The title is heavier coming from him, and I’m honored he remembers me, but I’m just a demon. I don’t want him bowing for me. “Please stand. I am not a lord.”
He remains kneeling. “You’re right, what you did—
sacrificing yourself for our safety—you are no lord. You’re a God!”
If I clench my teeth any harder, they’ll break. I know he means well, but I am the farthest thing from it. “I am no God,” I say. “But you honor me. Now, please stand.”
He hesitates but finally rises, dipping his head once more. “Thank you, Emberlord.” I return a small nod and he walks away.
Frankie brushes her fingers against mine as she drifts closer. “You know, Ember would make a cute name for a daughter.” Her eyes jerk up the second the words pass her lips, her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink. “I mean, not that we have to think about that now. That’s, like, a way-in-the-future thing. I don’t know why I’m talking about children. Maybe I’m just dehydrated.” She nervously unscrews the lid from her canteen and takes a few gulps.
I chuckle. Her words shouldn’t make me this damn happy, but they do. I’ve never considered myself paternal, but the thought of my mate carrying my child does something to me I can’t explain. And seeing her all flustered, well, that does something else entirely. “I’d put a baby in you right here and now if you’d let me.”
She chokes on her water. “Don’t you think I should at least meet your family first before we start planning our own?”
I hold up my hands. “Sure, you’re the one who brought it up. I was merely offering to make your dreams come true.”
We happen upon a stall with a variety of gems displayed on the table. An emerald ring captures my attention. It’s the same color as Frankie’s eyes. I unstrap a blade from my ankle and offer it to the merchant. “A dagger for the ring?”
Frankie looks up at me, her eyes bright. “What are you doing?”
“I never gave you a mating gift.” Things happened so quickly, we never had time for a proper ceremony. Not that Frankie would want to take part in the mating ritual. Humans are a little more conservative than demons, and I’m a little more possessive than most. I would never share my mate.
Her eyes sparkle, a genuine smile dancing on her lips.
Raising his hands, the merchant shakes his head. “Please, put the blade away. It would be an honor to see my jewelry set upon your mate’s finger.”
I don’t like taking things I haven’t earned, but the pride in his voice tells me that refusing the gift would only offend him. “Thank you,” I say, sheathing the blade and accepting the ring. I study the deep green stone. “It’s an exceptional piece.”
I look at Frankie. “Give me your hand.”
Her smile is contagious, and I return it as she holds out her hand. Her newly formed calluses catch me for a second. Pride hits me hard when I slip the ring on her finger. She’s been training so hard these past few months. “Duae animae, in perpetuum una.”
Her eyes shine brightly, as she holds her hand out in front of her. “What does that mean?”
“It means the wearer of this ring will always listen to, and abide by, everything the giver says.” I smirk when her face drops.
“What!” She slaps my shoulder. “You wish.”
“There he is, the Emberlord.” A voice erupts from a small crowd as they come our way.
“Hold on, little mate.” I scoop Frankie up in my arms. “We’re getting out of here.”
CHAPTER 11
Zarreth
We trace away from the crowd, reappearing beside the tall blackened tree where Ronin and I spent hours training as kids, determined to become strong enough to protect our families.
A small figure taking clothing off the line spots me and drops a piece of linen. Her amber eyes fill with tears as they focus on mine. “My son!”
My mother doesn’t bother picking up the cloth, instead she holds her arms out and runs toward me, her fiery red hair swaying behind her. “My son!” she repeats as she launches herself at me.
“Mother,” I whisper, catching her and spinning in a circle. She pulls back after I finally lower her to the ground, tears shimmering in her eyes, but they don’t fall. They never do. My mother is the strongest female I know.
“Is Evren still at Mount Bloodridge?” Ronin mentioned a few warriors, including our fathers, are trying to keep peace among the Death Horde now that Aradon is dead.
She brushes ash off my shoulders like she’s done so many times before. “He is, and I miss him terribly. He’ll be disappointed he couldn’t be here upon your arrival.”
