Page 68 of Spookily Yours

“Why?” I stopped, staring at the ground. “Why are you still here?” I’d avoided this conversation for too long. But I needed to hear it now. Needed to say the things I’d avoided out of fear of him leaving.

Because I wanted him tostay.

“You know why.” He narrowed his eyes. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel this too. This thing between us.”

“But…” I couldn’t say that, because Ididfeel it. The golden thread, tied between us, that tether that was always pulling me to him. Like the fates had intertwined our lives together.

“Say it,” he murmured. “It’s the reason we can communicate with each other’s minds. Why just being in your presence calms me. How everything always feels so right. There’s a word for it between your people, too.”

But there was a part of me that was scared to utter the words. Because if I did, that would make itreal.

And if it was real, and he still chose to leave…

Then I’d be opening myself up for heartbreak. Because everyone always left me. Everyone but Luna. And even she’d chosen to move out instead of staying with me in our parents’ old house.

But that string of fate…Soulmates.

We couldn’t be. It wasn’tpossible. Right? I hadn’t even believed in soulmates when we first met. The idea that there was someone out there meant for me felt like a truth that I couldn’t deny, no matter how hard I tried. Not anymore.

There was a rightness when we were together, a peace I felt anytime I was in his arms.

Soulmates. It clicked in place. And I knew it was true. That this wasreal.

That I couldn’t deny it anymore.

“You’re…” I stared up at him in shock. “How is that possible? Demons don’t have souls.”

How could we be destined for each other? Of all the people the fates could have chosen for me… Why was it the demon who stood in front of me now?

How could it have been anyone else?

Damien frowned. “Where’d you get the idea that we don’t have souls?”

“W-what?” I stuttered. “That’s what they taught us growing up. Why you make deals to take our souls—”

He huffed out a response. “Whoever’s been teaching you about demons needs to get their facts straight, little witch.” My demon smoothed down my hair. “Your education has been thoroughly lacking.”

Though he was right. The witches’ deep hatred of demonkind had given me multiple pauses throughout our relationship.

Ourrelationship.Gods. We’d ignored the word, hadn’t given it a term, but that’s what we’d been doing all along, hadn’t we?

I’d been falling in love with him, and I had hardly given him a label besidesroommateor friend.

“Don’t change the subject, Damien,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. I wanted to be giddy over this realization—the idea that we were fated for each other—but all I could see was doubts and fears. “This still doesn’t make any sense.”

Besides, hewasleaving. It wasn’t like this changed anything. I was mortal, and he would live hundreds more years. He had to go back to the demon realm. To the brother he served.

“You’re—why not?”

“Do you really think anyone is going to believe it?”

“You’re my mate, Willow.” He cupped my cheeks. “The fates—they made you for me. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Just what we think.”

“But I’m nothing special. And you’re…” I gestured at him. “You.”

“Willow. Look at you.” He cleared his throat. “I… I’m the one who’s not worthy of you.” He got down on his knees, dressed in his silly costume, holding both of my hands in his. “I’ve been in awe of you every single day since I first saw you. Your kindness, generosity… The way everyone loves you, because how could they not?” Damien shook his head. “You deserve better than me. But I want you, anyway. When I picture you with someone else, I want to tear them limb from limb. The thought of someone else touching you… No.”

“Damien…” My heart stuttered in my chest. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. No one had ever made me feel so cared for—worshiped.

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