Sympathy for the Demons (Promised to the Demons #1) - Lidiya Foxglove Page 0,7
That’s impossible. Bernard was initiated into Sinistral, and there is rarely any going back from that…besides, if he did manage to change his magical affiliation, I would know.
I should have gone back right that moment, but I kept walking, my heart beating with increasing excitement, and the smell of the forest and the sun on my skin, filtered through the green forest, was just so wonderful. I felt more alive than I had in memory.
A small house came into view, and in front of the house, I saw a handsome man, leaning one arm in the doorway, surveying the little garden in the front yard while small animals were eating greens and peas.
“Maybe some of you should go forage,” he said. “You’re going to eat my whole garden by tomorrow.” He looked up and saw me, although I was still somewhat hidden behind the curve of the path.
“Another one?” He beckoned me with his hand. “Well, don’t be shy. What’s one more, at this point…”
What on earth is going on?
“I can’t stay,” I said. “I don’t belong here. This was a mistake, I think.”
“Oh no, no, it wasn’t,” said a bird at my feet. Ah, they were all familiars. It had been so long since I saw my own kind. I wondered if I should be in toad form.
The young man looked at me. He was certainly the most handsome creature I had ever seen, although I had seen basically no one. But I felt sure that he was genuinely handsome. His looks were an appealing combination of dark and winsome; his hair was dark brown and had a loose and lively curl that seemed a little uncooperative around his ears. His eyes were a lovely warm brown with a little shadow under them, framed by his heroic brow and high cheekbones. His mouth was a little wide and his teeth were sharp, so I guessed he had a predatory animal form. He was holding a dish towel, drying his hands, and I felt like I had interrupted a garden party.
Oh my. I only wish such a man would hunt me, I thought, and then I covered my mouth, even though I hadn’t said anything aloud.
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “You’re trying to escape, huh?”
“Escape, sir? From what to where? I just stepped out for a second, actually. I’ll be going home now.”
“Do you know you’re in Etherium?” he asked, and now I knew it was as I suspected, but I still couldn’t believe it. It was against the laws of nature. My warlock was a dark wizard, and Etherium had long been closed to me.
As we were talking, he had drawn up very close to me, just a breath away.
“No wonder it’s so bright and colorful,” I murmured, and I saw a skink slithering toward the house while letting out little cries like it was in a panic.
“I’d better take care of that,” he said, in a tone that made me feel special, for some stupid reason. Like he was talking just to me.
He is talking just to you, Jenny, don’t be stupid. That’s how people talk to each other. You’re not used to it.
He dropped to one knee in front of the skink, slinging the towel over his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t cry. Jeez. Where did you come from?”
“This is Etherium!” the skink sobbed.
“Yep. You’re safe here. Your wizard can’t get to you.”
“Are you the lord of this forest?”
He threw up a hand. “I’m the lord of this yard, at least. I’m actually almost as confused as you are, but I do believe my witch just lowered the barriers between realms. You sensed that, I’m sure, and that’s why you’re here? Well—because my witch was responsible, you’re drawn to me when you escape to Etherium. I’ve been getting familiars all day. I won’t ask your story, but I can guess that you just left a bad situation and you don’t want to go home. Don’t worry. I won’t send you back. My only rule is that you stay in your animal form so you don’t need too much food.”
“I can stay here?” the skink asked gratefully.
“For now, at least. I’m Bevan.”
“Hal.”
“Make yourself at home.”
Bevan popped right back up out of his crouch and strode back to the cottage, projecting agility and confidence. I kept staring at him. It was true that just wasn’t used to seeing men, so I was a bad judge of what was attractive in the first place.