After coming down from laughter, he fixes his gaze over my shoulder. “That must be her,” he croons.
Looking behind me, I see my little demon coming out of the house, her hands crossed over her chest. That pouty,very moody, frown on her face.
“Forgot how beautiful they are,” he whispers, even though I’m pretty sure she can hear him. “She’s definitely not an exception.”
I turn my head back to him, point at him, and fix him with the look that says‘down’. “You know I don’t share. That hasn’t changed over the years,” I remind him.
He winks and raises his hand up to gesture for her to come over.
“She’s not…” I speak through my teeth.
“I know you aren’t beckoningme,” she hisses. “Men, I swear to the Gods.”
“Oh, I’m going to love her, I know it.” He slaps my shoulder and moves around me, heading toward Xera. I take a deep breath and follow right behind him, my eyes locking onto my little demon—who looks one more daggered glare away from slicing us both where we stand.
She knew someone was coming, but I hadn’t given any indication of who, mostly because it wasn’t like she’d know him. Still, if she’d been in a better mood this past week, she would’ve pushed for more details. And knowing me? I probably would’ve caved.
“Xeraphine,” I begin as we step up to her, her chin raising to keep our gazes locked. “This is one of my oldest friends, Kayn Butcher. Kayn, this is Xeraphine Nora, my girlfriend.”
She wets her bottom lip, and I brace myself for some pushback on the title—but none comes. Instead, she simply looks at my friend as he extends his hand to her. I half expect her to ignore it, so when she actually takes it, I have to fight to hide my surprise.
“Friend.” She releases a huff as Kayn leans in and presses a kiss to her knuckles. “Kai’s never mentioned a friend. I was kind of expecting a nobody, just in case I killed them.”
He laughs, and flashes me a bright grin. “Kai, huh? That’scute. Took Luce years to give me any sort of nickname.”
Groaning, she drops her chin and gives me an irritated look. “Great. I see where you get it.”
“Humor?” I chuckle. “No, Kayn gets it from me.”
“He got the charm from me,” he offers, putting both of his hands onto his hips.
She snorts. “What charm?”
“Ouch.” I mock slap my hand over my heart. “You didn’t say that last night when?—”
“Kairhyse Monroe!” she shouts, cutting me off. “Please, for fuck sakes.”
Spotting Kayn watching Xera as she steps in to smack my arm, it’s clear as day that I made the right choice in asking him for this. I know his history—at least the small parts he’s shared—and I can see it in his eyes. He’s comparing her to Luce.
And for the first time in a while, I feel hopeful. Maybe this is exactly the help my girl needs.
He sees me staring, and gives me a wink.
“I need to go grab a few things at the store,” I say after rubbing the spot she’d swatted me at. That seems to surprise her, eyes wide and lips parting ready to protest. “I’ll only be a few hours.”
When her hands begin to tremble, my eyebrows pinch.
“But you’ve got plenty of fresh air here…”
Oh, fuck.
I turn to look at Kayn, gesturing for him to head inside. He nods, stepping around her without hesitation. I’ve already informed Brice and Sydni that I had a friend coming and to expect a stranger, so I’m not worried about them attacking him. Even if they did, he’s over a thousand years old—odds are he’d win that fight without breaking a sweat.
“Let me go with you.” Her words come out frantic. “Why do you need to go by yourself?”
Sucking in a breath, I soften my voice. “I’m just going to run to the store.”
“Holy fuck… I’ve never had this much anxiety,” she confesses, clasping her hands together. “I don’t like it. I fuckinghateit.”
