Gasping at the sudden cold, she looked up at the sky resentfully. Frowning in concern, the clouds were an eerie green colour, and she looked around. The Courtyard was empty and filled with water, it seemed to have been raining for quite some time.
"That's not normal," Daemon said. She couldn't help but agree, shaking her head slowly in wonder.
Splashing sounded and they turned to find Uzo running towards them, soaked to the skin and looking cranky as a result.
"Let's go inside and get a hot bath, then we can go to Ceress," he called over a boom of thunder, the trio nodding their agreement.
Deciding to skip dealing with anyone else, they headed straight for her rooms beside Alaric's, and they all piled into the bathroom, arguing over who got to bathe first when Alaric stomped in after them.
"She's not here, you dense git!" he boomed, then froze at the sight of them, looking stunned. "I did not expect to see you here," he said, looking between them all and the puddle of water they had brought in with them.
There was a very awkward silence that she took advantage of, elbowing Daemon in the ribs, stomping on Uzo's foot and ducking under Jagum's grab only to slam the door in their faces and shove a chair under the handle.
Daemon swore at her and she laughed, backing away from the door and immediately starting the water.
Daemon wasn't having any of it though, stepping through the tear beside her, making her shriek in surprise.
"Get out!" she yelled but he was already stripping.
"The least you can do is share!" he snarled back and Uzo was shouting his agreement from the door.
"I have a bath in my room," Alaric said and then shouted as the Fae and werecat broke into a fight over who got to go first.
Finally, Alaric was forced to separate them and sent them off to their own baths. By then she was in the bath, glaring at a smug Daemon who had already filled it with his favourite oils.
Ignoring him, she set to cleaning herself and soaking in the heat for as long as possible, her hair needing a good wash.
"Need help washing your back?" Daemon purred, jerking back as she threw a cloth at his face and dunked her head under the water to rinse out her hair.
Surfacing, she found him watching her and she frowned at the creepiness of it.
"What are you looking at?" she demanded, but his hand was gentle as he touched the large scar on her cheek.
"You have no idea how angry I was when he did that to you," he growled, but she shrugged.
"It's not the first scar I've received from this trip," she said gently, the demon grunting his agreement. "It's almost over though, and then what are we going to do? It'll be boring after that," she teased.
His eyes narrowed and without warning, he leant forward and kissed her hard. She went still at the kiss for a moment and then she was kissing him back, her fingers tracing up over his shoulder to curl around the back of his neck.
He pulled her into his lap, and she settled close to him, enjoying the warmth of him pressing so close to her.
He broke the kiss reluctantly, his forehead resting against hers as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"I love you more than you could ever imagine," he breathed, and she jerked back from him, her mind instantly shutting down the idea.
"No you don't," she breathed but he tugged on the long strand of hair to draw her back to him.
"I think I should know my own feelings," he said playfully as she moved back to him.
Straddling his lap, she stared up into his eyes in confusion.
"People who love me tend to end up dead, or just leave," she said slowly, uncertain of him.
"I'm immortal and I'm not going to leave," he countered but he could see her hesitation. She was scared to get hurt again. "Just because that vampire boy wasn't brave, or man enough to love you doesn't mean I'm not," he said darkly.
She bit her lip and rested her head against his chest, his arms going around her in a tight embrace.
"I love you too, Daemon," she breathed but she didn't know what kind of love it was, it was all too much to think about just yet. She would figure it out later when they were all out of danger.
He growled softly as he clutched her to him, his voice was a low murmur. "If we all survive this, I'll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I love you and that I am worthy of your love."
She clenched her eyes to keep the tears in, her arms sliding around his middle and hugging him tighter to her, wishing it were true.
***
They stayed like that until the water had begun to cool and finally got out of the water, Etani pulling on a pair of her black pants and a vest.
Padding from the bathroom after removing the chair, she found Alaric still in the room, but she ignored him as she headed into the bedroom to pick a pair of boots out of the closet.
"How long are you lot staying?" Alaric asked but she ignored the question.
"How long has the rain been going on like that?"
"It started two days ago," he said, the news making her frown.
"The week mark," she said, looking up at Daemon as he was fully dressed, and she cursed his magic as she dried her toes in order to get her boots on without causing issues.
"A week?" Alaric asked, watching her.
"A week until this world comes down," she elaborated, and Alaric choked.
"We had a week two days ago?" he demanded. "How many have you met?"
"The Fae and the Celestrials are left. Then we need Epharis to do his thing and the twins. If we get the Celestrials today, we will have two days spare with how long the last two take," she said, tying up her boots.
"Is that likely?" Alaric demanded and she exchanged a glance with Daemon.
"We're going to have to rush it," she explained. "We may need you to give a royal command if either party refuses," she added, and Alaric nodded slowly. "Where's Uzo?"
"He's in my bathroom but I heard the drain not long ago."
Uzo walked in just as Alaric finished speaking and he too was fully dressed in his usual black.
"How is it you two can magically grow clothing but I can't?" she demanded.
"Have you ever tried?" Uzo asked.
Stumped, she only stared at him, her fingers frozen on her boots, then she swore at him.
"Language, young lady, I'll show you if we survive," he said, grinning.
Grumbling about unfair magical abilities, she tied up her boots and tapped her toes to settle her feet.
"Will you give me your magic?" she demanded of the man, his grin turning into a sly smirk.
"I will in exchange for a future favour," he said, her brows lifting in surprise.
"What could I possibly offer you?" she asked.
"You never know, having a Queen, Goddess, Death, and world Creator's favour might be useful in the future," he said, while she shrugged.
Alaric looked surprised by the titles, but she shook her head.
"I'll explain when we get back," she told him, the giant man letting out a breath.
Jagum joined them shortly after, dressed in only a pair of pants that she suspected might have belonged to Alaric at some point, his armour hanging over his arm to dry.
"Good, I think your husband is heading up this way," Jagum said, and she looked at Daemon.
"Let's go!" he grabbed her arm, Uzo gripping her shoulder, Jagum taking the other and the door slammed open right as they left, hearing the furious snarl of her name but they were already gone.