In response, she licks me. I close my eyes, relishing the sensation of her lips on my skin. I run my fingers through her hair and tug it gently, urging her to move up my body. She complies, trailing kisses up my chest until she reaches my neck. I moan softly as she bites down, leaving marks I know will take days to fade.
She is mine.
And I am hers.
* * *
We are late.
When we walk into the boardroom twenty minutes after we were supposed to be there, the Daemon King’s eyes narrow.
“Did you two forget about our meeting?” he asks in a low voice. He looks the exact same as he did the day I first met him, although he is sporting some new crows-feet around his eyes.
The price of the war, I suppose.
The lights flicker, and Helena’s eyes glow. She blinks, recognizing what she did, and the lights return. It’s still a challenge for her to control her power.
Helena takes a step forward, signing rapidly in the air.Thank you, Uncle. I’m sorry we were late. It was my fault.
“Somehow, I don’t doubt that,” he mumbles.
He steps forward, wrapping his arms around Helena and squeezing her tightly. My wife returns the gesture, and I know by the way her shoulders relax that she is happy to see him.
Aidoneus continues, “Either way, I’m glad you both could join me. It’s been far too long. Ever since we dealt with your father, Helena, it seems like things in Aranthium have required even more attention than normal.”
She smiles as she draws back.I agree, Uncle. Why don’t you come with us next time? Get away for a bit?
The King glares at Helena. “Not everyone has replaced their monarchy with a council, sweetheart. Even though the Ice Mer Court has changed, I am still a king.”
A glint enters my wife’s pink eyes, and I stifle a groan. I know that look. She’s plotting something. I just hope I’m not on the receiving end of whatever she has planned.
The Daemon King either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care because he continues to speak. “Why don’t you fill me in on your recent trip?”
Helena smiles. I pull out a chair for her, and once we are both settled, she begins to sign quickly. I sit back, happy to watch her in her element. I was pleased when Aidoneus volunteered to learn sign language as well, so he could communicate with Helena.
Over the next hour, Helena shares about our trip to the Northern Court. We have just returned from what has become our annual Solstice trip visiting Elva, Nathaniel, and their growing brood of fae younglings.
If there is one thing that being around the children has taught me, it is that I am happy to remain in the position of uncle for a while longer. Luckily for me, Helena agrees wholeheartedly. After two weeks spent with the rambunctious younglings, we were both more than happy to come back to our very quiet, very child-free apartment.
Maybe one day, we will have young ones of our own, but thanks to Aidoneus, that time doesn’t need to come anytime soon.
Eventually, talk in the boardroom shifts away from visits and towards the war effort. This is where I’m in my element.
The Daemon King’s voice rings through the room, power laced in every word as he asks, “How is the navy doing, Admiral?”
I lean forward, pressing a small button as a screen appears on the table. On it, a detailed map of the sea appears. The locations of all fifty ships under my command are glowing red dots. Helena squeezes my thigh; her silent encouragement all I need to begin.
“Since I took over three years ago, we have made some significant improvements to the fleet...”
* * *
I’m soglad to be home,Helena signs as she plops down onto the large couch in our living room. Her cerulean blue maxi dress rises, showing off her long gray legs as she stretches out on the piece of furniture.
The TV is on in the background as reruns ofThe Real Life of Pixiesplay on repeat. I drop down beside her, placing the cartons of takeout on the table. The aroma of the spiced noodles reaches my nose, and my stomach grumbles in anticipation. One of the best things about living in the Gates of Hell is the smorgasbord of food available to us.
I take the seat on the other end of the couch, handing out the cartons. We both eat in silence, enjoying each other’s company and the antics of the Pixies. Once I’m done, I draw Helena’s feet onto my lap. She sighs soundlessly, not protesting at all, as I begin to rub gentle circles on the bottom of her bare feet.
“I’m glad to be home too,” I say as I press a knot out of her foot. “I love Elva and Nathaniel, but I could not wait to get home and be with you. Alone.”