Page 7

Chapter Seven

Maya threw down an ace of spades card atop the discard pile with a victorious smile. “I’m out! I win!”

Groaning, Piper and I threw the remaining cards in our hands down onto the discard pile in frustration.

“That’s the third game in a row you’ve won! When did you get so good at this?” I asked enviously.

She collected the cards into a single pile, smiling and dancing a bit in her chair. “Jaeden’s been playing with me and teaching me better techniques.”

“Can he teach me?” Piper teased.

Narrowing her eyes, she sternly said, “No.”

Laughing, I patted her hand. “Don’t worry, Maya, neither Piper nor I want your future mate.”

Her cheeks flushed. “We don’t know he’s going to be my mate yet.”

I rolled my eyes.

Piper said, “Girl, he’s an idiot if he doesn’t choose you.”

“We’re taking things slowly and as they happen. I don’t want to rush things or do something to cause them to get scared,” she whispered as she began shuffling the deck of cards.

“Only a mouse would be scared of you,” Kayden teased as he entered the living room, carrying a tray with two wine glasses filled with bubbly liquid and two cherries each.

“Watch it, fox , or I’ll burn your tail again,” she threatened with a pleasant voice and smile.

The two of them had been like this ever since we were kids. In fact, she had burned his tail with her fire power and he’d cried for an hour even after it had healed, earning a scolding from Riddick.

“I think it’s great that you’re taking your time and courting them. However, I know you four will be great together.” There was no doubt in my mind that they would end up her three mates. My brother had finally opened his eyes and seen that his childhood friend, and secret crush, liked him back and now he was all in.

Kayden set a drink down in front of Maya and I and kissed my cheek.

“Where’s my drink?” Piper asked.

“You’re working,” he replied as he walked out of the room. “No drinking while you’re guarding the princess.”

She stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.

“They’re still hovering, huh?” Maya asked softly, watching him go.

I nodded. “I’m still not one hundred percent recovered, so they’re worried about me.” Truthfully, I didn’t know if I’d ever feel one hundred percent again now that I’d lost part of my power. Lost part of myself.

“Have you talked to King Jolmach recently?” Maya asked.

I nodded. “We spoke last night. Things are going well with the restoration, but slowly. It’s hard to revitalize a world that’s been kept burned and dead.” Turned out, Valentino had been continuously burning and destroying the land to keep it in line with his lies to the demons.

There was a lot of work to be done still, though.

Mom and Dad still weren’t letting me return to the demon world yet. They promised I could go soon, but for now, they were making me wait.

It was frustrating because I wanted to go back to see Talrinir and Azgon as well as the others. I kept thinking about the little demon orphan boy I’d met and wanting to return to help him as well as others as soon as possible.

“It’s still terrifying to think about how powerful that man was. I’m glad you had an ace up your sleeve because watching you all fight was awful,” Maya whispered and reached over to grip my hand.

“I’m her guard and I couldn’t even get close to her. It was incredibly frustrating,” Piper grumbled.

“Well, what’s important is that we’re all safe and sound and neither world was overthrown.”

“What’s important is that none of the royals died, especially you,” Piper said and squeezed my shoulder. “You saved us and everyone is very, very thankful.”

“So, what’s your plan for the next few days?” Maya asked.

“No,” I said immediately. “You’re not hiding at my house to avoid the guys you are courting.”

She pouted. “Mean.”

Piper laughed loudly and Maya smacked her in the face with a pillow.

Piper gasped. “You did not just hit me in the face with a pillow.”

“You laughed at me!” Maya countered, getting to her feet and backing around the couch as Piper grabbed a pillow and held it out menacingly.

Laughing, I watched as they chased each other around the couch, swinging pillows while also laughing.

Right, things didn’t need to be perfect to enjoy them.

Relaxing was important for my recovery as well.

After Maya left and Piper went to her room to sleep, Trey joined me on the couch to watch a comedy. He draped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his side, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb along my arm.

“You seem a bit more relaxed,” he commented.

I nodded. “It was nice having them here. They know just how to make me laugh.”

“That sounds like a challenge,” he muttered, but I didn’t bother to comment.

Silly, jealous man.

“You’re ridiculous,” I muttered.

He smiled and squeezed my shoulders. “I know.”

“So, what is up for tomorrow?” I asked.

“We are going to take you to work at the shop tomorrow,” he commented. “You need to get some sleep. Am I keeping you up? Do I need to take you to bed?”

“Yes, take me to bed,” I said immediately.

He snickered and gathered me into his arms to carry me up the stairs to my room. “As you wish, Princess.”

I didn’t respond because he was obviously being silly, but I loved being carried to my room by him. He climbed in, curled around me in the bed, and kept me warm throughout the night.

As I woke the next morning, he tightened his grip on me, purring as he nuzzled my neck. “Love.”

I hugged him tighter. “Yes, all of the love.”

“Mine.”

“Yes, yours,” I agreed.”

“Good,” he exhaled and relaxed.

That was … unexpected. Why was he so relaxed by those statements?

“Forever,” he whispered.

My heart thudded faster. “Yes, forever.”

Was he still that worried about me that even in sleep he had to confirm I was still here and his?

Or was it just his possessive nature?

Gently, I stroked a hand up and down his back and his breathing quickly evened out.

Whatever the reason, I did enjoy waking up to warm hugs like this, so I let myself relax and sleep a bit more.