Page 20 of Mortal Desires

Penny grabbed my arm and squeezed, dragging me as far as possible from Vicious.

“What the hell!” I yelped. “We can touch for five seconds and you’re already leaving me with bruises?”

“What do you mean by getting married?”

I sighed, moving my arm out of her reach. “I’m a witch who can talk to the dead and he’s…” I twisted my nose, unwilling to repeat that dramatic speech about being death itself.

“He's a seven-foot tall, goat-legged, curled horned god?”

“We don’t know he’s a god.” I narrowed my eyes, sure that the title was too much for the creature.

“We know he’s not human.” Penny looked over my shoulder, taking in Vicious’ form before visibly shivering. “Why would—”

The question died on her tongue, and I arched an eyebrow when she remained silent.

“Why would what?” I asked.

“Is he your soulmate?” she whispered.

My eyes widened, and I looked back at Vicious, his sardonic smile making me angrier.

I shook my head. “He’s just my husband-to-be.”

“I don’t get it, then.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. If I was honest with myself and the events that led me here, it was obvious Vicious was the one prophesied to meet me last night.

Actually, he fit the bill perfectly. I met him while wearing Abuela’s ring, he was mean and hated my guts. Yeah, it sounded like the Morales’ curse was stronger than ever.

“If he’s not your soulmate, why are you marrying him?”

I didn’t want a soulmate, a husband, or a partner. Marnie’s words were maldición, even if we never said it in front of her. And Vicious in my life was the biggest curse someone could wish on me. But all that didn’t matter because fate always finds a way to get to you. So I shrugged and told Penny the truth.

“Marnie told us we would meet our soulmates during All Hallows’ Eve.”

“All of you?” she widened her eyes. I guessed she missed this part when she was glitching away.

I nodded. “Yeah. All of us.” And trying to distance myself from the soulmate conversation, I forced a smile on my lips. “Will you be my maid of honor?”

Penny jumped into me, hugging my neck. “YES! God, it’s so weird hugging you.”

I chuckled and circled her waist with my arms. “You’re sweet.”

“Witch,” he called from the throne, everyone stopped what they were doing.

I stepped back from Penny and flashed my future husband a look. “Yes?”

“It’s time.”

Penny gripped my arm again. “Would you tell me if something was wrong here?”

I couldn’t believe she looked so solid. I couldn’t believe we could hug and be in the same place. For a second, it didn’t matter how we ended up here. I was just grateful to have Penny with me, if I couldn’t have my sisters.

“Just be there for me,” I whispered before turning away and heading toward Vicious.

He barked orders to everyone. They scampered to find their places like a dance they rehearsed many times before. Olivia came over, thrusting a bouquet of night-blooming jasmine in my hands. I laughed at the small flowers.

“Found something amusing?” Vicious wanted to know.

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