“You said you live in a small town.You’re allowed to leave it.”
Tex blinked, surprised by the change in the conversation.He’d expected Nymon to push and demand an explanation, but instead, he seemed more interested in Tex’s life.
Tex didn’t have a problem telling Nymon what he wanted to know.He was glad for the reprieve.He knew it wouldn’t last long.He couldn’t stay in Nymon’s greenhouse forever.He had no idea what the future would look like for the two of them, but theywouldhave one together.That was the one thing Tex was sure of.
He just had no idea how they’d get there.
* * * *
NYMON COULD TELL HEwas confusing Tex, and frankly, he was having fun with that.He was having fun with Tex, period.
Surely, this wasn’t normal.They didn’t know each other, so why did Nymon trust Tex the way he did?Why did he want to lean closer and maybe have Tex wrap an arm around his shoulders?
Why did he want to kiss Tex?
That one was easy.Tex was hot.He was sweet and gentle.He was indulging Nymon and answering his questions without arguing.That might be because he was afraid that Nymon would warn someone that he was there, but it didn’t feel like that was the case.
He wasn’t sure he could trust his instincts, though.It wasn’t only that he wanted to kiss this man.He wanted to press closer, maybe crawl into his lap and hug him.It didn’t have anything to do with sex, not all of it.He shouldn’t feel this way for someone he’d just met, but he was already panicking at the thought of Tex leaving.
He didn’t know what to do with that.It didn’t make sense, and it wasn’t like him.He might trust people too easily, but that didn’t explain how he felt in this case.Nothing did.
It scared him, but at the same time, he liked it.He could indulge in a small crush, right?There might be something more to it, but he didn’t know what that more was, and he wasn’t sure he would find out.There was no way Tex would be allowed to stay in Starhaven, and Nymon wasn’t allowed to leave.That didn’t leave them in a place where they could explore whatever Nymon was feeling.Eventually, Tex would go back to his life, and Nymon wouldn’t.They probably would never talk to each other again when that happened.
Nymon didn’t like that thought.
The conversation stayed light while Tex was eating.Nymon didn’t ask him why he was actually here again, and Tex didn’t volunteer any information.He seemed puzzled by Nymon, which wasn’t surprising since he’d said he’d never met a demon before.
Tex finished his sandwich and bunched up the wrapping.He hesitated, and Nymon waited.He didn’t want to push Tex.He didn’t think he would spook him, but it didn’t feel right.If Tex wanted to tell him what was going on, he would.
“I did lie to you,” Tex eventually said.
“Why?”Nymon wanted to know the truth, but he was also curious.Why would Tex lie?Was it because he didn’t know Nymon and didn’t trust him, or was there more?
“Because I was sent here.I’m not supposed to tell anyone about my mission.”
Nymon blinked.That sounded official, which wasn’t something he’d expected.“Who sent you?”
“The council,” Tex admitted.“I’ve been sent to investigate a group of demons who are selling their magical abilities.I’m sure that most of it isn’t dangerous, but people are dying.They’re being hurt by their magic, and the council can’t let it continue.”
That was definitely not what Nymon had expected.“What are they using this magic for?”
“I’m not an expert in demons, but I know that some demons have been hired to kill and have succeeded.”
“You mean demons are using their magic to hurt others?”
“I’m sure it’s not the first or the last time something like this has happened.”
Nymon was horrified, but at the same time, he wasn’t surprised.He’d heard those two demons the other day.He might live in a small town, but he’d seen enough to know that sometimes, people just wanted to hurt each other.He supposed that if they could get paid to do so, it would hold even more appeal.
Demons were magical.There was no ignoring that.Nymon wasn’t one of the most powerful demons in town, but he had magic.He wasn’t sure how he’d be able to use it to hurt people, but that wasn’t something he even wanted to consider.
People were the same everywhere, no matter what they were.They wanted power and money, and that was how those demons had decided to obtain that.They couldn’t sell their magical abilities to other demons, so they’d decided to sell them to people who didn’t have magic.
Nymon jerked away when he felt something touch his knee.He looked up to see that Tex had his hand raised, almost touching him but not quite.
Not anymore.He’d retreated when Nymon had been surprised, but Nymon regretted it.He wanted to feel Tex’s hands on him.He was surprised that Tex was trying to comfort him, mostly because it wasn’t a gesture most people would do for a stranger, but maybe he shouldn’t be surprised.Nothing about their situation was normal.
He reached out and grabbed Tex’s hand, twining their fingers together and squeezing.That was all he intended to do, but as soon as he did that, the plants around him went nuts.
