Page 20 of Claiming Chaos
The plane took off, and Chaos watched the world fall away through the window, his eyes full of wonder. His lips curved upward into an adorable smile, and he leaned closer, looking all around. “Humans have evolved so much since I was imprisoned.”
“I’m not sure evolved is the right word. Our technology has grown by leaps and bounds, but we’re not any better at being human beings. People still suck.”
“You consider yourself human?” He leaned back in his seat and looked at me.
“Yeah. I mean, aside from having some magical abilities, witches aren’t much different than humans. We’re mortal, we exist in their world, hold their jobs, play their games, follow their laws. Most of us do, anyway.”
He sighed. “You wouldn’t be happy in Hell.”
“Then why did you insist I come? Because that’s starting to sound like the best thing I could do for my coven.”
He leaned his head against the seat and closed his eyes. “Because I’m selfish. It’s my nature to take what I want without regard to how it affects others.”
“So you thought you could take me, whisk me away from my family, and keep me for yourself, never mind how I might feel about it.” I shook my head. This right here was why I needed to keep my feelings for him in check.
He opened his eyes and pinned me with his gaze. “The thought crossed my mind, yes. Many times. I would raze the world to keep you safe.”
Dammit if my stomach didn’t flutter. “I don’t want you to raze the world. As dysfunctional as it is, it’s my home. I like my life in Salem.”
“I know. That’s why I never should have suggested you come to Hell. I will have to figure out another way to make you mine.”
I laughed. “Good luck with that.”
He lifted one shoulder. “Besides, even if we could find your parents and sister and release them, Mayhem would still be trapped. Chrys would find a way to summon him, and your coven would be destroyed.”
“And I can’t let that happen.” I slid the window cover down, blocking the blinding light shining through.
“You won’t. You’re the only one who can defeat the earth witch.”
I laughed a little harder. “You’re still a funny little demon.”
He arched a brow. “Nothing about me is little. I think you’re aware of that.”
“No kidding.” Heat flushed my cheeks, and I shifted in my seat. Holy Hecate, how could a simple raised brow get me hot and bothered?
He leaned his left elbow on the armrest. “Chrys underestimates you. Everyone except Ember does.”
“They just know what a magical klutz I am. They’ve seen me flub more times than they can count.” I waved a hand flippantly. They knew what I was and wasn’t capable of, and they were right to judge me for it.
He pursed his lips. “You underestimate yourself as well.”
I shrugged. “I know my limitations.”
“You limit yourself. If you had more confidence, you could be the most powerful witch in your coven.”
“That’s the thing though.” I twisted toward him. “I don’t care about power. I’m happy in my library and my studio. Ink is my jam.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry for upsetting you this morning.”
I searched my heart for a reason to stay mad at him, but I couldn’t find one. Chaos was a demon. I couldn’t expect him to behave like a human man. Hell, he actually behaved better than a lot of men. My brain couldn’t find a logical reason to stay miffed either. For once, my heart and mind agreed on something.
“You’re forgiven.”
He took my hand, and this time, I let him hold it. I liked Chaos a lot. Too much, honestly, but knowing our relationship had an expiration date made it okay in my mind. He would leave me in the end, but first, he would save me.
My chest tightened, and an ache spread through my body. My heart didn’t want him to leave. My brain told me he had to, but I would deal with that pain when the time came. For now, I would enjoy being wanted, because it sure as hell felt good.
We landed at Louis Armstrong Airport at six in the evening, right when the library closed. Since breaking and entering wasn’t on my to-do list, we gathered our bags and took an Uber to our boutique hotel in the French Quarter. The two-story building sported yellowish-beige paint with white trim, and a wrought iron fence that looked like cornstalks surrounded the property.