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“Okay,” I tell him. “So let’s go.”

That same recklessness is spurring me on, only this time I’m aware it’s in defiance of the good sense that should make me listen to his hesitation. I’m trying to ignore it, trying to press on despite it, but my new husband isn’t going to let it go so easily.

Eren curls a hand around my cheek, the tips of his claws just grazing against my jawline. “You don’t fear what comes next?”

His question draws me up short.

Do I fear him? No, I don’t think I do. I’m still pretty sure it’s going to take me some time to get used to the sheer physical presence of him, but he’s given me every sign that he won’t hurt me.

And the darker part of me? The darker part of me is already humming with sensual anticipation of what my demon will do to me when we walk into his world.

Do I fear what waits for me in the demon realm? Aside from Eren, yes, I absolutely do. I fear my magick won’t be enough to stop whatever’s happening with the bargain and the Veil. I fear I’ll be a disappointment not only to my mother and my entire coven, but to both our realms. I don’t understand why I was chosen, and whether I can ever hope to be enough.

But all of that’s still abstract, remote, and I refuse to let myself focus on it. The Goddess brought us together for a reason, and I have to at least trust enough to see it through.

“I don’t fear you, Eren.”

A tender stroke of his hand against my face. “What do you fear, Allie?”

“I’ll tell you some other time,” I say, reaching up to echo his touch as I lay a hand against his cheek. “Let’s not worry about it right now.”

This is insanity. All of it.

An hour ago, I was counting down the minutes until I could flee back to my average, everyday life. Now? Now I’m ready to walk hand in hand with a demon king to the realm that will be my new home. I trust this demon king to see to my welfare. I’m attracted—impossibly, undeniably attracted—to this male and ready to know exactly how a demon claims his witch.

“Alright,” Eren says, seeming to settle into his decision as we both pull reluctantly away. “Alright. But you’ll let me lead you through.”

“Lead the way, your majesty.”

His lips quirk up at the honorific. “Your majesty?”

“Is that not the right term?”

“I prefer Sir.”

Damn, this demon already knows how to push my buttons.

“Hmmm,” I murmur. “I’ll consider it.”

Eren rounds on me, a delicious spark in his eye. “As High King of the demon realm, there are many things I could do to compel your compliance.”

“Such as?” I ask, unable to stop myself.

The dark sexual promise in his smile is an almost-tangible thing. Eren brings one hand to my lower back, the other to the base of my skull, winding into my hair. When he applies pressure to both, tugging me to him until every inch of my body is pressed against his, that smile deepens to something sinful and wicked. His wings flex and spread behind him, unfurling toward the sky in an unmistakable reminder of just how inhuman he is.

“I could tie you up,” he whispers against my jaw, one fang pressing lightly where my pulse races beneath my skin. “I could bring you right to the edge, again and again, until you were crying and begging for release. I could hold your pleasure in the palm of my hand until I had you pliant and willing to do absolutely anything for it. Yes, then I think you’d have no problem calling me Sir.”

The fact that I’m not a melted puddle on the floor is incomprehensible.

Eren, not one to sacrifice his advantage, pushes harder. “Would you like that, little witch? Would you like me controlling your pleasure, telling you exactly when you get to come?”

“I think we should head through that portal.” My words are choked, desperate, and draw a satisfied chuckle from him.

“Of course,yourmajesty, whatever you like.”

And just like that, I’m reminded again exactly who and what I married. What that marriage now makesme. It’s enough to settle me down a little as we step closer to the Veil, and the sight of that shimmering, cloudy magick within is even more reason to keep it in my pants.

Well, at least until we’re in the demon realm, and right now there’s a swirling, fathomless void between here and there.