Page 22 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

“Don’t.Mygods, doesn’t the meaningless scoring ever get old?”

“Can’tsay it doesn’t.”

“Thenwhy keep doing it?Whykeep racking up members of your swimbo army?”

“Idon’t have any control over that.It’sa smoke demon thing.”

“Decidingto sleep with others is entirely in your control.”

Hislips thinned. “Demonsfuck, fight, and revel, right?That’showI’msupposed to pass the centuries.That’swhat you and everyone else expect from me.”

“Yeah.Fuck, fight, and revel.Go, you.”Whata disappointment he was!Shestarted up the staircase.

Rökclasped her elbow, stopping her. “Whatelse is there for me to do?HowshouldIhave spent the last thirteen centuries?Youwant me to tell you my current existence is empty?Itis.”Hegave off smoke again . . . from frustration? “Waitingfor my mate is as bad as you can imagine.I’vepaced holes in the floor in my cabin, wondering ifI’llgo mad.Ican be in a room packed withLoreansand feel likeI’vebeen exiled.”

Surprised, she asked, “Whatdo you wish you’d been doing?Settlingdown?Startinga family?”

“Isthat so insane?ButIcan’t do any of that without my mate.I’msupposed to be attempting females to find her, remember?”

Thatwas true.Throughsex, a male demon could identify his fated one because he’d be compelled to mark her neck and he would spill his seed inside her.Untilthat time, he could orgasm with a partner but never experience an ejaculation.

“Chinup,Rök.Youmight find her thisAccession.”ThenPoppycould stop dwelling on him.Sheglared at his grip on her arm.

Witha reluctant air, he released her. “Olderdemons keep telling meI’llsense her during anAccession.Myfirst went by with no sign of her.Thenmy second.ThinkingI’dnever have her with me was . . . bleak.”DidRökshow at all thoseLoregatherings because he wassearching?

Ifhe’d harbored any inkling aboutPoppy, he would have attempted her instead of remaining with that summoner—someone he knewwasn’this mate!

Asthough he’d readPoppy’sthoughts, he said, “Knowthat what you hate me for . . .Ican’t help it.You’rehating me for being myself.”

Whyshould she expect more from him?Hehad always been upfront about his rolling-stone, player existence.Shewas the one wishing he’d change.

WhenPoppywas little, her mother had told her, “Somethings simply aren’t meant to be, even for a witch with miraculous powers.Lettinggoisa skill, one moreWiccaecould stand to learn.”

Poppyhad asked, “Whatif you let go too soon?”

“That’sa risk.”She’dlooked atPoppyquizzically, her green eyes seeming to see far more than merely what was before her. “Sometimesone does have to reach the end.Whenall is lost, clarity can be found. . . .”

Poppyexhaled, deciding not to giveRökgrief for what he couldn’t help.Thoughshe saw no future with him, she could work to let go of the past.Clearingher throat, she said, “Idon’t hate you,Rök.Look, no hard feelings, okay?”Sheturned to climb the staircase.

Hewas right beside her, seeming surprised by her words.Hismood had shifted again, his smoke dissipating.Heacted as if she’d conceded far more than she had. “Youfancy a do-over?”

“Asfriends.”

“Hmm.”Thatdeep, masculine rumble must be demon forIdisagree but will hold my tongue for now.

Onthe landing, they paused before a large portrait of the white-haired wizard in his robes, his wife, and their two kids, a young girl and boy.Thewife, dressed in a strapless ball gown and a golden armband, looked wary, as if she’d foreseen how dire her future would prove.Herberinged fingers clutched her children’s shoulders.

Somedetail about that portrait tickledPoppy’sbrain.SheandRökboth stared at it for long moments.

Whenthey moved on, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Theireyes seem to be following us, don’t they?”

Poppynodded. “Sometimestropes exist for a reason.”

“I’lltake a gruesome brawl—innards oozing and hacked-off limbs flying—any day over little jolts of creepiness.”

“ThenI’msurprised you can stand hanging with me.Witchesbroker in creepiness.”

“Yeah, but your creepy is cute.I’mhexually attracted to you.”

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