Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 167

**KACIA**

After my… Father finishes his apology, I have absolutely no idea what to do. It’s painfully awkward. Everyone’s looking at everyone else, like we’re all waiting for someone to say the perfect comforting thing, and none of us have the energy for it. Personally, I feel like my brain’s leaking out of my ears. Mum catches my expression and gives me a sympathetic smile, ever the rescuer.

“Oz, darling…” She starts gently.

“Why don’t you take Kaci home? She looks like she needs a good sleep.” She suggests. I could kiss her for that. My mother is a saint. Sleep sounds like the single best idea anyone’s ever had. Oz immediately stands, pulling me up with him before I can even attempt to protest. But of course, Kasian, my father (still weird thinking that) makes a small sound of protest, the kind that’s half sigh, half wounded pride. Everyone looks at him. It’s a little uncomfortable.

“Sorry.” He mutters, his shoulders slumping. 

“It’s just… I’ve missed so much already. I haven’t had a chance to spend any time with you, and it feels like you’re just… Leaving.” He explains. I blink at him, trying to summon something resembling a polite response, but my brain refuses to cooperate. Every thought feels like it’s covered in static. Thankfully, Tarish swoops in.

“She is exhausted.” He says crisply. 

“Physically, emotionally, and magically. I think you’ll find that part of being a decent father means not making everything about what you want, it’s about what she needs. And what she needs right now is to go home and sleep.” He says firmly. Oh, damn. Go Tarish. If I weren’t so tired, I’d clap. He’s clearly furious, and still somehow managing to sound like he’s giving a polite lecture on parenting etiquette. Kasian looks a bit taken aback, guilt flickering across his face. Mum, ever the peacemaker, jumps in before things can spiral.

“Okay, everyone, let’s all calm down. Kacia, sweetheart, why don’t you go home and sleep? I’ll sort things out here. Maybe when you feel better, you can come back. Or we can come visit you?” She suggests cheerfully. At that, Kasian perks up a little, like a hopeful puppy who just heard the word walk. I sigh.

“Yeah, okay. Later.” I mumble, too tired to argue. Maybe the idea will sound less overwhelming when I’ve had a full night’s sleep and several litres of coffee. Mum, of course, can’t leave things alone.

“If it’s any consolation.” She says lightly.

“He hasn’t missed EVERY milestone in your life. You’re not married yet. Maybe if he wins you over, he’ll get to walk you down the aisle someday.” She points out. 

“Mum!” I yelp, mortified. She just laughs. Mikey, who clearly cannot resist making it worse decides to add to it.

“He might need to work fast, though. I get the impression it might happen sooner than you think.” He says suggestively. Winking at Oz, who grins like the smug demon he is. I glare at both of them and elbow Oz in the ribs, or try to. It’s a weak hit. I’m too tired to do proper damage. Still, it’s the principle of the thing.

“This is so embarrassing. I want to go home.” I mutter under my breath. Kasian doesn’t look particularly amused by the exchange, his brow furrows, and he mutters something under his breath about ‘just finding her’ and ‘not letting that damn demon steal her away already.’ I roll my eyes and pretend I didn’t hear that.

“Let’s go.” I say to Oz, my voice equal parts plea and command.

“I can portal us home.” He offers immediately. I smile. That’s one upside of him having his magic back, convenient travel. Maybe someday I’ll learn how to do it too. But I suspect that Tarish has some pre-approved order for me to learn how my magic all works, and I doubt portals are lesson two. Or is it three now? I’m not sure. While Oz focuses on opening the portal, Alyssa catches his arm. They talk quietly for a few seconds, mostly her scolding him. She tells him flat-out that she expects him back soon and that she is absolutely not going to be the one telling their brother Roth about, well… Me.

“Good luck with that conversation.” She adds with a smirk. Oz looks entirely unbothered. Of course he does. Kasian stands again, taking a hesitant step toward us. He’s still muttering something about ‘barely found her’ and ‘demons’ under his breath. I ignore it and squeeze Oz’s hand tighter.

“Thanks, everyone.” I manage, giving Tarish, Raylah, and Mikey a small wave. Mum smiles tiredly. Tarish inclines his head. Mikey salutes with a little grin. And with that, I step through the portal with Oz, letting the soft hum of magic swallow the chaos behind me. Finally, finally heading home. We land right in the bedroom. Perfect. It’s dark and quiet, exactly what I need. The familiar scent of the room wraps around me like a blanket. Faint soap, fabric softener, and the lingering hint of Oz’s smoky warmth that somehow clings to everything he owns. I don’t even bother talking. I just head straight for the shower. It’s the fastest one of my life. The water is hot, almost scalding, but I need it. It feels like rinsing away everything that happened, the ruins, the glitter, the blood, the fear. There’s no way I got all the mess off, but honestly? I don’t care. The glitter can stay forever. It’s basically a personality trait at this point. When I finally crawl into bed, every muscle sighs in relief. The sheets are cool, the pillow smells faintly like detergent and safety. A couple of minutes later, the mattress dips behind me. Oz climbs in without a word, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me back against his side. His body is warm, steady and solid, and I melt into it instinctively. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t need to. I just settle in, exhale, and let the quiet wrap around us both.

When I wake up, I’m sore, tired… And undeniably happy. For the first time in weeks, maybe months, I don’t feel like I’m in a hurry. The air feels still, peaceful. My head isn’t full of panic or planning. No ‘what next,’ no ‘what if.’ I’m not worried about my safety. I’m not scared that Oz is going to disappear the second I blink. Sure, there’s a mountain of new things waiting to complicate my life, my long-absent father suddenly wanting to act like a dad, the whole ‘congratulations, you’re technically fae nobility now’ situation, the lands, the magic, the responsibility. But honestly? I don’t care. For once, all of it feels like something I can handle. Maybe even something I can enjoy. Oz stirs beside me, muttering something half-asleep as his arm tightens around my waist. I smile and curl into his chest, angling my head so I can see his face. He’s still in his true form, no glamour, no pretending. The light from the window catches on the faint texture of his skin, the smooth curve of his horns, the soft grey shimmer that shifts when he breathes. He looks different from the version I first met… But also more him. More real. It suits him. I rest my chin on his chest and just watch him, fascinated, waiting for him to wake up. When he doesn’t, I get impatient. So, naturally, I start to fidget. Wiggle a bit. Tug on the blanket. Maybe poke him once. Oz makes a low sound, halfway between a growl and a sigh, and cracks one eye open.

“You okay, princess?” He mumbles, voice still heavy with sleep. I nod, trying not to grin. 

“Open your eyes, please?” I ask. He blinks a few times, then lifts his gaze to meet mine. And even though I’ve seen them before, my breath still catches. Those eyes are impossibly beautiful. Powerful. Unmistakably him.

“Your eyes are stunning.” I say honestly. He beams, slow and sleepy, that familiar lopsided smile spreading across his face. 

“Thank you.” He answers.

“And…” I pause, heart skipping. 

“I love you.” I tell him. For half a second, he freezes, and then his smile grows impossibly wider, brighter, like someone lit the world from the inside out.

“And I love you. Completely.” He says softly. My chest feels too small for the way my heart swells.

“Does that mean you’re not going to keep making excuses to leave?” I say dryly. Oz laughs, the sound deep and warm. 

“Are you kidding? I’ll be making excuses to STAY.” He declares. I can’t help but grin. 

“Does it also mean you’re done making excuses not to kiss me?” I ask sweetly, pretending innocence. He smirks, that slow, infuriating, melt-your-spine kind of smirk. 

“Completely done. And I think I need to make up for lost time.” He says smugly. Before I can come up with a witty comeback, he leans in and kisses me. It's soft at first, then deepens, steady and sure, like the world’s finally stopped fighting us. Every fear, every broken piece, every unspoken thing dissolves into that moment until there’s only warmth and the quiet certainty that this, us, was always the right thing. When he finally pulls back, I settle against him again, tracing idle circles on his chest. His breathing evens out, mine follows. For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong exactly where I am. I have friends. I have family. I have Oz. I’m not hiding anymore, not my magic, not my blood, not any part of myself. And they all love me anyway. This is as close to perfect as life gets. Even better, this means that I won. I said that I would win him over and convince him to stay and I did. Finders keepers. I found him, I saved him and now I’m never letting him go. So, note to self, never rescue stray demons... Unless you’re planning on falling in love.