Page 14 of Dewitched

“That’s the one. And no, he doesn’t have three heads. Also, don’t call him a god. He hates it.”

His train of thought instantly derailed. The gods existed, too? He’d always thought that was just something people said. Even he had been known to use “by the gods” or similar. It had never meant anything, though.

Until now.

“Fenix!” Princess Iliana bounced up from her seat with a warm smile. “Oh, and who is this?”

Her gaze slid past him to Owen, and her eyes sparkled with a curious gleam. If she found his presence intrusive or even odd, she did a good job of hiding it. Her smile never wavered, and he couldn’t help but respond to the infectiousness of it.

“My name is Owen Zhas, Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet you.”

He didn’t know if he should bow or not. Damn, he really should have asked before making it this far. In the end, he settled for a deep, respectful nod.

“I like him,” she declared, loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. Then she addressed him again directly. “Are you here for the festival?”

“I am.”

“Princess, this is my mate.”

Owen sagged in relief when Fenix finally spoke up. Thank the…gods. Damn, that felt so strange now.

“Congratulations!” She clasped her hands together under her chin and rocked up on her toes. “That’s wonderful! Welcome to the family.”

She said the right things with the right inflection, but she honestly didn’t appear that surprised by the news.

“Princess, now that I’ve found my mate,” Fenix began, only to be cut off.

“No.” Her demeanor changed in an instant, and she folded her arms across her chest.

His mate pushed forward, undeterred. “It’s only appropriate that I resign my position.”

“I don’t accept your resignation.”

“Princess—”

“No.”

Owen couldn’t be entirely certain, but sounded like Fenix might be trying to quit his job. Because of him.

“Holy cow!” Arlo exclaimed, either unaware or unbothered by the sudden tension. “You’re mated to a Guardian?” Popping to his feet, he hurried over but stopped a few feet away. “Looks like your luck is changing. Congratulations.”

“Uh, thanks.” While he appreciated the support, it didn’t seem proper to celebrate until he figure out what had just happened. He returned his attention to Fenix. “Why do you have to resign?”

“He doesn’t,” Iliana interjected.

Ignoring her, Fenix answered in a calm, level voice. “A Guardian can’t have divided loyalties. If I had to choose between saving the princess and saving my mate, you would win. Every time.”

Well, that was intense. Sweet, but intense. Also, he didn’t understand why it had to be a choice.

“What if I just don’t go with you when you travel?”

It seemed like the logical solution to him, but he could tell from the look on the shifter’s face that he’d said something wrong.

“What if something happened to you while I was away?” Fenix countered. “I would leave Princess Iliana and return without hesitation.”

“As it should be. You seem to forget that you are not my only Guardian.” Iliana scoffed. “You leave to go to your mate, or you leave permanently. What’s the difference?”

“Someone will replace me.”

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