The Faerie's Honeymoon Read Online Free

well built and well charmed limo muffled the demon’s words, they could follow the argument that ensued by the paparazzi’s gesticulations of protest. Darius stood firm, holding onto his temper, while at the same time creating the impression he was a hair’s breadth from losing it. Between that and their very wise fear of Duvall’s power, the “independent reporters” dispersed within five minutes.
    “Got ’em, boss,” Darius said, ducking happily back into the driver’s seat. “Told ’em you’d lay a spell around the entire hotel if they even thought about coming back.”
    That was a good idea, one Duvall would have to put into action. “Thank you,” Duvall said, meaning it.
    “Want to go around the back way?” the demon offered. “It’s no trouble to drive in the garage.”
    “I don’t think so,” he said after a moment’s consideration. “The Grande has a lovely lobby. Belle will enjoy it.”
    The demon’s gaze cut to her through the glass partition. Duvall’s wife was sitting very straight and wide-eyed, both hands wrapped around but not clutching Duvall’s arm. For just an instant, admiration burned in the demon’s eyes. Demons valued bravery highly, but the expression was more than that.
    Darius thought Belle was handsome.
    The demon was lucky the look wasn’t longer than a glimmer. Suddenly Duvall wasn’t feeling as appreciative of him.
    As soon as they entered the voluminous gilt-and-marble Old French lobby, half the personnel inside rushed over. They hadn’t missed the melee out front, and would want to stay on the good side of the race who made their existence here possible. His patience thin, Duvall waved away their worried barrage of apologies.
    “This is more remorse than I require,” he said, unwilling to deny he was angry when that would cost him a migraine. “I imagine the paparazzi might have gathered too quickly for you to realize who they were lying in wait for. I trust our rooms our ready?”
    “Of course, sir.” A female manager stepped forward from the hand-wringing circle to assure him of this. “As requested, we prepared the Mayor’s Bower on the top floor.”
    “Good. Please accompany my wife there yourself.”
    The manager’s wide eyes darted to Belle, taking in that wife just as the porter had. “Of course, sir. Right away.”
    Both she and Darius began to move. “Wait.”
    “Yes, sir?” Thankfully, the manager was professional enough to pull her nerves and her expression under control.
    “I believe there’s an employee suite on that floor. Our chauffeur may be staying there. Have someone see that it’s arranged to suit his needs.”
    Given that Darius was a Spink, they’d have to switch out the bed for a larger one, at the least. Whatever else he required, Duvall trusted the hotel to figure out. The manager snapped her fingers for one of her underlings to take care of it.
    “You,” Duvall said to Darius as a bouquet of employees moved off with Belle at their center. It pleased him that his wife was taller and more elegant than the rest, a lovely rose among carnations. It seemed to please Darius too, because the demon’s head turned to her again. Duvall fought not to grind his teeth. “Come have an illicit smoke with me in the stairwell.”
    “Sir?” Darius said, dragging his attention away from Belle. She was looking back at them, her eyebrows raised in question. Duvall smiled and gestured for her to go on without him.
    “She’ll be fine,” he said curtly from the side of his mouth. “They won’t let anything happen to the wife of the goose who’s laying the golden eggs.” He took Darius’s arm and began steering him toward the nearest STAIRS sign. Despite the demon’s size, Duvall was stronger. When Darius resisted, perhaps without thinking, Duvall almost pulled him off his feet. This drew glances from the other guests in the lobby, but Duvall didn’t care. He opened the door, went in, and held it for Darius behind him. He could tell