Page 55 of Wickedly Yours

“Then I’ll come back.” I didn’t foresee that happening, though. Already, I couldn’t imagine leaving him.

“Okay,” Willow agreed as we dropped hands, still staring out at the palace’s surroundings.

My skin prickled with recognition that could only be one thing, and a second later, Zain wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“There you two are,” he said. “We’ve been looking for you.”

Damien stepped to Willow’s side, and she relaxed into his touch.

“Hi,” Willow murmured before slipping an arm around his middle.

“We were just getting some air,” I shared. “It’s a little stuffy in there.” I tugged at one of the sleeves of my dress.

Zain chuckled. “They’re just fascinated by you, my bride. Give it time.” He kissed my cheek.

I sighed into his hold. “I know.”

He turned his attention to Damien and Willow. “Did you two enjoy the party?”

“Oh, yes,” Willow said, eyeing her empty glass of demon wine, her cheeks turning slightly pink. “It’s been lovely.”

“She smells like you now,” myfiancémused to his brother.

Willow’s cheeks flamed as Damien nuzzled his nose against her neck.“I had to keep the other demons away from my mate somehow.”

Zain looked down at me, humming slightly in response.If he’d expected me to be surprised at Willow and Damien’s newfound status, well, he would be wrong about that.

That didn’t mean I needed him to do the same to me.

“I can take care of myself,” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I stared out at the gardens. Couldn’t I? I had this magic in my veins. Once I learned how to use it, I could protect myself.

And go home.If I could protect myself, I wouldn’t need to be tied to him, stuck in this world that was so foreign and unlike my own.Right?

But why did the thought of leaving feel like splitting my heart in two?

Zain frowned at me, and Damien and Willow seemed to have some sort of mental conversation of their own, punctuated at the end by a verbal “I didn’t say that” from my sister.

I raised an eyebrow at her, but she just shook her head—exasperated.

It’s been a long night,Zain mused into my head.

I had to agree.A long day.

Willow shivered, resting her head against Damien’s chest. When she yawned, Damien scooped her up into his arms. “Come on, my mate. Let’s get you to bed.”

She nodded into his chest, giggling slightly.

“Goodnight, you two,” I said, offering my sister a smile.

Willow gave me a little wave. “Night.” She looked at Zain. “Don’t hurt my baby sister, or I’ll tear your heart out.” Her eyes turned to Damien and then back to Zain. “Or turn you into a cat. Might be just as effective.”

Her demon laughed. “I think you had too much demon wine, baby.”

“Uh-uh,” Willow argued, her eyes closing even as they walked away.

And then it was just the two of us.

Leaning my forearms against the railing, I looked out once again over the grounds. What would happen if I let my walls down? If, just for a moment, I let my power free.

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