Page 36 of Mortal Desires

When Mami died, the powers transferred to us, but we were still little. Elisa believed that was Dad’s mistake. He never feared us, thinking our powers were too diluted because we were seven heirs and all under his supervision.

It worked for a while, and we grew under his thumb, but something incredible happened in our line.

Something that shouldn’t happen.

The only way to grow magic in a witch’s line was to collect more knowledge. Like an endless library. The first of our lines were regular humans who got their first book and learned from there. Then, the second, and so on. Each generation learned more about magic and grew their power. Other families grew, but they were forever behind.

What no one knew was that something happened to the seven of us, something no one could explain.

We grew powerful without knowledge.

Growing up, without studying magic because Dad controlled us, without even fully having control of the coven, magic stirred in each one of us.

Then Elisa took over and killed our dad, liberating us.

But we never figured out why we grew powerful. Sometimes I felt like the power was ours, coming from us specifically and not the family line.

We promised never to trust anyone but each other. The saddest thing about Mami’s death was thinking she died loving him.

The Morales women lived with a curse. We weren’t made to be wives. Partners weren’t trustworthy. It didn't matter what Marnie believed. She thought we could let our guard down and accept our soulmates.

If before it was easy for me to disregard, now seeing who my husband was, it was clear we were right on the assessment.

Vicious was a nightmare coming true.

“Well, that makes me feel better.” Penny nodded.

I shook my head, coming back to the present. “Sorry?”

“If he’s your soulmate, you’re fine. Right? I know you never wanted one but how cool is that? You have a soulmate! And he’s a god! You walk around with a crown now.” She nodded to the small golden crown resting over my curls.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, and we walked in silence for a little while longer.

“I think something is going to happen tomorrow.” I decided to warn her.

“What?” she asked, trying to walk in sync with me.

I cleared my throat. “Maybe you better not be there.”

“You’re my best friend.” She snorted. “I want a bouquet in my hand this time around.”

“Things are a little different for this ritual.”

I didn’t want to tell her about the obedience clause. Once I told her that, I’d have to tell her exactly what happened in the throne room at six o’clock, and I really didn’t want to tell her that.

Instead, I forged on. “It’s more visual than the last ceremony.”

“God, Pilar just spit it out.”

I groaned, but what could I do? It would be a shock for her. “We have to do something in front of everyone.”

“Like what?” She kept watching her own feet, distracted.

I stopped in my tracks, pulling her arm so she twirled and faced me.

“What?”

I said nothing, I just looked. It took a second of me pinning her with a look and then her expression morphed, she brought her hand over her mouth and I felt my cheeks reddening.

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