Page 4 of Wickedly Yours

The group didn’t even flinch, used to my outbursts by now.

Of course they were. Like Lilith, I’d picked them all up off the streets. They’d all had a fight in their eyes, perseverance that didn’t quit. So I’d convinced them each to work for me and earned their loyalty until I knew they would never betray me.

“You really knownothingabout women.” Asura snorted, picking at a few of the scales on her snakelike skin, her yellow slitted eyes blinking at me. There was venom in her veins, thanks to her heritage, though she hardly ever used it.

“As evident by thetwo-to-oneratio of men to women in this group,” Lilith added on, her tone matter-of-fact and giving no room for argument. As if there wasn’t areasonthey were all here, by my side. “On second thought, maybe weshouldencourage him to fetch her faster. Then we wouldn’t be put in this position all the time.”

Talon shook his head as if amused by the two women’s musings but properly kept his mouth shut.

His twin brother, Thorn, stood at his side. The two were practically mirror images of each other, and both served as my guards.

Not that I felt Ineededeither of them—I was powerful enough on my own to take down any demon in the entire kingdom. Except for one.

And once I had my queen by my side, her power joined with mine? No one stood a chance of overthrowing me or trying to take the crown that was rightfullymine.

But I need her here first.The thought refocused me.

“Look. You all agreed with the plan.” I growled, my fist slamming down on the edge of the table. I didn’t want any other distractions or diversions from the current topic of conversation. “How isthisany different?”

“That was whenDamienwas going to bring her back,” Kairos said, doing his best to appear nonchalant.

“And how long am I supposed to sit around and wait?” Baring my teeth, I did my best not to resort to my base instincts. “How long do you want me to sit here, watching the kingdom fall apart? We need her.”

The statement was on the tip of my tongue, but I held it back.I need her.For more reasons than they even knew.

I was too unstable, my body needing to find its other half.

“Yes, you need her power,” Asura remarked, “but you also need her to comewillingly.If you are to be united…”

I gritted my teeth, anger pursing through me. “Iknow.”

The bond would only work with what was freely given. Not taken.Fuck.Shadows darkened the room as I paced across the wooden floor. I needed to get my emotions under control before the power surging in me was set free. Before an outburst of mine led to someone getting seriously hurt.

As if I didn’t need more reasons to want her here. But it wasn’t an option anymore.

Damien’s first mistake was finding her and not immediately surrendering her to me. Not bringing me the witch who the fates had foretold as mine.

Rubbing at my temples, I held back my groan despite no one chiming in again. “I can’t wait any longer. Now. Imustgonow. I’ll bring her back kicking and screaming if I have to. She’ll understand in time.”

She would sit on the throne next to mine, wearing the crown I had made for her,myring on her finger.

I dared them all to challenge me on that. They could disagree on everything—but not on the fact that she had been made for me.

Lilith’s voice was hesitant when she chimed in once again, her red eyes—the most common color amongst demons—flaring. “If I may, Zain.” Holding in a growl, ignoring how feral I felt, I nodded at her. Urging her to speak. “You need to woo her.”

“What?” I blinked, surprised. That was not what I’d expected.

“Win her over. Make her fall in love with you, andthenask her to come back with you. Her loyalty is just as important as her place by your side.”

“But that takes time.” I furrowed my eyebrows. “Time we don’t have.” I waved a hand at the map in front of me. The one that showed all the demons I’d one day rule over. “I don’t need her to love me.”

No. I didn’t need love. I’d learned that a long time ago. Love would only hurt you.

I just needed her to be by my side. Worse case, I could give her a bargain. A demon’s deal. It was tricky magic, but it could work.

“But youdoneed her to agree to come back with you. To nothateyou.” Lilith shrugged her shoulders as she picked at her pointed fingernails, which were painted a blood red shade. “I’m just saying. It’s not the worst plan.”

Kairos nodded in agreement. “She has a point.”

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