Page 5 of The Monster's Mate

The only option may come down to having Malice, the nightmare demon, remove his memories of that trauma. The other choice would be to wait it out and see if his humanity wins out over nature.

“I hear what you’re saying,” Charity says, still arguing with Bane. “But Veryn is going to be up in five or six hours. I haven’t had a shower, and I need some sleep. I promise to think about what you said.”

“I know you’re hoping I’m wrong or exaggerating,” Bane says softly. “I’m not.”

I give Eldritch’s nose a pat and step back, glancing at the pair still in a standoff.

Bane brushes his fingers over Charity’s cheek again as his forehead wrinkles. “You wouldn’t have to do everything on your own if you’d just let me in.”

I frown at the change in Charity’s posture.

Her entire body goes rigid as she steps back. “I’ve heard that before.”

Bane’s head falls back as it shakes at the night sky. “When are you going to stop punishing me for someone else’s sins? I’m not him. I didn’t fucking hurt you.”

Charity makes a strangled sound. “No, you just lied about what you are.”

“No,” he growls. “I didn’t. You made assumptions, which again, is not my fucking fault.”

“I’m tired, Bane.” She turns, heading toward Eldritch. “Thank you for getting Veryn tucked in, but I really prefer he not be alone.”

“I only walked outside when I heard you come up,” he says incredulously. “I can hear him breathing fromhere. Don’t insinuate that I wouldeverput your son in danger.”

Charity’s shoulders slump as she makes it to the wyvern. “I wasn’t trying to. I’m just tired. I do trust you with Veryn. I’m sorry if I made it sound otherwise.”

I siphon a few feet away as she nuzzles her face to the massive maw of the wyvern.

Bane watches the same display with a look of discomfort on his face.

I’m sure he can sense her sadness just as easily as I can.

Eldritch draws out his wings, tenderly stretching them around Charity’s back as she says goodnight to the mate she can’t access.

Neither of them deserves to suffer, and it makes me resent the nature of my magic even more fully than I already do.

I eye Bane carefully.

It’s time the two of us work together to fix this once and for all. I’m going to make a team out of the three of us if it kills me.

Chapter Three

Charity

Ibelieve I’m dreaming, even if I have no idea how I know that fact. I’m equally unsure where I am, but it’s warm and lit by a small fire.

My jaw falls as I spin in a circle. It’s the cave Eldritch brought me to the night he snatched me off the street in Haven while I was walking home.

Only, he was with me that night. He did leave me alone for a few minutes when he went to bring back firewood, but I’m exceptionally confused.

It’s similar to that night, but not the same.

My nightgown swooshes around my thighs as I meander closer to the mouth of the cave.

Something is off.

This is not what I was wearing the first time this happened.

I’m so distracted by the difference in my wardrobe, I miss the fact I’m too close to the edge.

---