Page 23 of The Demon’s Delight (The Demon Princes #3)

Chapter 22

Hailon

“ H ailon, come try these on!” Seir was positively vibrating with excitement and had been since we stumbled into Manvil around midday. To say we were both grateful to have arrived somewhere with a wealth of amenities was an understatement. I could also feel how close we were getting to Ravenglen with the shift in the temperature and season. This place felt more northern and much more like home than previous towns.

We’d immediately found the nearest tavern and eaten a full hot meal—double servings for Seir—before starting a slow circuit through the bustling shops. I already had two new tunics, a pair of trousers, and a skirt, as well as matching underthings and socks. I had no clue where we were going to store everything, but he was undaunted by such details and kept magically finding space for things in his pack. It probably helped that I wore several of the items out of the shop.

“The boots I have are fine,” I argued, terrified of the price tag on such fine craftsmanship.

He scoffed and brought the footwear to me, earning a scowl and wary eye from the cobbler who ran the shop. “Only with three pairs of socks. Look, aren’t these lovely?” He held up the pair of supple leather boots, his smile wide. “This pair is perfect for you.”

“Is it? How so?” I chuckled, taking the boots and allowing him to tug me by the hand back to the little store. The cobbler finally relaxed once we were through the door.

“Well to start, this rich honey tone will look lovely with your eyes.” Seir gently pushed on my shoulders, and I sat on the wooden stool. “Then there’s the higher arch, and these toggles along the calf.”

“It’s antler,” the cobbler provided helpfully. “The toggles, that is. Elk, if I’m not mistaken. The leather too.”

Seir knelt on the floor directly in front of me and pulled my foot to his thigh. Heat flared violently through my body. It was a simple gesture but certainly a meaningful display to anyone looking on.

“This really isn’t necessary. I can take off my own boots.”

“I know you can. Let this prove once and for all that I’ll happily get on my knees for you any time the situation calls for it, Moonflower.”

He winked and pulled off the oversized boots, setting them to the side. Next were the socks, which he replaced with a single pair of new ones, a burgundy set I’d fallen in love with immediately for their softness and color.

My blush only deepened the more he fussed. His fingertips lingered on my ankle and calf as he settled the sock over my leg. Then came the boot. His thigh was once again the prop as he slid the leather over my toes and forced my heel down into the sole.

His smile was slow and heated as he checked the fit. I didn’t miss the twinkle in his eye when he glanced up at me long enough to wink again. Then he dipped down and pressed his lips to my knee before repeating the process. His shenanigans would have been hindered by the pair of trousers I’d been wearing when we first arrived in town. Lucky for him, I’d changed into the long skirt at the clothing store.

“Seir,” I chided, exasperated.

Things had shifted significantly between us since our time in the ruins, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about how little I minded. The more boldly he flirted, the more I melted, even if I made a front of scoffing at his efforts. It was so unlike me, but I couldn’t even find the will to fight it. It was nice to be cared for. I hadn’t had much of that in my life.

“Wiggle your toes around, make sure they’re not too tight.” He ignored my scolding tone completely. On went the second boot, and he was offering me a hand while still on his knees so I could stand and walk around. Even on his knees, the top of his head came to just below my ribs.

“You need a job, mister?” the cobbler asked, arms crossed as he watched us from near his workbench. “Seems you have a knack with the more persnickety customers.”

Seir beamed at the compliment. “Only passing through, I’m afraid. How much for these? We’d be happy to trade you the other pair as well. They’re good quality and fairly new, just not well-fitted for her.”

The cobbler made a show of considering it, then the two engaged in some polite haggling as I silently marveled at how good the boots felt on my feet. They might have been the best ones I’d ever owned. I hated that he’d been so right.

“Deal,” Seir finally said, getting to his feet to shake the man’s hand. He rattled the poor cobbler’s whole arm, making him stutter in shock.

Seir gathered up our packs, shoved the old pair of boots and the appropriate amount of money at the cobbler, and we were back on our way. He threaded his fingers into mine, sending another skip through my heartbeat. We were in a very busy area, but it felt like he might be doing it for more than just that reason.

“This is fun! I haven’t been able to do this kind of thing in a regrettably long time.”

“What, go shopping?”

He nodded, looking around for our next stop. “Yes. There are markets in He—” He paused, the crush of people dense and too much attention on us to be comfortable speaking so openly. He dropped his volume and continued. “There are markets where I live, but nothing like this.” He stopped, head swiveling as he scanned the wooden signs above shop doors.

“What are you looking for now?” I asked with a chuckle, his buoyant mood infectious. I’d had a good meal, had spent more coin than I’d ever seen at any single time in my life, and could almost guarantee a night in an actual bed was in my very near future.

“Ah!” He tugged me down a short alley, pausing in front of some leaded glass windows.

“A jeweler?”

“Are you attached to the spoons? I was going to see if they would be interested in buying them for the silver. Maybe that little belt, too, for the gold.”

“Not at all, that’s exactly why I brought them along.”

“Good. Stay where I can see you out the window?”

“Sure.”

He nodded once, resolutely, then walked into the small shop.

I watched people milling about, banners in red and orange strung up on ledges and signposts. Trees were wrapped in ribbons as well, and there seemed to be an unusually high amount of people out and about, given the size of the town.

A woman with a kind face walked by, and I got her attention. “Excuse me? What are the decorations for?”

She smiled. “The Forage Festival! One of the best days of the whole year.” She looked me up and down. “Traveling through, I assume, as you had to ask?”

“Yes, we arrived today.”

“You’re here just in time, then! Everyone is already setting up, but after sunset, things really get going. There’s food and music, street vendors. Enjoy yourself!”

I thanked her as she continued along her way. Seir emerged a few minutes later, jingling heavily with every step. “That was smoother than expected, honestly. All set. What did that woman say to you?”

I appreciated that he’d had his eyes on me. “I wanted to know what the banners are for. There’s some kind of festival,” I said, gesturing to the orange and red fabric.

“In that case, we’d better secure a room. We can come find some sweet treats after, yes?”

He tugged me along again, and I let him, heart lighter and worries far away.

Seir was undeterred in his efforts to find us a room despite the first three inns having none available.

To soothe the frustration, he continued to shop as we made our way down alleys and around blocks and through all the tents and tables that enterprising shopkeepers were setting up on the walks.

In the end, we were able to rent the attic room of the Rusted Rooster. It was at the far end of town, and actually was a preferable location for getting on our way in the morning even if it seemed like a more troublesome spot at first. Besides, the owners were an adorable older couple, and I could tell they didn’t get as much traffic because of their location. They were all too happy to help us out.

We had to climb three flights of stairs to get to our lodging for the evening. Seir even had to duck a bit under areas of the sloped roof as we went down the short hall.

“That last flight of stairs was only a little terrifying,” I complained. The steps had gotten narrower and steeper as we went up, and the door to the attic itself required a special key. Everything creaked and squeaked as we walked, and I wondered if we’d be resting with the house’s ghosts.

“At least there’s a private bath,” he gestured to the dark room across the hall as he unlocked the door. “And the door locks, which is nice.”

“It’s private everything, this is the only room up here,” I countered.

“They should be charging more for such a privilege.” Seir grinned as he strode into the main bedroom, dropping our packs near the little table with two stools without hesitation.

“Oh.” I stopped short in the doorway, looking around to see if there was more to the space I couldn’t see.

“What’s the matter?”

I gestured my arm to the singular—though ample-sized—bed.

Seir shrugged. “I can sleep on the floor by the fireplace like I did at the way-house. No matter to me.”

“It’s… a big bed,” I found myself saying. My cheeks lit up as I realized what it might sound like I was inviting. “Surely we can both fit and get some decent rest. We did just fine last night, after all.”

“Mmm.” Seir crossed to the far side of the mattress and laid his long form down, one eyebrow raised playfully. “Care to test it out with me?” He held his hand out in invitation.

“You’re ridiculous.” I was blushing, I was sure of it. And tempted.

“No,” he countered, “I’m practical. Come on. It’s a lovely bed. Very comfortable. Perhaps we should nap before we go back out to the festival.” He closed his eyes and folded his hands together over his stomach.

That was a temptation for sure. It seemed sleep was the one thing we were constantly chasing, though I was still feeling fairly rested from our extra day in Coltor’s glade.

I toed off my new boots and carefully laid myself out as close to the edge of the bed as I could get.

“Come now,” Seir tutted, his strong hands sliding under my hip and shoulder. I made a squeak as he pulled me toward the center of the mattress. “No need to fall off the edge. There’s plenty of space.”

His fingers combed through my hair, and I found myself melting into the mattress despite my anxiousness. “Just a little nap?” I suggested, eyes already getting heavier.

“An hour or so, to recharge our energy for the festivities.”

“How can you be sure we won’t sleep through until morning?”

“My stomach, for one,” he chuckled, fingers delving deep into the strands, short nails dragging along my scalp. “I have a relentless body clock, remember? And I don’t sleep much. I’ll bet we’ll be up and ready for supper without any trouble at all.”

“If you say so.” My words were mumbled, running together as I dissolved into my pillow.

“I do.” Seir’s fingers disappeared from my hair long enough to pull the quilt over me.

“You’re kind, Seir.”

“Oh?”

“Thoughtful. Generous.”

“You flatter me, Hailon.” He shifted a bit closer, both hands now in the mix, pulling sections of my hair into little braids. “To what do I owe such pretty words?”

“I just… needed to tell you. For a while, I think I was sort of waiting for you to stop being so nice. To be sure that it wasn’t an act. But then I realized it’s who you are. Are all demons like this?”

He made a thoughtful noise in his throat. It rumbled through my chest, and I reached up to soothe the slight burn that flared with my hand.

“I’m hardly a rarity, Moonflower, but I suppose not all that common either. My brothers and I decided early that we would do our best to remain ourselves, no matter our location.”

“What does that mean?”

“Mostly that I simply refuse to let Hell turn me into one of the beasts it houses. It would be very easy to let it happen, honestly. Seeing ugliness, torture, violence all day every day… it does something to you.” His voice grew distant. “Battle. Blood. There’s only so much the mind can take before it fractures. But I am still myself, despite all I’ve seen. Despite my own terrible deeds. The choice to fall was mine, and I stand by it.” The mood lightened again, the shroud of despair disappearing as quickly as it had come. “We’ll talk about that another time though. Or not. It’s not something you need concern yourself with. You’ve seen plenty of the darkness yourself, after all. Rest now. Dream of savory meat skewers and fluffy candy floss. Perhaps there will be fireworks or those little sticks that sparkle when they are met with flame. We can look for a gift to take to your Aunt Sal. Maybe there’s a book she’d like, or a little trinket…”

I drifted away as he pulled his fingers through my hair and listed off curiosities and baubles, wondering what the angel version of him must have been like if this was him after he fell.