CHAPTER 15

The feast laid out before them was unlike anything Charles had ever imagined, let alone seen before. It was the stuff of French classical dreams, with a medieval twist. Two long rows of people, minotaurs, gods, demigods, shifters, vampires, demons of all kinds, and even angels—to name only a few—sat across from each other with a luxurious spread of food lining the table between them.

The feast itself was like something out of King Arthur, with venison dripping in delicious fat and various pies as far as the eye could see. The wine flowed mysteriously from fountains at every corner of the room, and blue ivy cascaded down from a barn-like trellis above them.

Billard and Tex needs to get the number of this party planner.

I mean, come on!

Charles adjusted the shirt sleeves of the suit Demi had magically conjured for him more out of habit than nerves. Something about having summoned an otherworldly being and going through the motions of opening a gateway to some other world had given him a crash course in everything supernatural. He’d been pushed off the deep end, flirted with drowning, but come out safely the other side, after all.

He reached for Demi’s hand, and the two of them entered the fray. Before they could get very far, Aphrodite and Eve were immediately by their side.

“We heard the good news! Love is in the air again for the two of you?” Eve asked, her bright red lips widening into a knowing smile.

Demi looked up at him and gave him a wink and a hand squeeze before responding to the prying questions.

“Yes, we managed to get to the bottom of... of our little miscommunication. I’d venture to say that everything is much more open between us now. Right, Charles?”

“That’s right.” He put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side, and she leaned her head against him.

“Well, I think you know what that means! A positive review for our services. Please, make sure you tell all your friends about what we do. The DeLux Cafe always needs more singles in search of love. We can’t guarantee we’ll find it for you, but chances are... ” Eve trailed off, looked to her business partner.

“Chances are we will. I had a feeling about you two, and I was so right. I’m so glad we intervened and made sure you found your way back to one another. Eve, I’m starting to think we should offer couples counseling services as well. What do you think?”

“Ah!” Eve gasped, throwing a scarlet-trimmed hand to her throat. “I think that’s the most brilliant plan you’ve ever had, Aphrodite. Heaven and Mt Olympus are the limit for us, really. Lucifer and Chloe, Charles and Demi... our instincts as matchmakers are just getting sharper and sharper.”

Glad to see that some things are still the same between our worlds.

Matchmakers both here and there are likely to overestimate their abilities.

Although... they were very right about Demi and I.

Maybe there’s something to it after all.

“If either of you have any single friends, make sure you pass them along our way. Demi, what about your sister? Is she dating anyone these days?” Aphrodite asked before taking a long sip of her wine.

Demi paused and considered. Charles thought to himself that he didn’t know the answer to the question either. In fact, he barely knew Hera at all. He made a mental note to remedy that.

“I’m not sure. To be honest, she’s usually pretty quiet about her love life. Sometimes, I see men come and go, but... I don’t think there’s anyone serious in the picture at the moment. I don’t know if she’s ready to be tied down. Not that that’s how I feel about you, Charles,” Demi joked.

“How could I tie you down? We live in separate worlds,” he bantered back only just loud enough for Demi to hear. While they stood lost in a flirtatious gaze, Aphrodite and Eve shot each other a quick glance, clearly feeling like they were interrupting something.

The unintended but unignorable innuendo in reference to tying Demi up immediately brought to mind images of the two of them, naked limbs tangled up in sheets together. The night had only just begun but already he regretted not having ravaged her body before leaving the apartment above the bakery.

“I think I just heard a prophecy about the two of you not living in separate worlds for too much longer, or maybe I’m just stating the obvious. I’m just giving you a hard time. I love love, and I’m so happy that the two of you have shared your hearts with one another. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my glass is empty. Come, Eve, let’s dash.”

Right before his eyes, the two matchmakers linked arms and vanished into a whisp of vanilla-scented smoke, reappearing a few feet away by one of the wine fountains. Instead of his heart racing at the sight, he smiled, charmed by the unapologetic display of magic.

“Are you okay, Charles?” Demi asked, looking up at him. “Cause if you need to get out of here for a minute, or you ever feel—”

“Demi, I’m fine. I promise. You might have to explain some things to me, but... I’m not going anywhere. Now, I should probably go give my regards to our fine host. Where is Lucifer?” Charles looked around for the happy couple, and Demi followed suit until she finally caught a glimpse of Lucifer’s familiar shadow in a corner. His devilish smile radiated from across the room, but it was Chloe’s brightness that glowed most strongly.

“They’re just over there. Come,” she said, hooking her hand around Charles’ elbow and whisking them to Lucifer and Chloe’s side.

Demi made sure to put a steadying hand behind Charles’ back when they landed, but he didn’t need the help at all.

I’m catching on quick.

I think I’ll look like a local in no time.

“Chloe, Lucifer, you both look incredible,” Demi said warmly, kissing the soon-to-be-bride’s cheek.

“Well, if it isn’t the brashest human I’ve ever met. Charles, glad to see we haven’t scared you away yet. Demi, you’ve found yourself quite a bold partner here. He may be mortal, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he has some hidden talents behind that perfect head of hair,” Lucifer drawled, one of his long arms draped over Chloe’s shoulders. She looked exquisitely elegant with her hair swept up and pearl drop earrings dangling from her ears. The couple they were all there to celebrate looked like they were rubbing off on each other in the best way possible.

“Thank you, Lucifer, for making such an exception for us. It means a lot that you granted us with our own gateway to the topside,” Demi gushed. Charles smiled to himself. She was clearly thrilled that he was there by her side, and nothing made him happier than seeing her smile.

“Are you kidding? We owe you so much, it was the least he could do! Your desserts are going to be the hit of the evening, and Lucifer knows how much your friendship has meant to me. You’ve been so welcoming, and I know just how hard it is to move to a new world. I guess I was aware of the supernatural, at least, but I think I understand some of what you must be feeling, Charles,” Chloe said, gesturing to him.

Charles’ gaze darted to Lucifer’s, but the bridegroom firmly avoided his eyes.

What a trickster!

He made me feel like he really might not have helped me out, but I’ll bet he was going to build that doorway for me one way or another.

He just liked giving me a hard time.

That explains why Mrs. Murphy wasn’t shaken for a second...

You know what?

I like him.

I’m picturing a lot of double dates in our future.

“It’s a big transition, but I’m starting to see what you all like about this place so much.”

“I’ll take that as a personal compliment. Excuse us, please. We really should get this dinner started. I, for one, am starving.” Lucifer snapped his finger and a chime of dinner bells peeled through the open space, alerting people that cocktail hour was over, and to gather for the main event.

Charles mostly did a lot of listening over dinner, fascinated by every snippet of conversation he could overhear. There were speeches given and jokes made about how much Lucifer had changed since meeting Chloe. Aphrodite and Eve got up at one point and interrupted the whole dinner to give a spiel about their speed dating services.

Once a business woman, always a business woman.

You’ve gotta respect the hustle, and clearly they’re not lying about how good they are.

Even I have to admit, the results speak for themselves.

God, Demi looks so good.

I could eat her all up right here!