Page 90 of Demon's Beauty

“Finn,” Soleil breathes as I swing the door open. “This is incredible.”

The room is airy and rustic, with worn wood floors and whitewashed walls and a balcony which overlooks the sea. I chose it specifically hoping for this reaction.

I suppose we could have stayed with my mother—Goddess knows there are enough empty rooms in that house of hers to accommodate a couple of guests—but I thought this would be less pressure.

It’s less to throw Soleil into right away, and I absolutely know I’ve made the right choice when she wanders into the room with wide eyes, taking it all in.

We end up on the balcony, with the sea breeze ruffling our hair and an incredible sunset painting the sky in a thousand shades of purple and orange and pink.

Soleil stands in front of me at the railing, her back against my chest, my arms wrapped around her waist, keeping as much of her soft, decadent frame pressed against me as I can.

Brave. I have to be brave.

I have to let my witch know where I stand, invite her into my world, and let her make the choice.

“If you’re not too tired from your work today, I have somewhere for us to go this evening.”

“Oh really?” she asks, turning her head to nuzzle into my chest.

“Really. I want you to meet someone.” I brush my lips over the crown of her head.

“That sounds ominous.”

I chuckle. “It’s not. Or, well, I hope it’s not. My mother lives in this city, and she’s invited us to dine with her this evening. My sister is supposed to be there, too.”

For a few long, agonizing moments, she says nothing.

The silence stretches on long enough that I nearly speak again, diffuse the tension, take it back and pretend I never said—

“That sounds… fun.”

“You seem very convinced,” I tease with a kiss to her neck and all that tension unspooling in my chest.

“I’m just… not great at meeting new people.”

“Nonsense,” I tell her, and she snorts a disbelieving laugh.

“I think you know that better than anyone.”

“Unless you plan on fleeing the room as soon as you meet her, you’ll be fine. My mother is a very kind and understanding demon.”

“I bet she is,” Soleil murmurs. “She created you, after all.”

A flush of warmth runs all the way through me. “There’s no pressure on us to go. It’s just dinner. And if you’re too tired after all the work you and Vayla—”

“Of course I’ll go. I’d love to meet your mom.”

“Really?”

“Really.” She turns and winds her arms around my neck, lifting onto her toes so she can press a quick kiss against my lips.

Less quick, when I get my tail around her waist and pull her closer, when I slant my lips over hers and kiss her deep and thorough until we’re both panting.

Soleil pulls back with a breathless laugh. “If I’m meeting your mother, I need a bath first. I smell like cauldron soot.”

“You smell incredible,” I say, burying my face into the crook of her neck so I can prove it. “As always.”

“You’re biased,” she protests.