Both Dax and I still at the implication of her words. I look up at him, and he looks down at me and addresses his mother, “As nice as that sounds, Mother, it is not the right time or place. This is not something that I want either of us to rush into, as much as my demon may be pushing for that, I’m not a total bastard. I want Lillie to have the perfect day with her family and friends. No … we will wait, and we will do this right.”
My heart explodes with an all-consuming warmth. “Thank you, Dax. I know you’re right, waiting is the right thing to do. Just so you know, I would have agreed to the binding tonight.” I smile back up at him, my emotions all over the place when I see the tender look in his eyes.
Seraphina steps up to us both, “Are you sure about this? Your binding connection could be helpful in the days to come. I don’t mean to rush either of you, but …” she trails off as she places her hand over our own clasped hands. “I’m just worried about what is to come for you both. I think that you will be stronger as a united front. That and, I just want you to know, Lillie, I already think of you as a daughter.”
“I get it, Mother, but I think that we are a united front. We may not see eye to eye on everything and she deserves so much better than me for a kindred mate-”
My gaze jerks up to his and I place my fingertips against his soft warm lips, “Shhh, never.” The heat of his breath washes over my fingers, “Never say that, Dax.”
“It’s true. I’ve tried so hard to keep my distance from you this whole time, but I knew from the moment that I saw you that I wanted you …” He inhales deeply before continuing, “Hell, I needed you. I had no idea just how much until I met you. I have no idea what I have done to deserve you, but I thank whatever force that brought us together. I meant it before when I said that I’m no good for you. I’m stubborn, bullheaded, and as obstinate as they come. My demon can be downright unbearable, but damn if we don’t want you as our mate, our kindred soul.”
The breath that I was holding got caught in my throat and I can hardly breathe past the huge lump of emotion that is threatening to overcome me, so I just nod like a mute freak as I try not to cry. This is not the super obnoxious Daxell that I met not that long ago and I pull him into a tight hug and whisper thickly, “I feel the same way.”
“I would walk the fields for you for an eternity. You were an unexpected complication in my life, but damn if you haven’t weaseled your way under my skin. Lillie, I love you, my demon is head over heels for you. We want to bind with you and all that entails, but it will have to wait until we have found and returned that damned whip that Mammon claims that you have stolen from him.”
That warm fuzzy feeling inside is threatening to turn me into a pile of mush. Before I can respond, Poppy squeals, fluttering about everyone, “I can’t believe it! Hottie McHotstuffins is a romantic at heart. Who knew? I’m so happy for you two.” She squeals again and does a complicated barrel roll in midflight, before continuing in a gush, “I so wish I could morph to my faerie size. I would hug you both to pieces. I get to be your maiden of honor at your binding ceremony. You know Timbra will so fight me on this, but we’re besties, so she will just have to deal.”
“Poppy, I think you’re putting the cart before the horse. We have one hell of a task to accomplish before we can get to all that.” I say, grinning at my tiny friend.
Daxell’s father Dez, chuckles and interjects, “Well, now that all that has been sorted. I think that we should still have a small celebration before the three of you set off on this little quest of yours, but before that, we have much to discuss. LJ, not to rush you or anything, but what do you remember? Anything?”
Sighing, I lean against Dax, “Bits and pieces are beginning to slowly come back to me. Probably in huge part to the pendant that you all gifted me with, so thank you for that. I vaguely remember a backpack and a daughter of a goddess named Nyx. The Morrígan’s daughter. I’m fairly certain that she is the one responsible for me ending up in this mess. I vaguely remember a conversation with her when Daxell and I were in the gardens. Dax was recounting what he knew of Nyx the goddess, prior to Luc’s unexpected visit. Are you aware of her story? Of course, you are, nevermind that. Is she still in existence? If so, how can she be the daughter of Morríganna?”
“My dear, Nyx was a goddess of the night, likened to a goddess of the shadows, the daughter of Chaos. Her presence in the universe predates most everything. Her essence has not been felt within our realms since before I can remember. Before my fall from The Overworld. Are you sure of what you speak?” Asmodeus looks concerned on a level that I had not expected.
Levi is quick to interject, “LJ, are you sure that Nyx was the
