Page 20 of King’s Obsession (Obsessions #5)
Dougal
“There’s no natural light there,” Dougal explained to the younger plants all clamoring for his attention. “That would make things very difficult for you.”
It was early morning, and Dougal had slipped out as soon as the sun’s rays started peeking over the horizon, determined to soak up some sunlight before another grueling two hours at the demon realm.
Baal, perhaps emboldened by Dougal’s insistence on protecting Asmodeus’s time, had suggested on the first morning of the new regime, that each visitor had a time limit.
He explained it would make it easier for Baal to schedule the limited time, but Dougal noticed how much more confident the PA got every time he interrupted a meeting, letting Dougal know that the next appointment was waiting.
There was a definite swish in that saunter when Baal followed the disgruntled demon out of the office, giving them a few moments before the next one came in.
Honestly, it was a good idea. Dougal sighed as he petted the surrounding leaves, sending out his soothing energies.
It seemed the higher ranked a demon was, the more they thought every element of their life history was important when it came to asking what they wanted.
In a lot of cases, the demons didn’t even want anything specific.
Dougal was fast coming to the conclusion that a lot of them visited just so they could drop it into conversations later about their meeting with the king and his troll.
But the white walls and the ornate chairs, which were hellishly uncomfortable, were grinding Dougal’s gears.
He couldn’t imagine how Baal could handle working there, and while Asmodeus just said, “It’s just always been like this,” when Dougal had asked about it, he didn’t think that meant things couldn’t change.
He tapped the pile of pots he’d brought out with him. “At the moment, your roots have free rein to travel as far as they can grow. If you come with me and do this, then you’re going to have to be cooped up in a pot for weeks.”
He listened, head tilted as the leaves, grasses, and bushes chatted among themselves. The general consensus was that Asmodeus would put in a window if asked, and most of the plants were keen to volunteer for a short trip, provided it wasn’t for very long.
“What do we think about a month?” Dougal asked, smiling at a persistent vine that was wrapping around his trouser leg.
“Obviously, the bigger trees can’t come, which could be difficult for many of you younger growths.
A month?” That seemed to work, although one or two bushes weren’t sure how long a month might be, so Dougal explained, “It’s a full cycle of the moon—from new moon to new moon,” which they could understand.
“Even if I can get a window put in, it probably won’t open. I imagine Asmodeus is very protective of his space,” Dougal warned. “A window could be seen as a security concern, so there would be very limited chances to take in fresh air.”
That caused another round of chatter, which Dougal understood.
It was different for plants that were raised in glass houses—they were used to being protected by walls.
Most of the plants in the forest had grown only ever knowing the changing weather patterns and being outdoors.
Being in an office would be a new experience for them.
“Yes, I will check in on you most days—not every day, but most days, Asmodeus has to be there.” Dougal nodded.
“Yes, I will also make sure that your water and soil nutrition needs get taken care of…” he tilted his head, brow smoothing out.
“Companion plants, good idea.” He grinned at the large holly bush that made the suggestion.
“Like a buddy system, so you can look out for each other. Very smart. Yes, we can do that.”
After that, it was just a matter of logistics.
Smaller plants held still as Dougal carefully exposed their root system so they could go into a pot.
There were a lot of leaves shimmering about that.
Some of the bigger plants offered to send along new shoots, giving part of themselves that would grow into independent trees and bushes by the time they came back.
There was an air of excitement in the forest as Dougal got a dozen plants situated in pots, standing up and dusting the soil off his hands when he was done.
“All right,” he said, “now it’s time to use the magic from the forest and shrink you all down so you can hide in my pockets until we get there.
No little fella,” he gently disentangled the vine who was still clinging to his pants, and putting the stem back on his tree.
“Not you, not this time. You grow a bit more and we’ll see about it next month, all right?
Your tree’s too big, and can’t come with us, but if you keep growing the way you are, then you can provide a shoot for us next month, which can grow on Asmodeus’s throne. Won’t that be fun?”
Apparently, that was the right thing to say. With a grin, Dougal hurried back to his cabin, his pockets full.
“What on earth is all that stuff in your pockets?”
Douglas looked up from where he was setting out the pots he’d collected and quirked his eyebrow. “It’s not like you to use your kingly tone on me,” he said with a deep laugh. “If we’re spending any time here at all, then this room needs plants and a window.”
“There’s nothing wrong with this room.” Asmodeus stomped over to his chair and sat down in a huff.
“It’s uncluttered for a reason and before you start throwing around words like making it feel welcoming or other drivel like that, this place is not meant to be welcoming.
If those demons got comfortable in here, they’d be hanging around the door every day. ”
“It’s not for the demons, or has anything to do with making them feel welcoming.
” Dougal started setting the now enlarged pots in clusters around the stage area, and near the two chairs they used.
“This room is filled with very negative vibes—understandable after what I’ve seen since we’ve been coming here regularly—but none of that is good for you know who. ”
He let his gaze linger on Asmodeus’s belly for a long moment.
His mate was still terrified the demons would find out he was pregnant, although that day was going to come soon enough.
In the meantime, Asmodeus started getting anxious and cranky, the closer it got to the time they needed to head to his realm, and didn’t truly relax again until they made it back to the forest.
“Plants are very good at improving air quality and have their own energies that are calming and soothing to the people who spend time near them. They are also useful in helping to reduce fatigue, and can even help you concentrate and be more productive because they help absorb sound and minimize the echoes that blank walls and wide spaces can cause. They’re healthy.
” Pleased with the placement, Dougal joined his mate, sitting on the chair beside him.
“We need a window on that wall.” He pointed to the wall to their left.
“That’s an outside wall, and natural light will encourage growth and health to everything living in here. ”
“You want a window now?” Asmodeus flung his fist in the direction of the wall and a window appeared. “Bigger? Smaller? What else do you want? Curtains?”
Dougal felt something tap against his leg and reached into one of his many pockets.
“Hi there, little one. Thank you for reminding me you were there.” He smiled down at the pot.
“Yes, I agree. Asmodeus needs some positive vibes. Here.” He plonked the pot carefully in Asmodeus’s lap.
“Sit and hold that plant for a moment. I need to adjust a couple of the other plants to account for the change in light.”
He jumped out of his seat and started moving some of the pots, letting them take advantage of the more natural light.
“A window catch would be a good idea,” he sang out, feeling better just having plants of his forest around them.
“Fresh air would be a bonus on those days the demons go overboard with their colognes, or if they have garlic for breakfast.”
“Don’t mention garlic.” Asmodeus gagged as another zing of magic flew past Dougal’s ear. “I’ve got people waiting to see me.”
“That’s why opening a window is a good idea.” Reaching over, Dougal opened it. “If you’re worried about people overhearing private business, just ward the outside.”
“I’ve already done it.” Asmodeus heaved a sigh. “This plant is very trusting.”
Ah, that’s what I was looking for. A lower tone, a calmer attitude…
Dougal smiled as he turned back to his mate.
The plant had long thin leaves, and they pressed against Asmodeus’s chest. “That’s about as close to a plant hug as you’re going to get,” he said as he made his way back to his chair.
“Unless you’re Silas or Wanda, of course, in which case their trees get a bit friskier—actually a lot more—we don’t need anything like that in here. ”
“Definitely not.” Asmodeus carefully rested the pot and the plant on the arm of his chair, cupping his hand around it so it wouldn’t fall. “Call in the first complainer.”
Dropping a kiss on Asmodeus’s shoulder, Dougal called out, “Baal, let’s get this done. Warn all supplicants, their king is grumpy today.” Then he leaned against Asmodeus for a second and said in a lower tone, “Do you think that will help weed out the nuisances?”
“I wish,” Asmodeus muttered. “I’m already hungry.”