And Aofe wondered if now was a good time to tell him that her favorite color was actually green.
EPILOGUE
HOME
Kizros
The greenhouse was lively today, and it wasn’t just because of the plants thriving in their new home. Voices carried, human and demon alike, and despite the massive interior, the sunshine made everything feel… cozy.
Kizros strolled to the next display, the art a perfect complement to the wall of blue vines behind it, and greeted the human.
“I know this is a private event,” Rosalind said, flashing him a smile before turning back to the painting. “But the plans you have for this space are going to be popular.”
“Only one open door a month,” he reminded her. “But the humans are welcome here any time.”
She hummed, tucking a curl behind her rounded ear. “Oh, Brioni has already demanded I make a schedule of regular brunches and tea for us.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“The sunshine was a motivating factor.”
“No,Attiewas.” Sure enough, Brioni was perched on a nearby bench with Aofe, hands buried in the atteapir’s fur as she spoke.
As if sensing his gaze, Aofe glanced over and smiled, winking to confirm she was okay. He trusted that gesture, even though she’d woken up this morning with some dizziness. Attie was with her, he was nearby, and she’d promised to let him know if she needed an escape from the crowd.
“I’m happy for you both,” Rosalind said softly, pulling his attention back. “And thank you for your help with the district.”
“You did the work, Rosalind. No demon could have accomplished what you did for this part of our city.”
She nodded, turning as someone called her name. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m probably about to be scolded for thinking of work when I’m off the clock.”
Kizros waved her off, then nodded his greeting to Ember and Severath before finding his way back to Aofe’s bench. Brioni excused herself for a stroll, her large watch-demon dragged along with her.
Aofe smiled as he approached, her gold nose ring glinting in the sunlight. The freckles on her pink cheeks were bright as she tugged her shirtsleeves to her wrists. Her hair was a fresh blue, and after he’d helped her dye it the other day, he’dbeen scolded that she would never let him assist again if he was going to get distracted trying to knot her every time she needed to reapply color.
He, of course, could not make that promise, to which she threatened to start coloring it purple or pink, and he shut right up.
Kizros sat, immediately making space for Aofe to curl into his side. “Tired?”
“I’ve got another half an hour in me,” she hummed, grinning down as Attie rested her head across their laps. “Hey, I have a question.”
“Hmm.”
“The art in the Kosteri house. Your mother said the artist’s identity was unknown, but you had some connections.” Her eyes flicked up to his. “It’s?—”
“Don’t ruin the surprise,” Kizros laughed, tapping a finger over her lips. “If it’s anonymous, my mother pays significantly more. Plus, it’s a little bit of mutual rebellion against our parents.”
His parents’ visit to the former Perennial Bloom shop had been awkward, but it was a start down the right path. He had agreed to another family dinner, on very strict terms, and the thought of going to the Kosteri house again didn’t fill him with as much dread as before.
“It’s really nice in here, seeing everyone,” Aofe said, resting her head back on his shoulder. “We should… do this more.”
“Really?”
She shrugged. “I mean, not a lot. Like… once every season. Or twice a year.”
Kizros chuckled, tail slipping around her hips to tease the crease above her thigh. “If we host more greenhouse parties like this, it gives us the opportunity to sneak off and defile another surface in here. The storage closet doesn’t have a lock, does it?”
Aofe hummed with a nonchalance that belied the squirming under his grip. “Currently occupied.”
