Sorry this is late but I did get it posted. *pats self on back* LOL!

“He’s not going to go to the underworld,” Varick snarled. Did no one in the room have any sense? They all were nodding at Carlotta’s words as if she had offered a good idea. Varick curled his hands and took deep breaths to keep his claws inside. Killing the bunny shifter wouldn’t endear him to his mate.

“He has to.” Carlotta’s expression didn’t change she didn’t even blink.

Dio turned to face Varick.

“No, don’t even try to convince me,” Varick argued. “I know what you’re going to say.”

“I’m the only one,” Dio began.

“No! I don’t care if you’re the only person who can save the world. You’re not going anywhere without me.” Varick wouldn’t budge on this. The thought of Dio going to the underworld terrified him.

“Varick, I am the only person who can save the world. My mother won’t let anyone else close enough,” Dio explained.

“Then I guess we should be ready for the fucking world to end because I’m not sacrificing you.” Varick didn’t look away from Dio as he laid down the law. He didn’t trust Dio to sneak off for Varick’s own good.

Dio rolled his eyes. “You know I’m not going to let the world end because I’m afraid of my mother. I won’t.”

“Then you can take me with you.” Varick folded his arms in front of his chest. He didn’t care how scary mommy dearest was Dio wouldn’t be visiting her alone.

“You might want to rethink that wolf man,” Carlotta said, her nose twitching madly.

“Why?” No matter what she said he wouldn’t change his mind. His mate’s safety was the most important thing in his life.

“Her favorite snack is wolf blood.”

“Then she’ll have to be snackless.” Varick didn’t bother to hide his annoyance. The smell of fire had him turning toward the center of the room.

A small flame grew on the carpet causing it to smoke.

Varick jumped to his feet and grabbed Dio’s arm. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

Dio didn’t budge. “Wait,” he whispered.

“For what? To be burned alive. I’m not in a hurry for that to happen.”

“Shh,” Dio waved a hand to shush Varick up.

Varick opened his mouth to snap at his mate but the fire grew until it formed a small demon. “Greetings Master Dio,” the little creature spoke. “Your mother is most anxious to speak with you.”

“I just bet she is,” Varick muttered.

“I ask for parley,” Dio said.

The demon’s fire sputtered around him as if his surprise reflected in the flames. “Parley? She’s never granted parley.”

Dio raised a brow. “If she wants to see me she’ll have to swear to an impartial conference. I’ll not visit her without that reassurance.”

Varick smiled at Dio’s haughty tone.

“I’ll tell her,” the demon popped out of the room taking his fire with him.

“What are you doing?” Varick asked.

“If mother accepts my parley it means I can talk to her without her being able to attack me. If she breaks parley she’ll be punished,” Dio explained.

“And what if you break parley?” Varick didn’t understand how this was going to help.

“I’ll wait until she’s done and we break the peace talk. Mother can never last long at not attacking. Trust me I’ll be fine.” Dio’s eyes pleaded with Varick to trust him.

“We’ll be fine. You’re not going without someone to watch your back.”

Dio shook his head. “Not you. I won’t put you in danger. I’ll take one of the demons.”

Varick grabbed Dio and kissed him until his eyes glowed with passion. “I’m the only one who needs to watch over you. Get that into your head. I’m your man, I’m your protection.”

Licking his lips Dio slowly nodded. “Okay, if you feel that strongly about it.”

“I do.” Varick wouldn’t back down no matter how much the thought of meeting his mate’s mother scared the wolf out of him.