The Faerie's Honeymoon Read Online Free Page A

the demon didn’t want to join him. Whatever else he was, Darius was no fool.
    Because he was no fool, he knew refusing wasn’t an option.
    “I don’t smoke,” he said, following reluctantly.
    “Neither do I, which gives you plenty of time to explain why I should trust you to guard my most valuable treasure.”
    “The gargoyles vetted me,” Darius said as the door slammed shut with a hollow boom.
    “So I hear.” Duvall began quickly climbing the concrete steps, not so subtly letting Darius know he was faster too. “What I’m wondering is why they vetted you at all. Administering a trust test is rather special treatment for a limo driver. Chauffeurs only need a criminal check. I’m thinking you couldn’t pass that , and the trust test was your substitute.”
    The Spink demon’s size hadn’t allowed them to walk side by side. When Duvall turned to confront him, the demon was four steps down from him. His immense shoulders brushed both walls.
    “Fuck,” he said wearily.
    “Not the most reassuring answer,” Duvall pointed out.
    The Spink demon rubbed his forehead. “I was involved in ... some illegal dealings. The police rolled me up along with my former employer. In return for not having my visa revoked, I gave evidence that helped take down a criminal organization. One of the conditions of my parole was that I submit to the gargoyles’ test.”
    Though not police, gargoyles were the self-appointed guardians of Resurrection - and highly magical beings themselves.
    “And?” Duvall prompted.
    “And I told the gargoyles I’d do anything to avoid going home, even learn to be a good man.”
    Darius was meeting his stare squarely. Duvall sensed he was being truthful but knew firsthand the sort of loopholes that could be woven into that. He leaned his shoulder lazily on the cinderblock. “I don’t suppose you include seducing other men’s wives in your definition of a good man?”
    “Lord, no.” The demon seemed genuinely startled. Duvall should have been satisfied, but he found he couldn’t quite leave it there.
    “What if you thought the husband in question was a sanctimonious over-entitled prick? Would you consider it okay then?”
    Darius’s wide gray mouth twitched with what was probably humor. “I couldn’t say how I’d feel in that situation, only that I’m not stupid enough to put the moves on a clearly intelligent woman who just as clearly adores her spouse. She’s not a walk-on-the-wild-sider, sir. If you don’t know that yet, you should.”
    An uncomfortable twinge of shame prodded him. Duvall shouldn’t need a demon to tell him he’d insulted Belle.
    “Also,” the demon added, his charcoal eyes twinkling. “I wouldn’t call you sanctimonious.”
    That left over-entitled prick. Duvall narrowed his eyes at the Spink, who was now grinning openly.
    “All right,” he said. “Point taken.” Temper cooling, Duvall magicked his suit jacket back into existence and buttoned it. “I’d appreciate it if this conversation remained between us.”
    “Understood,” Darius said, looking as if he did a bit too well.
    Deciding his pride would be better served by shutting up, Duvall turned sharply and finished trotting up the stairs.

Chapter Two
    BELLE supposed she’d have to give up her daydream of being carried over the honeymoon suite’s threshold. She tried not to be annoyed by that, because - really - she wasn’t such a girly girl.
    “Would you like the bellhop to unpack for you, Princess Belle?” the manager asked as they trundled in with the luggage cart.
    The scarlet uniformed bellhop was an adorable young woman with a mouth full of needle-sharp white teeth. Every time she smiled, which she did frequently, she gave Belle a start.
    “Perhaps just the tall case,” Belle said. “My hang up clothes are in there.”
    “Very good, princess,” the manager said.
    Being called princess every five seconds was giving her a start too. Aware of her democratic sensibilities, Duvall only