Snap out of it, Dax. She’s not for you. Hell, you’re a duke of The Underworld and she’s a Keeper of Souls, a goddess that answers to a higher calling. I’m nothing more than the bastard son of two of the original Fallen. Not that I would ever say that to my mother. As far as she is concerned, her union with my fathers has been blessed by the Creator himself. It’s best that I keep my distance, for Lillie’s sake. Tarron’s right, I’m no good for her. She deserves better than a half breed demon that straddles The Underworld and The Mortal Realm.
My mind made up, I push away from the counter and move to open the door that leads to the deck on the back of the house that overlooks a wooded area and a stream. The air outside is pleasant which is unseasonably cool for the climate now. Most of this area has suffered from ongoing drought and climbing temperatures for the last two hundred years. Forest fires have all but scorched the land and rendered it barren.
Sensing her presence, I turn, she’s leaning against the doorjamb, just watching me. Her dark hair is down and flows in wavey curls to just past her waist, it’s deceiving in its color if the light catches it just right, there are reddish honey-colored low lights that shimmer just below the surface. She’s wearing an almost threadbare pair of skinny jeans, and black suede boots that hug her legs all the way up past her knees. The stiletto height of the heels of her boots give her the illusion of being taller than she is, but damn if I like it. Her black wrap around top ties just under her left breast, and is cropped showing off her bare toned stomach, and it dips low in the front giving me a glimpse of a black lace bra beneath her blouse. Fuck. She’s sexy as sin. Those blue eyes glittering as she sizes me up.
“How long have you been standing there?” I ask.
“Long enough. I’ve had a little time to cool off. Just what exactly did Tarron say to you?” She demands with her hands on her hips. She looks pissed.
“He just reminded me of my place.”
“And what place is that?”
“That I’m demon-kind and that while I’m here, I answer to The Horde King.”
“And when you’re in The Underworld? Who do you answer to then?” Her eyes narrow as she watches me.
“Luc, but you knew that.”
“What about your fathers? Do you answer to them? You know what? Never mind. It doesn’t matter. I thought we were having a perfectly nice conversation getting to know one another, but you made it clear that you’re not interested in getting to know me.” She walks over to the refrigerator and pulls out a glass pitcher with tea in it and pours a glass, turning her back on me.
Damn, if that doesn’t smart. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “But I do want to get to know you, LJ. I wanted that from the first moment you walked into the bar last night, but Tarron’s right. I’m no good for you. I can only bring you trouble.”
“So? This is you being all noble and shit? We’ve all got our crosses to bear, demon boy.”
Turning away, I mumble, “You have no idea.”
“Listen, I grew up with an imp in the house, he’s demon-kind and he’s funny, and caring, and honorable. I’ll say it again. I don’t care what you are, but who you are. You should also know, that no one has the right to decide for me who I choose to befriend, date, or bed, except me. That includes the meddling Horde King and my parents. I’m a grown woman. I choose my path, not anyone else. Now, are you ready? I need to have a similar conversation with your king, my nosey ass uncle.”
She puts her tea down and walks my way, her hips swaying as she makes her way across the room and I can’t look away from her. She’s so damn beautiful. I put my hands up and say, “I get it, you’re pissed. I’m just trying to follow my king’s directive, if that pisses you off, you will need to take it up with him, but if you are hoping to have a conversation with Tarron, I doubt that he will be up yet. He’s a creature of the night, usually.”
“Do I look like I care? Come on Cara, let’s go.” She calls to her fox who bounds into the room looking mischievous and makes her way toward us.
“What’s up with you and that fox anyway? She’s very protective of you.”
“That’s classified information, for only my closest friends. You don’t rank that high. Are you ready to get back? The sooner we do so, the sooner you can wash your hands of me.”
She reaches for me and I back away, my hands up in a submissive gesture, and say, “Listen, honey cheeks, it doesn’t matter what we may want or not want, the two of us getting together would be bad news. You know it and I
