It was Kizros’s turn to cut her off with a kiss. It was in no way, shape, or form gentle, or even slightly on target, but he was too excited to care. It was only as Attie huffed and changed positions that he managed to hold himself back from doing anything more.
He panted and pulled away while Aofe blinked in a daze. “Youdid that,” he clarified. “Tim is an extension of you, but you made the rune. You connected with him. You—” He shook his head in awe. “You are incredible, Aofe.”
Aofe licked her lower lip, pupils blown wide as she stared at him. Well, more specifically, his lips. “Do that again.”
He felt those words punch straight down his spine. “Kiss you?”
She swallowed, nodding quickly. “Yes. No, wait.” Her gaze turned serious, and before he could flinch away, she was shoving at his chest. “How dare you!”
Kizros rubbed at the place she’d hit, wondering where he’d monumentally fucked up this time.
A slender finger jabbed right under his nose, followed by Aofe’s glare. “How dare you lie to me about the financials of this shop, put all that money to my name from some illegal plantfighting ring with Tim when you could have been investing in your business, and then not be here to explain?—”
He kissed her again, which was only somewhat awkward with his laughing and her angry squirming underneath his lips. But then he yanked back, frowning.
“Wait, plantfighting ring?”
Aofe spluttered some nonsense words in rebuttal.
“I got something for you.”
That got her to fall silent.
Kizros just laughed. “There was another reason I needed to go to city hall today.” He reached into his pocket, removing the envelope and offering it to her. “The surprise.”
Aofe lifted trembling hands, taking the envelope and breaking the seal to pull out the parchment within. She unfolded it carefully, reading quickly as hereyes widened more and more. And then she lowered the last fold of the paper, gasping as a small key dropped into her palm.
“Kiz,” she whispered, gaze lifting. “What is this, really?”
“A grand gesture.”
“It’s a wholebuilding. Where did you get?—”
“Karroth. Well, it’s my own fund, but there were stipulations to access it that he controlled. After family dinner, he released the funds to me as a peace offering.”
Aofe looked back at the key. “So you transferred those funds to my name in spite so you could buy… why do we need a building?”
Kizros placed his hand over hers, curling her fingers over the key. “Not spite, but because I wanted you to feel safe if you ever felt trapped by me or wanted to start over. And to clarify, I transferred theleftoverfunds to your name…” Aofe choked on a breath. “And the building is actually three buildings at the same address.”
She choked again.
“A storefront, a greenhouse, and an apartment. All single story, so no more stairs.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Kiz…”
“Aofe, I’ve been eyeing the property foryears. This space has been incredible, but it’s too small, and from a sales standpoint, this street doesn’t have the most foot traffic. Rosalind’s project has been revamping the art district, which I have some excellent ideas about, and it’s the perfect opportunity to expand. And before you say I don’t have the funds for it, I do. I’ve been intentionally holding off on upgradesand certain plant breeds until I have the proper space to work with them. Which is now.”
She swallowed. “Usually you just give someone flowers or chocolate or take them to a nice place to eat.”
Kizros huffed a laugh, squeezing her hand. “There’s also something else I’ve… maybe not been telling you.”
“Kiz, I swear?—”
“It’s part of demon courting culture.” Aofe froze, so he plowed on. “Gifting things. Making claims on another using our magic, like the flowers I put on your crutches and the sunshine necklace. Proving ourselves a worthy mate, and that we can provide a home for our… well, I’m just going to say it. I want you to be my soulbonded, Aofe. I did all of those things because I love you.”
Aofe blinked, the tears finally escaping down her cheeks as her lip wobbled. “I wanted to say it first.”
He snorted a laugh, reaching up to wipe them away. “You did, Aofe. In little moments, with and without words. Your soft teasing and your gentle eyes. Your patience and your smiles. All of it, Aofe. My soul believed it the moment I laid eyes on you, and I should have said it so many times over by now. I know humans probably don’t believe in?—”
