Page 59 of Payne's Envy

I knew I spoke the truth because I felt it every time those memories chased after me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Deathraka

I matched Joy’s pace as we walked and didn’t question why we traveled on foot when we had so many other ways to reach the castle. With my wings, I could fly us, but my mate didn’t seem to enjoy being in her other form as much. I wasn’t sure how she felt about my other body, either.

Besides that, I also knew Joy could teleport to places. Yet there we were, walking side by side, as the monstrous trees loomed over us. They were big, beautiful, but unnatural in color. In fact, nothing in those woods appeared normal. The air was crisp, and my heart was at ease. It must have been a place I was fond of.

Blonde strands tumbled off Joy’s shoulder as she looked over and smiled sweetly. My heart gave a hugeBa-thumplike the organ might jump right out and throw itself into her hands because she owned it.

I glanced around once more, seeing it anew. Maybe it wasn’t the place as much as it was what lived in those strange woods. Joy belonged there, so of course my chest felt light.

Joy’s fist tightened at her side, then she released it. She caught me staring, and a blush hit her cheeks. It was like my insides were all jumbled. How was everything she did so precious? How did I get such a lovely mate?

I reached out and took her hand in mine. She studied our hands. I brought them to my lips and kissed her knuckles. It felt too good to touch her, so I leaned down and kissed her hair next.

She inhaled softly and then asked, “What are you doing?”

“I am starved for any contact… It’s been a while since I’ve had the freedom to do it,” I answered as I squeezed her hand. “And because you are my mate, and I can.”

Her smile waned.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know if I can get used to it,” she admitted. “You’re showing me so much attention after being guarded around me for so long.”

“There is nothing more I want to do than give you all my devotion.”

“You say that because you have amnesia,” she whispered.

I might not remember me, but the yearning for her never went away, even when she was right beside me. Such a strong desire every time I thought of my mate convinced me the feeling existed a long time. Everyone painted so many ugly versions of the old me—the man I loathed. How could he cause a rift with Joy? The longer I felt the past, the more I saw it, I wondered who really knew Payne.

Before I could say anything, a twig snapped. I stepped in front of Joy, tucking her against my back.

I breathed in a familiar smell. A piercing pain hit my head as I tried to differentiate whether it was a scent I smelled recently or one from the past.

“Show yourself. I know you’re there,” I said.

The dark-haired woman stepped out from behind a tree. The one who had been with the annoying man who claimed to be my father when I first woke up.

“Payne.” The woman’s eyes were warm and as much as I wanted to deny it, there was something familiar about them.

She took a step forward, then paused as if waiting for something. When I said nothing, her lips trembled, and she covered them quickly.

Joy grabbed my shoulder. “Payne, Molly, is your mom,” she whispered against my ear. “Please, don’t hurt her by being this way.”

I didn’t know how to act. Nor did I want to upset my mate. That woman’s face…

“It’s okay,” Payne’s mother blurted. “You don’t have to speak to me. I just wanted to see you.” She clasped her hands as she looked at Joy. “You’ll look after him, won’t you?”

I stiffened. “I’ll look after her. She is my mate. I’m going to protect her. Not her protect me.”

The woman’s shoulders drooped. Her sad gaze twisted my insides. When she blurred, I swayed and let go of my mate. I didn’t want to harm her as another memory pulled me under.

A blonde little girl fell before me. My lungs ceased as she cried. Joy was the clumsiest of her sisters, which was worrisome. Even Kitty, the one-year-old, was more capable than her slightly older sister.

“Joy!” I rushed forward and plucked her off the ground.

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