Page 26 of Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours

Imogen’s eyes widened. “But why?”

Cassia shot the girl a warning look. “Imogen⁠—”

“No, it’s alright,” Ark interrupted, his gaze settling back on the girl. After a beat, he answered, “Because it is easier to go about my day without people staring.”

Cassia looked up sharply, surprised that Ark had taken the child’s question seriously. He didn’t brush her off. Instead, he gave an answer that felt . . . honest.

Imogen blinked. “Why would they stare?”

“Because a demon’s horns attract attention. People notice them. And when people notice something, they make assumptions.”

Devlin frowned, rubbing a hand over his own small horns. “That’s stupid.”

Ark chuckled. “I agree, but it happens.”

Imogen seemed to mull this over. “You hide them so you can blend in?”

“That’s one reason. Another is that, sometimes, it’s nice to decide when to be seen.”

That seemed to satisfy her. Devlin, however, was still watching Ark closely, his expression unreadable. Cassia smiled inwardly. As a half-demon, Devlin had rarely had the chance to interact with a pureblood. His curiosity was only natural.

“I have a question,” the boy said, loud enough to garner the attention of the other children.

Ark placed his cup down on his saucer and looked at Devlin.

“What are your intentions for Miss Aura?” the boy asked.

The table quieted. Cassia, mid-sip, nearly choked. Several of the younger children turned wide, expectant eyes toward Ark, their cakes momentarily forgotten.

“Devlin,” she scolded, setting down her cup. “That’s a personal matter between myself and the gentleman.”

Ark lifted a hand. “That’s a fair question.” He said it calmly, as if Devlin had asked something entirely reasonable.

Devlin’s brows lifted. Cassia could see he hadn’t expected Ark to take him seriously. But he recovered quickly, crossing his arms. “Well?”

Heat crept up her neck. She should’ve known this would happen. The children were endlessly curious, and Devlin in particular had a habit of cutting straight to the heart of things.

But still, Ark could lie. That would be the easiest path. He could say what the children wanted to hear—some honeyed, romantic line about how he was enchanted by their dear Miss Aura. Or that he was there only as a friend, nothing more.

Instead, he met Devlin’s gaze head-on and said, “I’m getting to know her.”

A murmur went through the children.

Devlin frowned. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. She’s getting to know me. I’m getting to know her.”

“That’s underwhelming, isn’t it?” Devlin quipped.

Imogen made a small, dissatisfied sound. “And not very romantic.”

“Good relationships don’t start with romance,” Ark said easily. “They start with understanding.”

Cassia should’ve been relieved. It was, after all, the truth—or close enough. But her stomach turned over in a way she wasn’t expecting. The children, however, were not so easily placated.

“So . . . you like her or not?” Devlin pressed.

“I find Miss Aura exceedingly likeable.”