Page 46 of Payne's Envy

“Won’t be the first or last time we’ve had to piece it back together,” August added.

When I turned to walk out of the room, Dad asked, “Where are you going?”

“To take a nap before returning to work.”

Prudence gawked. “Like this?” She pointed toward the ceiling. “You’re going to leave Payne like that? What is he doing?”

“He’s bored with his father,” Melinda said as she strode into the kitchen. “And Joy is in here. He’s probably wondering why his mate hasn’t returned to his side.” Her eyes flickered over me, and I squirmed.

Instead of addressing the shaking of my parent’s home, I said, “I suggest weallrest and prepare. Who knows when Harvest will start attacking?”

Melinda arched one brow. “And Payne?”

I swallowed. “That’s not Payne.”

Melinda caught my wrist as I tried to exit and leaned into my ear. “Don’t abandon him now, Joy. Help him remember.”

How?

I couldn’t look at him when he didn’t recognize me as nothing more than a dragon’s mate. He didn’t remember me, himself, or anything about his life! And the most terrifying thought of all was, what if his memories never returned?

Apparently, Payne had turned me into a dragon shifter long ago. He hadn’t known, but the point was, I had lost all my memories of that time. I was supposed to believe he chose me, that he cared more than he ever showed. That Dad forced Payne away because of that. Unless I heard the truth from Payne, it was just others telling me how he felt.

“Come on.” August slapped Barron and Sebastian’s shoulders. “Let’s give Ryan a hand.”

When I exhaled, Melinda said, “I’ll walk with you to your room.”

I ignored Dad’s watchful gaze as I slipped out of the kitchen with Isabella’s coven leader.

“You’ve gained my parents’ trust,” I stated. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t let an outsider walk around their home so freely.”

Melinda lowered her head, so I almost missed her smile. “Well, I’m someone that knows what might happen in the future for their kids.”

I frowned. “How do you know so much about us in particular?”

“How could I not? You guys are the key to the end. The Devil’s curses, the marked mates, and Harvest unleashing the end. Everything’s in my head and the pieces keep falling into place.” She pursed her lips. “Only one thing remains unclear, and I feel like it might be the most important…”

“What’s unclear?”

“The marked mates. Why it’s so vital that you all find them. I can’t see what they must do yet. Maybe I never will. Maybe that’s for you seven to discover, like you’ve been finding your mates.”

A sharp pain pierced my chest at the mention of soulmates. Funny how I had the one thing I’d always wanted. Payne was my soulmate, and it hurt so much.

“It’s weird, don’t you think? The devil cursed us, but he’s given us something beautiful in return.”

Melinda scoffed. “The Devil can’t predict things. Besides, do you truly believe a mark makes a soulmate? That you can’t bond with someone without ties? So, what about before you knew about the marks? You loved Payne unconditionally. You just did.”

My face heated, and I looked ahead.

“I think love is powerful. And you know what else I think?” she asked.

“What?”

“I think the curses need that power.”

A laugh bubbled out of me before I could stop it. The entire time, I imaged Melinda as a stern, old witch who foretold things about my family. I saw she might be a hopeless, like-minded romantic.

She touched my shoulder, and I halted abruptly. “Payne needs that power, too, Joy. You’ve been giving it to him freely for so long. Don’t stop now.”

---