Page 131 of Mortis

His gaze immediately found mine, and my heart shattered when I saw the tears welling behind his glasses. I rose to my hooves and cradled his face between my hands. Teddy leaned into the touch, nuzzling his cheek against my palm.

“You don’t have to do this,” I whispered, completely sincere. “I would rather have you for one mortal lifetime than force eternity upon you.”

Teddy bit his lip before his mouth stretched into a wobbly grin. “But that’s the thing. You’re not forcing me to do anything. I have a choice, and I just . . .” He glanced at Arlo, then back to me. “I just want to make the right one.”

I nodded and pressed our foreheads together.

“Whatever you decide, whether we have sixty years or forever, I will always love you, my treasure.”

Teddy’s breath hitched. His eyes widened, and a tear spilled down his cheek. I leaned forward and kissed it away before licking his essence from my lips.

“I . . .” Teddy lifted a hand and curled his fingers around my wrist. “I love you too, Kael.”

Then he kissed me. My tail swished behind me as I wrapped my arms around him, and Teddy’s heart beat steadily against my chest.

A long, exaggerated sigh came from nearby.

“I’m getting bored,” Mammon warned.

We broke apart and turned towards my master. He raised an eyebrow, apparently unmoved by our declaration of eternal love.

“I just . . . I don’t . . .”

Teddy looked helplessly between Arlo and me, when Arlo finally stepped forward and took his hand.

“Teds.” Teddy looked at him, and Arlo smiled. It was sad, but completely genuine. “You’ve spent your whole life making sure everyone else gets a good ending.” He nodded towards me. “Maybe you should let yourself have one too.”

A sob escaped Teddy, and he threw his arms around Arlo’s neck. Arlo immediately hugged him back, rubbing a hand between his shoulder blades as they rocked gently together.

“But I-I’ll still be here when you’re n-not,” Teddy snivelled.

Arlo laughed softly. “Yeah, well, I plan on being ancient and fabulous before that happens.” He squeezed Teddy tighter. “You can visit me in the home and sneak brandy into my room. We’ll have a lovely time.”

Teddy released a wet laugh against his shoulder. Arlo looked at me over Teddy’s head. His blue eyes were wet, but there was no hesitation in them. I could hear his silent declaration clearly.

I’m choosing this too.

Because Teddy wasn’t abandoning him. Arlo simply refused to let Teddy sacrifice the possibility of forever because his own life would eventually end.

I dipped my head, returning his declaration with one of my own.

I love him.

I’ll take care of him.

Arlo gave me the smallest nod in return.

Teddy eventually pulled away. He lifted his glasses to scrub his eyes before taking a deep breath and turning towards Mammon. “Okay.”

“Go on,” my master replied.

Teddy straightened his shoulders. “Kael stays here with me. We keep running Adler & Sons, and every soul that comes into our care belongs to you. In return, Kael remains free, and you make me immortal so our lifespans are tied together.”

Mammon considered him for a moment. “Agreed.”

“Wait.” Mammon’s eye twitched. “I want to make sure everything is one hundred percent clear.” He gestured vaguely at the carnage surrounding us. “Because I’m literally covered in the consequences of not reading the demonic terms and conditions.”

Mammon rubbed his temple with two fingers. “Fine.”