A Demon's Home

Published by: eXtasy Books

Author : Catherine Lievens

ISBN :978-1-4874-3525-7

Page :136

Word Count :40500

Publication Date :2025-01-20

Series : Demons Destinies#6

Heat Level :

Available Formats :

Category : LGBTQIA+ Romance , Coming Soon , LGBTQIA+

BrandsExtasy Books
Product Code: 978-1-4874-3525-7

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Red is the color of love—and blood.

Mikal never had a home until he found a place at Berith’s palace. Now, he’s close to the prince and his family—and to Reyni, the prince’s personal healer whom Mikal has a crush on. He takes his job as leader of the prince’s guards seriously, but sometimes, he’s afraid he won’t be able to protect the people who matter the most.

Reyni has been head healer for a few years, and he’s content with his life, especially after he realizes that his crush on Mikal isn’t unrequited after all. The last thing he needs is a war, but unfortunately, that’s exactly what he’s getting.

Tensions are running high in more ways than Mikal and Reyni could have expected. Can they find their way to each other when their lives are in danger? And if they do, can they build a future together when they don’t know if they’ll both survive the war looming over them all?

Mikal didn’t usually run from food. He liked food. He liked sweets, salty meals, and snacks. Don’t get him started about snacks.

He still couldn’t think of anything better to do. He glanced around the dining room, knowing he didn’t belong, not in one of these chairs. Sure, he should be in the room, but he should be here to protect the people eating, not sitting by their side. What was he supposed to do? Ask his prince how he’d slept last night? Ask the consort what he had planned for the afternoon?

“You know, the bread isn’t going to eat you,” Mel gently teased.

Mikal swallowed and glanced down at his meal. He hadn’t eaten much, and anyone who knew him could tell it was odd. Hell, even the people who didn’t know him well could, like Mel.

Mikal hadn’t frequented the prince and his consort on a personal level until recently. Berith had always made a point of talking to his guards, but it wasn’t like he was best friends with them. Since Mikal had become Lon’s second in command, though, he’d been pulled closer to Berith and his family, and now here he was, having lunch with them as if it was completely normal.

“You don’t actually have to eat with us if it makes you that uncomfortable,” Mel continued, his smile turning into a frown.

The last thing Mikal wanted was to offend the consort. He didn’t think Berith would kill him if he did, but Mel was a nice person. He was sweet, and even though he was human, he didn’t seem to have problems with demons. Hell, he was in love with one.

Mikal’s smile was stiff, but it felt a bit more natural as he turned to the consort. “I’m fine.”

“Are you? Because you look like you’re about to bolt.”

“I’m just not used to eating my meals with you yet. It doesn’t feel like I should be.”

“Well, considering I trust you with my life, I don’t see where else you should be.”

“I’m only doing my job,” Mikal murmured as he grabbed the bread and his knife to cut a slice.

“A job many people want but few people would be good at,” Mel pointed out. “I sleep better at night knowing you’re watching over me and my family.”

Mikal hadn’t come here today expecting to hear that from the consort. He didn’t know what to make of it, so he focused on the bread. He cut one slice, then started on another.

The prince’s daughter, Cyarea, screeched. Mikal jumped and felt a flash of pain when the knife cut into his finger. He swore and dropped everything to check the cut, from which blood was already spilling.

“Are you all right?” Mel asked as he leaned over the table, reaching for Mikal’s hand.

The princess’s mother was gently scolding her for making everyone around the table jump. Mikal didn’t mind. She was a child, and she should be allowed to act like one, even though one day, she would become their queen.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just a scratch,” he reassured Mel and the others sitting around them. He grabbed his napkin and folded it around his finger. He wasn’t about to bleed all over the neat white tablecloth.

Lon’s expression told Mikal he wouldn’t like what was about to happen, so he wasn’t surprised when his friend and boss opened his mouth to suggest he go to the infirmary.

For some reason, Mel seemed delighted by the advice. “Yes, please go to the infirmary. I’d feel better if I knew someone looked at the cut.”

“There’s no need for me to go. It’s barely even bleeding.”

“Still. You’re protecting the prince’s family. I need to be sure that your physical capacity isn’t diminished,” Lon teased.

It was teasing because Lon knew perfectly well that Mikal could defend the prince and his family, even with a broken arm. It was what they were trained to do—sacrifice their lives for the prince and his family if necessary.

Mikal didn’t resent that. He wouldn’t have accepted the job if he did. He could never be the prince—too many headaches and attempts on their lives—but he wasn’t a fool. Demons needed to be guided. If they were left on their own, they’d kill each other, and the underworld would become an empty space with only memories left. They needed authority, which was where Berith came in.

“Just go to the infirmary,” Mel insisted.

Mikal had to resist the urge to roll his eyes at the consort. He knew what the man was doing. “I’m sure the healers have better things to do than to check small cuts.”

“And I’m sure that Reyni would be unhappy if he found out that you didn’t visit him after you hurt yourself. He’s a healer. He’ll want to help.”

“I doubt he cares. He has many patients, most in worse shape.”

“And you’re his favorite. He’ll be happy to see you.” Mel gave Mikal his puppy eyes. “And I’ll be relieved to know for sure that nothing’s wrong. Do it for me?”

How was Mikal supposed to say no to that? Even if Mel hadn’t been the prince’s consort, there was no way Mikal could have resisted. The man was too sweet for his own good.

Which was one of the reasons he needed bodyguards.

“Fine,” Mikal finally agreed. “I’ll go as soon as lunch is over and I find someone to replace me.” He wasn’t leaving Mel vulnerable.