Demon and the Mage (Jeongcheol)

Jeonghan

My arse had barely hit the sofa before they turned their attention to me. Joshua had warned me that they were all interfering, but nothing could've prepared me for the onslaught of questions they flung at me.

"How old are you?"

"Do you like reading?"

"When you said you could drain my blood and make me choke on it, is that something you can teach me?"

"Did you know Seungcheol was your mate the whole time?"

Vernon asked the final question, and I could tell by the look on Seungcheol's face that he didn't like where this interrogation was headed. Threading my fingers through his, I squeezed gently to let him know I had this. To my relief, he nodded and leaned back in his seat, happy to let me fight my own battles. My heart swelled. Was this guy ever going to stop being perfect?

"No, I didn't know Seungcheol was my mate." I answered Vernon first, sensing this was their biggest contention with me. Vernon painted a threatening picture with his power suit, dark good looks, and intimidating stare. And that was before his reputation as the butcher of the ninth circle was taken into consideration. The effect was rather diminished by the tender way he cradled his mate on his lap and the sappy grin he got whenever Seungkwan looked up at him. "We can't sense things like that like you can. I only realised there was a bond between us when the glamour was lifted and Seungcheol pointed it out."

Vernon nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer I'd given.

Seungcheol looked worried as he whispered in my ear. "Just say the word, and I'll make them back off."

"I'm fine," I reassured him. "It's better to get all of this out in the open now if we have any hope of them accepting me."

"It's all right if they don't. We don't need anyone's approval." He meant these words. I know he did. But I also knew how much it would kill him if his family wasn't a big part of his life.

I wasn't about to settle for anything less than Seungcheol's total happiness.

The realisation hit me like a sledgehammer. But it was the truth. Even with everything that had happened, all the hurtful words he'd said to me the night before, I'd do whatever it took to keep that smile on his face.

Determined to keep the conversation moving, I shot Seokmin a small smile before answering his question. "I'm one hundred and fifty-three, so practically a baby compared to this lot."

Seungkwan laughed. "You'd think they'd behave better considering their age, but if anything, I think immortality has made them more immature."

"Hey!" Joshua said in faux outrage.

Seungkwan raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? Remind me again, how do you deal with conflict with your siblings?"

I shuddered as an image of Seungcheol's lifeless body flashed through my mind. Even though I'd known he'd be okay, it wasn't an experience I wanted to repeat.

"That's not immaturity. It's a utilisation of my unique skill set." Joshua sniffed.

"Keep telling yourself that," Seungcheol drawled. I hadn't answered the other questions, but apparently, Seungcheol was done. "Any other urgent questions for my mate? Or can we leave now?"

His casual use of the word mate sent a rush of warmth through me. I yearned to have that bond with him. Could I trust him not to hurt me?

All signs were pointing to yes, so why was I hesitating?

"Just one," Joshua asked. "How long are you planning on keeping Seungcheol on the hook before you let him mark you?"

This time, Seungcheol didn't let me answer. His hand squeezed my shoulder in reassurance as he stared Joshua down. "That's between me and Jeonghan."