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There was a lot of drinking. With loads of trash talk bandiedabout when it came time for the games. Plain to see that everyone was takingthose games hellishly seriously. It had been a genius idea to place thegrandmothers-to-be on the dais, as they naturally assumed the role of judgeswhen it came to every close call decision. Thankfully proving rather diplomaticwhen it came to their judgements.
Between the drinking and the games, the two species hadsurprisingly happily intermingled. Thanks to some casual eavesdropping - as hewent about his role as game masters and general dogsbody - Kaleb had discoveredthe females had clearly bonded over two topics of mutual interest. Causinggeneral mayhem, and how amusing and frustrating males of any species could be.
Refilling his glass from the kitchen tap, Kaleb searched for hisValkyrie. Quickly finding her standing off to the side of the action, scowlingfiercely as she supervised the party mayhem.
Since the moment guests had begun to arrive Shaw hadn’t stoodstill. Playing the role of mediator and muscle in equal parts. Wisely handingover a tray of shots during a tense moment at the end of the diaper changing competition.Those poor mangled dolls, there’d be no donating the toys to a shelter now. ButShaw had diffused that situation readily and moved on to the next emergingcrisis, applying ale this time. Then judiciously declaring the pram race adraw, giving a delighted Demoness and Valkyrie their choice of prizes from theselection of throwing stars and daggers on offer.
Right at his moment Shaw was motionless, standing beside abouncing Stephanie. Who was thankfully positioned well back from the pinatacompetition and the wildly swinging participants trying to bash thepapier-mâché baby’s brains out.
To say Shaw looked gorgeous didn’t do her justice in Kaleb’s eyes.Everything about her, from the half amused, half exasperated look on her face.To the way the sunshine brought out the gold in her corkscrew curls she’dtwisted into a reluctant knot on the top of her head. She’d gone withshimmering dark pants today, a leather waistcoat that dipped low in the back,and with a nod to the festive occasion, black leather ankle boots. Completingthe look was a leather somai and two jet stones wrapped around her left bicep.In a word she looked dangerous. But to Kaleb she just looked hot.
A flicker of movement in the reflection of the glass had Kalebshifting his focus. The figure standing in the kitchen doorway a familiar one.“Asshole.” Turning to face his lifelong betraying butthole of a friend.
“Whiney bitch.” Galen responded drolly.
All the catering staff has wisely found somewhere else to be, itwas just the two of them, as Galen moved forward to snag a bottle of ale from afull tray of waiting to be served drinks. Kaleb leant back against the kitchensink, crossing one leg over at the ankle.
“Are those my clothes?” Galen’s midnight black gaze noting thenavy pants and striped blue, navy and white checked shirt Kaleb was wearing,the sleeves rolled back casually. Dark brown leather latest season moccasins onhis feet.
“A-huh.” Reaching over Kaleb swapped the glass of water for abottle of ale.
“You’re still pissed.” Galen observed.
Holding up a finger and his thumb about two inches apart, Kalebnodded. “Just a little bit. Yes.”
“I assumed by now you would have found some patsy to plonk on thethrone in your place.”
“Just waiting for the dark stars to align.” Kaleb smirkedfiercely, intently.
Finally, his best friend actually began to look a littleconcerned. “You’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?”
“What, like unearth an arcane law, bribe a handful of fellowConflict Demons to vote accordingly and dump the monarchy on my best friend?That does sound a rather brilliant payback plan, doesn’t it?”
“Kaleb.” Galen’s tone was low, warning. His expression grim.
“Galen.” Kaleb responded, grinning, dimpling.
“I said I was sorry.”
“Did you? Really?”
“Fine. I’m sorry. But I did explain at the time why I did it. Iwas a half-crazed desperate Demon trying to convince one stubborn Valkyrie thatshe should claim me. I didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with all theasshole sycophants and social climbers that hang out at Court.”
“Yet instead of dumping all that trouble on someone you hated, youdecided to gift the nightmare to me, your supposed best friend?”
“Because there wasn’t anyone else I trusted to deal with thefallout from Laynn’s betrayal. Her rot went deep. Kaleb, are you really goingto tell me you haven’t enjoyed playing the role of whimsical eccentric Monarchand foiling everyone’s nefarious plotting going on behind the scenes?”
“The position did grant me the power to get a few personalprojects up and running.”
“My mother told me about the progress you’ve made with Flagstaffand some of the other ex-Berserkers. Thank you.”
“You’ve reconciled with Vivi?”
“She was on a bathroom break from playing exaltedgrandmother-to-be when I arrived home. Bailed me up and talked at me for liketen minutes. She even slapped me up the side of the head. Told me my meld matewas beyond a treasure, and that I needed to spend every day until my deathworshipping her. Then she high tailed it back to that gaudy throne of hers.”
“Hah. I knew the thrones would work. Lucifer, you beyond owe me.”
“Yeah.” Galen nodded slowly in agreement. “I probably do.” Raisinghis bottle in acknowledgement. “Thank you. Now, let’s get back to something yousaid earlier. You’re not really going to off load the throne on to me, areyou?”
