Diamond huffs but distinguishes the fire, then pointedly looks away.
Fucking brat.
Nevaeh is by the poor horse instantly to heal him. I doubt he’ll let Hazel or anyone near him again after that.
“Pull something like that again and I’m never touching you.”
Diamond whines, head bowed in shame. I’d probably feel bad if I didn’t know he was faking it.
Hazel storms ahead, choosing to walk instead. Diamond trots after her, but at least now he knows there are consequences to his stunts.
I’d leave the stubborn asshole here to sulk, but the Diablo Towers is a castle floating in the sky, and I refuse to use a carriage like everyone else.
I could teleport us straight in, but that would make it look like Elijah favors us over other leaders. And while I don’t have a problem with that narrative, Anxo calls it unprofessional.
I hurry to fall in step beside my mate and catch her grinning before she hides it behind a cough.
Fates, she likes driving us mad, doesn’t she?
We start on the path toward the portal to Hell. Our realm is the only one with direct access—perks of being the Devil’s best friend. Everyone else gets thoroughly vetted before entering or leaving.
I keep stealing glances at Hazel, making sure she’s still in a good mood. I don’t want Diamond’s antics ruining this night before it even starts.
The thought hits me, and before I talk myself out of it, I offer my hand again. I expect her to ignore it, maybe pretend like she didn’t see, because I can’t be lucky twice in a row, but then she slips her hand in mine.
Yes!
I want to jump like a fool and scream at the top of my lungs that my mate is finally holding my hand without any intention of sawing it off, but I hold back.
Fates know how long this will last, and I’m not wasting this moment by acting like an idiot.
Hazel doesn’t look at me, but a calm radiates off her, settling something deep in my chest and filling the cracks in my soul.
I don’t realize I’m grinning like I’ve won the lottery—which I have—until she catches it, and her grip falters like she might pull away, but I tighten my grip.
“Don’t make it a big deal.”
She huffs like she does when she’s irritated, but this time, my silence is getting to her. I didn’t think I’d see Hazel—our resident grumpy siren—ramble like this, but this really is my lucky day.
“I’m just holding your hand. It doesn’t mean anything. Lots of people hold hands.”
I hum, casually swinging our joined hands.
“Lots of people kiss, too. Want to try that, honey?”
She turns to glare at me, but the way she bites her lip to hide a smile tells me everything I need to know.
For the first time, it feels like this might actually work.
Like, my prayers have finally been answered.
I glance over my shoulder, checking with everyone to make sure I’m not imagining things.
Nevaeh shoots me a huge thumbs up, practically bouncing on Anxo’s horse before he steadies her from behind her, shaking her head with a grin.
I clear my throat. “Hey, did I tell you how you look tonight?”
“No.”
