We followed the path, and I legit felt like a princess. I’d never much wanted to be a princess, but right then, with Darius by my side, doting on me and enjoying my reactions to each thing he’d obviously planned, I couldn’t imagine feeling more special. I felt treasured.
The roses led to a dock, also covered in petals. Within, the boatman was wearing a rose wreath, devoid of thorns. It was very odd, but I didn’t comment.
“Hello, your heinous,” it said to me, and I wondered who had reprogramed this sucker. “Hello, Darius, most treasured and welcomed guest.”
I frowned at Darius.
“Lucifer is making it clear that my station will only be elevated through your good humor,” he told me.
“But aren’t you guys moving your lair down here?”
“Yes. The details haven’t been arranged.”
“Ah.”
The river journey was just as awful as I remembered, with flat-looking water and little bumps and whorls that signified it was a lie. At least there hadn’t been any random splats of water on my head. I didn’t know if that had been fixed or I’d gotten lucky.
When we disembarked, Archion was waiting on the other side of the river.
“Hey!” I ran a hand along his leg. “Good to see you again.”
Did you say yes? he asked as I hovered Darius and I onto his back.
I did.
Good. That vampire is good in a bind. He’ll protect you when I can’t.
Why is everyone suddenly worried about protecting me?
It gives us something to do. Otherwise it’s just females doing all the work.
I laughed as he lifted into the sky.
“I wonder if vampires can find dragon companions,” Darius said as we flew over the kingdom.
I looked down with pleasure, having missed this place. Wanting to get more familiar with it. Wanting to be part of it. What a change from all of the time I’d spent hiding, trying to avoid coming down here.
I passed the question on to Archion.
I have never heard of a vampire bonding a dragon, but I’m young. I don’t see why not. They are tamer than some of the demons that develop a bond.
They are probably more conniving than those demons though, I replied.
I’ll speak to Tatsu. She’ll know how to go about it.
I probably should’ve excluded Darius in that comment about vamps, in the spirit of openness, but…it was still true.
Archion landed in front of the castle, and Tits McGee walked out to greet us, followed by a host of attendants.
“Good…time, your heinous,” Tits said, its boobs as ridiculous as ever, its voice deep and sonorous. The huge beard was a nice touch, equipped with insects.
Good time? Darius thought.
“Slang is tough for them, but…that one I’m not sure of.” I looked at the dawning sky, lighting gradually.
“I was going to say good morning,” Tits said, “but I wasn’t sure what time it was where you came from. I didn’t want to confuse the heinous.”
“Ah. Well, I think we’re in about the same time zone.”
Tits nodded and turned, walking up the steps at a measured pace. I glanced at Darius, and he jerked his chin. I was supposed to follow.
The way through the castle was the same. My floor was the same. The doors to my rooms stood closed and locked with such an intricate weave of fire and ice that it could only have been done by my father. Only the two of us could break it, which meant he’d kept this place for me.
I might’ve smiled. Or laughed. Maybe cried again. It was really hard to understand the happiness that was drowning me. It was making me very unpredictable.
With some work, I pulled down the spell and kicked in the doors. They slammed against the sides. I grabbed Darius’s hand and yanked him in after me, heading to that one window. That view.
Once in front of it, I stopped, winding our fingers together. His shoulder grazed mine.
I took a deep breath and let my gaze roam the beautiful scene.
“This is very you,” Darius said softly, once again reading the moment. “There’s air now, too.”
“I did that when I was here last. My dad obviously chose to leave it.”
“Hoping you would return.”
“Yes,” Lucifer said, and although his voice made me jump a little, his entrance didn’t surprise me.
I turned to him, keeping hold of Darius’s hand.
“Hey, Pop,” I said.
“Hello, Reagan.” His gaze dipped to my joined hands with Darius. “You said yes, then?”
“What was your first clue?”
“Hm, him still being alive cemented it.” His gaze cut to Darius. “And that loose thread? Is he still alive?”
“Her previous vampire lover has been extinguished,” Darius answered. “By demons, it would seem.”
Lucifer tilted back and laughed. “Guilty. My informant”—he put his hand to the side of his mouth—“Ja, obviously… She told me about that whole situation. She’s not half as good at intrigue as she seems to think. My new hobby will be fucking with her. Vampires can be horribly arrogant, present company occasionally excluded.” He winked at me. “That ex-lover vampire seemed like a sticking point with you, and for no reason, really. I figured I’d just take care of it. What’s one more infraction against me, right?”