Page 55 of Mastering Mayhem

“You did more than fight ghouls here,” I said.

“Whatever gave you that idea?” She held up her hand. “Stay with her while I make sure it’s empty.”

I did as she asked, waiting outside the structure and doing my best not to scare away the majestic beast beside me. “I will not hurt you. I swear my intention in calling you was to send you home safely.”

I quieted, hoping to hear or feel the griffin’s response like Ember could. I received no reply.

“It’s clear.” Ember strode toward us. “Come inside and rest. Our friends are bringing you some food and blankets.”

She gestured with her hand, and the griffin followed her into the chamber. I entered behind the beast and pulled the metal door closed. Ember leaned against a wall as the griffin turned two circles and settled onto her haunches.

“When Ash gets here, we’ll set up a ward and cloak her.” My witch rubbed her forearm, and my heart wrenched.

I should have felt her touch. My entire body, my soul, should have felt her caress. “Can you reapply my mark?”

She inhaled a shaky breath. “Why did you do it? Why take it away?”

“We both did it. I could not have removed it without your consent.”

“I wouldn’t have…” She fisted her hands and crossed her arms, pressing her lips into a thin line. “I wasn’t myself.”

“No, you were not.” I tried to hold her gaze, but she wouldn’t look at me. The fact that she was not herself was the precise reason I’d convinced her to remove it, but it didn’t matter. The deed had been done—by both of us—and now we must face the consequences of my too-quick thinking.

“I wasn’t in a state to consent,” she said.

“You were an active participant. You severed our connection as I did. It was the only way to stop your hysterics. I couldn’t hold open the veil, keep the demons on the other side from crossing over, and call to the griffin while stopping you from dragging me through. Even an immortal prince has his limitations.”

She laughed incredulously. “So it’s my fault. Is that what you’re saying?”

“No, Ember.” I strode toward her. “No one is to blame. We did what had to be done.”

I took her cheek in my hand, gently guiding her gaze to mine. “It has not changed my feelings for you. We are still soulmates, with or without the mark. Do you not agree?”

She took a deep breath and nuzzled against my palm, her posture finally relaxing. “I agree. I don’t like it, but I agree.”

She held my hand, pulling it away from her face. “But I wasn’t hysterical. I thought we taught you not to use that word in reference to women with emotions.”

“You were not yourself.” I brushed the hair from her forehead and pressed my lips against it. “Your hysterics came from me.”

“How so?” She laced her fingers through mine.

“You were channeling my desires. You could be mine for eternity in the Underworld. I’ve considered grabbing you and crossing over many times since I came into this realm.”

“Why haven’t you done it?”

“I could never do anything against your wishes.”

“You can now that the sigil is gone.” She released my hand to run her finger over the empty spot on her forearm. “You’re a free demon.”

I gently grasped her shoulders. “The sigil did not bind me to you in that way. Love did. Love does. I don’t need a magical connection to tell me what my soul already knows. I belong to you now and for the rest of eternity.”

The griffin huffed and laid her head on her paws.

Ember laughed. “She thinks you’re too dramatic.”

I tilted my head, pinning her with my gaze. “What do you think?”

She held eye contact, letting seconds pass before she spoke. “I belong to you too, and I don’t think the desire I felt to drag you through the rift came entirely from you. Checking out of this reality and starting something new sounds amazing right now.”

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