Return of the Demon Sovereign (Book 2) [MxM]

Erebus felt the shadows stir before the figure even entered the room. However, that still did not stop the air from being knocked out of his lungs when his son landed on top of him.

"Eri," Erebus groaned quietly, hoping not to wake Leo beside him. "What did I tell you about closed doors?"

Eri's lip pulled into a pout, nearly undoing him. He looked so much like Leo but had inherited Erebus' black hair and silver eyes.

"To respect them," he whispered, though the sparkle of mischief in his eyes said otherwise.

Erebus sighed, giving in to him almost immediately, and pulled him into a tight hug. "And what were you so excited about today?"

Eri wiggled excitedly in his arms. "I'm nine years old today!"

Erebus feigned confusion, his brows furrowing. "Nine? Are you sure about that?"

Eri giggled, poking at Erebus' side. "I know for sure! And you promised me you would start teaching me your techniques when I turned nine."

Erebus chuffed, tickling Eri's side. "Did I now?"

"Father," Eri whined, his voice pitching up, and Erebus couldn't help but laugh softly.

A quiet groan from beside them brought Erebus' attention to Leo, who stirred just as Eri's leg accidentally connected with his side.

Leo squinted at them, his voice thick with sleep. "Deities. Are we being attacked?"

"Relentlessly," Erebus said with a chuckle. "By a nine-year-old."

Eri threw himself at Leo, his laughter nearly musical when Leo wrapped him up in his arms without hesitation. There was so much affection in Leo's casual movements that Erebus' heart stilled for a moment.

"Nine?" Leo said, his tone teasing. "There's no way. You can't possibly be that old yet."

"It's true! Uncle Phonoi showed up, too!" Eri said proudly.

Erebus raised a brow and exchanged an amused glance with Leo. "I assume it was Uncle Phonoi who told you to wake us up."

Eri nodded happily.

"Tattletale!" Phonoi's voice rang out from down the hall. "Erebus, get out of bed already. I'm hungry and want breakfast!"

For all his bluster about being ruthless, Phonoi had an uncanny knack for bringing mischief into their home. It was almost as if he lived to sow playful chaos among them.

Erebus sighed dramatically and gave his son an amused look. "Was I the one cooking today?"

Eri nodded enthusiastically and started tugging at his arm. "Come on! Food and then training!"

Erebus grinned, pulled his son back, and flipped him over his shoulder, earning another round of giggles. He leaned down toward Leo and kissed him softly. "Duty calls," he whispered.

Leo's hand lingered on Erebus' arm as their gazes met. "Good luck," Leo murmured, his eyes brimming with affection.

Breakfast was nothing short of chaotic. Eri and Phonoi had taken over the kitchen. Flour coated every surface, leaving ghostly white handprints on the counters, walls, and even Erebus' shoulders. Standing on a stool to reach the mixing bowl, Eri had somehow managed to upend half the bag of flour onto the floor.

"Stir carefully," Erebus reminded, though he could barely keep a straight face as Eri splattered batter in all directions.

"It's supposed to be messy!" Eri declared proudly, flicking a dollop of batter toward Phonoi.