Page 10 of Unsanctioned (Devilish #2)

As much as Audor hated leaving a sexy wolf in his bed, especially without waking him, Audor had to check on Frost while it was still dark.

He made Waylon coffee and left a note, letting him know where he had gone.

While Audor knew Waylon could simply ask him mentally where he was, he didn’t want even a second of worry to touch his mate.

When he landed in Frost’s front yard, he spotted Fen and Stone guarding the house.

Thankfully, some months back, Riku had drawn protection spells around the house, making it impossible for any creature to get in without prior permission.

It seemed King Jonathan’s bunch were immune to that, but they were keeping Frost safe.

Fen headed in the opposite direction as soon as he saw Audor.

Audor bit back a tired sigh. It seemed he had made an enemy out of that one.

His gaze slid Stone’s way. No animosity shot his way, so Audor assumed Stone understood Waylon was his mate.

There was no sense in being angry. Waylon belonged to him and Audor belonged to Waylon.

That was just the way of it. Still, Audor had red-hot coals of jealousy in his gut when he looked at Stone.

He still saw the ballsy vamp on his mate’s lap.

His eye twitched. It was best he dealt with the hatred directed at him.

Audor searched out Fen. He appeared in his path before Fen could escape him. “Anything new to report?”

“It’s been quiet.” Fen moved to step around him.

Audor stepped into his path. “I owe you an apology.”

“Then say it and move along.” His bright green eyes sparkled with hatred. Audor knew things had gone south on their date, but he wasn’t sure he warranted all this. Maybe it was the red hair. Gingers were said to be fiery.

“I’m sorry for how things went down at Frost’s party. You didn’t deserve that. At the time, I had no idea Waylon was my mate.”

“You were aware you loved them, though.”

It wasn’t a question. Audor wouldn’t pretend Fen was wrong. “Yeah. I knew. We had split, and I tried to move on. I never meant to hurt you.”

A bitter laugh fell from Fen’s lips. “This isn’t hurt. I’m pissed. As you said, you knew how you felt. You also knew how Waylon felt. He’s a lesser being. No doubt you read his every thought. You knew how everyone felt, and yet you willingly chose to drag me into things. I don’t like being used.”

“I do. Use me, daddy,” Stone said, walking past them on patrol.

The obnoxious baby voice he used had Audor pinching the spot between his eyes.

Plus, he just needed a moment. As much as Audor chafed at Waylon being called lesser, he could only fight one battle at a time.

He opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

All he knew was they had to work together to keep Frost safe and hard feelings could put them at risk.

A wildflower appeared between them. “Peace?” Waylon had to have been really hunting to find a flower this early into spring.

Fen’s gaze dropped to the flower pointed his way.

Audor fought like hell not to look at Waylon. His eyes itched to see his mate. You meant that flower for me.

He practically felt Waylon’s inner laughter. I totally picked it for you, but this has to end. I’ll pick you another.

Fen didn’t take the flower, but the rage left his eyes. “You picked that for your mate.”

Waylon didn’t give up trying to hand it to Fen.

“It’s still for my mate. If you two can’t get along, then you can’t watch each other’s backs.

I know you’re both warriors who don’t think you’d let something personal cloud your judgment in battle, but I won’t risk it.

Let’s put this behind us. Let me make amends. ” He held the flower closer.

Fen finally took it. He eyed it for a second.

“As you said, I’m a warrior. I’d never allow harm to come to anyone for personal reasons.

Thank you for the flower. No one has ever given me one.

” On that note, he walked away, leaving Audor feeling worse than before.

He had a bad feeling Fen had been happier about that date than he realized and obviously felt neglected because everyone saw him as a warrior and nothing else.

Guilt ate at him. Then his gaze met Waylon’s, and everything fell away except his other half.

“Hey.”

Waylon smiled. “Hey. I woke up alone.”

Now he felt twice as guilty. “I had to come to check on things before sunrise. But I made you coffee.”

Waylon crowded his space. “You did and I appreciate it. But I want my morning kiss before work even more.”

“Hmmm. Well, we can’t have you going off to serve and protect without a kiss.”

Waylon shook his head. “We really can’t.”

Audor wrapped his arms around Waylon and shuffled closer. His lips skimmed Waylon’s. “How did you get here so fast?”

“Leif brought me.”

“Good. That means I can do this.” Audor zapped them home. Waylon was already in uniform. Audor couldn’t seduce him the way he wanted, but he could ensure Waylon thought about him all day.

“I always do that no matter what.”

Fuck. He loved having Waylon in his head. As much as he hated it, Audor swept one last kiss across Waylon’s lips. “Be careful out there.”

“Always. Get some sleep.”

“I will.” Audor knew, as much as he’d prefer to sleep when Waylon did, he needed his energy for when the sun went down. “If you need me, I’m still just one thought away.”

“Same. I love you.”

The sincerity in Waylon’s eyes made his throat swell. This was everything he had ever wanted, and he wasn’t sure if he was worthy. He would savor this blessing nonetheless.

Lucifer stared at the horizon. From the top of the mountain, he could see the whole town.

He knew this was the real reason Riku chose this spot to live.

This was Riku’s charge. He was their sentry, while most people didn’t even know he existed.

Maybe that gave him purpose. Lucifer hated it.

He wanted Riku with him. That was his place, ruling at Lucifer’s side.

Warm lips pressed against the spot between his wings. Lucifer made them disappear so Riku could hold him tighter.

Riku didn’t let him down. His arms tightened around Lucifer’s waist. He gently stroked Lucifer’s stomach. “Why do you tease this town?”

A bark of laughter burst from Lucifer. He wouldn’t play dumb. They both knew he was the reason they scrambled, searching for demons. “I’m bored. These people could do with a little excitement.”

“So you didn’t do it to hurt me?”

Lucifer rolled his eyes, but he covered Riku’s arms with his and linked his fingers through Riku’s. “Did it hurt you?”

“No.” The word brushed his skin with Riku speaking against his back between kisses.

“Then that was a ridiculous question.” He tightened his hold on Riku, in case the words made him run away… again.

Riku pressed his cheek against Lucifer’s back. “Don’t listen to my thoughts for a minute.”

“Okay.” It was a lie. Lucifer didn’t have the willpower to shut Riku out. If he could, this bullshit half-life would have ended long ago.

I love you. Fuck, I love you so much. This is killing me, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t destroy everything for my gain, but I’m slowly dying.

Lucifer stared at nothing and tried to breathe.

He couldn’t give away that he listened. Neither could Lucifer keep doing this.

He had shown more patience with Riku and selflessness than he ever had since the beginning of time.

This had to stop—for both their sakes. Then he felt it. A tear ran down his back. He was done.

“You have a week.”

Riku sniffed. “What?”

Lucifer didn’t turn. He couldn’t look at Riku, or maybe he would cave. “You have a week to decide, or I’m choosing for you.”

“What do you plan to choose if I don’t?”

So much pain sat on his chest. His sister had found a new way to torture him. He had honestly believed there was nothing left she could do to him. Riku was the worst pain he had ever endured, and he had been ripped to pieces over and over for centuries.

“I don’t know,” Lucifer answered honestly.

“Maybe I’ll return to hell where emotions are cranked up to a million.

You’ll feel the loss of me in a way your mind likely can’t endure.

” That was the thing about Hell. It found the tiniest seeds of longing and turned them into a nonstop torment that would break the strongest of minds.

Unlike heaven, where emotions were muted to stop any pain, Hell was the opposite in every way.

“Maybe I’ll just take you and leave you no choice but the nightmare of being my mate.

Or I could kill you and set myself free.

I guess we both have a week to figure it out. ”

Riku didn’t stop kissing his spine. It was like he couldn’t stop, even when he fully understood Lucifer could break him in ways he didn’t even understand.

His brain couldn’t wrap itself around the horror Lucifer could place upon him.

Riku’s imagination wasn’t that big. Still, if Riku couldn’t choose him, Lucifer would do what he had to do to end this. He was no one’s toy.

“One week, Riku.” With the promise hanging between them, Lucifer disappeared, escaping Riku’s grasp. He couldn’t stand being held anymore, knowing it was temporary and pointless. The world had seven days. Everyone needed to pray Riku chose him. Otherwise, he would level this place.