Chuckling, I turn to face both of them in the dim light of the masculine study, “I think I get it. I need to be myself and don’t underestimate the female I’m destined to be with.”
“Love, my son, it’s all about the love in your heart for another soul. Now, let us join the ladies in our midst before we head to the upper levels of this city in the sky. I think I have something that will accessorize your beautiful goddess nicely. Excuse me, I’ll join all of you shortly.” With that my father, Asmodeus breaks away as we make our way out of the cozy den to join the ladies in our midst.
The ultra-modern sitting room is in shades of white and black. I walk in to see that LJ and my mother are laughing and holding hands, both with slender champagne flutes in their grasp as they peruse a photo album. Poppy is standing over LJ’s shoulder and the three are already thick as thieves, and everything feels right for a moment in time.
21
Trying to Shake my Unease
(Lillie Joanna)
Don’t get me wrong. With every breath I take, I know that I love him. He’s still a stranger to me, but I love him beyond reason, which is unfathomable to me. So when he steps into the room, all broody and handsome, I all but swoon. He stares me down and for just a moment I forget that we are not alone. I’m mesmerized by his handsome façade. I know that I’m in trouble because, dear God, I can’t form two coherent thoughts when he looks at me like that.
Poppy is by my side and I smile as I tune into the conversation. All matter of sound comes back to me as I take a deep breath and look about the room at large. We’re supposed to have a quick meal and make our way to the evening party. I have no doubt that all matter of dark fae, underworlders, and humans will be partaking in tonight’s activities. Reaching over and taking Daxell’s hand in my own, I lean in to whisper, “Dax, it’s going to be okay.” Wanting to ease his worry and maybe even my own.
“Don’t leave my side tonight. Okay?” He studies me for a moment before leaning in to give a tantalizing kiss. His lips linger on my own before softly dragging my lower lip into his mouth to nibble on my flesh. My body vibrates with the need to surrender to him completely, but we have onlookers and an entire evening to navigate.
Sighing, I pull back and swallow thickly, “Yes. I’ll do whatever you say, but Daxell, I can hold my own.”
Poppy snickers, “You are so screwed, Lillie. I had no idea that you would cave so utterly and completely … and so quickly.”
I look over to my dear friend, “Just you wait, Poppy. Just you wait. You will be so blindsided that you will have no idea as to what awaits you when you find your very own kindred.”
“Well, as you know, my mum did not bond with her kindred, she bonded with her chosen mate. I may follow in her footsteps. My parents are undeniably in love and happy, so I see nothing wrong with how they chose. I may follow in their footsteps.”
“And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I adore my chosen mates and would not have chosen differently.” Daxell’s mother garners everyone’s attention, “Dinner is growing cold and we need to arrive at Mammon’s gathering shortly, so everyone gather around, we have quite the feast prepared for you tonight.”
With that, we all dig in. I take Daxell’s hand in my own and squeeze it tightly. He does the same and I can feel the anxiety coming off him in waves. I don’t even taste the food or hear any of the conversations that are going on around me. All I can focus on is Daxell’s anxiety. I lean over and ask in a whisper, “What has you so upset, Dax.”
“Everything. This whole evening. We’re walking in blind. It’s like a game of poker in Mammon’s house. His house, his rules. We’re being dealt a hand as we arrive. Never a good thing. Right now Mammon has a stacked deck on his side.”
“Daxell, he’s not that all-powerful.” I blurt out.
“Lillie Joanna, you have no idea as to what you are talking about. Mammon can make or break us tonight, and I fear that it’s in his arsenal to break us.” Daxell announces for everyone to hear.
“How can you think that?” I query, still not comprehending why everyone seems to be walking on eggshells.
His father intervenes, Dez, or Asmodeus as you have it, “Daxell is right. Mammon holds all the cards and you will do well to remember that. He is a greedy bastard and he has an endgame that none of us are privy to. Honestly, Luc was very vague but he sent us here to keep an eye on what he’s up to.”
“Then we must find him out. We must expose him for what he is.” I demand, my fork stabbing the beef on my china plate in agitation.
“My dear, he has been exposed since the beginning of time. We all know what drives him. Greed.”
“Then why can’t we do something about it!” I demand.
“We cannot because we simply have no idea as to what he’s working on. He has become too powerful and even Lucifer is having problems restraining him.” Levi imparts. “Ever since the veil between the realms was weakened and we’ve had access to The Mortal Realm he has continued to gain power.
“Then The Underworld is in danger of falling to Mammon?” I ask. That thought is unimaginable.
“Yes. Everything is in flux right now, The Underworld could possibly be under new management if Mammon gets his way.” Levi responds.
“Seriously?! That can’t happen.”
Poppy is on my left and Daxell on my right, both take my hands to
