Chapter Seven

Locryn wasn’t being a hundred percent fair to his demon mate, and he knew it. But he’d had a bit of a jolt, having Zac turn up the way he did, and that’s without the reason why he came at all. Yes, Locryn had known something was going to happen because of his father, but he hadn’t factored his mate as being the one to deliver the threat, as it was, from his father. Arranged marriage? My dad’s delusional. But then, Locryn’s father had always been one of those people who believed if he kept repeating ideas long enough they must be true – even when they weren’t.

But Locryn wasn’t lying when he said there was a specific way things were done in Appleton, especially when it came to dating and relationships. He hadn’t dated anyone in the five years he’d been living in the quaint town, but he’d seen a lot. He was also curious as to what sort of reception he and Zac would get being seen together.

To his knowledge, there wasn’t another gay couple in town at all, although he’d always felt accepted. But that had been when he was single. He was quietly determined that if anyone made Zac feel bad in any way, his salon would not be opening on Monday morning. Betty could find someone else to color her hair.

“So,” he said as they wandered back down the hill. Actually power walked was a better term. Zac must really want those hot dogs. “With respect to being claimed, you know, and showing off a mark, is there any room on your skin where my mark could go without ruining the lines of your wonderful art.”

“I can’t believe I’m being teased by a Fae,” Zac grumbled. “About being claimed of all things. Did you used to work as a torture creator before learning to cut hair? I could probably get you a job in the Underworld office.”

“It was a fair question.” Locryn couldn’t stop chuckling. With his magic fizzing, it was almost as though he was high. He swung their held hands gently as he added, “Most paranormals leave their neck free of adornments so that a mating claim can be seen by others. I’m looking forward to seeing your mark on my skin.”

Zac groaned loudly. “There’s a bare spot on my chest, okay. I left a gap just for you. Do you really need to go out for dinner right now? I could’ve zapped you something.”

“I can zap things, too. But if we’re going to be responsible citizens in Appleton, then we need to let the town know we’re doing the human version of dating.”

“Hot dogs and milkshakes? Wouldn’t you rather go to a proper restaurant?”

“Oh, my goodness, not yet.” Locryn slapped his hand over his chest in mock horror. “You cannot let the good people of Appleton see you take me to a restaurant – the chalet one just out of town – until you’re ready to put a ring on my finger. And, you know, you’ve only just moved to town, so we’ll probably have to wait a month for that, at least.”

“Rings. You mean like wedding rings and things like that?”

Locryn could understand Zac’s confusion. “Just go with it, mate. You and I both know come tomorrow morning our connection will be unbreakable, but we live in a human town, and I’ve learned in the five years I’ve been here that the locals have certain expectations when it comes to dating behavior. Watch.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Zac as he spotted one of his clients, Louisa pausing on her way into her house as she saw them.

“Hello, Louisa, it’s a lovely evening, isn’t it?”

“It is that, Locryn. It is that.” Louisa bobbed her head and then blatantly looked Zac up and down. “I see you met the new tattoo man then.”

“I certainly did, Louisa.” Locryn showed his teeth. “He’s as handsome as you told me he is. Zac and I are going to get hot dogs and milkshakes at The Happy Chappy.”

“I knew it. I had a hunch about that. Sounds fun. Have a nice night.”

Locryn chuckled, knocking Zac’s shoulder with his head as they kept walking. “She’ll be on the phone for the rest of the night, I promise. My ladies are so lovely.”

“You don’t care that they gossip about you?” Zac eyed the house as they walked past. It was a lot like Locryn’s, although it had blue trim around the windows. But it was just as neat and tidy as his mate’s.

“Nope. In this town, when they talk about you, it means they like you enough to care about what you are doing. The biggest insult you’ll experience in Appleton, among the locals, is if someone mentions your name and the other person sniffs and changes the subject.”

“I’ll watch out for that.”

Locryn chuckled, again, at Zac’s tone. It was clear the demon only knew how to be grumpy and grumpier. “Look, this is the place.” He paused outside of the eatery where all new relationships started in Appleton. “Have you eaten out since you’ve been in town?”

Zac shook his head. “I’ve had to deal with a few issues from my last place in Vegas, nothing important now… I won’t be going back again.”

Locryn kept his smirk to himself. He could well imagine why a virile demon would be zapping back to spend time in his old haunts. The man was a concentrated hunk of manliness – huge shoulders, solid torso, and as Peter at the store had reported, every inch of visible skin from the neck down was covered in black ink.

Zac had dark eyes, full lips, and while he wasn’t classically handsome, there was something about his features that truly appealed to Locryn in every way.

And that was without the hair which was tied up at the base of Zac’s neck – long, black, and shiny. Zac won’t be zapping off to Vegas again anytime soon - not without me. Yes, the level of protectiveness Locryn felt was surprising, but in his head they were already claimed. They just had to go through the formalities.

“Then welcome to The Happy Chappy.” Locryn stepped inside, holding the door for Zac, and made his way to the counter. “Jim, have you met Zac Byron from the new tattoo parlor in town?”

“We’ve not met, but I’ve heard a lot about you.” Jim’s face was almost the same color as his shock of red hair as he reached over the counter and shook Zac’s hand. “If you two want to grab a table…”

“We’ll have a double helping of your couple orders, and two milkshakes. I love chocolate, what about you Zac?”

“Strawberry, thanks.” Zac reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, which Locryn was sure hadn’t been there before. But he winked at Jim as Zac paid, leaving a healthy tip, and they headed over to the corner.

“We have to sit in a booth.” Locryn kept his voice low. “That way we can sit close together.”

“If this wasn’t a family place, you’d be pole dancing on my lap,” Zac growled. “How the hell am I going to fit in this booth?”

“I’m sure you’ve got experience getting yourself into tight spaces.” Locryn slid into the booth easily, moving around so there was room for his mate. “This will be fun.”

Zac’s groan was music to his ears. But the man sat right next to him, their shoulders touching as they waited for their food to be ready.

/~/~/~/~/

The hot dogs were big, fresh, and well cooked. The strawberry milkshake was creamy and sweet, but as he went through the motions of enjoying was what clearly a first date with his mate, Zac had to wonder who the hell he’d pissed off that he was being subject to so much torment.

Locryn was so damn friendly, greeting people he knew by name, introducing Zac every time. Normally, Zac didn’t have an issue with remembering names, but the crotch of his pants was stretched to the point of pain. When Locryn stopped talking long enough to eat, damn near deep throating his hot dog, Zac was sure he was going to climax right there in a family-friendly eatery.

Zac could see the glamor Locryn was using – commonsense for a Fae. But even with the glamor, downplaying his looks, Locryn was a shining light of goodness. His fine features were flawless, as the Fae always were. Likewise, his slender body – just enough shape so no one would forget he was a man. Ugh. Stop thinking about that ass. The only thing Zac couldn’t see clearly was Locryn’s wings, and suddenly it became the most important thing – to see Locryn naked, his wings on display.

“You’re not saying a lot.”

“I’m trying not to orgasm watching you eat your hot dog.” Zac immediately wanted to slap his hand over his mouth. Seriously. He clearly had a real problem saying random shit that should be kept quiet in front of a Fae.

“I know the feeling.” Locryn’s arm was heavy on his shoulder as the man leaned even closer. “You have very capable hands when it comes to dealing with your food. And your mouth as you take a bite…”

“Have we completed the ritual yet?” Zac was in danger of growling like a bear. “We’ve still got to walk up that damn hill again.”

“I would be happier in my own house,” Locryn agreed. “But if your place is closer…”

“My place has a rat.” Zac wasn’t ready for that. He knew Rat had gone to the Underworld for the night, probably to drink and dish dirt with his brothers, but he would likely turn up before light and Zac did not want Locryn facing Rat’s lack of filter. “Lesser demon, not a four footed furry thing. He runs errands for me, but he’s…”

“Ah, I think I saw him earlier today.” Locryn nodded. “Strange little man. His invisibility skills aren’t as solid as he thinks they are.”

“He didn’t bother you, did he?” Zac would banish the man back to the Underworld permanently if Rat had done that, but Locryn was grinning and shaking his head.

“No. I only noticed him at all because paranormals aren’t common here.” Locryn pushed his plate away from him. “Ready to go? We could take a walk along the beach if you wanted to, or just head home to mine.”

“Gods, I wish we could zap. Home. Definitely home.”

Of course, it wasn’t a simple matter of leaving the eatery and walking back up the hill. Louisa, the prolific phone user had done her work, and clearly there were more than a few locals who felt the need to see Zac and Locryn together.

And Locryn was friendly and grinning at every single person they “came across.” His hand warmly encased in Zac’s, he chatted, introduced Zac some more, and said at least four times that yes, he would be at the salon on Monday. Zac tried to contribute something sensible or equally friendly to the conversations, but every ounce of blood in his body was currently in one specific place in his pants, and he was fast losing the will to ever speak to anyone again.

“There is no way those people were just casually walking to the beach on a Friday night,” Zac said when Locryn finally pulled them away and they got out of town and were climbing the hill.

“Of course not. But some people only believe news if they see it for themselves. This is a good thing, you’ll see.” How Locryn maintained his permanent smile was something Zac just couldn’t fathom. Fae were not smilers – they were too snooty to show their teeth - but for Locryn it seemed like it was a permanent expression.

“This is a great town. The people really look out for each other. Hey, Louisa, your garden is looking lovely. Don’t you glare at her,” Locryn added in a mutter Zac knew was intended for him.

“You’re making a bit of a statement there, Locryn.” Louisa nodded at their joined hands and then in the direction of his house up the hill.

“It’s intentional, my dear lady. See you Tuesday.” Locryn just kept on walking so Zac did the same. “You see, the people here are all good people, and they look after their own. It took me about three months before they realized I wanted to be part of the community, rather than just a business owner in town.”

“Aren’t they the same thing?” Zac thought about his businesses throughout busy cities around the world. Gideon’s shop had been the hub of the community when Zac first started, but in most cases, Zac was seen more as a business owner than anything else, which he was perfectly happy with.

“Maybe in bigger places, but here in Appleton, wanting to fit in with the community is a big deal.” Locryn skipped around, so he was walking backward, smiling at Zac. “Apparently I passed the test when one of my clients, Cheryl, was getting married. She was calling me, coming into the salon and all sorts, asking about all manner of things, and wanting details tweaked for a day that was still months away. And I just kept letting her know I was there for her, and I was. That’s a huge part of me that I’m proud of since leaving the Fae realm.”

“I can see how that helps them, but how does it help you?” Locryn’s house was in sight. Zac walked a little faster.

“They include me in their lives,” Locryn said simply, as he twirled again and ran to his front door. “I’d never had that before. You watch. Before long, you’ll have that, too.”