“I made it myself.”
She slaps her hands on her cheeks. “You’re making your brand-new wife do her own cooking? You’d better get out of here, Eryx, before I take a paddle to your behind. You’re not too old for a spanking.”
“Yes, well, thank you, Darla.”
Eryx’s face is bright pink, and it might be the most adorable thing ever—to see the Nightmare King completely embarrassed.
His gaze flicks to me, and for a brief moment I think about what happened yesterday—our wedding, the magics mingling, the ecstasy.
For as infuriated as I was after, I look at Eryx now, being berated by Darla, who obviously cares about him, and I wonder how could I have ever thought that Eryx would coax my magic without my consent.
Because you don’t know him.
True. Valid. But watching him now—pink-cheeked and being scolded by someone who clearly loves him—he seems so genuine.
This isn't the Nightmare King from the rumors. This is a man who lets his cook threaten to spank him. A man who kept his door open all night so I wouldn't be scared. A man who pours my coffee carefully and asks,Tell me when.
A deeper part of me already knows him. My magic recognized his before I did. And maybe—just maybe—it's time I start trusting that.
“So, mistress,” Darla says to me. “What are you going to do with your first full day here in the Nightmare District?”
My gaze cuts to Eryx. “I don’t know. Guess I haven’t thought about it.”
“Look at you—you practically glow, and are those sparkles on your shoes? You know what?” She slaps her hands together excitedly. “Eryx, you should take her to the market.”
“The market?” I ask, curious.
“It’s just a market here.”
“Just a market,” Darla huffs. “Nothing about the Nightmare District is ‘just.’ Go on and take her, Eryx. Let your work sit for half a day. It won’t kill you to take a break from doing what you do with nightmares.” He cocks his head at her and Darla backtracks. “Okay, I get it. Mind my own business. But go have some fun, and when you get back, I’ll have lunch ready.”
Eryx places his cup of coffee on the counter. “You heard the lady. We’d better get going.”
“And take that shadow dog with you. But keep it away from Nancy—last thing we need is her ‘accidentally’ vacuuming up the mistress’s pet.”
Eryx
Chelsea looks like a walking flower in these dark streets.
She’s perfect.Nightmare sighs.Look how they stare. They’ve never seen anything like her.
Neither have I.
Echo runs alongside us, and every once in a while Chelsea glances over at the shadow, making sure it’s safe.
Don’t you dare tell her that nothing can kill Echo,Nightmare warns.I want Chelsea to keep worrying about that dog. It’s adorable. And then maybe we can watch a movie later, put our head in her lap, let her play with our hair. Let us kiss her.
It’s going to be a while before she lets us do that, thanks to you.
What? Her magic was pulling me. And admit it, you liked what happened when our magics combined. She grabbed our arm,Nightmare reminds me.Her nails dug in. She needed us to steady her. Do you remember how that felt? To be wanted and needed? She didn’t look at you and see a scary king. She looked at you and saw Eryx.
Don’t twist this.
Before I can hear what Nightmare says, Chelsea points to the town square, where rows of stalls are set up. “Is that the market?”
“That’s it.”
Her eyes widen with happiness, and my chest softens. “It looks amazing.”
