They were so strange.

Ren crouched down on the side of the sleeping pair and observed them closely. Ivy’s body lay completely on top of Zero’s, head tucked under his chin. One of Zero’s arms wrapped around her hips, his other up her back as the hand rested over her ear. The two were at peace, separated from the world in which their bodies still resided.

They had been like this since he had arrived back to the home and hadn’t even slightly deviated from their positions while Ren worked on his projects at the table. Try as he might, he couldn’t keep himself from glancing up at them, noting the lack of changes each time. And once he finished, he just had to get a closer look.

Ren stared, thinking, wondering.

Who the hell sleeps like this?

He watched as Zero’s chest rose in time with Ivy’s back. Always together. Always the same. Up and down, never deviating from the synchronized rhythm. He watched their twitches, their movements. Completely identical.

He poked Ivy’s nose.

She wrinkled it.

And so did he.

He jabbed Zero’s cheek.

His jaw tightened.

And so did hers.

Ren didn’t really feel comfortable watching the two like this as they slept. Like he was intruding on something private and intimate, meant for only them. But he couldn’t stop himself.

It was just so…

Not normal.

He just didn’t understand.

With an exasperated sigh, the angel stood. Whatever was going on wasn’t going to be solved tonight.

And he had other business to attend to.

Ren left the couple to their slumber and made his way outside, hopping from the veranda and going on the search while swinging one of his creations in his hand.

If he were a pissed off fox demon, where would he be?

He hummed to himself as he strolled under the moonlight, having given the woman time to get whatever thoughts and feelings she may have in order. He didn’t want to risk showing up during the peak of her rage and have to deal with the consequences of another man’s actions.

But she wasn’t in a frenzied state when he found her sitting next the stump of the dead cherry tree by the pond. She seemed calm. In control of herself.

Ren had high hopes he wouldn’t be a casualty to the demon’s fury that night.

He went and sat next to her, stretching his legs out in front of him and looked over at the fox. “So, how did your courtship of the alpha go?”

Sakura glared into the distance, chewing on her cheek roughly. Without warning, she rolled, her leg swinging over and straddling across Ren’s thighs. She snatched the bottom of his shirt, pulling it hastily over his head, and tossed it to the side.

“So, it went well,” Ren managed while he tried to make heads or tails of what was going on as she pulled the ruby encrusted dagger from his belt. The light of the moon glinted off of its blade, the angel alternating between it and bright, emerald eyes. “A little too well, huh? I guess this isn’t the worse way to die, but if you’re gonna get rid of me, I only ask that you make it as painful as possible.”

The fox rolled her eyes as she tore a strip from the bottom of her shirt and placed it on her thigh. She held up the dagger, kissed its handle, and began cutting into the fading scar on the angel’s shoulder without a word.

He watched the woman, her face set deep in concentration, etching her mark into his flesh once again.

She was insane.

Unpredictable.

And he was obsessed with every bit of it.

Sakura was halfway through the flower before she spoke, her attention still focused on her task. “Why do you love me?”

The angel smiled, desire in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t I? Just look at you.”

“Why do you?”

Ren thought about it for a moment. There were countless reasons why he loved the woman before him who was ripping into the skin on his shoulder, but he wanted to give her something more than just she was pretty and kind and that he thirsted for her special brand of crazy. “Because you gave me love when all I had was hate for myself. Because every time I wanted to die, you wouldn’t let me. You’re all the things I’m not, and you give me everything I need that I can’t provide for myself. I also really like the way you look. A lot. Seriously, just look at you. Perfection.”

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A small upward curve graced her lips. “When did you know?”

That was a harder question to answer.

Ren inhaled deeply and pushed the air quickly from his lungs. “I don’t know. By the time I realized it, I knew it had always been. I didn’t really understand what it was for a long time, just that it was a feeling that I liked. It’s why I chased after you the first time I saw you. I didn’t want it to go away, and it never has. It’s only grown, become stronger. How about you?”

He didn’t expect her to answer the question. He was prepared for her silence.

She paused her carving and looked at him in the way that only she could. The way that kept him coming back, kept him chasing after her no matter what.

There was absolutely no hesitation, no resistance. “When you fed me that chocolate.”

The man chuckled, not surprised in the least. “Of course it was.” He decided to push his luck. “Why do you love me?”

Sakura went back to work. “Interestingly enough, for the same reasons. But I wouldn’t say your looks are perfect. Ivy still has you beat.”

Ren grumbled, “Yeah, well, that’s not really a fair comparison. We can’t all be winners like her.”

She glanced at the angel for a reluctant moment. “How would you feel about a daughter?”

“There would have to be more than one.” He smiled, liking where the conversation was going. “And I hope they’ll all be mean as hell like their mother and scare all the village boys away.”

“And sons?”

“Hopefully they’ll be a little less mean. I can only handle so much cruelty.”

“Yuki said you were weak.”

His hands moved to her sides, his thumbs playing against her hip bones. “I am weak,” he agreed.

“He wants me to be his mate,” the demon told the angel, less than enthused.

“Of course he does. Who wouldn’t?”

Sakura finished the flower and pressed the cloth against it, absorbing the blood. “He thinks I’ll give birth to the most powerful sons in all the land. That’s why he wants me.” She shimmied her body and scrunched her face, mocking the den’s alpha in a deep voice. “You have a round ass, big tits, and an acceptable face. You’ll make all the male heirs.”

Ren was impressed. “Oh, wow. No wonder he’s alpha. He’s a true inspiration, saying out loud what we’re all thinking.”

She pushed a little harder on the wound with a defiant glare. “Good thing I agreed to his proposal.”

His grip tightened, pulling her closer. “I can’t blame you. I would have done the same if given the opportunity. However, while you were out being a harlot and seducing the alpha, I was being the ever-faithful mate and toiling away to make you this.” The man released her, reaching for and holding a halo of flowers up to the woman, each bloom a symphony of vibrant hues against elaborately woven green grasses.

Sakura raised a brow and viewed the offering with amused hesitance. “A crown of flowers. What for?”

“It’s part of the den’s ritual. The man gives a crown of flowers to his mate of choosing before he takes her flower.”

A small gasp fell from her lips. “Well, that’s kinda fucked up.”

“It sure is.” Ren chuckled as he placed the crown atop cherry tresses. “And I made one just for you.” He paused. “Well, and Ivy, too. I couldn’t just make you one and not her. Don’t be jealous when you see it though. I went a little overboard, and it came out a bit nicer than yours.”

Her fingers reached up and traced along the silky petals. “That’s alright. It’s really pretty. I’m sure it’ll cheer her up when she sees it. She was pretty upset after the birth. It went just fine, but afterwards was a bit of a shit show.”

“Ah, so it was a girl.”

Sakura nodded, knowing that it would be more than enough explanation. “So who told you about this tradition? Akiko?”

“No. Raz. Before I left, I told him I was gonna marry you when I got back.”

A look of surprise graced her face. “Really? That was brave of you. And what did he say to that?”

“Told me to grow up and stop being a coward. That I’d actually have to ask you since there was no alpha doling out pretty fox girls to make things easy for me. Then he started telling me about the rituals for the den and the heavens. He was pretty fucked up that night, was drinking that whiskey like it was water. I don’t think he ever imagined I’d actually mark you that soon.”

“I’m sure he didn’t.” The woman pulled the cloth back, examining her mark. “How often do you have to re-scar it?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Every now and then. Probably at least a couple times a year to make sure it doesn’t go away. Never paid much attention. I just dig into it whenever the mood arises.”

The demon rolled her eyes with a scowl. “Fucking angels and your impeccable skin. I’ll do it from now on.” She grabbed the collar of her shirt and ripped it down the seam on her arm. “Mine doesn’t fade but go ahead.”

Ren pulled the torn fabric away from the feather on her shoulder and pressed his lips to it. “You’ll always be my child bride,” he whispered against her skin.

Sakura groaned, “Shut up! That sounds so bad!”

“It’s okay. I’m your child bride, too. We’re even.”

“That doesn’t make it any better, Ren!”

“It is what it is. Can’t turn back now. But you know, there’s more to these rituals than just leaving a couple marks and tying some flowers together.” He looked at her, full of desire and purpose. “We have to complete it. It’s the only way to solidify our most sacred of unions.”

“That’s true.” She tenderly took his face in her hands, gazing at him lovingly. “But we’re not going to.”

“Bullshit!” His displeasure was instant. “Why not? You just marked me, and I marked you... sorta. Again! I even made you a crown of flowers. It’s what’s next on the list. I don’t make the rules, I just follow them, so it has to be done.”

The woman smiled like a cat playing with its helpless mouse. “Maybe, but flowers and mark or not, you have yet to earn it.”

A small, disgusted laugh spilled from the man’s gaping mouth. “Earn it?! How the fuck do you figure? I’ve been chasing your crazy ass since I was seven years old, putting up with all your bull shit. What more do you want from me? Two crowns?”

“Hmmm.” Her head bobbed side to side as she peered upwards at the stars. “If I recall correctly, there was seven years of you screwing around and not working on wooing this most virtuous of maidens. And no matter what the den thinks, a flower crown isn’t gonna make up for that.”

A low growl rumbled from Ren’s throat. As ridiculous as her reasoning was, there was some truth in there. “You’re no maiden. You’re a monster. And I wouldn’t exactly consider those seven years me screwing around. At least not most of it.”

“Call it whatever you like, but I will not be tarnished tonight.” Arms encircled around his shoulders and her eyes met his along with a charming smile. “Will you carry me back? I’m tired and we’re leaving tomorrow.”

“You did all this just to torment me, didn’t you?” the angel accused with a glare, her giggle all the proof he needed. He snatched his discarded shirt and supported the woman who wrapped herself around him as he got to his feet and made his way back. “You’re fucking evil. You know that?”

She nuzzled her face into his neck and tightened her hold, rejoicing over her victory. “That may be true, but I’m not the only one.”