Page 25 of Unrestrained

Frost shook his head at how powerful Tam was.

“Your mind is a really weird place, isn’t it?”

Tam shrugged at Lucifer’s question. He answered as he bent and petted Brownie, and let Celina do the same. “It’s actually someplace even you wouldn’t survive.” The claim was so nonchalant, Frost might have called bullshit, but no. It was possible that his claim was very true.

Lucifer looked at him.

Frost’s hands rose and fell, showing he had nothing. He hadn’t exactly pictured himself in this position. One thing Tam said finally penetrated his thick head. “Holy shit, Tam. He has a mate. From what I understand, he’s sugary sweet and you’re likely tormenting him by bringing his other half here.”

Tam’s chin lifted. He looked as if he took the statement seriously. “He is so adorable and pure of heart. I just love him. He’s sitting at your desk, playing with a fox and a wolf. They’re my best friends. I made sure he knew everything would be okay and that we would be back in a few. He agreed this needed to be addressed.”

“Damn, Tamil. Why would you reassure him? You know I’m not about to let the druid see the light of day again. If I kill him, he’ll just be reborn and I’ll get twenty, maybe thirty years of peace and he’ll be right back. No. He’ll stay right here in one of my many cells.”

Bodhi laughed. “You couldn’t keep me here if you tried.”

Frost shot him a dirty look. “Be quiet, Aunt Vickie. You’ve caused enough problems with all your lies.”

Bodhi softened.

It was beyond strange to know that the soul inside this man’s body had once belonged to his aunt and likely several other forms. “I tried doing right by you. Keeping you safe. Why are you even here, putting my great-great-grandniece in danger like this? This is insane behavior. There’s no way you’ve chosen this. How has this monster convinced you to risk your family?”

“Be careful with the name-calling there, Bodhi. You used to really enjoy fucking this monster.” Lucifer immediately looked Riku’s way. “Sorry, angel. I had to.”

Riku graced him with a smile, no doubt responding mentally.

Lucifer’s attention swung back toward Bodhi. “Thundercunt.”

Frost fought a laugh. With all of Lucifer’s torturous glory, he stuck to name-calling.

“Now who’s acting like they didn’t love being all in this ass you used as your personal cunt. I kept you coming back for more for years.”

“Subpar at best.”

That was it. The evil look Bodhi shot at Lucifer finally broke Frost. He roared with laughter. Frost couldn’t help it. The two sounded like teens trading barbs. He sighed long and loud as he got himself under control. Everyone looked at him as if he had lost his mind. Maybe he had. Either way, this was just dumb. “I love you both so much and you sound ridiculous as hell. How long ago were you together? Can you even remember?” He focused on Bodhi. “From what I understand, you two were together for a long time. You were obviously special to Lucifer. Look at him. He’s literally a god. I know you felt flattered as hell to have his attention the way you did.”

“He’s a piece of shit. A bloodsucking, unnatural beast.” Bodhi’s face was red with fury.

“Do you really feel that way, or were you just hurt by Lucifer when you learned you weren’t the only one?”

Bodhi rolled his eyes. “Please. Are you joking? That was too long ago to recall. Not only have I had many loves in my life since, I have a mate. Why in the fuck would I cry over him? He shouldn’t even exist.”

“Oh.” The truth dawned. He understood now why Bodhi was so unreasonably enraged by Lucifer’s existence. “You’re a bigot? Only close-minded people would think, in this grand year of our lord and savior, Pedro Pascal—”

Heads nodded.

Lucifer cut in, “Yeah. Celeste will definitely let that one slide.”

Heads nodded again.

Frost pushed on. “Sorry, not sorry, but that’s dumb as fuck. Your dark fae is a vampire now. Do you plan to hate on him too?” Frost paused and immediately corrected himself. “I don’t even know why I asked that. Of course, that’s exactly what you’ll do. You’ve done nothing but torture him before now. I don’t even know why I’m having this discussion. You don’t deserve to get to say your piece, thundercunt,” Frost finished with all the anger and disappointment in his heart.

Lucifer sat. “I’ll wait my turn. Give me my grandbaby,” Lucifer demanded the moment his ass hit the loveseat. He immediately cuddled closer to Riku to share his papaw time.

Bodhi’s posture changed. His gaze moved over the pair on the couch. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and despondent. “I’m not a bigot. I have nothing at all against any of Celeste’s creatures.” He focused on Frost and tilted his head in Lucifer’s direction. “I just really hate that guy. You should’ve seen me back then. I was beautiful. It never once crossed my mind to move on to the next life. I was content with my plants and potions. My life was quiet and peaceful, with the scattered visit from a god or two. He stole that life from me. He’s the reason Jörmungandr killed my original form.”

Lucifer’s gaze shot to Bodhi. “What are you talking about? I killed you.” He smirked. “And I’d gladly do it again.”

Bodhi snorted. “You fucking wish.”