Page 48 of Wickedly Yours

We came to the antechamber before the throne room, and I glanced over at Luna, her beautiful face full of worry. Looking at the doors at the other end of the small chamber, I took a deep breath.

I’ve got you,I said into her mind, keeping my voice gentle.Don’t forget that.

Stepping into the throne room, I kept my eyes focused straight ahead—onmychair, for all that my father claimed it was still his—and waited for the show to begin.

I’d felt when my brother opened the portal, and with eachstep he took, could feel the emotions pouring off of him. Anger, fear, and above all—worry. It tasted like something I’d never experienced before, and I couldn’t decide if the feeling was altogether unpleasant.

It was a perk of sharing at least one power with my brother—the shadows he commanded also reported tome. Our connection to our father, our powers, bound us together. I’d known the moment he opened a portal into this world just like I could use those powers to command him back. It was more of a tug, really.

“Are you sure about this?” Luna asked, as if it wasmewho needed the reassurance and not her. Not the woman who’d uprooted her whole life in agreeing to my request.

I nodded, settling into my throne, doing my best to appear calm and collected. Trying not to think about the concern etched into Luna’s face.

For me.Wasn’t that the most fucked up part of all of this? I knew she was still thinking about earlier—what I hadn’t told her. Fuck, I was an asshole. An asshole who had manipulated the situation so she would come with me.

Damien and the brunette witch from the bar trailed in, their hands intertwined. I quickly surveyed their odd outfits, doing my best not to raise an eyebrow at the frilly shirt my brother was wearing or the pointy hat that sat on her head. Then I remembered what day it was.

Halloween.The humans celebrated All Hallow’s Eve on this day, remembering the dead and wearing the most ridiculous costumes. I’d never understand it, like most of the things the humans did.

“Ah, Damien. How nice to see you.” My eyes glanced at the woman by his side. I’d only seen her in the dark corner of the bar or from afar when I’d been watching Luna work at theirbakery. Never up close, in the light. “I see you brought your witch.”

He bared his teeth, pushing her behind his body. “Where is she?”

Willow was focused on me, her eyes darting around as she looked for her sister.

“Who?” I cocked my head as if I didn’t know the answer.

Go easy on him,Luna pleaded from the shadows.This isn’thisfault.

I growled to myself. It wasn’t like I could just say to herno, but if he’d have just delivered you when I asked…Because she still didn’t know the full truth. That I’d been looking forherwhen I arrived in Pleasant Grove’s dingy bar. That our meeting hadn’t been by chance.

I could almost hear her reaction, see the little scowl on her face as she said,I’m not some piece of property he needed to deliver into yourlap,Zain.I grinned at the thought.

“My sister,” Willow said, narrowing her eyes at me.

Luna had remained tucked into the shadows, waiting for the right moment. We were putting on a show—not just for Damien and Luna’s sister, but for my entire court, who would watch our every movement. This was the first in a series of moves I had yet to play.

“Ah.” I gave a lazy smile. “She’s right here. Come on out, Moonbeam.”

I feel like a prized cow trussed up for auction.Her thoughts infiltrated my mind once again, and damn if I didn’t enjoy hearing it.

Nonsense. You are stunning.

I’d meant it when I’d said it to her earlier. Walking into her room, I’d almost stumbled, seeing her admiring that beautiful white gown in the mirror. I’d traced my tongue over every inchof that body already, and yet seeing her in this dress made my want for her burn even brighter.

Fuck. Focus, you asshole, I scolded myself. This wasn’t the time to be thinking of the things I wanted to do to her.

Luna walked out onto the dais, the white gossamer gown I’d given her somehow making every aspect of her pale skin and hair stand out. But those bright green eyes didn’t show one hint of fear.

Willow choked out a sob. “Oh, thank god.”

“Go talk to your sister,” I whispered into Luna’s ear. Her eyes connected with mine for a beat before she practically flew down the stairs, colliding into Willow’s arms for a hug.

As if it had been weeks that separated the two instead of less than a day.

I’d never had that relationship with my brother. It had always been tense between the two of us, mostly thanks to our father. He’d been more focused on pitting us against the other than brotherly bonding.

Gritting my teeth at the thought, I turned to him, but he was watching our females as closely as I had been.

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