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In my true form, my height—unfortunately—stayed the same, but my skin turned into a pale green color with crocodile-like scales on the backs of my arms, legs, and, along my spine. I also had two stubby, good-for-nothing horns, my hands and feet turned scaled, and my brown eyes became ringed with a bright green color.
While I was the least intimidating of the three of us, I could still be pretty scary, especially to a human who didn't believe in my existence. Which was why I stayed stock still after shifting, only moving my eyes to see Dakota's reaction.
His eyes were wide as he stared up at me, and Ryk quickly sat down beside him on the couch, placing his hand on Dakota's leg. "Dakota, you okay?"
Dakota nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving me, and Ryk continued speaking. "As you can see, we weren't lying. We aren't allowed to tell humans about our existence, and there are very few exceptions to that rule."
"What—what exception allowed you to tell me?" Dakota asked hesitantly, his eyes flitting from me to Ryk to Star, who seemed content to quietly observe for the most part.
"The mate bond," Ryk said with a grin, then explained when Dakota gave him a confused look. "The four of us were bonded by Fate. We're fated mates, soul mates, if you will."
"Oh," Dakota murmured, and I shifted back because standing there doing nothing was starting to make me itchy.
"I know it's a lot to take in," I said, and his eyes shot to mine. He blinked when he realized I was back in my human form, but didn't say anything. "How about I make everyone some tea while you think about it?"
Without waiting for an answer, I hurried into the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, I buried my face into my palms. Now that we'd told him the truth, I was suddenly filled with panic. What if Dakota rejected us? What if he couldn't deal with the fact that we were demons? Would we have to leave him? Move out?
We'd have to wait decades before we'd get to have another chance. We'd have to wait for him to die in this realm and come to Otherworld before we'd be able to be with him again. Could we wait that long? And what would happen to our relationship without Dakota? Would the three of us still date if Dakota wasn't with us? Or would it be like when it was just Star and me?
My spiraling thoughts jerked to a halt when warm, strong arms wrapped around me, along with the familiar scent of hot stones. Star.
"Everything will be fine," he whispered in my ear in his deep, calm voice, and I melted into the hug. How had he known I was panicking? Had I made a sound?
"Dakota's already asking Ryk all kinds of questions about demons. He doesn't seem to think we're evil, so that's a plus," Star said in a teasing voice, and I gave a rough laugh as I pulled back to look up at him.
"Thanks," I said, for the hug and everything else, and he winked at me before stepping back.
"How about I make the tea while you gather yourself, hmm?" he suggested, and I gratefully stepped away from the counter, letting him take over. He was better at making tea anyway, even though we both did it the exact same way.
"If I'd shown my true form instead of you, Dakota definitely would've had a heart attack," Star joked, and I shook my head. I knew Star wasn't a fan of his true form, but personally, I really liked it. It was big and strong, and didn't match his personality at all. I had no idea why he'd ended up with a form like that.
"You have a stunning true form," I told him, but he waved me off like he always did whenever someone praised his true form. He thought that just because he didn't like it, anyone who said they did was lying. He could be such a dumbass sometimes.
Once the tea was ready, I helped Star carry it to the living room, feeling better after talking with Star. Dakota seemed to be doing better too. He was listening attentively as Ryk explained Otherworld, Afterworld, and how the demon realm connected to them. I wasn't sure how much we were allowed to tell Dakota, but since neither Nox nor Reece had told us to keep things from Dakota, I didn't stop Ryk.
Star and I took our previous spots on the armchairs, and Dakota glanced up when Ryk had finished speaking. Giving me a sheepish smile, he scratched the back of his neck as he said, "Sorry about the way I reacted, guys."
I shook my head, leaning forward in the chair. "There's nothing to apologize for. It was a big revelation. I'd be surprised if you didn't need some time."
"Yeah, it is surprising, but now that I'm thinking about it clearly, it explains a lot of things."
"It does?" Ryk asked, and Dakota chuckled.
"Yeah. It explains why you're all bad with simple human things sometimes, and how you aren't ever lacking for money, and why Nico's food always tastes delicious and why the house is always perfectly spotless," Dakota said, listing everything on his fingers.
"Uh, actually..." I cut in, then stopped. Would correcting him sound like I was trying to brag?
"Nico doesn't use magic for any of his chores. Or cooking," Star said, and Dakota's eyes widened.
"Wait, really?" he demanded, turning to me.
My cheeks heated up as I nodded, and he shook his head slowly.
"Wow. I can't believe you cook food that good when you didn't even eat until you came here," he said, and I wondered just how much Ryk had managed to tell him in the time it took me to panic and Star to make the tea.
"Uh, thank you," I said, and he gave me a sweet smile that sent warmth fizzing through my chest.
"So, Dakota," Ryk said, and I wondered if the others could hear the note of nerves in his voice. Ryk hid it pretty well behind his usual playful demeanor, but after centuries together, I'd gotten used to spotting the chinks in his armor. "Do you still want to date us? Now that you know what we are?"
