Page 140 of Enchanted

My chest ached at the knowledge that Ethan was the only one he’d allowed into his space. My presence was being tolerated by proxy. I already knew my mate was special, but that he was a safe person for Quill?

It made me love him even more, if such a thing was even possible.

“He’s not good,” I said bluntly. “Ethan’s with him now.”

Dahlia blew out a breath, shaking her head. “We tried to persuade him to stay behind, but he wouldn’t have it. Not when he realised it involved Ethan.”

A lump formed in my throat. Ethan wasn’t the only special male upstairs right now. “I’ll never be able to thank him enough for it.”

“The good news is that his stores are fully replenished,” Darius said. “Thanks to Nate and Theo.”

Unlike angels, demons’ powers didn’t replenish as easily. They needed access to sin. With how little he left the house, Quill often ran lower than he should. It was the reason Nox and Micah fucked on the roof sometimes, or Jeremiah and Noah did the same in the basement. Lust from an archangel was like a supercharged hit, keeping Quill stable just from being in the proximity of it.

Nate and Theo wouldn’t have been doing anything of the sort, obviously. They were close, but not that close. “What did they do?”

“Let’s just say they took care of Damien in ways I hadn’t realised were possible,” Nox said with a shiver. “Disturbing fuckers.”

“Lots of wrath,” Jeremiah said, naming one of the deadly sins. “Especially as he regenerated at least fifteen times before they put him out of his misery.”

“Good,” I said curtly. “I’m glad they took my instructions seriously. I’ll have to remember that the next time they piss me off.”

Which, knowing them, would probably be in the next twenty-four hours.

“Thank you for bringing Ethan here,” Nox said. “I know how difficult that must’ve been.”

I frowned. “Why would it be difficult?”

He and Jeremiah exchanged a bemused look before the latter answered me. “Um, because you’ve just mated? We figured you’d be fucking like rabbits and answering Ethan’s questions about the lore and backstory.”

I shrugged. “Nah. This was more important. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

Darius studied me intently. “You’re a good male, Rami.”

“Comes with the territory.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Darius said, surprisingly heatedly. “Please, just take the compliment. If I give one more only to have it thrown back in my face, I’ll start burning shit.”

All of us stared at him. Nox was the one to address it. “You good, Darius?”

“Fuck it,” he muttered, shoving back from the table. “Sorry. I know I’m being a dick, but I’ve got somewhere I need to be. Keep me updated about Quill.”

He walked to the back door and out into the small yard. Seconds later, the familiar sound of wings on the air filtered through.

Jeremiah sighed, sitting back in his chair, looking at Dahlia. “Any update on whatever’s going on with him?”

“Nope,” she said shortly, filling her glass with another shot of Adamanthea. “And before you ask, I don’t have an update on my situation either.”

Fuck. Why was love so complicated? You’d think having fated mates would make it easier, but that was far from true. It made me even more grateful that my mate was only one floor away from me. That he loved me. Accepted me.

“I’ve made Quill an emergency online appointment with Dr. Tyler tomorrow morning,” Jeremiah said abruptly. “I’m not sure he’ll attend though.”

“I’ll speak to Ethan,” I said. “If anyone can persuade Quill, it’ll be him.”

Nox gave me a kind smile. “He’s pretty awesome, Rami. I’m happy for you.”

I grinned back at him. Sure, today had been traumatic, awful, and possibly the worst way for Ethan to learn the truth, but that he was officially mine? That made me happier than I had any right to feel. “Me too.”

After locating the bowls and spoons, taking several so neither of them would need to leave if they didn’t want to, I returned to Quill’s room.