Page 7 of King’s Obsession (Obsessions #5)

Dougal

One of the most amazing things about the forest and the people who called that place home was that, oftentimes, words were never needed when actions spoke louder.

Dougal knew from his breakdown before that any show of upset or anger would only sadden the forest and cause harm to all the living beings that dwelled within his borders.

And yet his absence would be noted too, and Dougal didn’t want to cause anyone any worry.

Which was why, when he felt himself suitably put back together, and trusted himself not to collapse into a screaming heap in the dirt the moment anyone spoke to him, Dougal left his cabin and made his regular rounds.

He praised the young vine who was being so much more respectful to the tree it lived on, even managing a chuckle when the leaves tickled his fingers.

He checked the river that flowed through his land—cleaning up a few pieces of garbage left on the banks by careless fishermen.

And when he was done checking every tree and making sure all the undergrowth had registered his presence and had felt calmed by it, Dougal made his way to the clearing, carrying his battered mug of cider as if it was any other day.

Dougal smiled and sat down on the log that had cradled his butt for more years than he could count. There was a basket of freshly picked peaches resting beside his seat, and Dougal raised his mug in a silent toast to Wanda and her blissful one.

It was as if that toast was a magical signal because Dougal hadn’t been sitting long before Silas appeared, trailed by Dakata, dressed in casual clothes. They brought along another basket of salads and baked goods.

Merihem and Peni weren’t far behind. Merihem was juggling a large cooler full of meat and a chair for his blissful one who was walking a little slower than normal thanks to the bulge around his middle. Seeing the cooler, Dakata started building the fire in Dougal’s specifically designed fire pit.

George and Scott were the last to arrive with more food and more chairs. Scott dragged his next to Peni’s—his belly hadn’t protruded quite as far as Peni’s had, but it was definitely noticeable.

George disappeared behind a tree and reappeared moments later in his bear form, coming over and sniffing at the peaches, before nudging Dougal with his head before he wandered off again to go to Scott.

On the surface of it, it was just another day and yet Dougal could sense the deeper meaning behind the impromptu gathering.

He had a found family—people who cared about him, and who wanted to be supportive even if the words were never spoken.

No one asked him if anything was wrong, there wasn’t any prying.

Instead, by some unspoken signal, his family had gathered, showing their support for him and for each other.

We did this. We created the space where they could come—demons and their blissful ones, safe and cherished in our forest. Dougal didn’t expect to see Wanda and Christa.

He knew how Wanda still struggled to be around the other demons, even though Dakata and Christa were siblings.

The peaches from her trees were her own form of support.

Reaching into the basket, Dougal picked one up and took a bite, enjoying the sun-warmed juices.

“He won’t even let me clean.” Peni was nibbling on a bowl full of salad greens as he chatted to Scott. “That big behemoth knows how important it is to me to have the space around me tidy, and the moment I pick up a mop or a duster, he snatches it out of my hand and starts cleaning things himself.”

“George is the same.” Scott actually chuckled.

Dougal didn’t think he’d seen that before, but the man looked a lot more relaxed than he had in the past. “You’d think, the way they behave, they’d never seen a pregnant man before.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see George wandering along behind me, watching for some sign of a baby head coming out of my ass at any given moment. ”

“I know.” Peni was giggling as he rubbed slow circles over his belly.

“This one is moving around so much, and you know how every once in a while, a foot or something might go where you don’t expect it to.

I wince, or I might go ‘ouch,’ and this thing of mine is there right in my face, going, ‘Is it time? What do I do?’ He’s a worrywart. Cute, but definitely a worrywart.”

Considering Merihem was Controller of the demon and human realm and feared across all realms, Dougal didn’t think cute, or worrywart were the terms he’d use to describe the rugged demon. That didn’t mean Dougal wasn’t filled with pride watching his friends chatting about happy times.

There was a curiosity coming from them, too.

That was inevitable. But Dougal had kept his secrets a long time, and now…

now wasn’t the time. Maybe one day… but even as he thought it, Dougal shook his head.

Anything he said would be disrespectful to the man who ruled the demons in his glade.

Even though you crushed my heart, I would never do that to you.

It was a couple of hours later. The sun was high in the sky, and the smell of cooked meat filled the glade.

Merihem, Dakata, and George were all sprawled on the grass by their blissful ones, chatting quietly about business matters with Scott.

Peni had left his chair and was curled up asleep on Merihem’s chest while Silas had stretched out on another log, his eyes half closed, humming softly.

Dougal’s mug was empty, and as he reached into his pocket for the flask he always carried, he frowned as something tingled along his senses. There was another being in the forest—a being whose energies Dougal knew intimately.

Trying not to let his worry show, Dougal closed his eyes, connecting with the trees, trying to find out where Asmodeus was exactly.

He was getting closer—in the daylight—and yet Dougal did not know why. Dougal had said his piece and besides, Asmodeus had never shown himself in the forest during the day before.

What are you up to, you pesky demon? The most obvious answer was that Asmodeus was spying on him, although Dougal had no idea why. Is he that upset about me crushing the stone, he’s… what?

Decided to spy on me in person?

The demon wasn’t being secretive about his progress through the forest. And it was Asmodeus in his demon form, Dougal knew that much.

“Company’s coming,” Silas sing-songed, sitting up and stretching. “Did we need to go?”

“No, don’t leave. You have every right to be here.” Dougal was definite about that. Asmodeus might rule the demon realm, but in the forest, it was Dougal who held control.

He stood up as the demon crashed his way through the undergrowth, standing on the edge of the clearing, a scowl gracing his stunning face. “You all need to go,” the demon growled, giving everyone a hard stare.

There was confusion on the demons’ faces, and a bit of fear, too. Peni woke up and yelped as he saw Asmodeus. He clung to Merihem’s shoulders. The Controller was worried and Dakata moved Silas under his arm in a protective move.

“I said go,” Asmodeus roared, making the trees shudder and branches dance. “I must have words with him.” He pointed to Dougal, who got just a tiny bit upset with the demon’s arrogant attitude.

Shifting into his troll form, Dougal stomped over, meeting Asmodeus eye to eye.

It was the first time they’d ever met or seen each other that way.

“This is a friendly gathering in my realm,” he stated firmly.

“These people are my friends. My found family . The people I care about. You will treat them with respect while you are here,” he rumbled deeply, matching the demon’s tone.

“I need to talk to you… about last night.” Asmodeus replied in a stilted voice, as if shocked the troll would face up to him.

Dougal’s heart lurched. Could it be… But no.

Asmodeus wasn’t going to run roughshod over his life anymore, and Dougal had been enjoying the peace and the company.

“Anything you want to say to me can come later. For now, there is a steak with my name on it, cooking on the grill. You might be king of the demon realm, but here you follow my rules.”

“I have to talk—”

Dougal cut him off. “Later,” he said firmly.

“In the meantime, if you have the time to stay and enjoy our picnic with us, you’re welcome.

But you sit your ass down on that log,” he pointed to where he’d been sitting, “and you behave in a civilized manner. In this clearing, these demons and their blissful ones are my friends, not your subjects, and will be treated as such. Dakata, throw another steak on the grill, if you don’t mind.

Go on.” Dougal pushed on Asmodeus’s chest. “Sit down. We have plenty.”

Taking a chance, especially when Asmodeus still hadn’t moved, Dougal shifted back to his human form, and took Asmodeus’s hand, leading the silent demon over to the log. There was room to share. “You should try one of these peaches,” he said, as Asmodeus sat down.

Dougal grabbed one and handed it to the demon king, as he took his own seat. “Taste it. They are delicious. It’s like eating a mouthful of sunshine.”

Asmodeus looked at the peach as if he expected a worm to come out, but a moment later, without looking at anyone else, he took a huge bite.

Dougal grinned. “Silas, would you sing for us, please? Something lighthearted and fun would be lovely.”

And no, he wasn’t imagining it when Asmodeus leaned against his shoulder mere seconds into Silas’s song.

Maybe…

Ah, heart, you are so full of hope.

Dougal focused on enjoying the sun, Silas’s song, and the heat of the demon’s skin beside him. There were times when the simplest thing to do was enjoy the moment for what it was.