at the port with me. You were drawn to me. What we have is that strong. Don’t know if it gets more romantic than that.”
Ash chuckled softly. “Agreed. You captivated me, and I couldn’t stay away. It was the strongest instinct I’d ever had.” Ash cupped Harper’s cheeks. “I tried to fight it, and not even that worked. It took me a while to come to terms with you being my mate. I was…afraid to believe and be wrong. Afraid to want and be left alone.”
Harper let out a soft whine. “You don’t have to be afraid of the things you want.”
He brushed Harper’s cheeks with his thumbs. “No, not anymore.”
Harper’s tender expression broke into a yawn. “Sorry. Killed the moment.” They both laughed. “Will you stay with me while I sleep?”
Ash ran a hand through Harper’s hair. “Of course I’m staying. You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried, sweet.”
“Good. I need you with me.” Harper held him tight for a long moment before whispering, “I don’t want to wait to mate. I get why you do, but after today, I don’t want anything coming between us.”
“Neither do I.” Ash’s heart was so full his chest twinged. “But I want you to rest first. Put this day behind you. Then I’ll claim you as my mate.”
Harper sucked in a breath. “Please, Ash. I want to be yours.”
Ash laid a gentle kiss on Harper’s lips. “You are mine. The bond is already coming together. So take a nap, knowing our connection draws you closer to me every second.”
Harper returned Ash’s kiss. “Okay.”
Ash undressed him, shoes first, then shirt and pants. “Just so you know, we aren’t mating here. We need a lot more privacy than this.” He glanced at the door, the sounds of Ollie moving around only slightly muffled.
Harper’s cheeks bloomed with color and his scent intensified. “True.”
Ash pulled off his own pants and climbed into the bed, holding the covers back for Harper. His mate slid in and curled against his side.
“I’ve never felt as safe as I do with you,” Harper whispered. “It shouldn’t be possible to feel at home or secure after today, but I do.”
Ash hummed, nuzzling into Harper. “I feel it too. You know, I think my time living in the mountains felt so good because they smelled like you. I just didn’t know it.” Ash laid a kiss on the top of Harper’s head. “I didn’t realize how lonely I was until I met you. You changed my world, and I’m here to change yours.”
Harper slept the rest of the day and night. Ash dozed, mainly keeping an eye on his mate, waiting. When Harper finally opened his eyes, heat crackled between them.
Harper pressed his lips to Ash’s chest, wiggling against him. “I’m ready.”
Ash’s heart fluttered. “Hold that thought, flower.”
They dressed quickly, and soon, Ash had them up on the roof.
He scooped Harper up, carrying him bridal style. “Come with me, mate. It’s time to claim what’s mine.”
Harper moaned and buried his face against Ash’s neck.
Ash took off and flew toward Dante’s house, his pulse thrumming to the beat of his wings. The fresh air filled with the scent of Harper’s bluebells. His sweet mate.
Mine . Ash laughed at the possessive voice in his head. How had he ever doubted it?
He landed on Dante’s deck and set Harper on his feet.
Harper glanced over his shoulder toward the house. “Is Dante here?”
Ash gripped Harper’s chin and turned him to face him. “No, he messaged to say he was out for the day. We have the place to ourselves.”
Harper’s cheeks pinkened. “Then mate me, Ash. Fuck me and make me yours forever.”
Ash growled and crushed Harper into a kiss. He almost took Harper right there, bending him over the rail and spreading him wide, but he didn’t want this to be over in a rush.
“Come with me.” Ash tugged Harper’s hand and led him inside, all the way to his bedroom. When Harper made for the bed, Ash pulled him in the opposite direction. “In here.”
He guided Harper into the bathroom and turned on the luxurious waterfall shower, big enough to accommodate a winged demon.
Harper grinned. “Ooh, I’ve never had shower sex.”
Ash chuckled. “Strip.”
Harper’s clothes practically disappeared. Ash got himself naked and followed Harper into the shower.
Ash’s cock stood at attention, demanding entrance to his mate. It could wait. He closed his fist around Harper’s hard length and stroked him, eliciting a chorus of beautiful moans. Ash’s tail thrashed and his wings flexed. What music his mate made.
“You’re going to make me come too soon,” Harper gasped as Ash twisted his fist around Harper’s precum-slick tip.
“Not too soon, sweet,” Ash murmured in his ear. “I’m going to make you come so many times you won’t know your own name.”
Harper let out a strangled wail and thrust his hips. Ash wiggled his tail between Harper’s ass cheeks and pressed against his hole. Harper came on the touch, jerking in Ash’s hand and covering Ash with his cum.
“My eager mate,” Ash cooed. “So desperate for me.”
“Yes.” Harper clutched Ash’s shoulders. “Please mate me, Ash. Please .”
Dropping his head back, Ash groaned. “I’ve got to get you ready first.” He grabbed a washcloth and soap and got to work.
Ash caressed every inch of Harper’s skin, from his soft cock to his toes, then up to his face, washing his mate like he was the most precious thing in the world. Because he was.
Harper moved with him like he was drunk on lust, pliant and unsteady on his feet, trusting Ash to do whatever he wanted. He let out a symphony of soft sounds, and Ash kissed each one from his lips.
When almost all of Harper was clean, Ash turned him to face the tiled wall. “Brace your hands here.” He positioned them above Harper’s head, and Harper complied.
Ash rubbed the soapy cloth over Harper’s round ass, then delved between his cheeks. Harper sucked in a breath and pushed back, arching his spine. Ash cleaned him and rinsed the suds away before kneeling behind his flower and spreading his cheeks.
Harper’s exposed hole twitched, and pleasure coiled in Ash’s core.
“Ash,” Harper groaned, pushing his ass farther back.
“I’m right here.” Ash leaned forward, pressing his face between Harper’s cheeks, and kissed his sweet hole, the scent of mountains, bluebells, and sex as intoxicating as the feel of his mate against his lips.
Harper groaned, long and low, as Ash lapped at him.
Ash squeezed Harper’s ass and worked his tongue like it was his purpose in life. But wasn’t it? He lived to please his mate, to connect with him. To give everything to this sweet, strong man.
Ash pressed his tongue inside Harper, one of his hands finding Harper’s cock hard and leaking. He fucked Harper with his tongue, jerking him off as more of those perfect sounds filled the room.
“Oh fuck, Ash.” Harper thrust back into his face, then forward into his fist. “Ash, please. Please .”
Ash groaned, and Harper came, his hole dancing against Ash’s mouth.
“Holy fucking shit.” Harper sagged against the wall, looking over his shoulder with heavy-lidded eyes .
Ash stood and pulled Harper against him. “You taste sweet, flower.”
“Fuck,” Harper groaned, lips twitching. “You broke me. That was so good.”
Ash lifted his chin. He was pleased with himself, but so what? He’d earned it. “Seems we’ll be doing that again.”
Harper’s damp lashes fluttered. “Oh, we definitely are.”
Ash grinned and quickly washed himself. Harper grasped Ash’s aching cock and stroked, teasing his slit and playing with his balls.
Ash’s orgasm threatened, and he caught Harper’s hand. “Not until I’m inside you.”
Harper shivered. “Okay.”
Ash shut off the water and toweled them both dry. He led Harper to the bedroom, pausing in the doorway. His fingers tightened on the doorjamb, shaking slightly. He was about to claim his mate. He’d thought this would never happen.
Harper slipped past and filled his vision, cupping his cheeks. “Are you okay?”
Ash nodded, his throat tightening. “I never thought I’d find you. Harper, I…I want everything for you.”
“I want everything for you too, Ash. I’m your mate, but you’re mine too. I’m going to take care of you and love you for the rest of time. We’re in this together.”
Ash cleared his throat, blinking away the moisture in his eyes. “I convinced myself I didn’t need anyone, but it was always a lie. I needed you. I needed someone to turn to and share my most private thoughts with. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
“You won’t be,” Harper promised. “You’re mine, Ash. I’m here for you.”
“Are you ready for this?” Ash had to check one last time, his pulse suddenly racing. “There’s no going back. You’ll need to feed on my blood, and I’ll need to drink yours.”
Harper’s brow furrowed. “There better be no going back. I’m all in. And it’s fine. I had your blood yesterday.”
“But you were unconscious. This will be different. I understand if exchanging blood is hard or makes you uncomfortable.”
A shadow fell across Harper’s face. “I hate the idea of anyone taking my blood, but you aren’t taking it.” He gripped Ash tight. “I’m giving it to you. We’re coming at this as equals, and I trust you. You won’t hurt me.”
Ash’s heart swelled. “No, I won’t. I’ll do you one better and make sure my bite feels as good as my mouth on your hole.”
Harper’s eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“Mm, you’ll see.” Ash picked Harper up and tossed him on the bed. “My lips will only ever feel good against your skin, my fangs too.” He let his fangs drop, climbing onto the bed and spreading Harper’s legs so he could settle between them.
“Show me,” Harper panted, his skin rosy all over and his soft cock starting to fill.
Ash hummed. He hitched one of Harper’s knees, took hold of his aching cock, and rubbed his precum-slick tip against Harper’s tight hole. Harper clenched against him, and Ash groaned.
He rubbed his tip harder against his mate, purring deep in his chest. “I’m going to fuck you, Harper. Fill you with my cum, my magic. Then I’m going to feed you my life force, and when I taste yours, you’re going to see stars.”