Page 83 of Demon's Beauty

Despite its name, Gales Harbor is actually quite pleasant, at least this time of year.

We’re in the temperate season, where the days are warm and the nights comfortably cool, the stone terraced houses and cobbled streets set into the hills above the sea drenched in sunlight.

Give it a few months and the fierce winter winds the town is named for will kick up again, but for now it’s nearly perfect as Soleil and I stroll hand-in-hand to the apothecary where Vayla is setting up her operation.

We took our time getting here, portalling over shorter distances and pausing to rest and recalibrate before making each jump.

It gave my mate a few more glimpses of this realm, and every single one seemed to delight her.

I can’t wait until I have the opportunity to take her flying.

Perhaps if I can just keep doing that—keep showing her wonder after wonder in the demon realm—she’ll decide to stay.

Even though she didn’t want to stay with me last night.

Soleil spent the night in one of the small chambers near Vayla’s workshop set aside for visiting healers.

Reasonable, that she’d need a little space to herself after being cooped up with me and so many other demons at camp all week, but I missed her all the same.

Though the accommodation I booked for us in Gales Harbor comes with two sleeping chambers, I fervently hope she’ll decide to share with me.

But I don’t know where my witch’s head is at, don’t know what she’s thinking.

It’s clear she’s avoiding going back to her realm, clear she has a lot on her mind, and I don’t know her well enough to figure out how to draw her out, tease the truth from her, get her to let her guard down long enough to give me some idea how I can help.

Perhaps I can’t help.

Perhaps there’s nothing to be helped.

Perhaps she’s just here biding her time, taking a break from her responsibilities, having an adventure before she returns to tie her life to her coven.

Is that all this is to her?

Just a lark, a distraction, something to occupy her for a little while before she goes back and takes her place among the Crescent Coven Council?

The thought sits like a heavy leaden weight in the bottom of my stomach, but I won’t let it spoil this time I have with her.

I’ve always loved Gales Harbor.

It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the demon realm, and the weather today is perfect for enjoying it.

The scenery, however, isn’t the only reason I love this city. It’s also currently where my mother lives, and I’ve been overdue to pay her a visit.

I haven’t told Soleil yet. I’m not sure how to tell her, or if we’re anywhere near the point in our relationship where it would be appropriate to introduce her to my parents.

Well, to my mother.

If she never has the displeasure of meeting my father, all the better.

But as we meander our way through the streets of Gales Harbor, I tuck the question away.

It can wait.

Soleil is flushed and beautiful. The gentle breeze off the sea catches the loose, raven strands that have sprung free from her braid, making her look windswept and utterly adorable.

When we pause at one of the many scenic overlooks with a fantastic view of the city, I tuck one of those strands behind her ear and tip her face up toward mine to steal a kiss.

“So,” I say as I pull back. “Does it meet your expectations?”