Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 163

**OZ**

For once in my life, I am at a complete loss for words. I wanted this. I’ve wanted to be able to stay with Kacia, to be with her, more than I’ve ever wanted anything. But I’d already made peace with the idea that it wasn’t possible. That what we had would always be something I could dream about and imagine, but not something I could actually have. And now here she is, standing in front of me with her magic wrapped around mine, and it’s real. It’s still going to be complicated, there are a thousand things to figure out, but I don’t care. Because right now, I can kiss her without fear. I can touch her without worrying about her heart racing with magical panic. I can look at her without hurting her. I can just be. Without the glamour, I feel more like myself than I have in weeks. The air hums differently against my skin. There’s a depth to the world that I’d almost forgotten, the weight of my own magic, the quiet pulse of my senses finally unrestrained. Kacia’s hands are still fisted in my shirt, her lips warm against mine. The moment feels perfect, every breath, every heartbeat echoing through me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m aware that we have an audience, but I can’t bring myself to care. If this is what home feels like, then it’s not a place. It’s her. It isn’t until Lyssa clears her throat very loudly that I reluctantly pull back.

“I like Kacia and all, but I’m not sure I actually want to stand around and watch my older brother make out with his girlfriend. A kiss is cute. That…” She waves a hand vaguely between us

“Is making me nauseous.” She says dryly. Her tone is half teasing, half serious. Knowing her, it’s probably both. Kacia’s face goes crimson, still pressed lightly against me, eyes unfocused. She looks dazed, blinking like she’s trying to remember what planet she’s on. Understandable. It’s been a long night. 

“You should go home.” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. 

“Get cleaned up. Rest.” I prompt. She nods automatically, but then stops mid-motion and frowns up at me. 

“You’re coming too, right?” She asks. I shake my head. 

“No. I need to go home and-” Before I can even finish, panic flashes across her face so fast it physically hurts to see.

“What? No! I fixed things, you can stay now. Why would you go?” Her voice cracks, the words tumbling faster and faster. 

“You said that if you could stay, you would! Why are you leaving? Are you angry with me after all? But you kissed me, so I thought-” She sounds panicked. 

“Kacia, just listen to me-” I try to interrupt gently, but she’s spiraling, words tumbling over each other, her magic starting to flicker faintly around her in anxious sparks.

“Oz, please. Don’t go. I know you have family, but we can figure it out, and all this fae Lady stuff. Please don’t make me do this by myself. I don’t want you to go, I need you. I can talk to you like I can’t talk to anyone else, and-” That’s enough. I kiss her again. It’s the only way to quiet the panic, the only way to tell her everything I can’t seem to get out fast enough. She stills instantly, breath catching against my lips. When I pull back, her eyes are wide and bright with unshed tears, and it hits me how much she’s been holding in. I brush a thumb along her cheek, then slide my hand into her hair, just to feel the softness of her, to remind both of us that she’s safe, that we’re safe.

“Shh.” I whisper. 

“Kacia, relax. Do you know what you are to me?” I ask. Her breath hitches. 

“What?” She says softly. 

“You’re my heart.” I say it simply, but the words are heavy. True. Irrevocable. 

“I’m not leaving you. Not really. I just need to go home for a bit, talk to my brother, sort out a few things. But I could never stay away from you for long.” I promise. Her eyes fill, and I make sure there’s no hesitation in my voice when I say it.

“I’ll come right back to you, Kacia. I love you.” And I mean it. Every word. She’s put her heart on the line for me over and over, and I’ve been the one holding back, afraid, cautious, half-hiding behind logic fear. Not anymore. I’m done rationing what I feel for her. If I’m going to love her, I’m going to love her completely. I’ll drown her in it if I have to, so much that she’ll never have to wonder if I adore her. Because I do. More than anything.

Kacia slowly turns red, the colour blooming across her cheeks until it reaches the tips of her pointed ears.

“Oh… Uhm… Right. I guess… That’s… Fair.” She stammers, her voice small and uncertain.

It looks like she’s down to maybe one functioning brain cell at this point. Poor thing. She’s completely burned out. Physically, emotionally and magically. She’s been through hell tonight and somehow is still standing. Barely. Honestly, she needs a shower, ten hours of sleep, and maybe a year long vacation after that. Part of me wants to scoop her up and take her home right now, make sure she’s safe and asleep before I head back with Lyssa. Roth is definitely not going to be thrilled about this whole situation, me being bound again, the fae involvement, the fact that I’ve apparently fallen in love with someone who’s technically fae royalty now, but I suspect he’ll come around. He always does. He’ll grumble and posture and act like he doesn’t care, but give him a day or two around Kacia and he’ll fold. Everyone does. Maybe he could even come visit here. Though that might be pushing it, his glamour is… Well, mediocre would be kind. And I highly doubt he’d ever agree to have his nightmare abilities bound like mine. Which means maybe it’d be better for us to go to him. Of course, that doesn’t exactly fix anything. He’s going to have to work on that glamour. I’m halfway through planning hypothetical interrealm travel logistics when I realise Kacia hasn’t said a word for a while. I glance down at her. She’s still tucked against me, quiet and still. Too quiet. I can feel her heartbeat through my chest, quick but steady. She’s staring off at nothing. I meet her gaze, actually meet it, and that still sends a thrill through me. I can look her in the eyes now. No magic backlash. No fear. Just her. 

“You’re not talking.” I say lightly. She shrugs, glancing away with an embarrassed little huff. I laugh and pull her closer. 

“Princess, promise me one thing. No matter what happens, don’t you ever stop talking to me.” I say, it’s cheezy, but I mean it. She makes a face, still pink. 

“I can’t right now ’cause I’m mad at you.” She mutters. 

“Why couldn’t you say all that stuff before I blurted out all that embarrassing nonsense in front of basically everyone I know?” She complains. I can’t help it, I laugh again. 

“That’s alright, I can wait.” I tell her. Her glare softens a little, and I take the chance to continue my earlier thoughts.  

“I was thinking… I’d love it if you came to visit my home sometime. I need to talk things through with my siblings, especially my brother, but there’s no reason you couldn’t come with me.” I suggest. Then I pause, frowning as I take in her tired posture and the way her eyelids are drooping. 

“Although… Maybe not right away. You look dead on your feet, darling.” I say sympathetically. Kacia exhales, the sound halfway between a sigh and a groan. 

“Yeah…” She admits quietly. Tarish, who has been observing us with a pleased smile clears his throat. 

“I should also note that Kacia will likely need to visit the fae realm again soon. There is an estate there, and several fae under her family’s protection who will now look to her for direction. I’m willing to assist in managing those affairs if you would like my help.” He offers. Kacia gives him a grateful smile that doesn’t quite reach her tired eyes. 

“Yes, please. I would definitely appreciate that.” She says quickly. Before I can say anything else, a small, soft voice breaks through the air.

“I don’t need to follow you so much anymore.” Izzy says. Mikey practically jumps out of his skin, stumbling forward with a startled yelp.

“Izzy! Where have you been?” Vidar asks, his voice immediately turning warm and affectionate. The little ghost girl tilts her head, pale hair floating slightly around her face. 

“Here, mostly.” She says simply.

“The whole time?” Vidar blinks, clearly surprised he hadn’t noticed her. Izzy shrugs, expression solemn. 

“I was staying out of the way. Besides…” She pauses, gaze flicking between us. 

“Kacia isn’t the one suffering the most anymore.” She explains. Her tone is calm, but something about the way she says it sends a faint chill down my spine. Vidar frowns. 

“Who is?” He asks. Izzy doesn’t answer. She just gives him that eerie, knowing little smile that would be mysterious coming from an adult, but from a child ghost, it’s deeply unsettling. Before anyone can comment, Mikey’s phone buzzes loudly, cutting through the tension. He glances down, frowns, and answers.

“Hello? …Whoa, slow down. Calm down. Okay. Yes, I’ll tell her. Right away. Okay.” He hangs up and strides straight toward us, face serious.

“Kaci…” He says, voice low and urgent. 

“That was your mum. She’s looking for you. She said it’s urgent, that you need to go there right away.” His words all come out in a hurry. Kacia goes still in my arms, the tension rippling through her all at once. Her eyes meet mine, wide, wary, already bracing for whatever comes next.

“Let’s go.” She says. And just like that, the fragile peace we’d built shatters all over again.

“Let’s go.”