1940

~Tove

I like this new place.

Instead of taking me back to Territory Eight, Keo decided we should move on to Territory Three.

Closing my eyes, I smile softly at the feeling of the icy cold air touching my cheeks. Keo didn't share my positivity upon touching down here, claiming he hates the snow and mountains.

We have been here for a week and so far I love it. Although I suppose I'm experiencing the place from the balcony, considering Keo hasn't allowed me to leave the chalet.

He claims I need to recover from using that much magic. I feel fine, but he isn't convinced.

He's worried about me...I may be the only person he's ever felt that for.

"I need to warn you about something."

I turn, seeing him leaning against the doorframe of my room. Ever since it was revealed we are mates, he has been wary about stepping into where I sleep, as if it's too intimate to risk.

"What is it?" I ask, stepping off the balcony, closing the glass doors behind me.

"Wren will be visiting today, with two Demon's she has been training," he tells me, wincing a little.

I shudder. Wren has made it clear she doesn't like me, although I suppose all Demon's don't like any Angel-blood's. Still, I don't want her here telling me Keo will never settle for someone like me.

"Demon's...great," I mutter, rubbing a hand over my forehead.

Keo steps into the room, shoulders tense. "They don't have nearly as much power as me, but I would be wary..."

"Because I'm an Angel-blood, right?" I wouldn't be surprised if he came in here and tore me to shreds right away.

He shakes his head, an amused smile touching upon his lips. "Because you're beautiful, and they are young and stupid enough to flirt with an Angel-blood."

I raise my brows. I can't tell if he's teasing me or not.

"Do they know we are mates?"

His smile drops. "No one does."

I turn, grabbing a shawl from the bed, trying not to consider whether I have the right to be hurt by that. Keo and I agreed that a mate bond doesn't exactly fit either of our lives right now.

Still...just hearing that makes me think he doesn't want anyone to know about us.

"Good. Good," I muse.

"Will you be alright?" Keo questions, looking over me sceptically. If I said no would he tell them not to come?

"I'll be fine, Keo. Seriously," I assure him. I'm Keo's mate, which means I can't run from Wren for very long. I'm not scared of her anyways, whether she can kill me or not.

Keo smiles tightly before something causes him to turn his head slightly. "Come, I believe I have sensed their arrival."

Drawing in a deep breath, I nod my head before following him from the room.

He claims he is quite familiar with whoever owns this place, and while they are away, we have full use of the place. I'm grateful for it, because the place is stunning. Especially the main entrance, which Keo leads me into, Wren and two others already standing in the centre of it.

"I was never a fan of winter," Wren mutters as we approach, wiping flecks of snow from her hair.

Keo smirks. "Luckily it's only Tove and I staying here then, right?"

"Seems you've taken a liking to your little Angel-blood," Wren muses, looking me up and down shamelessly. She doesn't care if she offends me, and as much as I can't stand her, I respect that.

Keo looks down at me, a hint of dark flirtation in his eyes. "What do you think about that, Tove?"

I try not to laugh, instead turning my attention to Wren.

"You told me he has been with anyone in a long time. How is it that he's so obsessed with me then?" I ask casually.

She raises her brows, surprised at my response.

Even smirks, even if he too looks a bit taken aback. "Obsessed, huh? Is that what you call it?"

Wren looks between us, searching for the reason behind our banter. If Keo is obsessed with me, it isn't because he wants me, but because of my powers and how they benefit him.

"Whatever. All that matters is how much magic she has," Wren mutters tiredly, examining her fingernails.

"The conduit has done wonders for her. She is advancing toward the objective wonderfully," Keo assures me.

I smile despite myself. I shouldn't be so pleased about my progress when my magic is being used for the benefit of others, but it does feel good considering I've spent my entire life thinking my magic doesn't extend much further than transporting myself a couple feet.

"Excellent," Wren drawls, although I suspect she is secretly pleased that my magic is working out. "I brought Vail and Kian for you to mentor. They seem stuck in their magic."

She motions next to her, where two men stand.

Just by looking at them, it's hard to notice that they are Demon's. They look like any other guy I would pass by on the street.

Keo nods. "Of course. Follow me Kain, I'll work with you first."

He nods eagerly at the opportunity, falling into stride with Keo as they stalk away.

I watch them go. It's strange seeing Keo speak so kindly to someone. Usually he either sounds grating and taunting, or tired and disinterested.

"Mind entertaining him while I look for something Keo owes me?" Wren asks sardonically, her painted on smile so fake it makes me roll my eyes. "I know you have a knack for Demon's."

"Yeah, okay," I mutter dismissively.

Wren brushes past me, giving me a long hard look as she walks by. It's hard not to lash out in anger at her, but I know it will only end poorly for me.

My ability to transport myself won't be able to get me far enough away from her...

"She hates me," I mutter, looking up at the fresh-faced Demon.

He is surprisingly handsome. His light brown hair is slightly too long and fluffy, tumbling over his vivid blue eyes.

"She hates everyone. Even me, and I'm a Demon," he laughs, shrugging his shoulders loosely.

"Keo and her have been the only known Demon's I've spoken to before. Now you," I tell him. It may be dangerous to converse with a Demon, who is probably plotting my death, but I've given up on worrying.

He smiles, flashing his bright white teeth. "I don't bite, I promise."

"I'll try to believe you," I mumble, smiling despite myself.

He draws in a deep breath, looking over me. "Wren says our fate is in your hands."

I sweep my hands through my hair. That's comforting. There are many lives that rely on me transporting Demon's through realms, which I'm not even sure I'll ever be capable of yet.

"That's great, considering almost all Demon's want me dead," I sigh.

He stuffs his hands into his pockets. "I don't want you dead, if it means anything. Neither does Keo."

"Huh. We'll see once he's done with me."

Keo may be my mate, and I know he doesn't actually want to kill me, but there is a slight kernel of doubt within me. There is a change Keo will prioritise his Demon friends over me.

"Keo doesn't trust anyone. He barely trusts Wren, and she's been in his life for decades," Vail tells me. It almost sounds like a warning.

I look over my shoulder in the vague direction he went. "He's strange, isn't he."

Vail takes a single step closer. It takes a large part of me not to step back, wary of his intentions after Keo warned me earlier. I know he was just taunting me, but it still rings through my head regardless.

He leans in. "Just don't let him touch you."

I blink, a little stunned by his lowered tone. "What does that mean?"

"There are so many other options for you that are far less complicated," he tells me pointedly.

He's trying to make it sound innocent enough, but I know what he is insinuating. Still, it makes me think about his perception of Keo and I's relationship.

"Keo and I aren't...sleeping together," I mutter uncomfortably, shifting from foot to foot. If anyone comes close to thinking we are mates, who knows what will happen...

Keo is far too hated of a man for that to go well for either of us.

"Still. Keep it in mind." He gives me a half smile, nudging me playfully. I narrow my eyes on him, realising Keo wasn't just teasing me when it came to his advice.

"Is this you suggesting I should sleep with you instead?" I ask him, raising my brows. "Are all Demon's this brazen?"

He laughs with me, not taking himself too seriously. That's a relief. It has felt like nothing in my life has felt worthy of laughing about recently, and although there is no chance I'm going to take this guys offer, it feels nice to be wanted by someone.

Especially since my mate doesn't believe we stand a chance together. At least that's what I've gathered by his distance recently.

"Not all of us, but most are."

I turn around, seeing Keo approaching us again.

Vail takes a cautious step away from me, swallowing uncomfortably at the sight of the powerful Demon. "Keo...I thought you were-"

"I forgot I needed something," he exclaims, looking at me instead. "Tove, would you like to come witness how a Demon works with magic?"

"I suppose so." Maybe it will be helpful, or maybe it will just make me feel bad about my own magic.

"Great. Follow me."

I cast Vail another glance, giving him a short wave. He smiles tightly, as if he is reluctant to see me go. I would have preferred to stay there also, considering he is the first Demon I've met that I haven't instantly been intimidated by.

Keo looks down at me as we walk. "You're not fucking Vail."

"Why not?" I frown. Not once was I ever actually interested in having sex with Vail, but just hearing Keo forbidding it pokes at something deep inside me.

"Because you're my mate. If you need release, you come to my room," he instructs, no hint of amusement in his tone to let me know that he is just trying to make me laugh...

That maybe he's serious about that offer.

"You don't want to be with me," I remind him sharply.

His eyes darken. "We can't be together. It's not that I don't want it. And regardless, you don't need to be in love with me to-"

"Alright...I get it," I mutter, cutting him off before he can say something too graphic. "Does this mean you're not going to be seducing other women?"

"You don't have to want me. That's fine. But there is no one else that compares to a mate," he says.

I look down at my feet, considering his words. I didn't think he would be with anyone else, but it feels good to hear it, despite what is going on between us.

He pauses right in the middle of the hallway, turning to me. "Everything about me belongs to you. Whether you want to accept that right now or not."

💗••💗

~Midika 💜🐼