Demonic Temptation

Chapter 15

Azia's POV

When we stepped out of the portal we were in a cave where swords and other things waited for us. "So what happened to your wings?" Cinteri asked me. "They were damaged while protecting my mate." I told him. It wasn't any of his business, but part of me did want to make amends. "Dimo has become more of a thorn in my side as of late, and attacking at every chance."

"So where is your mate from? It's rare we see a Ava and a Kiteri mix this deep in the Kingdom." Jurian asked me. It was true. Ava, like us, prefer the mountains because we liked being in the air. Kiteri's preferred the coast where there was plenty of fish. Very rare they ever mate. "She was actually human. She had been turned into a kitten by a Valki on accident and the only way to change her from a kitten was to change her into a demon." I explained.

They all seemed surprised by that. I went to the table where it was clear Lana had written down their movements. "Let's get to planning shall we."

We came up with several plans in case things went wrong. So much could happen that we needed to be prepared. We went in the middle of the night for the cover of darkness. Cinteri and I walked up to their stronghold confidently to get their attention. We started wrecking things and hundreds of demons came out. We changed to our beasts and began our slaughter. No one noticed three shadows going inside to look for Jansin's mate. We slashed and blasted through Dimo's men. We saw Dimo flying away like a coward. Cinteri launched into the air to catch him. Dimo sent a massive blast of magic at Cinteri, nailing him in the chest. He shifted back to normal as he fell from the sky. I couldn't fly so I climbed part of the mountain, and leaped to catch him. We rolled, my larger form hitting the ground first. Eventually we were on the ground, in our normal forms, feeling week.

"You saved me." He said, shocked. "You're an ass, but you're still my brother." I said through my pants. Explosions began to come from the mountain. We struggled to push ourselves up as we watched. A portal opened up and Lana, Jurian, and Jansin carrying a crying woman. Her white feathered wings were bloodied but she seemed fine. Cinteri and I shared small smiles before we collapsed into darkness.

When I came too I was at the palace, something soft by my hand. I blinked the blurriness from my eyes and soft that the soft thing was Raven's ear. She was sitting beside my bed, her head beside me. I ran a hand through her hair. I smiled when she began to purr. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw I was awake. Then she glared, "You shouldn't have done something so reckless!" I now regretted waking her up. "It hadn't even been a week and you unleashed yourself, again, on Dimo's men. I understand the severity of the situation, but you did it without thinking of how weak it leaves you!" I smiled softly at how worried she was about me. I pulled her to me, and kissed her, stopping her mid yell. She melted into me as her anger disappeared. "That won't work every time." She muttered against my lips. I smiled, "I'll use it every chance I get." She huffed and sat up, "You're stuck on bed rest, doctor's orders." "And what are you going to do today?" I asked her. She smiled, "Your sisters and I are going out to lunch." I bit my lip, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

She scoffed at me, "You just went and nearly got yourself killed when you still hated them. I've had three days to get to know them both, and I think they're nice." "Wait three days? How long have I been asleep?" I asked confused. "Two and a half weeks" she said, her arms crossed. "I invited your family to stay for the coming of spring celebration since the snow should be melted soon." "Wait what?" I asked her. She smiled, "Get some rest." She kissed my cheek before leaving the room.

As she left Jansin came in. She gave him a smile and he returned it. He then sat in the chair she was in. "How do you feel?" He asked. "Tired. What happened after your mate was rescued?" "Lana took a portal back to the palace to get some help to carry you and Cinteri back. My daughters were hyped up on sweets, thanks to your mate." He said with a slight chuckle. "Cinteri woke up a couple days after we got here and he hasn't really spoken much, "Except for the fact you saved him. Lana, Tiya, Yinsy, and Raven have become really close and to be honest it scares me. Raven also invited us to stay for the spring celebration, but if you don't want us here, then we'll go."

I shook my head, "If I sent you away, I would end up getting in trouble. Besides, I think it's time you guys came home." He froze, "Wait what?" I nodded, "I know Cinteri hates that I took the throne, but I didn't have a choice. Tradition is tradition." He nodded as he ran a hand through his hair, "We know and it was our fault for leaving you here. Which we shouldn't have, and we're sorry." Those words. Words I have waited centuries to hear. I nodded, "Water under the bridge."

He smiled and nodded. "So how did you meet Tiya?" I asked him. "Well I was drunk and at a tavern." He said with a chuckle. "She was cleaning a table and I asked for another drink. She said if I drank anymore I'd drown myself. When she looked at me, I knew she was my mate. My drunk mouth knew she was my mate. Let's just say I said something vulgar and she hit me, knocking me out. After that I had to bust my ass to make a show her I wasn't a complete ass.  I courted her for three years before she finally told me she loved me. Five decades later we have three beautiful girls and another baby on the way." Pride, love, and joy shined brightly in his eyes.

"I'm happy for you." I told him and he smiled as he nodded. He stood, "Get some rest. I need to go make sure Jurian hasn't started a fire somewhere." I nodded, and watched as he walked out. A weight was finally lifted and it felt like I could breathe once more.