Chapter 3

Larial couldn’t help but be impressed. While taking another slow sip, mirroring his son’s motions across the dark room, he monitored Aiden. Although rattled, the man continued to process all that he’d shared.

His attention shifted to Felicity. A vision in tight white leather, she’d been correct to insist on accompanying him. Without her seated on the armrest beside the startled human, if indeed such a limited description still applied, he might’ve become more panicked.

At a tumble of memories, Larial swallowed a chuckle. If only his son understood the wildness hidden behind those mystical eyes. Sleek in an ultra-feminine physique, she enjoyed all kinds of leather, wearing it, being struck by it, and chewing on bits of thick rawhide like a prized racing steed. In her own way, she very much was such a creature.

After so many years of her servicing others, he’d been the one to tease out her hidden craving, that desire to show off, displaying an innate naughtiness. Every slow widening of her thighs, offering him a peek of glistening flesh, told him she continued reading his thoughts.

Although one of those from the other side of the fence he’d mentioned to Aiden, The Woman had also noticed her proclivities, but had chosen to do no more than use, then abuse her. Thus, similar to him, dear Felicity no longer quite fit into anyone’s mold.

After seducing him—no, more like letting her seduce him—the fallen angel had convinced him to find his way into the heart of Lisel Marchand, Aiden’s mother. Surprise; also like him, Felicity retained her baser instincts. Hence, she’d become his other half and he hers.

However, as he shifted focus once more, observing his son’s stress-sharpened mind work, parsing everything he’d already shared, a trickle of ... not fear, more a deeper anxiety, slipped along the demon’s spine. Right-hand to Him, the One Who Shall Not Be Named, The Woman still held his town, the wonderland he’d cultivated, working the minds, needs, desires, and souls of its myriad horny, repressed inhabitants.

Always so fearful, humans never understood his kind. Yet not all were ... uncaring. He’d let them romp as free as their little hearts desired, racing all over the delightful playground set out for them amid broad fields of corn and soy.

No matter. Sexy, beyond beautiful, and exuding both unimaginable power and cruelty, The Woman was very much in play, trying to discern the outcome of his disobedience, and its rippling effects when mated with the ring. That, at least, kept her at bay.

“For now,” he whispered, fogging the top of the tumbler with his breath, then spoke louder, “I know it’s a lot, son.”

He found Aiden’s eyes. In the hazy nighttime glow, their glossy deep gray had his chest tightening. Within them floated echoes of his mother’s brilliant blue and Larial’s own darker orbs.

“You keep calling me that, but I—”

“Alright, fair point ... Aiden.” With a sigh, he reclined in the chair, lifting the whiskey to his lips, but before taking a drink, he fixed the man with his gaze. “One more item. Sophia Dumont. Like Lisel, she’s both French and a powerful businesswoman. Plus, um, about the same age difference exists between you two as when I first met your mother.”

“Great. So, now I’ve got an Oedipus complex?”

His son snorted.

At the curt sound, he relaxed. It was an indicator, one with which he was quite familiar, and he couldn’t help grinning. The boy was sharp. His mother had been so proud. Also his father, the human one, the one who’d done the hard work of raising him. For Larial to even attempt such a thing would’ve brought ruin down upon everyone involved. Of that, he was assured. Instead, he’d agreed to step away. His punishment was terrible enough, losing his pet town and all its playful residents to The Woman.

“What’s your angle?” Aiden asked, the strength in his tone widening Larial’s grin.

“You. I wish to see you, with the ring, against them.” He chuckled. “Hmm, suppose I should say ‘against us.’ In any event, it’s secure with you. And you’ll be secure with it once you—”

“—fight the battle you can’t?”

“Ah, incisive.” He laughed, though his ribs tightened. “Of course you are. To be honest, I’m unsure if that’s simply you or that thing”—he scanned the painting beyond Aiden—”in your safe.”

“Maybe a bit of both by now.”

Even as the words echoed, he tensed when the man looked up at Felicity. His son’s hand moved, gliding along one leather-clad thigh. As her gaze flicked between him and his son, her cheeks reddened, and eyes widened.

“She loves you, Larial.” Aiden chuckled and took a long drink. “But you know that. Hmm, did you also realize—”

“Yes, I do.”

After a swift laugh, Aiden gave her a gentle but forceful shove, easing Felicity from the chair’s armrest. Although she shot the seated man a questioning look, he made a curt gesture, and she stepped away, walking towards Larial.

“No hostage.” His son laughed, but there was a hollowness to it.

“Alright, you caught me. You could have her, though. Add her to your harem. Same deal as that one.” He glanced at the closed bedroom door. “Send her home to me well-fucked, drooling, googly-eyed, and satisfied. I wouldn’t mind. You’ve grown rather talented with a whip. She absolutely adores that. Plus, that Eva of yours is quite the interesting coconspirator.”

“No, you’re no cuck.” Aiden’s eyes locked onto him. “So, some kind of test ... Larial?” The gray orbs, glinting in the dimness, tracked the creaking leather settling onto his chair’s armrest. “Aroused or not, both of you are testing me. Why?”

At the last word, he glanced up at Felicity, now standing beside his chair. All pieces of the plan. Aiden was correct. He’d never part with her, his fallen angel. The test, though? Perhaps he would let his son borrow her. Before departing for this soiree, she’d presented the offer if that would seal the agreement. The two of them together might be ... interesting. However, such things lay far in the future, if there was to be one. With a sigh, he leaned forward, making the most of the moment, enjoying his son’s ... mind.

“Yes, it is a test. See, you’re different. Think any other man could resist that offer?” With a quiet chuckle, he again looked up at the tantalizing form beside him. “You were right again, dear.” Brows tighter, he returned to Aiden. “I cannot fight this fight. It is forbidden. Felicity and I share a place that shouldn’t exist. Now you do as well. You are as much your mother’s child as mine. Your kindness combined with my drive and Felicity’s guidance has led you, all of us, to this point.”

“What point?” His son sighed. “I told you. Since Mary, nobody else has tried. Blaine’s fucking disappeared.”

“No, he hasn’t. Ask filthy Sophie the next time you’ve got her good and revved, pleading for your ... attention.”

“What do you—”

“For that matter, this is the time for you to, hmm, gird yourself, consult with those closest to you. Visit home, talk with Gina and Kendra.”