Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 117

**OZ**

I smile at Kacia’s dramatics. She’s always begging me to be more open, to stop hiding what I feel behind sarcasm and restraint. And now, here I am, being honest, and she’s panicking like it’s some kind of disaster. It’s… Honestly adorable. Sweet, even, how much she cares.

“You’re adorable.” I murmur warmly, pulling her tighter against me until she’s flush with my chest. One of my hands slides slowly up her back, stroking through her hair, while the other rests securely at her hip. My tail curls around her waist, possessive and protective, tugging her closer still. She’s so soft and warm in my arms, her citrus scent flooding my senses and drowning out the cloying fae sweetness lingering in the air. I bury my face against her neck and just breathe her in greedily. I press a kiss there, then another just below her ear, savoring the way she shivers. Every second of this feels like something I’ve been starved of, something I should definitely not be denying myself. I’m careful, of course. She’s unwell, still bruised from the wraith. I don’t want to hurt her. But just holding her like this, touching her, kissing her, wrapping myself around her, it feels right. Like she belongs here. Tarish is watching with a curious, faintly amused smile. 

“IS he acting oddly? He is fussing over you, but that seems… Expected, based on what I’ve seen of your relationship.” He points out. I chuckle into her hair, nuzzling like I can’t get enough. The truth slips free before I even think to hold it back. 

“Damn. I really am not good at hiding how much I love you, am I?” I comment. Kacia goes completely still in my arms. My chest squeezes tight with sudden panic.

“Are you okay? Are you hurting anywhere? Do you feel sick?” I pull back, frantic, cupping her face in both hands, tilting her head to search her eyes. My thumbs brush across her cheeks, down her jaw. My palms skim her arms, her sides, desperate to check for what’s wrong. My tail coils higher, pressing over her lap like a blanket, unwilling to let her go. 

“Tell me what’s wrong, Princess. Please.” I plead. She just stares at me, wide eyed. Shocked.

“Oz… You literally just told me you love me.” She says, her voice stunned. I blink. 

“Huh. I suppose I did.” And damn, the words feel like breathing. 

“Well, it is true. Frustrating, though.” I sigh and rest my forehead against hers, fingers sliding back into her hair, combing it gently. 

“I almost wish it wasn’t. It’s going to make leaving you so hard. I’ve even thought about trying to make you hate me. At least then you wouldn’t hurt so much when I go. But…” I kiss her temple, her cheek, then brush my lips just at the corner of hers, aching. 

“I’m already going to have to break my own heart, I couldn’t stand to hurt you that way too.” I say sadly. Kacia is staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. She twists in my lap, and I immediately hug her tighter, pressing her against my chest. Both arms wrap around her, firm and protective, while my tail tightens around her waist and strokes lightly along her thigh, a constant reminder that I’m here. My hand rubs soothing circles over her back, while the other lifts her chin so she has to look at me.

“Tarish!” She blurts suddenly, panicked. 

“Something is definitely wrong. Oz would never admit he loves me, he’s convinced he’s bad for me! Surely even you can see this is… A weird amount of honesty.” She says anxiously. I frown at her, confused, brushing a kiss across her hair, then her forehead. 

“Weird? What do you mean weird?” I ask. My thumb strokes her jaw, tender and reverent. To me, every touch, every kiss, every word… It all makes perfect sense.

I’m still not sure what she’s so bothered by.

“I really shouldn’t tell you how I feel. I already decided I need to try to keep my distance, to avoid getting any more attached than I already am. Although realistically, it’s far too late.” I say with a heavy sigh. My hand drifts beneath the hem of her shirt, resting on her stomach. She’s probably still feeling unwell, so I rub it gently, trying to soothe her. Tarish makes a low, thoughtful hum. 

“Mmh… I suppose I can see your point. He is acting a little unusually. He doesn’t even seem self conscious about his actions.” His gaze sharpens. 

“Oz, can you look at me for a moment?” Tarish requests. Reluctantly, I tear my eyes away from Kacia and glance up at him.

“Oz, are you aware that you just told Kacia several very personal things, and that Raylah and I are both listening?” Tarish says clearly. I tilt my head, then frown. 

“Huh. I suppose I did.” I answer. The strangest part is, I don’t regret it.

 “It’s a terrible idea. I should probably stop. But I’m enjoying myself, so I really don’t want to.” I add. 

“Hmm… You’re right,” Tarish murmurs, his brow furrowing. 

“He really doesn’t seem to be in control of himself.” He decides. I scoff. 

“Now that’s just not true. I have plenty of control. I know you’re both here watching, so I’m mostly behaving myself…” I trail off, then look back down at Kacia, my voice softening. 

“Hey gorgeous, we should get out of here. Go home, or somewhere else private. Then I can… Help you feel better… Without the audience. I promise I can make it worth your while.” I say, my tone low and intentionally seductive. Kacia’s cheeks go a stunning crimson. 

“Tarish! What the hell is wrong with him?” She says, her voice high. I frown at her. 

“Is that a no?” I ask. She sighs, exasperated and worried all at once. 

“Oz, something is seriously wrong with you. I’m legitimately worried. I know you aren’t right now, but this really isn’t the time for… Whatever you had in mind.” She says firmly, although she is definitely a little flustered. I sigh heavily, frustrated. 

“I understand. Although I have to say it kind of feels like the world is against us. Maybe we need to stop waiting for things to work out and just enjoy what we have now…” I trail off. Kacia leans back, her hand brushing my cheek with gentleness that guts me. 

“We can talk about it more when I know if you’re going to be okay, alright, Oz?” She says firmly. I nod, because how could I refuse her? 

“Okay, Princess. I’ll do whatever makes you happy.” I say sincerely. 

“Thank you.” She whispers, giving me a worried little smile before turning back to Tarish. He’s watching me with a furrowed brow. 

“It seems like he’s been spelled somehow. But we would have noticed… Unless…” He falls silent. Then he rises to his feet and approaches, his eyes sharp. 

“Oz, which drink was yours?” He demands. I point lazily to the mug I abandoned earlier, I needed both hands free to hold Kacia properly. Tarish picks it up and peers inside. He runs a fingertip through the dregs, and the liquid glows faintly under his touch. His jaw tightens.

“Oz, it seems you have consumed a spelled drink.” He says grimly.

Kacia launches to her feet so fast her chair nearly tips. She sways, still pale, but her voice is sharp with panic.

 “What?! What kind of spell? Is he going to be okay?” She demands. Her worry makes me smile. She cares so much. Even like this, angry, afraid, it feels good to know I matter to her. I should probably be more worried, but I feel good right now, so it’s hard to. 

“I can’t be sure.” Tarish says, his brow furrowed, his gaze darting between me and the mug in his hand. 

“Some kind of truth spell I suspect.” He answers. Then his eyes go wide, his expression shifting in a heartbeat from realisation to anger. He turns sharply towards Raylah. 

“You poured the drinks. Did you do something to Oz’s drink?” His voice cuts like a blade. Raylah stiffens. 

“I… Uh… I didn’t mean to…” She stammers, her usual smugness and confidence gone. Kacia’s face darkens, and she steps forward, every inch of her radiating fury. 

“You didn’t mean to? How do you ACCIDENTALLY spell someone’s drink?” She hisses the words. Raylah goes pale, backing up a step. 

“I… I didn’t mean to.” She says again, floundering. 

“It was meant to be… Tarish’s drink.” She confesses, then immediately slaps her hands over her mouth. The room goes still. Tarish’s expression hardens into something cold and deadly. His voice drops low, the air around us seeming to tighten. 

“Do you realise what you’ve done?” He says darkly. Well. That doesn’t sound good. Not for Raylah, anyway.