Page 32

32

ASH

One week later.

Ash pulled a tray of pastries out of the oven. Look at that golden-brown color. He’d fucking nailed the recipe.

He set the homemade berry Danishes on the counter beside Harper with the air of a demon who’d conquered impossible odds for his mate.

“Wow, these look amazing.” Harper beamed, his appreciation worthy of Ash’s not-at-all-inflated view of his baking skills.

“I think you’ll find I can make all your favorite treats.” Ash set the oven mitts down and puffed out his chest.

Harper giggled. “I’m sure you can. But how are we going to eat all these?”

“Dante will hoover them up if you’re not careful. His sweet tooth is revolting.”

Harper nodded, no doubt having noticed Dante’s preference for candy and cake over real food. “Maybe I should take some for Ollie when I go home. ”

“By all means.” Ash plated a pastry and slid it over to Harper. “Am I still coming over for dinner tomorrow night?”

Harper rolled his eyes. “Yeah, obviously.” He paused. “Ollie was wondering if Dante is coming with you.”

Ash sensed hesitance through the bond. “Do you not want Dante to come?”

“No, I do. I like hanging out with him.” Harper turned his plate in idle circles. “What does Dante think of Ollie?”

“He hasn’t really said.”

All Ash managed to get out of Dante was that he was pleased Harper had a trusted friend. It was odd.

Harper bit his lip. “I want us all to be friends, but it could get messy with Dante looking for his mate and Ollie having no idea that’s a thing and flirting with him.”

“Dante will let him down kindly if he has to.” Unless Dante’s strange avoidance was because he’d sensed something in Ollie and was trying to figure out what it was.

Would Dante hide it if he suspected Ollie was his mate? It was hard to imagine Dante not shouting it from the rooftops immediately. Ash pushed the idea to the side. He wouldn’t pester Dante for an explanation. At least not yet. If Ash had this all wrong, he didn’t want the reminder to hurt Dante.

After all, what were the chances Ollie was Dante’s mate?

Harper took a bite of his pastry, and his eyes rolled back. “Oh fuck, Ash. This is so good.”

Ash purred, brushing sugar from Harper’s chin.

Pleasure zipped down the bond.

Ash wrapped an arm around Harper, warmth blooming everywhere they touched. They’d spent most of the last week in bed, except for the evenings when Harper went home to hang out with Ollie.

The bond grew between them, strengthening with each passing 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’ll find 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 sweet flower.

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?”

“The ones in your bag wouldn’t, but if you enhanced something more powerful, it would affect me. You’re strong enough.”

Harper bit back a smile. “Interesting. We won’t do that in front of Nico though.”

“No.”

They’d decided not to try and pass Ash off as human to Nico, partly because he was already suspicious of disguises around Harper. Ash wasn’t suppressing all of his power like he normally did. He let enough come to the surface that he seemed like an average witch.

Nico needed to know Harper had magical beings in his corner. Harper wasn’t sure it mattered, but it did to Ash.

He entered the shop behind Harper, gaze zeroing in on the man behind the counter.

“Harper.” Nico smiled warmly at Ash’s mate. “And who’s this?” His lips thinned as he took in Ash.

“This is Ash.” Harper laid a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “My boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend. Right.” Nico narrowed his eyes slightly before turning his attention back to Harper. “Let’s see what you’ve got. Then, Kat and Melanie are ready for you out back.”

Was Nico upset Harper had a boyfriend? Were his sights set on Ash’s mate? If so, it was good to clear that up before Harper took the in-house job.

Ash better not have steered Harper wrong by encouraging him to get to know this man.

Harper unloaded his bag, bouncing on the balls of his feet, joy and excitement radiating down the bond as he detailed his potions to Nico. Harper wanted this job so badly. Nico’s intentions better be good.

Ash clenched his fist.

But the shop owner seemed pleased with the new array of potions Harper had brewed. “Thanks, Harper. These are great. Really high quality and so creative. Let’s introduce you to Kat and Melanie.” He opened a curtain blocking off the back of the shop, beckoning Harper over with a friendly air.

Maybe he wasn’t disappointed Harper was taken.

Harper rounded the counter and followed Nico into the hidden room.

Soft voices murmured back and forth. Ash concentrated his demon sense until he could hear what they were saying.

“Is he really your boyfriend?” Nico asked in an urgent whisper.

“Yes,” Harper replied, sounding confused.

“It’s just that you said your coven was tracking you, and then he shows up glued to your side. Are you okay, Harper?”

Ash raised his brows. Nico was worried for Harper’s safety? Seemed he wasn’t bad at all.

“Yes. I’m fine, Nico. He really is my boyfriend. Ash is the one who helped me get away from my coven. I really don’t need you to do anything. I have it all under control.”

“Okay. But you can always come to me if you need anything.”

Harper thanked Nico, their voices growing louder as Harper was introduced to the others .

After a few minutes, Nico reappeared in the main part of the shop, pulling back the curtain to reveal Harper talking to two women.

“He’s one of the best brewers I’ve ever met,” Nico said as he tidied the potions away.

“Lucky for your shop.”

Nico snorted. “Yes. And lucky for my customers.” Nico paused, tapping a notebook lying out on the counter. “If that coven gives him more trouble, call me.” A hint of venom laced Nico’s tone.

Ash crossed his arms. He flexed only a little. “They won’t be an issue, but thank you.”

Nico nodded. “So, you here to keep an eye on me, or what?”

Ash’s lips curled in a sly smile. “Maybe. Harper asked me to tag along. Otherwise, I’d be scoping you out some other time. Just to be sure.”

Nico chuckled. “You seem all right.”

Ash let out a good-natured huff. “So glad you think so.”

Nico shrugged. “I look after people who need it. My employees. My friends.” A distinct warning crept into Nico’s tone.

“Noted.” Ash could have laughed—this witch had nothing on him—but his protectiveness came from a good place and wasn’t something to sniff at.

Harper had a knack for finding good people. There almost had to be some magic in it rather than blind luck, but Ash wasn’t sure how. Whatever it was, Harper deserved to be surrounded by people who only lifted him up.

Anyone else would have Ash to deal with.

Harper returned to the front of the shop with a wide grin. The two women followed, quizzing Harper on custom brews. He seemed energized by the questions, clearly happy to talk about potions .

Ash melded into the background as Harper brewed tonics for Kat and Melanie and one for Nico, though only after some prodding.

“I love making new things,” Harper said, handing Nico a vial.

Melanie sipped her potion. “Perfect. You have more than enough knowledge to personalize your brews, and enthusiasm is the next most important thing.”

Harper’s eyes widened as he looked between the three of them. “So you think I’m a good fit?”

Kat and Melanie nodded.

“Definitely,” Nico added. “While I’m sad these two are leaving, and I’ll miss Kat’s flair, I’m glad this worked out.”

“Me too.” Harper made arrangements for taking over the in-house position and led Ash out of the shop.

Ash grabbed Harper’s hand. “You’re excited to work here?”

“Yeah, you should know. I’m sure you can feel it.” Harper bit his lip and sent a jolt down the bond.

Ash grinned. “That felt a little sultry, Harper. Are you trying to tell me brewing potions turns you on?”

He laughed. “No. I just can’t help feeling a little riled up around you, no matter what we’re doing.”

Ash hummed. “I like that.” He dropped his voice to a deep purr. “Let’s stop by your place before we pick up those pastries. You need to unwind if you’re this riled up.”

Harper released an adorable squeak and picked up his pace, dragging Ash along.

At the apartment, Harper threw his bag onto the new chair occupying the corner of his bedroom and pulled Ash into a kiss. Heat flared as their lips collided.

Harper had gone shopping the other day after talking to Nico. Once he was confident his income wasn’t about to disappear, he’d felt comfortable spending some of the money he’d saved.

As a result, his bedroom was starting to look lived in. The thrifted chair matched a small rug, and Harper had hung a string of lights above his bed, where more pillows than anyone needed were carefully arranged. Ash’s favorite piece was the seventies-esque lamp on the side table.

“Ash,” Harper groaned, breaking the kiss and running his hands through Ash’s hair.

Ash let his horns free, and Harper caressed them reverently. “I love seeing you happy, sweet.”

“You too.” Harper’s lust-hazed eyes cleared. “I can feel how happy you are. But there’s so much more to it. To us. That’s not all I feel.”

“I know.” Ash tapped Harper’s chest. “There’s a bittersweetness there too.”

Harper splayed his hand over Ash’s heart. “And here.”

“But that’s why I feel so much joy now. When I longed for my mate thousands of years ago, I’d have been thrilled to find you, but I wouldn’t have taken joy in every little thing. It wouldn’t have been the same, and I wouldn’t change what we have, not even to have found you sooner.”

Harper’s eyes widened. “Even if it meant you didn’t have to be alone?”

“No, because I got through it. And it brought me here.”

“I don’t know if I’d say the same.” Harper looked away. “I’d trade the time with my coven if I could.”

“Of course.” Ash let Harper’s sadness find a home in his chest. “I’d wish it away for you too.”

“But we don’t have to. I can feel how well you understand me, and loneliness is part of that. That’s what I was trying to say. It’s something we shared while we were apart, which makes it easier to move on and start a new life with you. ”

Ash cupped Harper’s cheek, his chest expanding. He felt more alive than he ever had. “I can’t wait to see the man you become, Harper, and who I become with you. Together, we’re going to thrive, and for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to my eternal existence.”

Ash sank to his knees. “Hold on, sweet. I’m going to take care of you.”