Page 134 of Bellamy

“Staring at the sea again?”

I smiled at Phoenix’s voice. “Always.”

He came to stand beside me, and his tail flicked against my leg. “I thought I’d feel differently when Asa died.”

“Howdoyou feel?” The question—more so, the anticipation of his answer—made me nervous for some reason.

“I feel nothing.” Wind ruffled his auburn hair, and he tilted his face to the cloudy sky. “Neither sadness nor relief. Just nothingness.”

“The way he died was kinda fucked-up,” I said. “But sometimes that’s the price you pay for playing a dangerous game like this one. Power brings out the worst in people.”

Phoenix slowly exhaled. “I hated Asa’s actions, but a part of me understood him. He was only eighteen when his soul was trapped inside the ring. So although thousands of years have passed, he still had the mind of an eighteen-year-old kid when he awoke. Spoiled, impulsive, naïve, and thinking the world owed him something. Kind of makes you wonder.”

“Wonder what?”

Phoenix met my gaze. “How different Asa would’ve been had Belphegor not taken him under his wing… and had I not been there to help his rise to power. Belphegor fueled Asa’s hatred and guided him exactly where he wanted him to go, and I encouraged it. Asa was a wicked bastard, but that’s all he’d ever known. Manipulation. Being a villain. Young minds are susceptible and easily influenced.”

“You think he would’ve joined us instead?”

“I doubt it,” Phoenix responded. “He hated Alastair too much. Was too jealous. I guess that was Envy’s influence. But maybe if he didn’t have Belphegor pushing him into this war, he wouldn’t have pursued it like he did. Or maybe nothing would’ve been different.” He slid an arm across my stomach and rested his head on my shoulder. “Do you think he somehow survived?”

“You’re the one who knew him best. Doyouthink it’s possible?”

Phoenix shrugged. “I think nothing is impossible when magic is involved.”

“Guess we’ll have to wait and see.” I turned my face into his hair. Woodsmoke and fallen leaves. His scent soothed my soul. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed an animal ate him though.”

Phoenix snorted.

“Nix?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you,” I said.

“For what? Being a sexy demon?”

I breathed out a laugh. “You saved Alastair. Twice. You risked your own life to bring him home. I knew you had some good in you.”

“Some dark hearts can be changed, at least a little. Because of you, I don’t want to destroy nearly as many people these days.”

I chuckled and kissed the top of his head. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Is that sarcasm I hear? Don’t make me bite you.”

“I’d like it.” I tipped his chin up, and as our eyes met, my heart stuttered in my chest. “Be mine.”

A puzzled expression crossed his face. “I already am yours.”

“Let me rephrase, then.” I cupped his cheek, loving the warmth of his skin beneath my palm. “Become my mate. I want to bind myself to you in every way I can. Heart, body, and soul.”

Never in a million years did I think I’d ever say those words to anyone. But they felt right.Hefelt right.

Phoenix’s lips parted as a breath escaped them. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

I leaned in, ghosting my mouth over his. “Say yes.”

“Are you asking me to marry you, sweet Bellamy?”