Chapter 421: The Shopping Trip

Mailah could not help the warm laugh that bubbled up from her chest as Chloe’s fuzzy cat slippers slapped loudly down the hallway toward the kitchen.

The moment the heavy wooden doors clicked shut behind their noisy guest, the sunroom fell into a peaceful silence. Only the soft rustle of leaves outside and the gentle ticking of the grandfather clock filled the quiet space.

Grayson remained on his knees before Mailah, his long, broad arms still wrapped tightly around her waist. He buried his face deeper into the curve of her neck, taking a slow, deep breath of her sweet skin.

"She is entirely too loud," Grayson grumbled softly, his voice echoing against her collarbone. "She lacks basic elegance. She eats jam with her fingers. I am considering turning the second-floor guest room into a storage closet for my dark coats."

"Grayson," Mailah coaxed, her fingers gently moving through his thick dark hair, massaging his scalp in slow, soothing circles. "She’s your cousin. And she’s lonely."

Grayson went completely still under her touch. His long eyelashes fluttered shut as a low, comfortable hum rose in his chest. For all his dark power and pride, a simple touch from his human wife could tame him instantly.

"I do not care if she is lonely," he murmured, though his grip on her waist softened into a sweet, protective hold. "She takes your time away from me. You were brushing her hair."

Mailah paused, a bright spark of amusement lighting up her eyes. "Are you... jealous of a girl in neon cat slippers?"

Grayson pulled back slowly. He kept his hands resting on Mailah’s thighs, rising up slightly so his dark, handsome face was level with hers. He adjusted his silk tie with one hand, tossing his head back with grand, aristocratic pride.

"Jealous? Me?" Grayson let out a short, elegant laugh that sounded like deep cello music. "I am a ancient lord of the dark realm. I possess infinite wealth, flawless looks, and power that makes lower spirits weep in fear. Why would I feel jealousy toward a child who wears sunglasses inside a house?"

"Right," Mailah smiled, leaning forward until their noses almost touched. "So if I go brush her hair again—"

"No," Grayson said immediately, dropping all his haughty pride in a fraction of a second. His sharp jaw tightened, and his dark eyes filled with a hilariously pouty look. He grabbed Mailah’s small hand and placed the silver brush firmly into her palm. "You will brush mine."

Mailah blinked. "Your hair?"

"Yes," Grayson declared with absolute seriousness, as if announcing a royal law. "My hair is vastly superior. It is softer. It is thicker. And more importantly, it belongs to the man who adores you. It is only fair that my head receives equal attention."

He didn’t wait for her answer. With smooth, graceful motion, Grayson turned around and sat on the floor right where Chloe had been sitting just moments before. He leaned back, resting his head lightly against Mailah’s knee, looking up at her with big, expectant eyes.

Mailah let out a soft sigh, her heart swelling with warmth. He looked like a giant, dangerous panther who had willingly turned into a needy house cat just for her.

"You are ridiculous," she whispered fondly.

"I am devoted," Grayson corrected smoothly. "There is a vast difference."

Mailah carefully lifted the silver brush and ran it through his silky dark hair. Grayson closed his eyes, letting out a deep, contented breath that shook his broad chest. His long fingers reached up to gently hold Mailah’s free hand, resting it against his cheek.

"Mailah," he murmured softly after a long moment of quiet bliss.

"Hmm?"

"Do you know what today is?"

Mailah paused the brush. "Thursday?"

Grayson opened one eye, looking offended. "It is the eighty-fourth day since you agreed to stay by my side. It is a milestone."

Mailah burst out laughing. "You count every day?"

"I count every hour," Grayson corrected flatly, turning his head to press a sweet, warm kiss into the center of her palm. "Humans have such brief, fleeting lives. Every second I spend breathing the same air as you is a treasure I hoard like gold. Therefore, today we must celebrate."

"Celebrate how?" Mailah asked, setting the brush down on the side table. "You just got back from your ’business meeting.’ Don’t you have demonic things to attend to?"

"Those things can wait," Grayson dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Today, I shall take my queen into the human city. We shall purchase soft things. We shall drink ridiculously expensive sweet drinks topped with white foam. And I shall walk behind you carrying all your bags like a loyal servant."

"Is this your way of trying to get me away from Chloe for the afternoon?" Mailah asked knowingly.

Grayson’s lips twitched into a guilty, impossibly handsome smirk. "It is a strategic victory on multiple fronts. Put on your coat, my love. The demon prince is taking you shopping."

An hour later, the grand glass doors of the city’s most high-end shopping district opened, and Grayson stepped onto the polished marble floors like a king inspecting his domain.

He was wearing a dark, double-breasted trench coat that fell past his knees, tailored so perfectly to his tall, broad frame that three female shop assistants instantly stopped what they were doing just to stare. His dark hair was styled back, revealing his sharp, perfect jawline and bright blue eyes. Beside him walked Mailah, looking cozy in a soft lavender knit sweater, beige skirt, and comfortable boots.

Behind them lagged Chloe, wearing her oversized hoodie, drag-walking her feet, and holding a cup of iced boba tea like it was a sacred relic.

"Why am I here?" Chloe complained loudly, slurping her drink through a big straw. "I wanted to sleep. The sun out here is rude."

"You are here because Mailah insisted on buying you human clothes," Grayson said coldly, not even turning around as he kept a protective arm wrapped around Mailah’s waist, steering her gently away from a rushing human shopper. "Otherwise, I would have left you locked in the library with a box of crayons."

"I hate you," Chloe snapped.

"The feeling is entirely mutual, cousin," Grayson replied smoothly.

Mailah stopped outside a beautiful, bright boutique filled with soft autumn clothes, cashmere scarves, and elegant coats. "Oh, this shop looks lovely."

Grayson immediately pushed the heavy glass door open, holding it with one hand while keeping his other hand gently resting on the small of Mailah’s back. "After you, my queen."

The moment they stepped inside, a young salesman in a sharp black suit hurried over, bowing slightly. "Welcome, sir! Welcome, ladies! How may I assist you today?"

Grayson pulled a sleek, pitch-black credit card from his coat pocket and slapped it onto the glass front counter with a heavy, dramatic CLACK.

"My wife requires soft things," Grayson announced in his deep, commanding tone, as if ordering an army into battle. "Bring us your finest cashmere. Bring us scarves made from the fluffiest wool in existence. If she touches an item for longer than three seconds, pack it into a box immediately."

The salesman blinked, looking completely stunned. "I... I beg your pardon, sir?"

"Grayson!" Mailah gasped, her face flushing bright red. She quickly snatched the black card off the counter and shoved it back into his coat pocket. "Stop that! You can’t just talk to people like that!"

Grayson looked genuinely confused, his dark eyebrows pulling together. "Why not? I have unlimited funds. I am using human currency correctly. Is this not how wealthy humans show affection?"

"No! It’s embarrassing!" Mailah whispered, pulling on his sleeve. "We are just browsing!"

Chloe let out a loud, wheezing laugh from the doorway, leaning against a display mannequin. "Look at him! The big scary Lord of Darkness doesn’t know how to shop like a normal person! This is amazing!"

Grayson shot Chloe a look cold enough to freeze an ocean. "One more word from you, child, and I will buy this entire store, name it after a trash can, and force you to work the cash register."

Chloe’s mouth snapped shut instantly. She swallowed hard and took a defensive gulp of her boba tea.

Mailah turned to the store clerk with an apologetic smile. "I am so sorry. We are just looking for a couple of nice sweaters for myself, and some casual clothes for my friend here."

"Of course, ma’am!" the clerk said quickly, relieved. "Right this way!"

As Mailah walked over to a rack of pastel cardigans, Grayson followed her every step like a tall, dark shadow. He didn’t care about the clothes, the store, or the staring people. His entire world was narrowed down to the small human woman holding up a light blue wool sweater against her chest.

"What do you think of this color?" Mailah asked, turning to face him with a bright smile.

Grayson stopped. His sharp eyes scanned her face, soft blue sweater, and sweet smile. His heart did a strange, violent flip in his chest—a feeling he had only ever experienced since meeting her.

"It is acceptable," Grayson said, his deep voice suddenly dropping into a low, smooth purr.

Mailah tilted her head. "Just acceptable?"

Grayson took a step closer, closing the distance between them until his broad body completely blocked her from the view of the rest of the store. He reached out, his long, warm fingers gently catching a loose strand of her hair and tucking it behind her ear. His touch was so light, so achingly gentle, that Mailah’s breath hitched.

"The sweater is acceptable," Grayson whispered, his dark eyes burning with intense, swoon-worthy heat as he looked down into her eyes. "Because it has the privilege of resting against your skin. However... no color in this world could ever hope to match the beauty of your face, my love."

Mailah’s cheeks flushed a deep, beautiful pink. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. Even after months of being married to him, his sudden outbursts of intense, romantic charm still made her knees feel like jelly.

"You are... terrible for my heart," Mailah breathed softly, leaning her forehead against his hard chest.

Grayson wrapped his dark coat around her, holding her close against him in the middle of the aisle. A proud, handsome grin spread across his face.

"Good," Grayson whispered against her hair, kissing the top of her head. "I intend to keep your heart racing for the rest of your life."

"Ahem!"

A loud, fake cough ruined the moment.

They turned to see Chloe standing two feet away, holding up a hideous, neon-orange fake fur coat with animal ears on the hood.