“Which consequences?”
“I’d tell you, but it would cost more than a kiss.”
And just like that, the mood—a mix of desire, blackmail, and challenge—evaporated. “You suck, Bathin.”
“You have no idea how well.”
To wipe the smile off his face, I finished the distance between us, gripped his face firmly and kissed him.
On his cheek.
He grunted, surprised.
He huffed out a breath. “I…that…really?”
I pulled back with a smack. “One kiss. As agreed. Now the vortex stays closed. Congratulations. You were right. Nothing to it.”
I sauntered back to the driver’s side and got in.
“What was that all about?” The unicorn had moved out of the back seat and made herself comfortable in the front, sitting upright like a dog, so she could see over the dashboard and out the window. She’d also found my sunglasses and perched them across her nose.
She looked ridiculous. And she was a little more glittery here in the lower light of the car than she had been out in the sunlight. I decided to let it pass. It would take her some time to adjust to living in Ordinary. That was normal.
“Just holding up my end of the bargain to shut the vortex for good.” I started the car.
“Ah. The kiss. Is that what you think that was?”
“It was a kiss.” I didn’t know why I was so defensive.
“Not a demon kiss. Not exactly.”
“There was a demon involved.”
She made a little “Mmmm” sound and twisted to stare at Bathin, then looked over at me. “Ooooo. He’s irritated. Very irritated. You do know how to shove a hot brand under his fleshy bits don’t you? Oh, this is delightful.”
“Gross. So glad you approve.”
“Hoof bump.” She held out a hoof still not looking away from the demon. The sunglasses had slipped down so she could look over the top of them.
I shook my head. She jiggled her hoof. “Bump me.”
“You’re very demanding for a reclusive magical creature.” But she was also kind of cute and she obviously didn’t like Bathin, so that gave her points in my book.
Yeah, I was in a good mood. Today had been a win. We’d just closed down a vortex to Hell with absolutely no repercussions.
That never happened in Ordinary.
So I reached over and fist-bumped her hoof.
She stuck her tongue out at Bathin and wiggled it.
He threw his hands up, his face like thunder.
“Boom,” the unicorn sighed. “I am going to justloveliving here.”
“Good.” I drove out of the park toward home. “How do you feel about a fenced yard?”
“I suppose it depends on the yard. Is it yours?”
