Page 92 of Demon's Bride

All around us, night is falling softly. The sky is painted with lavenders and oranges above the dark canopy of trees. It’s warmer tonight than it was during the Tithe, but the whole scene is so reminiscent that I have to pause for a moment to study my wife.

I’m struck with the same feeling I had on the night I met her. She’s still so much a mystery to me, my mate. I wish she wasn’t. Wherever we go from here, whatever happens, we’ll need to trust each other completely.

“Should we go, then?” she asks, nodding toward the Veil.

When I don’t answer, she takes a few steps toward it. My stomach drops, and I reach out to catch her wrist in my hand.

“Allie,” I say, hesitating.

I’m not entirely sure what I mean to do, why I try to stop her. My feelings for her and my hopes forushave not changed.

So what has?

She turns back to me with fires blazing in her eyes. “Don’t start doubting me. I chose you today, Eren, and I meant it.”

My heart constricts painfully in my chest. I open my mouth to speak, but Allie’s not finished. She takes a step closer and reaches up to cup my face between her hands.

“I’m coming with you to the demon realm. I’m going to find out whatever I can from this grimoire and do everything I can to prevent my mother and the rest of the coven from having to seal the Veil. And even if we don’t find the answer, I’m not leaving you.”

“But—”

“No buts,” she says with a sharp shake of her head. “You want me, don’t you? You want to keep me with you?”

“Yes,” I say on a growl, the feral, animal part of me affronted she would even ask.

“Good. Then take me home.”

Home. Home to my realm. Home to danger and struggle and trouble that she never asked for, to threats that I may not be able to protect her from.

I chose you today, Eren, and I meant it.

I have to trust her. I have to trust my witch, my wife, my mate.

Despite those flames in her eyes, there’s also a hint of uncertainty and fear. She’s putting on a brave face. For me? Because of the time she’s spent with her mother? I don’t know, but I’m not going to question it now.

Scooping her in my arms and striding into the Veil, I silently vow that I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she never regrets her choice today.

Chapter 33

Eren

My witch is exhausted.

As soon as we step back into the demon realm and I set her down so she can get her bearings, she wavers a little on her feet. I catch both her elbows and draw her back against my body.

“I’m alright,” she says, making a move to step out of my arms.

I only hold her tighter.

“Eren,” she protests. “I’m serious. I’m alright, just a little off balance from coming through the Veil.”

I’m not convinced. “Really? That’s all? It has nothing to do with the fact that you took so much onto your shoulders today? With the grimoire? With your mother?”

She shoots me a black look over her shoulder, still hanging on to that streak of stubborn self-reliance.

Allie’s had her run of me today, and I’ve been content to follow her lead. Well. Maybe not content, per se, but accepting at the very least. Now it’s my turn to have my way.

“If you insist on breaking yourself against this problem again and again, then you have to let me be there to pick up your pieces.”

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