Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 181

**ALICE**

Watching Kas and Kacia try to interact is… Honestly somewhere between nerve-wracking and heart-wrenching. They’re both terrified of each other, though neither would ever say it out loud. Oz admitted as much on Kacia’s behalf while we were hiding in the kitchen with two bowls of ice cream, pretending to wash dishes for far longer than necessary. The plates took maybe three minutes. The emotional buffering took fifteen. Oz kept peeking toward the doorway with his hyper-alert demon hearing, then finally said, ‘They’re still talking,’ in this oddly soft voice that didn’t match his face at all. So we stayed put, eating choc-mint swirl like two stressed-out teenagers waiting for the results of a school exam. Eventually he relaxed his shoulders and announced we could go back in. Kacia and Oz lingered for a while after we rejoined them, but I could see the signs, she was drained. Her shoulders had that slight inward curl, her responses had slowed, and she was doing that thing where she keeps glancing toward the hallway like it’s whispering her name. She’s been travelling back and forth to the fae realm so much that her sleep schedule is practically held together with twine and stubbornness. Best not push her when she’s tired. Besides, according to Oz, the conversation between her and Kas had already been emotional enough. He also informed me, very casually, that I should be expecting ‘an all-expenses-paid vacation to the fae realm at some point’ and ‘a really long retirement.’ I don’t know what that means, but he seemed too smug for it to be anything normal. I’m sure it will be fine. Probably. The moment the door closes behind them Kasian scurries across the living room like an excited puppy. Before I can blink, he sweeps me off the ground, lifts me, and spins me in a full circle.

“Did you hear? She called me Dad! And she doesn’t hate me! Probably!” He babbles, breathless with joy. I laugh, partly from delight, partly because it has been a very long time since someone has spun me around like that.

“I heard.” I say, cupping his face once he sets me down. 

“I’m happy for you. Really. That’s… That’s wonderful.” I say sincerely. And it is. It truly is. But standing there, looking at him, feeling his arms around me again, I still can’t quite believe all of this is real. I dreamed about this for so long, about him just appearing one day, telling me he was alive, that he was back, that he still loved me. Every version of the fantasy was ridiculous and dramatic and impossible. And then… That’s exactly what happened. He walked right up to me, said my name, and I swear my lungs forgot how to function. I was half convinced I was hallucinating. I nearly passed out from how fast I started breathing. He had to grab me, hold me upright, keep telling me he was real, that he was here. That he was sorry. About a hundred times. Maybe more. Since then, I’ve been cycling through every emotion possible, thrilled, overwhelmed, confused, relieved, a little bit furious at him for disappearing in the first place… But mostly relieved. Relieved that he’s alive. Relieved that he found his way back. Relieved that we’re here, together again, after all these years and that I get another chance, not just to love him, but to build something real with him again.

“Oz is nice, don’t you think?” I ask, far too casually to be innocent. I can practically see Kasian bristle. His jealousy about how close Oz is with Kacia is… Well, it’s not subtle. At all. I get it, he’s missed her entire life and now she and Oz seem to be joined at the hip, but he has absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m fairly sure Kacia wants a father just as much as he wants to be one. They’re both scared, both unsure, but they’re reaching for each other. I can see it. Kas still tries to dodge the question. 

“I… He… Isn’t… Not nice.” He manages, tripping over the words like they’re booby-trapped. I bite back a grin. Sometimes I love the fact that fae can’t lie. It was one of my favourite things about him when we first started seeing each other, asking questions designed to back him into a corner until he was forced to tell the truth. Every time I’d trick him into revealing something he didn’t plan to, he’d get this indignant but impressed look in his eye. You’d think he’d hate it. But no, he was always so damn proud when I outmaneuvered him. I guess that’s the kind of thing that impresses fae. Or maybe it’s just him. I once asked if it bothered him that I teased secrets out of him. He told me that he ‘didn’t mind me teasing secrets out of him, because he knew they were safe with me.’ If I hadn’t already been madly in love with him, that would’ve done it. But for all the secrets I coaxed out of him, there were so many he never shared. Anything about his parents? Off limits. His childhood? Barely a hint. I knew he had a friend named Tarish, knew the places he liked to go, the books he liked to read… But there were whole parts of him blocked off. Whole years I never got to see. Now though? There’s no reason left for him to hide. But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep playing our little game.

“He isn’t not nice…” I repeat with a smirk. 

“So what you mean is that you like him? That you think he’s a good person?” I prompt. Kasian groans, a long-suffering, beautifully dramatic noise.

“You’re doing it again.” He grumbles, but I see a hint of a smile. 

“Fine. Yes, I think he’s a good person. Yes, I suspect that if we met under other circumstances I would find him quite likeable.” He reluctantly admits. I burst out laughing. He looks personally wronged.

“Things will go a lot better for you if you accept him.” I warn, poking him lightly in the chest. 

“Embrace his help. Fighting with Oz is not going to turn out well for you. Besides, he seems to be rooting for you anyway.” I add. Kas groans again, louder this time.

“I KNOW that. But it grates on my nerves. He’s stealing her away and I only just got her! Did you hear how he talks to her? ‘Princess’ and ‘Darling’ and ‘Beautiful.’ I’m not even comfortable using the shortened version of her name yet!” He whines. I snort.

“Oh, sweetheart, she wouldn’t mind. And if it helps, you get to be the one she calls Dad.” I reassure him. That shuts him up. Then he starts grinning, slowly, smugly, triumphantly.

“That’s true. I am.” He answers. 

“And hey, you’re not giving her away yet… I mean, maybe when she gets married one day…” I tease, intentionally throwing fuel on the fire. He chokes.

“Married? Absolutely not. She should not get married. Not until she’s at least… One hundred years old!” He insists. I giggle. I can’t help it. Watching this man panic at his daughter’s hypothetical wedding is one of the many joys life has gifted me.

“You’re being dramatic. They’re not even engaged.” I remind him. Kasian does not look reassured.

“It’s not so bad, besides, weddings are fun.” I continue. He gives a tiny shrug, about to argue. Then stops. Freezes. His eyes widen slightly, then lower, thoughtful and distant. Like he’s caught on a thread in his own mind. And then… He breaks into the softest, shyest, most unexpectedly tender smile. I don’t know what he’s about to say, I just hope that I’m ready to hear it.

“I never gave you a wedding.” Kasian says suddenly, like the thought has struck him with physical force. I blink. 

“Well… No. You didn’t. You never proposed to me either.” I point out. He shakes his head sharply, like he’s scolding himself.

“I should.” He mutters. I stare at him. 

“You should what?” I ask. 

“Marry you.” He says plainly. I think my soul leaves my body.

“I…What?” I whisper, because my brain has fully abandoned its duties. 

“I should marry you.” He repeats, quieter now, nervous. 

“I wanted to back then. I still want to now. So… Will you? Marry me, I mean.” The last part comes out rushed, clumsy, hopeful. He looks like he might actually be holding his breath. He’s serious. He is deadly serious. He’s standing right here, my impossible dream, holding my hand, looking like a man who would wait a hundred years for a single yes.

“But… You’ll outlive me. We always knew that.” I protest weakly. Kasian shakes his head immediately, stubborn as ever.

“I won’t. I already talked to Kacia. I’m giving her the rest of my magic. I’ll age at the same rate you do. Very slowly, if I have a say in it. I’ll explain that part later.” He says casually. I stare at him. He what? He’s just… Planning to give up immortality? Magic? For me?

“You… You can’t just…” I start, completely stunned. 

“Yes, I can.” He interrupts firmly. Then he closes his eyes. There’s a soft flicker of light, and a quiet tension runs through his body. A moment later, he exhales and opens his eyes.

“There. Done.” He says, smiling with proud, reckless satisfaction. I gape at him.

“You just…” I trail off. 

“Yes.” He answers. 

“For me?” I say, stunned.

“Yes.” He says firmly. 

“But…” I try again, but my voice cracks. Kasian steps closer, cupping my face with a gentleness that nearly breaks me.

“I’ve gotten used to living without magic these last decades.” He says softly. 

“And I found that I didn’t miss it half as much as I missed you. Choosing between the two wasn’t even a choice. I want to grow old with you, Alice. Not watch you age from a distance while I stay the same.” He swallows, his voice gets even softer.

“So please Allie… Will you marry me?” He asks again. That’s when I burst into tears. Kasian looks horrified, like he’s afraid he’s broken me, but when I start laughing through the tears, he relaxes, relief flooding his face.

“Yes.” I manage between breaths. 

“Finally. We have a lot of lost time to make up for. And… I always wanted a wedding.” I admit. His answering smile is radiant.

“Then you’ll have one. Anything you want.” He promises. He looks happier than I’ve ever seen him. Soft, glowing, undone in the best way. And, well… I can’t resist one last tease.

“If Kacia shouldn’t marry until she’s a hundred, at what age should I start anticipating some grandchildren?” I ask sweetly, His expression contorts, half elation, half horror, all hilarious, and I dissolve into laughter. For the first time in a very long time, everything feels right.