Chapter Twenty-Three

Merihem

For the life of him, Merihem couldn’t remember a time he’d been happier. He’d thought long and hard on this, but nothing seemed now to have given him the joy Peni did.

Was it sad that he got enjoyment out of washing dishes just to please his blissful one? Many would laugh their socks off at how the great Controller was now domesticated.

He shook his head, because he wouldn’t be telling anyone how he behaved around Peni in their home. And it was their home, Peni had slowly added little personal touches around the house. This was the first reason for coming to the forest. Having left Peni with Silas, he stared at Dakata considering how best to ask for what he wanted.

“Spit it out,” Dakata grumbled, his gaze focused on the direction of where Silas and Peni had disappeared.

“I want your house—to buy it.”

Dakata’s head whipped around to Merihem, and he wore a look that made Merihem chuckle.

“What? Didn’t you think I’d want to live up here when this is where Peni is happiest?”

“You were always so adamant that the demon realm was your home, first and foremost.”

Merihem shrugged and sighed. “Things change. You wouldn’t go back, would you?” he asked, more out of interest.

“Never. Silas’s soul is connected to his tree, as is mine now. But I’d already made the transition to this realm a long time ago. All I’ve done is move from one home to another. This is different for you.”

Merihem eyed his friend. He wasn’t wrong it was different, only it was in the best possible way, and he said so. “I didn’t have a blissful one before. Being here with him is all I want. I don’t want him in the demon realm for the same reasons as you. Silas’s delicate disposition wouldn’t cope, Peni is the same.”

The nod came with a thoughtful look. “How will that work with Asmodeus? The king has had you as his right-hand demon for a long time.”

For the first time in Merihem’s long life, he was nervous. He’d heard nothing from the king, and he wasn’t sure whether that was a good or a bad thing. “I don’t know. I’m heading there next. That’s why I brought Peni here for you to watch over him. And to ask about your house, which you haven’t answered me,” Merihem reminded him.

“The house, I’ll gift to you both. You were there for me, my friend. Whatever you need, if it’s within the realm of possibilities, it’s yours.”

The sincerity caused Merihem to take a moment to gather his emotions. His bond of friendship with Dakata was the most important of Merihem’s life. He’d chosen well. He clasped Dakata to him and hugged him hard.

“Hey, what the fuck!” Dakata splutter-laughed before clapping him on the back. “You getting soft on me?”

“Fuck off,” Merihem complained as he let go, grinning, not offended. “I’ve never been soft in my life.” He flexed his arm, the T-shirt nearly tearing.

Dakata rolled his eyes. “Give over. You never impressed me, and at least one good thing came with Peni.” His gaze dropped to his pants, and he waited for a beat. “At least I don’t have to see your naked ass anymore.”

“My blissful one doesn’t like the idea of anyone seeing what belongs to him.” Merihem was all smug satisfaction at that.

“Great… now, don’t you think you should stop delaying and go and speak to Asmodeus?”

This was why they were friends, no bullshit, and he got what Merihem was doing—avoiding. “What if he refuses to let me continue as I am?” he asked, revealing his fear.

The serious expression that appeared as Dakata eyed him didn’t help Merihem’s cause. “Be honest. What can he do?”

“Say no!” Merihem and his demon side worried about that the most.

“Stop second-guessing what might happen and find out. Then we’ll deal with it like we have always done.”

They had. All of life’s battles they’d fought together. Yes, Merihem had Peni now, but that was different. They strengthened each other with their bond, two parts of one whole perfectly matched. However, his friendship with Dakata was part of the foundation of Merihem’s life. They used that platform to support each other and that would never change. “Thank you.” Attached to those two words was the gravitas. “Keep Peni safe, I’ll be back.”

In a blink, he was in the demon realm outside the king's quarters, where he tended to be at this time of the day. Merihem took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

When it opened, Merihem found himself to be sweaty. He eyed the demon, who no longer wore the indulgent look he’d given to Peni.

“Ah, I see you have decided to give your king some of your precious time.” The sarcastic bite to the words was like the tip of a whip slicing at skin.

Merihem didn’t wince or show weakness, the king would use it against him. “Sorry for the delay.”

A light flashed in Asmodeus’ dark eyes before it disappeared, and Merihem had a chance to gauge what it was. “So it seems.”

He swept back into the room, his robes trailing behind him as Merihem took that to be an invitation when the door hadn’t slammed in his face. He shut it softly behind him, his mind racing on how best to lay out what he wanted. All his prepared speeches had somehow vacated his brain the second he’d seen the king.

Once the king sat on his throne wearing what could be classed as a bored expression, one that didn’t fool Merihem, did he approach. “Sir…” he licked his drying lips, meeting Asmodeus' gaze head-on. “Sir, I have given consideration to my role within the demon realm—”

“When did it become your responsibility to consider what your role is in this realm?” The iciness dripped from the question.

Way to go to piss him off. His demon fought to break free. Seeing it might be for the best, Merihem receded. “We do not believe it is our responsibility, sir.” The gruffness of his demon’s voice was similar to the king’s, only without the iciness. “But the last time we were here with Peni, I explained my blissful one would not be happy being in this realm. His happiness comes first, second, and everything in between.”

The claw-like nails tapped on the arm of the throne, and Merihem’s demon side was the one to sweat this time. Those dark eyes narrowed and pinned themselves on Merihem, holding him hostage. “Yes, I see you are telling the truth.”

“Dakata has gifted me his home. Peni loves it there. It’s his home now, and I want to live there permanently with him.” Was he waffling? It felt like it!

You weren’t doing any better. His demon side sounded miffed.

One brow arched giving him more of a demonic look and chilling Merihem’s flesh. “That’s kind of Dakata.”

The way he said it wouldn’t suggest that at all. “It was. I could, as I suggested, live in the human realm and carry out my role. Peni could stay with Dakata and Silas in the forest when I need to leave—”

“You are turning down my offer of Peni staying here with me? Do you think that I would not be able to protect your blissful one?”

The tone was flat and emotionless, however, his eyes held the fire of hell as they drilled into Merihem.

Oh, you’re doing so much better than I was! Merihem couldn’t stop himself from pointing it out. He fought to get back control from his demon half. The fucker wasn’t playing ball.

He stood tall, even sitting on his throne, the king was slightly taller than Merihem’s demon. “I have no doubt you could protect my blissful one. My problem is Peni would not be comfortable being here, sir. He is nervous and easily upset by things that he can’t control in his environment. I do not wish to cause him any distress. Thinking and worrying about him would not be good for me in my position.” All of what he said was the truth. And if that didn’t work, then Merihem and his demon were going to have to resort to some other measure. What that might be…

He was clueless.

Time dragged as Asmodeus continued to hold his stare, Merihem didn’t so much as flicker a muscle.

“Peni… did he speak with you about his visit with me?”

Huh?

The sudden change of conversation threw Merihem’s demon for a loop. His lips parted and then closed. A sense of something came and went, but it was so quick that Merihem’s human side didn’t catch quite what it was. “He considered you were lonely.”

What the fuck did you say that for? Merihem could only imagine that would piss the king off, and he braced.

When the king's lips twitched, Merihem gawked.

“He’s sweet,” he replied.

What was going on here? Had he fallen into a parallel realm?

“He is,” they replied, for want of anything better to say.

“Did he mention anything else?” Asmodeus persisted, coming forward in his seat, looking almost excited.

“No. He just said that you had lots of questions, and he tried to answer them for you.” The situation was getting more bizarre by the moment. “Erm, about leaving him with Dakata—”

The king waved his enormous hand, stopping him. “Yes, your blissful one can stay in the forest. Stress would not be a good thing in his condition. As you say, he’s a sensitive soul and we wouldn’t want to upset him. He’ll have plenty to contend with in the future.”

What the hell was he talking about?

“You must bring him for a visit again. I enjoyed my time with your little goat,” he continued on.

“I’m sure he’d like that,” Merihem muttered, frowning, still working on everything else the king had said. Condition? What condition?

“—You will need to check in with Badra on the list of deviants that require your attention. I assume Gebre won’t have kept track due to his obsession with you, so you’ll need to see him before you leave.”

What had he missed? Merihem’s demon nodded, but all Merihem could think about was the king’s phrasing. Condition. Plenty to contend with in the future?

“You’re dismissed. I’ll let you know when I wish to see Peni again.”

They were leaving and out of the throne room, the door shut behind them before Merihem knew what was going on. He felt he’d missed a chunk of what had gone on in the room.

What the hell was that all about?

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

The smugness of his demon side gave Merihem pause. You’re being a dick, you know that!

I’m what! The words rang through Merihem’s brain, making it rattle in his skull at the force of them. He didn’t think as he translocated, any thoughts of visiting Badra gone at hearing his blissful one’s distress.

Peni stood, pale as a ghost next to Silas who was smiling softly. Merihem’s demon scanned the environment, heart pounding, claws at the ready as he put himself in front of Peni. Their senses found nothing. Nothing at all.

What is wrong, my love?

He scooped up Peni and kissed him on his clammy forehead. “What happened?” he asked aloud when all he was getting was static from Peni. “Tell me, please.”