The warrior in Stone wanted to pounce. It was his job to keep Frost safe. This creature screamed danger. “I’m Frost’s guard for the day.”
The unnatural blue gaze swept down Stone’s body. “Lucky him. I’m Desir, his new office manager. Come this way.”
Stone followed as Desir led him down a hallway that hadn’t existed the last time Stone had been here. He eyed the unusual entity. A dawning suspicion grew as unwanted desire filled the air. Stone blinked. That was it. He was a lust demon.
Frost and Celina came into sight. Before he could act on his recognition, Desir headed for Celina.
Stone nearly tripped trying to get to her to stop him. “No. Don’t let him touch the baby. A demon’s touch is poison.” Stone’s shout startled Celina. Her cries filled the air.
Desir shot him look, letting Stone know exactly who he blamed.
Frost looked baffled. “Celina’s my daughter. She’s immune to demon sickness.”
Now, Stone was the one who was confused. He looked between the two.
Desir comforted Celina.
Frost looked unbothered.
Stone couldn’t take it. “What do you mean, immune?”
Desir and Frost exchanged a glance, but Frost kept his calm demeanor. “I’m Lucifer’s son. She’s his granddaughter. We are literally Lucifer’s blood. It’s impossible for either of us to be sickened by a demon’s touch.”
Celina’s tiny wet hand gripped Desir’s shirt. Desir seemed unbothered as he focused on Frost. “I’ll take her home.”
Another realization hit. It was almost worse than recognizing Desir as a demon. “Wait. Do you not trust me around Celina? You’d literally let a demon leave with her rather than have her near me?” That shattered Stone’s heart. Everything had been too much lately. Maybe it might seem like a small thing to anyone else, but knowing Frost didn’t want Stone near his daughter was the line, apparently. He hit his breaking point. Stone made a sharp bow with a swollen throat. “It’s been an honor to serve.” Stone dissipated and reappeared deep in the forest. He couldn’t do a job he wasn’t trusted to perform. Celeste would have to assign someone else… or not, since apparently, a demon could do his job better than him.
My chest hurts from your pain. What’s happened?
I’m fine.
Stone kept his thoughts behind a wall. It was humiliating to know his friends weren’t really his friends, and he was seen as a monster. Stone wasn’t used to having people look at him the way they did now. He had always been the flirt and jokester. No one had ever taken him seriously, and Stone loved that because he made people smile. Now, this thing had happened. He was the victim, yet everyone saw him as the villain. Whatever the dark one’s intentions had been, he definitely accomplished ruining Stone’s life.
Stone climbed to the top of the nearest hill. Flowers swayed in the breeze. Stone sat. He stared at the moon. The sound of tiny whispers and moans had a small, sad smile tugging at his lips. Before meeting Lysander, he hadn’t heard the fairies all around him. Now, their presence soothed him. He wasn’t an outcast inFaerie. He closed his eyes and let the calming sounds wash over him.
The air shifted, and a solid warmth formed at his side. Stone opened his eyes, knowing exactly what he would find.
Lysander took his hand. He didn’t speak. Together they gazed at the night sky. The stars were clear here. Sometimes, he missed the old days when city lights didn’t pollute the night. The stars had been so clear and bright back then. In Wulfe, there were several similar places where he could find comfort in the night sky. His heart skipped a beat at the thought. He had to screech to a halt and backpedal. There used to be a lot of places in Wulfe where he felt at peace. He wasn’t welcome here anymore.
“The sky is even more beautiful in Faerie. Everything is closer to the heavens there. That’s why the sheer power of Celeste’s creations spawned lives of their own. But our most powerful fairies are born of the stars.”
Stone smiled. “Like Stellar.” He got it now. Their hierarchy was built on the bright fires in the heavens. “He’s in love with you, you know. I felt it the moment I saw his rage at the idea of your leaving him.” Stone wasn’t jealous. Lysander was his, and he could see Lysander’s mind. He would rather pass from this existence than betray Stone.
Lysander leaned his way, relaxing more of his weight against Stone’s shoulder. “Stellar and I have been best friends for a long time. I imagine it would hurt him to lose me. After all, it wouldbreak me to watch his light die. But our love isn’t quite what I think you’re picturing. He’s my prince. You’re my other half.”
Stone put his arm around Lysander and tucked him tighter against his side. He kissed Lysander’s temple. “Damn right I am.” Stone released a long, heavy breath. Some decisions were always harder than others, but this wasn’t the first time Stone’s life had completely changed course. “Does Stellar have room for one more citizen?”
The sweet smile Lysander gave him proved Stone’s thoughts correct. Lysander wanted to continue living in Faerie. The love for his realm shone brightly each time Faerie was mentioned. “I’d rather hoped you’d prefer to live with me over Stellar.”
Stone laughed at Lysander deliberately misunderstanding him. “I suppose that sounds good too.”
They shared a smile.
Lysander’s fell first. “If you’d like to stay here, we can work something out. I understand neither of us saw this coming.”
Stone tried to envision staying, but his heart immediately locked down at the idea. Wulfe no longer felt like home. He wasn’t needed or wanted here. The way Desir had immediately rushed to take Celina away filled his mind, breaking him all over again. He was done.
“Let’s go home.”
