Page 136 of Night Fae

"The Jahan Foundation received official nonprofit status today," Malik said. "We can start accepting major donations next week."

"That's good news." Zev placed a dagger on the nightstand. "What does that mean for your schedule?"

"More meetings. Press conferences eventually." Malik hesitated. "Will you come with me? To some of them?"

Zev stilled, turning to look at him. "You want me there?"

"Of course I do."

Something vulnerable flickered across Zev's face before he controlled it. "I'm not exactly a comforting presence for traumatized youths."

"That's where you're wrong." Malik rose, crossing to Zev. "You understand survival in a way few do. You understand what it means to rebuild yourself from nothing." He took Zev's hands in his. "Besides, I need you there."

Zev's fingers tightened around his. "Then I'll be there."

They remained like that for a moment, the simple contact conveying more than words could.

"Did you ever imagine this?" Malik asked eventually. "When we were prisoners in the Night Court?"

Zev's mouth quirked. "That I'd be living on Earth, playing games with the Shadow King, and battling household appliances?" His expression grew more serious. "No. I imagined either our deaths or an existence of constant running."

"And now?"

"Now," Zev said, drawing Malik closer, "I imagine many more game nights. More foundation launches. More bratty appliances."

"More us," Malik supplied.

Zev nodded, the movement almost imperceptible. "More us."

Zev kissed Malik softly, then with growing intensity. As they moved toward the bed, a beep sounded from downstairs.

Zev froze. "The dishwasher," he growled.

Malik laughed, pulling him back. "It's just finishing its cycle. Ignore it."

"Your appliances have terrible timing," Zev murmured against Malik's lips.

"Let them," Malik whispered back. "We have better things to focus on."

The dishwasher beeped its cycle-complete tone once more, then fell silent, as if conceding the point. Tonight, at least, the household technologies would not disturb their peace.

They had earned it.