Page 41 of Hexed, Vexed, & Undersexed

I take the proffered chain, wondering what Kai is up to when he grabs my other hand and says, “I take your hands in mine and with this chain I will entwine; my powers I will forever bind, from now until the end of time.”

The chain shimmers and I feel the same tingle of magic skitter down my spine that I felt during the first trial; only this time, it doesn’t dissipate.

“What did you do?” I whisper in horror.

“I gave you your birthright,” Kai answers.

Suddenly, Gram appears with a bottle of champagne. She pops the top and the bubbly liquid sprays everywhere as she yells, “Congratulations!”

“Someone’s excited about you getting magic,” Preston jokes.

Gram-Gram rolls her eyes.

“I’m not celebrating her acquisition of magic—although that is wonderful, child.”

“Then what are you celebrating?” I ask in trepidation.

“Your bonding to Kai—your new mate!”

My mouth drops open at her announcement.

Why did I even ask?

Bonded.

To a fucking stranger.

My ovaries may be dried up old ninnies, but there is no way in hell that they agreed to a mate.

Says who, bitch,they seem to challenge.

Shut up you hussies! You've already gotten us into enough trouble.

"I'll certainly take some of that," Preston exclaims in relief, taking a glass of the champagne Gram poured while I stand in a stunned astonishment.

Kai wears a smug expression, also accepting a glass—though probably not for the same reason as Preston.

Poor guy, he’s been chucked into the deep end of the cauldron.

Looks like we’re both drowning in this shit potion called life.

"I can't. . ." I trail off, struggling to come up with a response. "You fucking. . ."

"I would love to fuck you—glad you noticed," Kai taunts smoothly.

Glaring, I try to tamper down on the excitement that seems to war with my shock.

"Don't talk about her like she's a piece of meat," Preston snaps. "That's what fucking Bellamy does."

"Fucking Putnams," Gram mutters under her breath before thrusting a glass in my hand. "Celebrate, for goddess sake."

"Celebrate? I've just been mated to a stranger!" I finally exclaim.

"You're welcome," Gram-Gram deadpans for what seems like the hundredth time since I got back to the house.

Taking a deep breath, I let everything inside of me settle. I was angry and upset, at first, but now. . . I’m not.

I’m more at ease with the idea, but still pissed. It’s an odd combination to feel but nothing some booze can’t fix. I chug the champagne in my glass. As soon as it’s empty, I snatch the half-empty bottle from my gram-gram and storm out of the room.