Page 132 of A Summoned Husband

“I am older than all of you combined.” I didn’t miss the way he warily looked at them.

“And?” Abuela shot him a look.

“And…” He cleared his throat when the look hit him the same way it did me. No one gave a look like Abuela… except maybe Gran. “We will come and eat.” He carried me over to the table, setting me in my chair.

My eyes moved over the group as they continued to chat. They laughed and joked between bites.

I just sat back and watched.

I watched as Abuela leaned her cheek on the top of Alicia’s head before she smoothed her baby hairs. Her eyes full of a love that felt all-consuming. Like it was the strongest force in the world and she wanted it right here with all of us. She ran a hand along the side of Alicia’s face before she cupped her chin and wiggled her face. She gave her a final scoop of rice before she moved on, holding the large stainless steel bowl on her hip. Imani shoved at Olivia before she tugged one of her curls. Olivia slapped her hand away but Sarika grabbed one from the other side and all three of them erupted into chuckles. Gran followed behind Catalina, serving coleslaw. Her eyes were beaming as she stopped between Asmodeus and who I could only assume was Arzen and touched a hand gently to Arzen’s horn before she tapped a finger under her chin.

Heat covered my hand and I looked at Asmodeus. He held my hand tightly, giving it a squeeze. A smile stretched over my face as his thumb traced slow circles in my skin.

I was married to a demon and everyone was filled with joy. This was it. The normal day — as close to normal as I would get now — I was afraid I would never have again. Surrounded by my favourite people.

Arzen looked at our hands before she lifted her eyes to meet mine. “So now I have a sister.”

My brows dropped. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Ah.” Asmodeus tilted his head toward her. “This is my older sister, Arzen.”

“The cavalry.” She grinned.

Asmodeus scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“Hey! Don’t roll your eyes at her.” Sarika snapped her fingers in the middle of the table, drawing his attention. “She was the cavalry. She came into wherever the hell we all were and defeated those shadow things, pulling us all out. She did that. So don’t you make it seem like she didn’t save every single one of our asses.”

“Thank you, Sarika.” Arzen winked.

My eyes met Alicia’s as her brows rose and a knowing smile touched her lips. Sarika had it bad! We both grinned, our eyes moving between them as a silent conversation happened between us.

Hey, I was married to a demon, so I wasn’t about to judge her taste.

“Well then, you should thank her, shouldn’t you, Asmodeus.” I squeezed his hand.

“Yes he should,” Sarika affirmed.

“Asmodeus.” I leaned into him, my shoulder nudging his arm.

He swallowed hard before he released a slow sigh and slapped his hand on the top of her shoulder. He squeezed, his smile soft. “Thank you, Arzen.”

Her eyes widened before they snapped to me. “A woman who can tame this brute? I like her.”

Laughter moved over the group as everyone filled their stomachs. The hearty scent of Gran’s cooking and stories was thick in the air.

A demon husband and sister. A battle against witches I fought alongside my girls, Gran, and Abuela and we won.

I wasn’t boring, single Eden anymore.

44

EDEN

The house felt too quiet after hours of laughter and stories. At around nine, Imani’s phone started ringing nonstop and she decided it was time to go home to her husband and kids. She loaded up the car with Gran and Abuela and the three of them drove back to the city. Alicia stared at me in that knowing way that told me we were going to talk about all this later before she and Olivia got in her car and they followed closely behind.

Tension built between Sarika and Arzen as they exchanged hooded glances before Arzen wrapped her tail around Sarika’s waist and offered to bring her home. With a wink and an excited grin, Sarika disappeared in the arms of a demon.

I stood in the mirror in my bathroom staring at my reflection as my electric scrubber whirred. My eyes kept dropping to my unmarred arms. It was bizarre to see them that way when I was sure they’d be riddled with scars while I was suspended there. Held captive by Valedictia. A witch.