Page 36 of My Hexed Honeymoon

Not sure when I became a royal We, but I have too many other problems to address that particular one at the moment.

Unfortunately, I do need my sight for proper application, so I pivot around, facing the opposite of the tent and the man placing sleeping bags inside it. Nudging off my shoes with my toes and then ridding my feet of my socks, I gather up my pain-relieving concoction and slather away.

“Ahhh.”It comes out unbidden, almost braggy. But my feet feel good for the first time in hours, so I stand by any sounds I make.

Diego’s head jerks up, my warning that Riven will come blasting into camp in three…

Two…

Logs clatter together as Riven drops them in a pile.

I appreciate how careful they are, minding the vegetation as they clear a space big enough for a small fire.

Day three of being on this journey means this is starting to feel normal, although normal typically means shitty for me.

All the silence between us means my brain is extra busy with everything we’re not saying. I don’t know what I’d do without Riven to break up the monotony. They’ve provided most of the commentary, as it feels like Diego and I are in the middle of a marital spat with no resolution.

Back at the compound, he’d instructed me to wait outside their werewolf chambers while they discussed what to do aboutmymagic and whetherIshould even go on the journey with Riven.

“It’s pack business,” my irritatingly handsome husband said, attempting to usher me out of the room.

A few weeks ago, I probably would’ve accepted that. I would’ve just done as he wished and slunk off to await the big bad alpha’s decisions.

But three nights ago, when I hadn’t been hiking from morning to evening for days on end, I’d had enough of everyone ordering me around and telling me how my life was going to go.

I dug in my heels and spun around, finding my voice for long enough to let it really ring through the room. “This mission involves me, whether any of you like it or not. More than that, it centers around me and my ability to navigate the Hollow.”

I’d held Diego’s gaze for a beat, ignoring the gold in his eyes and setting my jaw. “As the mate of the alpha of the Bridgewater Pack, I also get a say. I’m staying.”

The werewolf council all blinked at me like I’d declared myself the Queen of England, but nobody said another word about me leaving the meeting after that.

“We’d be fools to trust Riven,” Nissa had said, hugging her pregnant belly protectively. “If this is a setup, we’re not only putting the alpha’s mate in danger, but the safety of the entire pack.”

After everything else I’ve been called, I supposeAlpha’s matewasn’t the worst—hell, I’d used it to get my way only moments before. But the coldness that rang through it, contrasted with Nissa’s tangible fear for her loved ones, served as a slicing reminder that I was the outsider.

It gave me more in common with Riven than my husband, though I didn’t entirely trust them, either. Vampires were manipulative as it is, but the badass clapping over their own fire-starting skills was cocksure and effortlessly charming.

Red flags for sure.

“What is it, little witch?” They dance a bit closer, swirling tendrils of campfire smoke and its oak and pine scent through the air. “You’ve obviously got a lot going on in that gorgeous brain of yours, and I’d really like to get inside it sometime.”

I shake my head, not rising to the bait. “Nothing I’d like to share with you, you silver-tongued flirt. You’re not invited in, so this is as close as you’re getting.”

Riven’s grin widens, their perpetually cheery mood never once hindered during two grueling days of hiking. They cross one leg over the other and float into a seated lotus position. “Do you sense how strong the magic is here? Feel it nipping at your skin?”

They shiver, and a full-body, can’t-repress-my-joy shudder goes through me as well.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” they say, and Diego storms through the middle of us.

“Do you ever get sick of the sound of your own voice? Goddamn.”

“No I don’t, but thank you for asking,” Riven responds cheerily, tempting their fate by batting their eyes. Their ultra-blue eyes flick to me. “Somebody’s surly after setting up camp. Care to go catch us dinner? I’ll keep your mate nice and warm.”

Diego whirls around and full-on roars, to the point I pop to my feet in case I need to play referee.

Riven remains unfazed. “This is what happens when you let all that sexual tension build up. The bond needs feeding, you know. As I’ve expressed before, I don’t sleep, but I’ll wander extra far tonight to give you newlyweds your space.” They slowly unfold themselves, rising as easily as they sat. “I suggest you use it.”

Without waiting for our response, they blur into a rush of color and swish of shrubbery.

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