AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I chew on my bottom lip, not knowing what to say. I can feel how much he believes the words. The faith that Devin has in me makes my stomach muscles clench. I lean my head on his chest, reveling in the feel of him.
“What are you thinking?” Devin slows his pace as we approach the beach house.
“Just how safe I feel with you.”
He grins. “You’re not worried that I’ll drop you.”
I feel of his bicep and shake my head. “Nah, you’re strong. Besides, I didn’t just mean safe right now.”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
I take a deep breath before responding. “I’ve never felt safe before. My whole life, I’ve tried to be invisible. I didn’t want my dad or my brothers to notice me. I knew that if anybody found out what I could do, I would die. So I cowered in fear and I pretended to be weak. I never let anybody see the real me. But with you, I don’t have to hide who I am. I don’t have to worry about you killing me because I’m too strong. You love and accept me for who I am.”
Devin tightens his grip on me. “I promise that you’re always safe with me. Nobody will ever dare lay a hand on you. And if anybody tries to hurt you, I will kill them to protect you.”
My heart swells as I feel the weight of his promise.
Nobody will ever hurt me—not since Devin is my soulmate. Who would dare go up against an alpha? My father is foolish to even try. He doesn’t stand a chance.
My stomach aches as I think about the future. Once my father is gone, it’s up to me to lead the dark fae. Am I really up to the challenge?
“Your eyes are orange. What are you thinking about that has you anxious?” Devin frowns as he studies my eyes.
“Just about the dark fae. How can I rule them? And should I even do it? Or should I let Nico be king? He would take good care of everybody.” I glance into Devin’s green eyes. “I worry that I’m not going to be a good leader.”
“I worry about the same thing,” Devin admits. He stops before walking onto the porch. He still doesn’t move to put me down. “But I think the fact that you’re worried about not being good enough proves that you are.”
“Maybe.”
Devin puts me down on the ground, but he doesn’t back away from me. “No matter what you decide, I will stand behind you. I’m sure Nico would make a great leader but don’t make your decision out of fear. Like I told you, you’re the strongest supernatural that I know. If anybody can handle leading the dark fae, it’s you.”
With his words, all the anxiety leaves me.
I sigh, leaning closer to him.
No matter what, I can handle anything that comes my way. How could I not with Devin by my side?
What do you want to do?
Dawson and Winter stay long enough to eat, and then they ditch us. I can’t blame them for wanting to be alone. I know enough about mates to know that the wedding is only part of the process of completing a mate bond.
Devin and I won’t be so lucky. Since we’re having a large wedding, we’ll also be having a reception afterward where we’ll have to socialize with a bunch of alphas and other rules. I’d much prefer to have a small ceremony with only family and maybe a few friends.
“Do you think Nico will get to be at our wedding?” I ask Devin.
“Of course,” he answers, gently stroking my hair.
We’re out back, on the porch swing. I’m lying down with my head on Devin’s lap. The day has been long and I’m tired even though it’s nowhere near time for bed.
“Does that mean King Hastings will be taken care of before our wedding?”
His hand freezes. “I don’t know. I’m not sure. I hope that everything is taken care of before then. Our wedding is still a month away. But I suppose I can’t promise that he’ll be there.”
My chest aches.
I want my brother to be at my wedding.
“If my father is taken care of by then, and if I decide to take over as queen, I suppose that means we’ll have to invite some dark fae to our wedding too.” I look into Devin’s eyes, trying to gauge his reaction.
