Page 1 of Eight Embers

Chapter One

Rush

“Motherfucker!”

“Hello, darling.”

“No. No, no, no. You don't get to smile at me like that. You fucking knew, didn't you? That whole thing was a big, fat, fake ruse to get me in bed so that I'd have to marry you.”

“Well, I mean, if you insist. You're being a bit pushy about it but alright, I accept.” Her grin is delicious, and I'm drinking in her anger. Naturally, I take a step towards her, intent on claiming my prize.

“Get that smarmy look off your face. No! Don't— get out! I rescind my invitation inside!”

I cock my head to the side and take yet another step forward. Then I laugh. “I might have lied about that working. I guess you're stuck with me.”

“Oh fuckyeah, let's go!” Adam cheers, but we can’t have anyone interrupting this moment.

Delaney whips her head to chastise him, only to witness him freezing midway through his sentence. “What the hell, Adam? Why are you—wait, what did you do to them?”

I froze them and maybe influenced them to like me a bit, but what's a little persuasion between brother mates? “Don't worry about them, darling, they’re fine. I thought we could use a little one-on-one time.”

Her face turns an alarming shade of red as she stalks towards me, actually making me fear for my life a little bit by the look on her face.

“You will undo whatever you just did. Right. This.Instant!”

“Aww, our first lovers quarrel! Look, I had a commemorative coin made just for this event.”

I summon it out of my pocket and pass it over, but she just stares at it, open mouthed. Guess romance really is dead up here.

“What the fuck is this?”

“Is this not working for me? Should I go the kidnapping route? I was sure you'd be excited to see me.”

“No. You do not get to pout, because that's just absurd. Yes or no; did you know about the marriage contract that weekend we met?”

“Well yes, obviously, but—”

“Then get out.”

I shrug. “Okay, if that's what you want.”

I walk out to the hall and sit, pulling out my harmonica so I can entertain myself.

It's not too long before she comes stomping after me, hands on hips, looking completely fuckable.

“Can I help you, darling? Are you ready for me to profess my literally undying love? We do have an eternity together, after all.”

“I don't know why the fuck I keep getting all the crazy ones? I need you to come inside and unfreeze everybody, please.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure. What was your goal? Freeze all of them so that they’re out of the way? Newsflash: already claimed all of them. They’re not going anywhere.”

“Surely, they have to go somewhere at some point. They have classes and jobs and other things to go to on occasion, yes?”

“Oh my gods, that is not what I meant. You know what? Can you please just fix them?”

“Alright, you said please.” I stand and get into the doorway, waving my hand to unfreeze everybody. Immediately, the annoying witch I stopped starts shrieking, hands up and on the defensive.

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