Page 5 of Jayce

The possibility of a new beginning shimmers before me, tempting and elusive. My she-devil and she-angel are back on my shoulders for a visit.

A flicker of warmth rises in my chest. A tiny spark of optimism that threatens to grow into something more with my angel igniting the flames of hope.

Only my tiny devil is there reminding me of the what-ifs and memories of past disappointments. Not to mention my future where Jayce is with his fated mate.

I want to embrace this glimmer of hope that he can be the one to rip open my womanhood. To make me scream out his name with orgasm after orgasm while he buries his penis deep inside of me.

But fear wraps around me like a protective cloak, whispering caution in my ear. What if this therapy gives me a love to remember, making it impossible for me to let him go when I no longer have a choice?

I bite my lip while tapping the business card on my chin for the therapist Dr. Rayne gave me. I hold my phone in my other hand, trying to steady my breathing while I’m caught in a delicate balance between wanting to leap forward and holding myself back.

“Yes, call her.” My angel urges.

“I don’t think you should. You’re opening yourself up for more pain.” My devil argues.

Chapter 4

Jayce

“It’s my turn to kiss the bride,” I say, pushing through my sisters and parents before Elena’s overtaken by the hundreds of people that just witnessed her marry Jamie Lemoine. The descendant of Theseus, who sacrificed his demigod nature so that his sister, Priscilla, might find him and rescue him from our labyrinth.

My baby sister fell in love at first glance like every Minotaur who finds their other half. Even if the one who completes them is human.

The feelings were mutual on Jamie’s part. It’s only been eleven weeks since he proposed, but my mom and sisters threw a beautiful wedding together.

Most humans struggle to plan a wedding in that amount of time. It proved even more difficult for demigods. Most of us have attended only one or two weddings, if any. My sister knew what she wanted, and our mitéra worked tirelessly to ensure a magical night.

“Are you happy for me, Jayce?” Elena worries.

I pull my sister to my chest and wrap my arms around her. “If you’re happy, sis, I’m happy. But I’ll kill him if he hurts you.”

If Anjal and Priscilla can forgive her brother, so can I. I had my reservations. But without our parents objecting, especially our patér, I pushed away any negative feelings that might peck at the back of my thoughts.

“Save me a dance,” I say with a kiss to her cheek.

Watching Elena walk down the aisle toward Jamie brought a picture of Shay in a white dress covered in lace to my mind.

Full Minotaurs don’t go through a marriage ceremony like humans, but she grew up in the human world. Maybe she’s dreamed of her wedding day all her life.

If she’ll have me, I’ll vow to love, honor, and protect her in front of her friends and family.

My face hurts after the photographer snaps the last picture that Jamie’s mom insisted we all pose for.

I slip the photographer a hundred-dollar bill and ask him to take a picture of Shay and me during the reception. It doesn’t matter if it’s a candid shot.

At the table reserved for family, I tap my foot anxiously waiting for the first dance with the bride and groom and the dance with the parents to end.

Shay avoided making eye contact with me throughout the wedding. I had a perfect view of her as Jamie needed me to fill in for one of his groomsmen who canceled at the last minute. She looks like a ray of sunshine in a bright yellow summer dress that hugs every inch of her slim figure. She takes advantage of her small breasts by never containing them with a bra. Every man with eyes can see her pierced nipples. Nipples begging for a suckling.

Nikolaos shoves a drink in my hand. “Jayce, you’re whipped, and you don’t even have her.”

“You’re one to talk.” His young mate, Tara, is a sore subject we avoid talking about most of the time. Only I’m a rubber band pulled too tight, about to snap, so I jab back at him.

“You need to eat something,” Damian says through a mouthful of food. I can’t hide anything from my cousins. They’ve noticed I haven’t had much of an appetite.

“He needs pussy,” Circe adds from behind me. I shake my head without responding to her brazen suggestion or looking at her.

Yes, I have a huge sexual appetite, but that’s not tormenting me either.

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