Page 50 of Wickedly Yours

Maybe.

“Well?”I said, sensing that the other couple was having an internal debate of their own.

What were the odds of it, anyway? That the fates would choose two sisters for two brothers. Even ones as wicked as ourselves.

Willow’s face smoothed out into a pleasant smile, even as Damien looked over at her in concern. “We’d love to attend your ball,PrinceZain.”

I could feel my face flattening out into a thin smile. “Brother?”

“Of course. Whatever Willow wants,” he promised, his eyes flaring with possession when he looked at her, a smile curving over his canines. “I live to fulfill her every wish.”

Whipped already, brother?I smirked.

He just stared back at me as if resisting rolling his eyes.

“We’ll see you tonight then,” I offered, flicking my eyes over to my bride-to-be.She hadn’t let our hands drop, and I found that reassuring.

Willow and Damien left the room, though I saw the concern flash through their faces as they looked at us before finally exiting.

His rooms had been untouched in the months that he’d been away, but I was suddenly glad they were on a completely different floor than ours.

Neither one of us said a word as I teleported us back.

I shouldhave been getting ready for tonight—for presenting Luna in front of my people for the first time or helping prepare her for what she’d face tonight—but I was doing none of those things. Instead, I stood below the dais as my father sat on the throne—mythrone.

“You summoned me?” I bared my teeth, a low growl emitting from my throat. “What are you doing here?” I hadn’t seen him as much as lift a finger in years. Yet that immense power he wielded kept the rest of us in check.

How did you defeat someone who had an endless pool of strength?

He picked a piece of lint off his jacket like he couldn’t be bothered. “What do you mean,son?It’s my crown, is it not?”

For now.I gritted my teeth, biting back my retort.So much good you’ve been doing, huh?When I was younger, I would have said it. Would have taken my punishment lying down for speaking against him. But now—I was older. Wiser. At least, I liked to think I was.

Maybe I was still the same boy who would take a beating in order for him to leave my brother alone. It had never been just me I had to worry about.

And now… Luna was here. No matter what, I had to protect her. Especially when she would be my wife soon.

“Of course.” I dipped my head in silent acknowledgment. “What do you need,father?”

“I heard you’re getting married.”

“I am.” Folding my arms behind my back, I tried to take a stance of casual indifference. Not wanting him to pry further, to even think about touching her.

“Hmm.”

“What.” My response wasn’t a question but a biting retort.

“Do you think they will accept her? A weak, trembling queen?”

Luna was so many things—but she wasn’tweak. I’d known that since the first night we spent together, laid out on the grass. She’d survived. Persevered. Sought the life she wanted.

And you took her away from that, I reminded myself. Fates, I didn’t deserve her. She deserved better than this. Better than me.

“As opposed to a demon king who hides in his palace, forcing his sons to do his dirty work? To bring down any lords who disobey you while you lead a life of debauchery?” I shook my head. “She will be my queen, father. They will come to know her as I have, and the demons will celebrate our union.”

Darkness clouded his eyes, and the room grew colder, shadows rolling over us like a fog. “You think you’re safe because the fates foretold you’d marry a powerful witch?” He chuckled, but the sound wasn’t light. It was a thinly veiled threat. “Don’t forget where you come from,son.”

“As if you would let me forget.” A lightning bolt struck outside, rattling the glass.

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