Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 111

**OZ**

“I heard something about your future husband and party planning. Are we preparing for a wedding?” Raylah asks brightly, eyes gleaming with mischief. Kacia doesn’t miss a beat. She lets out a dramatic sigh, pressing her hand to her chest as if she’s mourning. 

“Sadly, no. We’re not.” She answers. Raylah laughs, seemingly delighted by Kacia’s dramatics, though I swear even she looks faintly disappointed. And me? I’m stuck on Kacia’s answer. ‘Sadly, no.’ Not ‘no.’ Not ‘don’t be ridiculous.’ She said ‘Sadly no.’ She doesn’t even bother to hide it anymore. She’s been making her feelings clear all morning, leaning into every chance to tease me about being husband material, grinning every time she gets under my skin. She’s not trying to keep anything subtle or contained. She wants me to know. Hell, she wants the world to know. And the worst part? I want it too. Because that one word sends me spinning, imagining what it would be like if she were my wife. Not the ceremony, not vows or rituals, I couldn’t care less about those things. What I imagine are mornings like this one. Waking up with her in my arms, her hair a mess, her eyes tired, but still so bright it makes me ache. Teasing her over toast, stealing kisses between arguments, watching her smirk when she wins. Knowing I could answer ‘yes’ when people ask if she’s mine, and that she’d smile when she said I’m hers. It’s the ordinary things I crave. The small things. And damn it all, they’re the ones I know I’ll never have. I’d even give up my home to stay here. I love where I come from, but I love being with her more. And still, my siblings tug at the back of my mind. They’re waiting for me, probably. I want to believe they are. I want to believe I’ll see them again. I even imagine bringing Kacia to them, watching them adore her the way I do. But none of it’s real. None of it’s possible. I can’t stay. I can’t have her. And the more she makes her feelings clear, the more it hurts. I drag myself back, forcing my thoughts into silence before they drag me under. When I glance up, Raylah is watching me. Her head tilted, lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. And the look she gives me makes my stomach sink, like she knows exactly what I was just imagining. Damn it.

Raylah leans back in her chair, stealing another piece of toast with maddening ease. 

“You know, I must compliment you, little heir. You are remarkably transparent.” She says airily. Kacia raises a brow, biting into her own toast. 

“Transparent?” She asks. Raylah smirks, eyes flicking between the two of us. 

“Mm. Most fae women would spend years hiding their affections, circling their prey like foxes. But you?” Her grin sharpens. 

“You declare your love in kitchens, sigh over imaginary weddings, and make certain your demon can’t so much as breathe without noticing how very much you want him. It’s… Admirable.” Raylah decides. Kacia blushes slightly but she doesn’t flinch. She smirks, tipping her chin up proudly. 

“Why hide it? He already knows. And if everyone else knows too, well… That’s their problem, isn’t it?” She points out. Raylah laughs, delighted. 

“Oh, I do like you.” She pops the last bite of stolen toast into her mouth. 

“So bold. So shameless.” She seems genuinely happy. I guess she has decided that she appreciates Kacia after all. Meanwhile, my stomach twists. I want to groan, to bury my face in my hands. She’s right, Kacia isn’t hiding anything. Not from me, not from her, not from anyone. And every word out of her mouth makes it harder for me to breathe. Because as much as I want to claim her, to let myself fall into this, I know I’ll have to leave. And every time she makes her feelings clear, it just digs the claws in deeper. Raylah tilts her head toward me then, her eyes glittering with amusement. 

“Tell me, Ozraed… How long are you going to keep pretending you don’t like it?” She asks. I struggle for words, my throat tight. Raylah’s gaze pins me like she already knows what I’m going to say before I say it.

“I’m not… Pretending anything.” I manage, though the words scrape raw. 

“Some things are just impossible. There’s no point digging myself deeper into a situation that will only end badly.” I tell her. Even as I say it, my chest aches. I don’t even know why I’m spilling this in front of Raylah of all people. It’s none of her business. But Kacia’s been so brutally, shamelessly honest all morning that holding my tongue feels like cowardice. And maybe it’s the fae influence creeping under my skin. Being around creatures who can’t lie makes me feel like my own lies, or silences, stick in my throat like stones. Raylah’s expression softens, just slightly, like she’s mulling over a puzzle piece she’s been waiting to slot into place. 

“I suppose that makes sense.” She says thoughtfully. 

“If the situation is impossible. In that case, perhaps keeping your distance is a kindness.” She concludes. I raise an eyebrow. Is she… Agreeing with my decision? She would be the first. Raylah lets the pause linger, her gaze sliding deliberately to Kacia before returning to me. Her smile curves sharp and knowing. 

“But a lot depends on that if, doesn’t it?” She adds. My stomach knots. Because she’s right. That one word, ‘if’ gnaws at me worse than claws ever could.

“Is there a reason you’re here?” I demand, the words coming out sharper than I intend. I don’t bother softening them. Raylah only shrugs, as though she’s not trespassing in our kitchen, stealing our breakfast. 

“There are many reasons. You both have many questions, and I have answers. To some of them, at least.” Her lips curve into a grin. 

“Also, I came to invite you to tea.” She adds as if it’s an afterthought. Kacia blinks, caught off guard. 

“To… Tea?” She asks.

“Why the hell would we say yes? Last night you basically kidnapped us!” I snap. Raylah pouts, the picture of innocence. 

“Come now, you’re being dramatic. I delivered you home safe and sound afterwards. What is there to be so upset about? A few missed hours of sleep?” She argues. I grit my teeth. She says it like I’m being unreasonable, like abduction is a minor inconvenience. Kacia, ever the diplomat, cuts in. 

“Why are you inviting us to tea?” She asks. 

“To talk, mostly.” Raylah replies smoothly.

“Why can’t we just talk here?” I demand, my voice sharp. Her eyes gleam. 

“I never said I was the one who wanted to talk to you.” She leans back in her chair, smug. 

“The invitation is not from me. It was delivered to me, as the host thought you might be more inclined to attend if approached by a familiar face.” She explains. Kacia raises a brow. 

“Who is inviting us to tea? And why?” She asks curiously. I fold my arms, suspicion heavy in my chest. 

“How do we know this isn’t some trap from her grandfather?” I add. Kacia lets out a startled little ‘oh,’ clearly realizing she hadn’t thought of that angle. Raylah’s smile sharpens. 

“Lord Eryn. I believe you spoke to his representative, Lura Mirath, at my celebration. It seems she told him something that raised his interest. Now he wishes to meet you for himself. As for how you can know it isn’t a trap…” She lifts a shoulder. 

“I suppose you cannot be sure. But I can assure you it is unlikely. Lord Eryn does not get along well with Lord Alhwin. In fact, I don’t believe they’ve spoken in twenty years. Perhaps longer.” She informs us. Kacia eyes her, suspicion still plain. 

“If we say yes, will you take us there, and bring us home when we ask?” She demands. Raylah rolls her eyes but waves a hand. 

“I suppose, if you insist, then I will.” She agrees. Kacia glances at me, waiting. I hold her gaze, weighing it, then give a short nod. Her shoulders straighten. 

“Alright then. I guess we can go.”