Page 102 of Wickedly Yours

The Demon King sat on his throne, laughing, as the bodies continued to pile up around me.

“You’ll pay for this,” I said, cursing him with everything Ihad. But it wasn’t enough, not without my mate, not without Zain, not without?—

“Luna,” Zain’s voice sounded murky like it was far away. Like I was underwater. “Luna, baby. You have to wake up. Come back to me.”

“Zain?” I mumbled, my hand clutching his shirt in a death grip. My eyes opened, and I was in his lap, being rocked and cradled like an infant.

“Thank the fates. You scare me half to death when you do that.”

I blinked. “That wasn’t the first time?”

Zain pressed a cool cloth to my forehead. “No. I don’t know what sets them off, but I can never get you to wake up. You’re always stuck in these trances, and I?—”

“What?” The concern in his voice filled me with fear. “What’s wrong?”

“Luna. You’re bleeding.”

“Oh.” I looked down, drops of blood soaking through the front of the nightgown. “I—” My throat choked up. “I’m probably just starting my period.” My eyes squeezed shut. It would be fine. I’d get through this, just like I did everything else. I would not cry over this, too.

“Do you need anything? I’ll go get Novalie and?—”

I grabbed the sleeves of his jacket. “Don’t go. Please. I can’t lose you.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned. “I’m not going anywhere. I just want to take care of you.”

“No.” I shook my head, blinking away the tears. “Listen to me. I saw—” What good were my powers, my abilities if no one listened to me? If he didn’t take me seriously? “Destruction. Death. And blood. There was so much blood.” I choked. “Zain, please. You can’t leave me alone. You promised.” All Iknew was in all the nightmares, I was alone. He’d gone without me.

Why was I so weak?Worthless?I’d promised myself that when I came here, I’d learn more about my powers. That I’d get stronger.

And maybe I had, but… it wasn’t enough. I’d never be enough, would I? A sob worked its way free.

He scooped me up in his arms, cradling me to his chest. “I won’t leave you. If I could, I’d never let you out of my sight again.”

“I know what you’re planning,” I said, because it was obvious. “You’re going to do it alone.” Zain swallowed before giving me a tiny dip of his head. “Youcan’t.” I felt like I was fighting for my future—our future.“You can’t do it alone. He’ll kill you.”

His hand closed over mine as he kissed my knuckles. “Moonbeam. I would destroy the world for you. Forsake any plans I’d ever made just to keep you safe. To give you everything you’ve ever wanted. A happy life. The one you deserved. But I—” His voice cracked. “I have to keep you safe. If anything happened to you…”

“I know.” My voice was soft. Subdued.

I hated it, but I knew he was right because I felt the same.

If anything happened to him, the world would be bathed in blood. And it would bemeat its helm. The power in my blood thrummed at the thought, at the idea that I would do anything to avenge my mate if he was harmed. If something took him from me.

“Luna,” he murmured, brushing his hand over my cheek. “Your eyes are glowing, baby.”

“Huh?” I blinked a few times, feeling the rage clear from my system.

“There’s my girl.” His golden eyes were warm—full of love, and more tears dripped from my eyes. “My mate.”

I nodded because if I opened my mouth, I would lose it.

“I love you,” he said, not a hint of hesitation in his voice. “And everything I’ve done—everything in my life—it’ll all be worth it. As long as I have you.”

“You do,” I choked out, letting the tears fall freely from my eyes. “Youdohave me.”

I knew he couldn’t abandon his people. His world. He was their protector as much as he was mine.

“I—” I wanted to say it, but the words were stuck in my throat. What was I scared of?

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