Page 100 of Wicked Magik

I wrapped my arms around her and laid my skull on top of her head. “Please, my pet. For me? It would really make me happy.”

Her hands came up to rest on the arms that had wrapped around her body. “You are hard to say no to. You’re kinda cute.”

I wobbled my head back and forth, preening. “It helps to have a beautiful human by my side that loves me.”

“Just don’t break my heart, Oryx. It’s fragile.”

I turned my pet around and lifted her up into my arms. I pressed her head to my shoulder, and hoped she could smell my scent there the strongest. “I will always love my pet. You loved the monster first.”

Vesper’s lip wobbled as she whispered. “I know, Oryx. I have big feelings that I don’t even understand, and it scares me. Especially with Veylor. I love you so much and there is this strange feeling with Veylor… I want to hate him…”

Tears cascaded down her cheeks as I gently drew her back into my comforting embrace. My chin found its resting place atop her head, and I tenderly stroked her silky hair. “Shh, now. There is a reason for that. We can explain soon. I don't want you to worry anymore. You're not getting enough sleep, are you?"

She shook her head.

I've always slept in the same bed with Vesper, and that was no different since the attack. She has been plagued by nightmares, causing her to cry out in terror during the dark hours. Even withmy presence beside her she remains restless and haunted by the memories.

I cradled her gently against my chest, feeling a surge of strength as I held her close. With tender care, I guided her out the door and down the hallway to our room, the room that used to be mine. Inside, the air was thick with my scent, a comforting and familiar aroma that would keep her asleep.

“I will put you to sleep, just the way you like,” I chuckled.

Vesper playfully slapped my chest. “You looked in my mind. You were being naughty, so no, you cannot put me to sleep, you perv.”

I snorted a laugh and continued up the stairs.

Chapter 33

Veylor

Ileafed through the pages of yet another courting book, my fingers tracing the edges with a mix of impatience and frustration. Each page seemed to taunt me with its bold, imposing print, the letters almost jumping out to challenge my every glance.

Perfumes, scented sticks, gold, jewels, grand mansions, and seaside retreats—these were the ways to charm someone in a fae court, not in the human world. But when I encountered the middle-class fae, everything changed. They preferred simpler gestures, like handcrafted gifts, baskets, or trades involving the best sheep, cows, and other animals with the family. She didn'thave a father to negotiate for her hand, not that I would ever exchange her for livestock anyway.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and set the book down. From one of the upper shelves, another book drifted toward me. Still, I found no information on humans and their courtship rituals.

Even so, I have dug a hole so deep, it may take me decades to win her forgiveness. Who is to say these acts of courting would even help?

Do humans even court?

I snatched the book out of the air and tossed it onto the table. The pages fluttered under the influence of the magik in my hands, and I watched as it settled on a section about courtship gestures. However, it ended up on a page detailing goblin courting rituals instead.

They show their genitals.

I slam the book shut and run a hand down my face.

She’s already seen mine, it must not be that impressive to her.

I brought this upon myself, and now the Shadows are making me pay. Everything I've done in my life is atonement for my past actions. Should I have left things as they were? Should I have fled with Oryx years ago?

I placed my hands firmly on each side of the goblin tome. No, I wouldn't have gone through with it. Reflecting on it, I wanted to eliminate the selfishness of the courts, allowing the lower classes to live without being burdened by heavy taxes while the upper courts basked in unearned wealth and greed.

I’ll never forget seeing the starving faelings in the streets.

How the young faelings were being raised to be married off to older fae for enjoyment.

Now they are all happy, living peaceful lives.

Oryx and I had planned it together, to give freedom to them, to us. I choked back a snarl.