Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 169

**TARISH**

I’m relieved to be home. It’s been a long day, or night, depending on which realm you’re counting from. It was night in the human realm, which means it’s been day here, and the dusk is only just beginning to settle. That’s fine by me. Going to bed early sounds like a solid plan. Emotions are exhausting. And after everything that’s happened, I can only imagine how drained Kacia must be feeling. At least she has Oz to lean on. I, on the other hand, am once again exactly where I began, on my own. I COULD have forgiven Kasian. Pretended that everything was fine. Told him I’d missed him, poured us a drink, tried to pretend over twenty years of silence meant nothing. But I’d only grow to resent him for that. And resentment, for a fae like me, is dangerous. Keeping my emotions and focus in check isn’t just about discipline, it’s survival. It’s how I keep my magic stable. My sanity intact. Still… It’s disheartening to find myself standing here, alone again, after everything. The sun hasn’t quite slipped below the horizon yet, so instead of heading inside, I wander through the garden. The light catches on the silver leaves and the shimmer of runes carved into the old stones. It’s peaceful, and too quiet. I tell myself I should eat something before I rest. I don’t move. This house is large and beautiful, but most of the time it feels like a cage.

“How did it go?” The voice behind me makes me start. I turn sharply to find Raylah leaning against one of the carved pillars, her expression soft, curious, and far too knowing.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, sharper than I mean to. Raylah shrugs, apparently unbothered. 

“I said I would see you later, and you agreed. Plus, you looked… Distressed earlier. I wanted to make sure you were all right.” She explains. I narrow my eyes. 

“And that’s all?” I ask, a little suspicious. She tilts her head, her tone calm but direct. 

“No. I have other reasons, but you already know what they are. I’m interested in you, Tarish. I’d like to spend time with you and…” She pauses delicately. 

“...Win you over. Being helpful and supportive when you’re upset seemed like a good place to start.” She reasons. That was… Very honest. I study her for a long moment. I know she’s not lying, fae can’t. But there’s still a difference between not lying and being truly honest. Her words feel more sincere than strategic, though, and somehow that’s worse.

“Right…” I mutter at last. I DID technically agree to see her later. I just thought later meant a few days, not a few hours. But here she is, standing in my garden, refusing to leave me to my solitude. And really… I was just complaining to myself about being alone. I can’t have it both ways, can I?

When I don’t immediately send her away, Raylah wanders closer, a small smile playing on her lips.

“You’re not sending me away. That’s progress, at least.” She teases gently. 

“I thought we could maybe share an evening meal?” She suggests. Her tone is confident, but the tension in her posture betrays her nerves. She’s not nearly as sure of herself as she sounds. I sigh. 

“I suppose you can come in for dinner. Although I warn you, I doubt I’ll be good company tonight.” I tell her. It’s only fair. She straightens her shoulders, like a soldier preparing for battle. 

“That’s not a problem. I’m the one trying to prove I can be good company. You don’t need to prove anything to me.” She answers sincerely. I blink, caught off guard. She smiles, slips her arm through mine, and gestures toward the house.

“Lead the way.” She says firmly. Not entirely sure how this happened, I do as she asks and lead her inside. One of my staff is already setting my place at the dining table, he startles at the sight of her and rushes off to prepare a second plate. I thank him quietly before we sit. 

“So…” Raylah begins once we’re settled, her tone casual but careful.

“Would you like to tell me what has you so out of sorts? I would have thought the last few hours were rather successful. You seemed less than pleased to see Kasian, though. I thought the two of you were friends.” She comments. I hesitate. Technically, she’s prying. But the truth is, I WANT to talk about it. Who else could I tell? I can’t unburden myself to Kasian. And the only other friends I’ve made recently are related to him. That wouldn’t be fair. And Raylah… Well, she’s offering. With a weary sigh, I give in. I tell her everything, how furious I am with Kasian, how his choices mirror my own fears, how much it stirs up memories I’d rather forget. The words pour out, hot and unfiltered. At some point, I’m leaning forward, gesturing sharply, trying to make her feel the weight of it, the anger, the disappointment, the heartbreak. And through it all, she listens. She doesn’t interrupt. She nods in the right places, scowls when I do, even mutters the occasional ‘unbelievable’ under her breath at just the right moments. It’s not difficult to do, but somehow it’s exactly what I need. 

By the time I finish, I realise I’ve probably been ranting for fifteen, maybe twenty minutes straight. Raylah clears her throat softly.

“Kasian sounds cruel. What he did was likely wrong, and hurtful to you.” Her words are tentative, uncertain, but I hold up a hand before she can continue.

“You don’t need to defend me.” I say. 

“It’s fine. He and I may not be on the best of terms right now, but he’s still my best friend. We’ll work through it eventually.” I tell her, and as I say it, I realise that it’s true. I WILL forgive him. What he did wasn’t malicious. He was just scared. I sigh, letting the tension ebb. 

“I suppose I just needed to… Let it all out.” I admit. She nods slowly. 

“I can understand that. And I’m glad I could… Be here for you.” She responds. There’s a pause, delicate and heavy. Then she speaks again, quieter, more vulnerable.

“I know you don’t have much reason to like me. What I did to you and your guests was unacceptable. It was a result of my own fear, not malice, but that doesn’t excuse it. I’ve done what I can to make amends, and I’m trying to be… More forthright. I hope, in time, you’ll forgive me. And maybe even trust me again. I just don’t know if it’s possible, or how to begin.” She explains. All the practiced confidence is gone from her voice. She sounds young and scared. Since she’s offered honesty tonight, I figure that owe her the same.

“I’ll forgive you, but I can’t forget. And trust takes time.” I say after a moment. Her face lights up, a soft, hopeful glow that almost makes me look away.

“We have time.” She says simply. 

“I can wait. Does that mean there’s a chance I might win your affection, too?” She asks hopefully. I fall silent, unsure how to answer. Her smile widens. 

“That wasn’t a no. If you were completely against the idea, you’d have said so. Which means I might still have a chance.” She reasons. I study her properly then, not as an adversary, not as a political player, but as a woman. She’s objectively beautiful, there is no arguing that. With golden hair, bright eyes, features too symmetrical for chance. But that’s not what holds me. It’s that she showed up. And she’s still here, sitting across from me, listening when she could have left.

“We’re immortal.” I say finally, a faint smile tugging at my lips. 

“I suppose it wouldn’t be unrealistic to say it’s… Technically possible.” I admit. Her eyes go wide, glimmering with disbelief. 

“Does that mean you don’t hate me? Because I thought you might hate me.” She blurts out. I take a breath, considering how to answer without encouraging her TOO much. False hope would be just as cruel as breaking her heart. 

“I don’t know you well enough to hate you.” I explain slowly.  

“From what I can tell, for most of our acquaintance, you’ve been hiding behind a role. Pretending to be what you thought I’d like.” I point out. Raylah sighs, shoulders slumping. 

“That’s… Fair. I wanted you to like me. I suppose I forgot that in order for you to like me, you’d have to actually know me.” She smiles faintly, half-self-mocking. Then she looks up through her lashes. 

“Would you mind if I tried again? The honest way this time. No spells, no games. Just me.” She says, almost timidly. Something about her tone makes me soften, despite myself. 

“You’re welcome to show me your true self.” I say. 

“Then maybe I’ll be able to give you a real answer.” I add. Raylah beams, the most genuine smile I’ve ever seen from her. It’s bright, unguarded, and surprisingly lovely. I don’t know what will come of this. Maybe nothing. Maybe something. But she’s already proven one thing. She knows how to show up. And, at least for tonight, I don’t have to eat alone.