“Mmm. Yours is greed, they’ve said, so this makes sense.” Kit lets go of my hand to walk over to a section that is a giant pile of precious stones and metals of every type imaginable. “I am impressed that you seem to have organized your sinful desires.”
If only he knew…
“Makes it easier to find shit when I want it,” I mumble. “Sometimes, I give things up to get things I want more, like at the Fae booth.”
His hands fly to the collar he hasn’t removed since we were caught in the Orc-fest. “I remember. You gave up something for me, and it looked stupid valuable. Why?”
I can’t very well say because I’ve just been proven right about you being my damn mate, so I chew on my lip ring for a moment to buy time. His eyes track it, which makes me want to preen, and I have to smack my brain back into focus to find words. “Because our little family is that important, Kit Kat. You’reimportant, and that was a trinket in comparison. Don’t fret about it.”
His brows furrow as he turns away from the glittering pile to face me, then steps closer so we’re inches apart. “I am? I mean, yes, I get that most of you guys have accepted me, especially since that stupid ceremony, but… I guess it’s the BS from my past that keeps me questioning why I’m even a blip on your radar. That’s not fishing, so don’t feel you have to compliment me so I don’t shatter or anything. I’m just musing out loud, really, and?—”
Before he can finish, I reach out and grab his arms gently, pulling him against me. I don’t even have a second to process the move before my animal brain takes over and I dip my head to kiss the babbling guy I’ve been dancing around for weeks. Our lips meet, and I wait just a second until he goes pliant, then slip my tongue into his mouth to explore. Even the impatient bird inside of me knew Kit had to give his permission to make this okay, and now that he has, it’s open season.
I feel his hands move to my shirt, grabbing it to hold on, and every part of me practically sings in happiness. This is what my demonandmy animal have wanted, which means they’re in an unusual harmony. Taking advantage of the calm within, I let go of Kit’s arms to wrap mine around him as our kiss deepens. He’s hesitant, but I sense the spark of brattiness when he suckles my tongue for just a brief second before letting go. When we break for air, his face is adorably flushed, and he bites his swollen lower lip shyly.
“Oriel, that?—”
“Was perfect, KK.” I squeeze him in my embrace, hoping to let him know that he’s safe and I will not push him somewhere he isn’t ready for. It’s going to fuckingkillme if I have to let go, and I’m going to need to find something to shield the raging hard-on I’m sporting, but I’ll do it so I don’t fuck up this chance. “I’ve kinda been waiting to do that for a while.”
“Really?” His eyes widen and he blinks. “That’s what Salem said, too.”
Oh, that bi-colored son of a bitch—I’m going to thrash him for hiding that he got to our KK first.
“Did he now?” I smile gently, making sure the kid knows we will not fight over him or make him choose. That’s important, especially because humans, unlike demons, arenotprone to poly family units. Kit has to feel secure in exploring his feelings for all of us or he’ll run for the hills, so he doesn’t get hurt. It helps that it’s true that we’ll accept his decisions about who he wants, but it doesn’t mean I’m not kicking that furry ass for hiding shit. “Well, I’m not surprised. While some of our bros are outspoken, others are more… introspective about their emotions.”
“That’s me, too,” he whispers. “Not because it’s a normal state—though I’m not sure about that because I just don’t know what Icouldhave been, you know? But because of the other stuff.”
My hand raises to cup his face, and I look down at him with a soft expression. “Yeah, I know. And I know why you always have to bring it up—you’ve been made to excuse your behavior for so long that you don’t even think about it, right?”
He nods and I sigh. This damn guy may not have been totally physically abused—I don’t know what the scars X mentioned are, so I’m not ruling it out—but he’s definitely been emotionally abused so badly that he doesn’t know what end is up. What he doesn’t know is how fucked upourbackgrounds are because demons are taught to channel it into our demonic nature and keep our mouths shut, especially those in the royal court.
I’m going to do something perilous, but since he’s definitely my mate, it doesn’t technically break any laws.
“So I’m going to tell you something about my shit, and um… you can’t repeatanythingabout it if we’re not in one of these hoard rooms. Got it?” I look at him seriously and he swallows hard, but nods. “The Greed line, like all the others, has existed since Hell was created. My father is a direct descendant of the line, and my mother is a hybrid—though she will deny itwith her dying breath. Greedneedshybrids, of course, because breeding with animals and supes who are prone to that kind of proclivity strengthens the demonic inclination of our line. However, they hate it with a passion because hybrids are considered ‘lower’.”
Kit frowns. “How come all the heirs are hybrids, then?”
“Because we’re all the strongest progeny, including bastards, that our respective families have produced. We were all powerful individually, but once we bonded as a caliphate, no siblings could touch the raw power we have. It’s a bone of contention, and it lead to a lot of bad shit in our pasts.” I pause for a moment, then murmur, “Some of us had it worse than others, of course, and my parents’ mildly abusive shit isn’t really as bad compared to theirs. But those aretheirstories to tell, so don’t ask me.”
“I wouldn’t!” The kid in my grasp looks horrified at the thought, and I have to suppress a smile. He really is a good fucking person, and I hate that all this shit is falling on his head like a piano in a cartoon.
“Okay, well… I spent most of my childhood proving myself—my thieving mettle, I guess—in very dangerous situations, trying to earn my parents’ respect. Failure wasn’t an option, but if it was a reality… the reactions weren’t good.” I cough, looking away as I shrug. “The tats cover a lot, especially because they’re old. But my old man is not someone you want to disappoint, and I paid for it until Jasper brought me into the fold when I was eight.”
“I’m sorry, Oriel,” Kit whispers. “But, um, I promise—just like you did—that you’re safe with me. And your secrets, of course. That, too.” He blushes, and I smile softly at the adorableness of his shy behavior. “But I… Ilikethis. Seeing the hoard and um… the kiss… and um…”
Damn it, if he doesn’t stop that, we’re going to be in real trouble because I will not be responsible for how I react.
Shadows
Kit/Kat
The look on his face is familiar—Salem had a similar one in the tent, and it makes my stomach flutter with excitement. I know the chances of findingtwogentle, understanding guys amongst the demons I’m surrounded by weren’t great. However, in contrast to my usual bad luck, I’ve somehow attracted both beautiful guys and they’re not put off by my inexperienceormy issues.
Maybe I’ve been saving the good luck my whole life until now? That would make this easier to believe.
As our soft breaths fill the silent room, I try to stay calm when he doesn’t respond right away. Admitting I like what we’re doing is tantamount to admitting I likehimout loud, and my anxiety is sparkling in my veins like electric glitter. It should get easier after you’ve done it once, right? Once you’ve had the courage to tell someone you like them, even if it’s not direct, doing so isn’t as hard each time afterward. Right?
“KK, you look worried. Don’t be,” Oriel says in a raspy voice. “I’m quiet because… knowing you’re enjoying this and that you want to share secrets with me…”
