He looked around the office.Dimri did the same, not surprised to see everyone looking grim.They should be.Ramiel was just outside the city.They weren’t supposed to know it, but they knew where he and his people were camping out.Ramiel’s plan was to attack the palace tomorrow, and while Dimri and the others had planned for it and everything was in place, it was still a scary thought.People would die.Others would get hurt.There was no avoiding that, no matter how much they wanted to.Ramiel wouldn’t back down, which meant that they couldn’t, either.They had to see this through.
One way or another.
Dimri frowned when he realized that Roque wasn’t there.He knew that the bodyguard hadn’t gone far because he’d never do that while he was working, but it was still odd.Usually, he hovered around Berith, ready to take on anyone who even looked at the prince weirdly.What had happened to send him running?More importantly, where was he?
It wasn’t like Berith was vulnerable right now.Not only was he a good fighter, but he was surrounded by people he trusted.Even Lucifer was here, and he was firmly on their side.Dimri supposed that Roque deserved a night off, but unfortunately for him, it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.Even if they won the fight, it would be dangerous to leave Berith’s side for too long for a while.They’d have to wait until things settled down.
They would eventually.The most important thing right now was for them to win the fight.Once they did, everything would be easier.
The people in the office started saying their goodbyes and walking out.Dimri didn’t.Instead, he kept an eye on Berith as he glanced around the room.When he noticed that the door that led to the garden was open, he knew where he’d find Roque.
Sure enough, Roque was outside.The palace had been built on a hill, which meant that from the garden, they could see the city and the area surrounding it.It was dark, but they knew where Ramiel was hiding.Even though Roque couldn’t see him, he was still watching the area as if it was enough to keep the palace safe.
“Berith dismissed everyone,” Dimri murmured.
Roque didn’t react, which meant he’d heard Dimri come.That wasn’t a surprise, either.It was his job to hear people moving around quietly.
“They’ll be back tomorrow morning,” he added as he came to stop next to Roque.He glanced out at the city, too, but he was more interested in Roque.
“Are you leaving, too?”Roque asked.
“I will soon.I need to sleep.”
“We all do.”
Dimri wasn’t sure he’d be able to sleep, but he’d try because Roque was right.Being tired and not having slept would only make things harder for them.They both needed to go to bed, but Dimri wanted to do something first.
He turned his attention back to the city because he wasn’t sure he could do so while watching Roque.For the first time in forever, he was afraid of someone’s reaction to his words.“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” he said softly.“I wish I did, but no one does.I do know that if we both come back, I want to spend more time with you.”
Dimri noticed Roque looking at him from the corner of his eye.He still didn’t turn.He couldn’t.
“Because I care about you,” he continued.“And if we both make it, I want to see where things go.”
Roque was silent for a moment before he chuckled.“Would you have believed this a few weeks ago?”
“When Berith basically forced us to work together?No.I thought you were annoying.”
“I thought you were annoying, too.To be honest, I still think you are sometimes.”
It was Dimri’s turn to laugh, and this time, he did look at Roque.The demon was watching him with a soft smile that told Dimri everything he needed to know about Roque’s feelings for him.
Not that he’d had doubts.He knew that Roque cared about him.It was just nice to know for sure that he’d have something to return to once the fight was over.
Roque sighed.“I wish we didn’t have to wait.”
“Technically, we don’t have to.No one’s stopping us from doing anything.”
Roque hesitated.“I still think it would be best to wait.”
Dimri wasn’t quite sure about that.He already cared about Roque.What would not being with him change?It wouldn’t make his feelings grow weaker or stronger overnight.Not being with him didn’t mean that Dimri didn’t care or wouldn’t be scared of something happening to Roque.
But he respected Roque’s decision.Roque had the most important job of them all.He would be guarding Berith.If keeping his distance from Dimri helped him focus on that task, Dimri was happy to give him that.
“But once this is over, we’ll talk again,” Roque said.
Dimri grinned at him.“Only talk?”
“So much more.This isn’t just physical for me, Dimri.I need you to know that.”
