Page 82 of Demon's Beauty

It tugs back immediately, and seconds later my mate appears through a portal a few meters down the hall.

Finn’s face lights up when he sees me.

His wholebeingchanges.

Wings flared, shoulders lifted, arms open for me when I reach him.

“Hi,” I say as he folds me into a hug.

“Hello,” he whispers back, lips brushing the top of my hair.

For a few long moments, I simply let myself savor it.

Goddess, it’s so simple.

Me. Finn. This magick between us.

It might be the simplest, easiest thing I’ve ever experienced.

But, simple or not, it doesn’t erase everything else going on in my life. It doesn’t take away my problems or responsibilities.

“That magick really comes in handy when I’m looking for you,” I say softly, and Finn chuckles.

“It does. Is everything all right?”

“I wanted to tell you I’m going with Vayla,” I explain. “To… to… well, I can’t remember the name of the town, but she said it’s by the sea.”

“Gales Harbor?”

“Yes. There. Vayla needs some help brewing the fevercure, and since I’m here and good with potions, I said I would go. I thought maybe you could…”

I trail off, the absurdity of what I’m asking washing over me.

Of course Finn can’t just upend his plans and come with me on my idiotic escape plan.

He’s probably got things to do here. A whole life he needs to—

“Of course I’d like to come with you, sunshine, but…”

“But?”

“You don’t need to go back to the human realm?” he asks slowly, carefully. “What you said about your Ascension, I thought you might—”

“Not yet.” I grab his hand, squeeze it. “I don’t need to go back just yet.”

Finn’s eyes search mine for a few moments.

I wonder what he sees.

Panic, probably, at being reminded of what I’ll need to face sooner rather than later.

But he must also be able to see how much I really, really don’t want to talk about it, because he nods and lets the question go.

“Alright.” He uses the hand I’m holding to pull me closer, presses a gentle, teasing kiss against my lips. “Then let’s get out of here.”

24

Finn