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Although a young hostess was stationed at a small desk nearby, she didn’t get a chance to greet us before a man came down the steps in record time. “Asher!” he boomed, spreading his hands. While his initial reaction indicated he wanted a hug, he was quick to shift his demeanor to where he held out a hand. “I wasn’t sure if Emersyn was yanking my chain that you actually were in town until you called to reserve a table.”
Asher shifted slightly, taking the demon’s offered hand with his own. “Looks like the business is treating you well, uncle. I trust recent events haven't damaged the income too badly.”
The man responded with an amused snort. “Hell, no. I didn’t like angels coming through my door. I put an end to that years ago. They’re nothing more than shady fuckers in tunics and a harp stashed up their ass.”
It took everything I had not to choke, especially when all I was doing was drawing in my next breath.
The prince seemed to sense the brief surge of panic tearing through me, although he didn’t seem to comprehend why. He gestured at me. “Dario, I would like you to meet my mate, Quinn. Quinn… This is my uncle Dario, from my mother’s side.”
That was enough to help sap away the frazzled nerves dancing within me. This was the second family member Asher had taken me to meet from that side of his family. There was a part of me that was beginning to catch onto a theme, although the rest of me was willing to chalk it up to a coincidence. I blinked when Dario reached out to take my hand, bringing it up to his lips to deliver a quick kiss.
“Pleasure to meet you, lass.” He released my hand before the heat could completely take dominance across my chest. His slate-gray eyes remained locked on me. “Her aura is a unique one.”
I flushed.
Dario’s gaze strayed back toward the prince. “You still have time until your reservation. Would you like to be seated early or…?”
Asher shook his head. “Still got that setup in the basement?”
His uncle released an amused snort. “Boy, do you not remember what helped me get this place on the map? Of course I’ve still got it downstairs. If that’s how you’d like to kill some time, then follow me.” He turned on his heel and started for the single door tucked in between the stairway and the kitchen.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Asher had absolutely no problem with following him, I probably would have rooted myself to the floor and refused to move. With the way I had spent my entire childhood and most of my adult life, I wasn’t used to the concept of surprises nor did I have any clue how to handle them. The fact that the prince didn’t have an ounce of weariness in his body seemed to be the only thing that ensured I didn’t make either of us look like a fool.
Dario had already disappeared down the new stairway engulfed with darkness with only thin neon lights under the steps to guide our way. He seemed to realize that Asher didn’t need him to guide the way, not when it was quickly becoming clear that the prince had spent a decent chunk of his own life here.
My eyes strayed as I drifted down the stairway. It took me a moment to realize Aydin had planted himself on the top step and wasn’t coming any further down. While it did leave me confused, my attention shifted toward the vast room ahead. Most of it was shrouded by the same darkness that had concealed the steps with only an area nearby exposed with a light hanging from the ceiling. I honed in on the wooden platform built around a large open cylinder bowl.
“We just got our fruit truck this morning, so you’ll find everything along the flavor spectrum completely stocked.” Dario reached out to trail his fingers along the wooden crates lined up just beyond the platform. Only a few of them had their tops ajar. He paused near one of them, reaching inside to retrieve a grape and plop it into his mouth. A content hum escaped him.
I finally pulled my arm from Asher’s, allowing the demon to stroll on ahead to walk amongst the crates with his uncle while I drifted to a halt just shy of the platform. With all of my senses now heightened to a level that I wasn’t used to, I could detect a wide range of smells that threatened to muffle another out. One second, I could draw in a breath that was dominated by apples while the next would be consumed by blueberries. I pressed my lips together and struggled to focus on one scent so the rest wouldn’t overwhelm me.
Both of the men had fallen into a quiet conversation with them hovering near a wire rack with wooden pieces lined up on each row. While some of the top ones were filled with wine bottles that had already been sealed, those on the bottom were empty.
Dario just happened to be gesturing at the empty bottles. “We’ve got plenty to spare if you think she’ll enjoy making more than one. The whole process can be exhausting, but the reward is certainly worth it. As I’m sure you can vouch for since we also supply your clubs.”
“I appreciate it, uncle.” Asher reached out to collect two bottles off the bottom shelf, turning each of them over to look for cracks.
The other demon responded with an amused snort. “Boy, I don’t accept a shipment if any of them are damaged. Put the bottles down and take your mate through the steps. See what she might want to pair together.” He reached out to clap a hand down onto the prince’s shoulder “I also want to congratulate you. Your mother would be proud that you’re settling down.”
I remained perfectly still with my hands clasped in front of me while Asher murmured softly in their native tongue. From the shift in his aura, it was clear that - while he appreciated the comment — it seemed to draw up an emotion that was usually deeply buried within him. I didn’t dare break the sudden silence as Dario left Asher by the racks.
Dario’s steps slowed as he approached me. Those slate eyes surveyed me carefully. “Do you love him, Quinn?”
My chin rose immediately. “Yes.”
He cocked his head to the side slightly. “Will you protect him with your life?”
“Yes.” Again, my response came quickly and without any hesitation on my part. It was the same set of questions that Salvatore had run by me with the intention of seeing just where I stood. While it did leave chills trickling down my spine at the sense of deja vu, my voice seemed just as strong as it had been for that dinner.
Dario studied me for a moment in silence before he finally offered a small nod. “Truly a unique soul… Brielle would have adored you, child. You carry yourself in the same manner that she did. The two of you would have gotten along well.” He turned slightly to peer back at Asher, who was watching us closely. “Do us both a favor, boy… Don’t snuff out her light.”
I drew back slightly as those words seemed to ring off the walls around us. It didn’t matter that the walls felt like they were miles away. They still echoed and caused that emotion swirling within Asher’s golden eyes to intensify. Why would Dario request that?
What the hell had happened in his family that I didn’t know about?
“And you, Quinn…” Dario’s gaze returned to me.
I tensed.
