He swallowed the question, as he’d been doing for days, butit was getting harder to ignore, especially with a demon and his mate right in front of him. “What can I get you now that you’re here at last?”
“No drinks for me. I’m here to check out your mugs.” Onyx craned his neck, looking around.
A flutter of anticipation surged through Dex. “My stuff is on display over there.” He pointed toward the side of the room where his homewares were set out next to bags of coffee, boxes of tea, and other items for sale.
“Perfect.” Onyx sauntered over, pausing along the way to inspect the paintings on the wall.
“Can I get you anything?” Dex asked Nico, who’d stayed behind.
“An espresso would hit the spot.” Nico moved toward the register, a disproportionately fatherly air of concern coming over him. “How are you, Dex?”
He rang up the drink. “I’m good.”
“No, really.” Nico handed over his card, studying Dex a little too closely. “You’ve learned a great deal in a short time, and despite Ollie’s efforts, your introduction to our world wasn’t all that smooth.”
Dex swallowed. “I’ve talked to Ollie. He said what happened when he found me with Luc was an overreaction.”
Dex had a much better understanding of what drove Luc to hurt Ollie, but struggled to see how Ollie could forgive him. Even believing it was fated for Luc to be brought back into the fold didn’t explain it. Why was Ollie willing to believe that? He hadn’t seen the kind side of Luc that Dex had.
Nico folded his arms across his chest. “We were wrong about what Luc was doing with you, but many of the facts remain unrefuted. If you need advice or to talk, I’m always here.”
Dex ran Nico’s card, trying not to reveal his confusion. He didn’t even know Nico. “Thanks, man.”
“I mean it. If you need help dealing with anything, I’ll be there.”
Dex handed the card back, a sense of dread sneaking up on him. “Do you know something I don’t?”
He couldn’t take any more surprises. It was bad enough wondering if he was Luc’s mate.
Nico’s smile lost the serious edge. “No, it’s nothing like that. I’ve made the same offer to Harper and Ollie.”
“Why?” Was it because he was a mate too?
Dex’s pulse jumped into his throat. All this damn worrying wasn’t good for his blood pressure. He had to calm down.
“You’re at a disadvantage when dealing with powerful beings. I don’t want you feeling intimidated.”
“Thanks, but you’re one of those beings.” Dex dropped his voice to a whisper. “You could trick me with magic as easily as any of them.”
Nico seemed startled.
“Not that I’m accusing you,” Dex hurried to add. He didn’t actually think anyone, demon or witch, was tricking him with magic anymore.
“I know you’re not accusing me, but I hadn’t considered it that way.”
“I still appreciate the offer.” If they got to know each other better, Dex might feel comfortable sharing with Nico. Though, maybe not. He hadn’t told Ollie what had happened with Luc.
Who was he kidding? He couldn’t talk to Nico about what he was thinking any more than he could talk to Ollie. What would they think if he turned out to be Luc’s mate? Would they be shocked? Unless… Did they already suspect? They must. All this shit made more sense to Nico and the rest of them than it did to Dex. He couldn’t be the first to connect the dots.
Fuck. What was he supposed to do?
He couldn’t bond with Luc like Ollie had with Dante. Forfeiting his time in the Eternal Realm wasn’t an option.
Maybe he was wrong and there was some other explanation for Luc’s behavior.
Dex was ready to exploresomethingtogether. He trusted Luc enough to chase the good feelings, and there was so much he wanted to try that he had no desire to do it with anyone else.
But what was the point in dating if they weren’t mates? What was the point if they were, and Dex would reject the fated bond? They were doomed either way.
