Chapter 21: My Mate Is My New Co-Owner

What a day. I have to carry a sacred instrument around all the time to stop a dragon god from burning down the place. I don't know what my insurance covers, and whether "destruction by dragonfire" is one of the disasters listed.

"Deal," I say. "Now, if you'll accompany me, we'll see if your room is ready."

Clutching the guqin in my arms like a lover, I lead the way downstairs. Waverly/Poseidon is already on the stairs ahead of me. "Thanks," I mutter.

"I owed you, considering what I did to the restaurant," he murmurs. "And besides, Krak is already fond of you."

"Even so, I appreciate it."

Daji walks beside me, her expression unreadable. "Did I do okay?" I ask her.

"We need to repair the roof," she says, as if I didn't know.

"I'll take care of that before the wyvern comes—"

"I already called a repair crew," she says.

"Fauns again?"

"No."

I decide I don't want to know. I don't care if it's gargoyles, banshees, unicorns, or guardian angels. As long as the roof looks like new tomorrow morning, I'm happy.

"You really must learn to delegate," she chides. "Otherwise, you'll end up with chaos. AND I'll never see you." She clings to my arm, a heated look in her eyes. "I want this inn to be a success—it's been my home for centuries. AND I want to spend more time with my gorgeous, sexy mate."

Her home for centuries?

"Don't you like whatever divine realm you live in? Don't you like China?"

"I like them fine, but I don't fit in. Don't change the subject. You'll start delegating. To Sun Wukong, to me, to whoever. That's part of this mate deal. You've run yourself ragged for three months."

She's right.

I've been acting like a start-up entrepreneur, a one-man band, even though this is a centuries-old business. It would be like becoming CEO of Apple and doing everything as a solo act.

"So, you're the boss too. My mate is my co-owner."

"Now it's sinking in and getting through that block of stone between your ears," she teases.

"Hey, your nephew emerged as a divine warrior from a stone egg. Don't insult my head."

"You were afraid to have me as co-owner," she says perceptively. "I should be insulted, but it only makes me want to prove myself. I'll be the best co-owner and partner you'll ever have in this or any other lifetime."

"In that case, how do you feel about making some changes around here? I realize I have to keep a lot of the place just the way I found it, and I don't have a problem with that. But some innovation wouldn't hurt. I don't agree with everything my grandparents did when it comes to running this hotel, Or everything my family did."

"Such as?" Now she's interested.

I grip my guqin as if my life depends on it. "Not having a lot of technology. I get it—you don't want phones and social media to interfere. God forbid a human wanders in here."

Her laughter does sound like a fox barking. "They don't. You're so delightfully naïve. They don't see this place."

"How can they not?"

Amused, she says, "Come outside after we get old Dragon Breath checked in. I want to show you something."

"I heard that," Fuxi grumbles.

Poseidon heads for his room while we escort Fuxi to the front desk.

We take the elevator to the lobby floor. I wince at the loud chime as the elevator comes to a stop. "I'd change that. It's too jarring."

"Your guests like it," Daji comments.

And that settles that.

I walk Fuxi to the front desk where Sun Wukong has just checked in a group of ancient Greek Titans, who crowd the lobby. At least whoever build this place spent the extra money to have high ceilings.

"Welcome to the Wendigo Inn," I greet them, in Greek.

Taking no more notice of me than I would a squirrel or a bird, the Titans all march to the elevator. Can they even ride it without breaking it with their sheer size and combined muscles? On second thought, the elevator is probably enchanted.

I walk Fuxi over to the front desk where Sun Wukong greets him with a rubbery monkey smile and hands him a key. "Your usual room is ready, with a complimentary dish of the hot peppers you like as a snack," he says.

Fuxi points at me. "Starting tonight, I want him to come and play the guqin for me before bed. It helps me sleep."

"Starting tomorrow night," Daji corrects, flashing her sharp teeth. "We just bonded. It's our wedding night."

Fuxi grunts. "He's probably better off spending it with me."

Snarling Daji lunges at him, but I cling tightly to her. "You said you had something to show me outside."

 I steer her out the front door and down the steps.

Daji's contentment and lust buzz through the bond. "I love it when you take control like that. Let's not dawdle out here."

She pulls me down the paved driveway. My hybrid vehicle is parked outside. I didn't go full electric when buying a car because the infrastructure doesn't exist yet.

Daji and I pass through what feels like an invisible fence. I've never felt one until I pulled in the driveway three months ago, but it tingles.

"Turn around," Daji says.

I do, and I'm shocked.

The new-looking house with an air of history has been replaced by a weatherbeaten house with peeling paint. Not a complete dump or a health hazard, but an ordinary house. The kind you'd just drive past and never notice.

"That's what people see?"

"Of course. Any salesmen or contractors going door to door just walk on by. The energy field on the property is infused with a suggestion that they should try their luck elsewhere."

"No evangelists going door to door or political campaigns, even?" I ask, impressed. "I could get used to this."

Daji pulls me back up the driveway and through the door. "No one can bother us here," she whispers. "This is a place just for the gods, and the people they choose. Let's go back to our room. It's our wedding night, and we're already delayed thanks to all these distractions."

Her fiery desire makes me hot and bothered. Even my comfy shorts and shirt feel confining. I can't wait to get them off.

"Sun Wukong, you have the front desk tonight," I call out. "Try not to wreck the place."

He makes monkey noises to mock me.

 I manage to make it into the elevator with the doors sliding shut before I leap on Daji. Her sweet mouth opens for me, and she wraps herself around me.

I don't even remember tearing off our clothes or making it to the bed, but we fall down on the bed kissing.

I have an inn to run.

I have music to play.

"Where's the d*mn guqin?"

"On the chair," Daji says between kisses.

"You sure?"

She moans, moving my hand to her breast. "Touch me."

She feels like flower petals. Like a whole meadow full of flowers. I want to lose myself in her and forget the world.

"You're so sexy." I kiss her hungrily and fondle her with all the tenderness inside me.

I don't want to be rough with her. I hope I wasn't the first time. I know I pleased her, from the sounds she made.

"Tell me what pleases you," I whisper.

She pushes my head down until it's positioned between her legs.

"I love this," she sighs. "I want you to taste me. I want you to devour me like an emperor. You're my emperor, and I'm your empress, and together we're unstoppable."

Be still, my heart.

I crouch between her thighs, gently nudging them further apart. "Open wider, my fox goddess. Let me see you."

She's so beautiful there. How did I, a tech geek, get so lucky? This is normally what happens in those Webcomics I read, or the mangas I won't admit to reading.

My mouth fastens on her and she comes off the bed, screaming.

She tastes like champagne and caviar, with a hint of spice. Good. I like spice.

I set about making her completely explode with pleasure, and I love the fox sounds she makes. I love the way she stiffens and cries out when she goes over the edge.

Holding her in my arms while she comes down from the heights, I kiss her forehead.

"Don't you dare go for a walk," she mutters.

"You might want to, my sweet little fox. It's going to be a long night."