Page 44 of My Hexed Honeymoon

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” I say, even if it’s not the whole truth.

“Listen, we came all this way, taking three days for a journey that would’ve taken me one,” Riven snaps, their annoyance coming through loud and clear. “It’s time for you to do what you promised, or we’ll do what we promised and give you a war.”

I open my mouth to apologize for my weakness, but Diego is faster. “Do you think this is helping, bloodsucker? Take a walk.”

“But if?—”

“It wasn’t a question.” Diego’s muscles ripple beneath the surface, coiling up as if ready to strike, sharp canine teeth filling his elongated snout.

He’s transformed into a lethal amalgamation of man and beast, and despite the haughty lift of their chin, a hint of fear flickers through Riven’s expression.

What’s weird is I don’t even feel a blip, and my husband legit looks like a creature from nightmares.

If anything, I’m pissed—and a little hurt—at Riven. I thought we were kind of friends, or at least on the same team. They justshowed me I’m a means to an end, nothing more, and I wish it didn’t sting.

“I will still be within earshot this time, wolf,” Riven says, outwardly unruffled, but there’s a tick at the corner of their eye that suggests they’re already beginning to scheme ways around it. “As soon as she goes in—and she’d better go in—I’ll be back.”

“As soon as you leave, we’ll see about getting her inside.” Diego’s voice is gravelly, spoken through teeth that make it sound as though he’s gargling rocks. “But threaten my bride again, and you’ll have your war right here and now.”

They give Diego a long-suffering eyeroll and arch a threatening brow in my direction. Then they’re gone, my eyes unable to track their movements.

I wait a handful of seconds more, ensuring they’re really gone before turning in Diego’s arms to face him.

I expect irritation and anger.

Instead, he cups my cheek, his features morphing back to his human form.

I quite like this form, even if a little conflicted about letting him all the way in.

“Hey, it’s not a race,” he says. “We spentdaysgetting here, and you’re tired and dealing with a lot. Let’s get you centered and in control of your magic before you try again.”

For Hecate’s sake, if he goes and shows me patience, I’ll fall in love with him for real.

I nod, because I don’t know what else to do.

Firm hands grip the sides of my waist and spin me to face the sweeping forest below, stretching as far as I could see. Diego brings my back flush against his chest. A couple of stray hairs catch his whiskers as he looks at the view along with me, cheek-to-cheek. “It’s beautiful.”

“I always thought people were being dramatic or hyperbolic when they called something breathtaking, but damn.” My breath puffs out over the ravine, far freer than me.

“Will it help if I go all cheesy and say you’re the one taking my breath away?” he asks in a low voice next to my ear.

“Somehow, I doubt it.”

“Then I’ll keep it inside, but just know I mean it.” He brushes a kiss on my temple as he curls me tighter in his arms. “You’re gorgeous. All morning, I can’t stop staring at you.”

I smile, despite myself.

Despite the two of us and our bonkers situation. “There’s nobody I’d rather be here with, ears and tails and all.”

“There she is,” Diego whispers, with enough praise in his voice that my nipples tighten. “Where’s the girl who made an ax weave around trees?”

“Probably crying because she got ostracized after that,” I say, my mood dipping along with my inner magic.

“Okay, that’s fair, and totally on me.” Using his grip on me, I’m spun to face him once again, and if I’d known that was his intention, I might’ve dragged my feet more.

It’s too hard to think logically while looking at him and feeling all these tiny threads from my heart stitching their way to his.

“But we both know there’s more going on here,” Diego finishes, and damn him for being all insightful and probing and sexy. I honestly can’t decide whether to strangle him or kiss him.

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