Page 131 of Enchanted

I cried. The relief hit me all at once. That I’d found Ethan in time. He was safe. He knew the truth.

He’d accepted the mating bond.

“I love you,” I croaked, stroking the matted curls away from his forehead. “I love you, Ethan.”

“I love you too,” he whispered with a smile. I was right, that was all I needed to heal me. “I know it’s fast but…I do.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Damien stir. Shields of all colours snapped over Ethan, mine included. Ezekiel and Micah stepped towards Damien, but once again, I stopped them with a shake of my head. There was no risk to Ethan now, not with all of us protecting him and me physically between them.

There was no chance of Damien escaping, either. The demons exchanged a look before fanning out across the warehouse. Each of them covered an exit. Then, for good measure, a circle of flames erupted around us. The pride shining in Micah’s eyes told me Nox was responsible.

“How touching,” Damien wheezed as he sat up, a sardonic grin already on his lips. “But this will still end with Ethan choosing to leave with me.”

Fear rushed through the bond as Ethan paled.

“Don’t worry,” I said softly. “He’s not taking you anywhere, baby.”

Damien smirked. “I didn’t say I’d take him. I said he’d choose to leave with me.”

Dread joined the fear in my chest. I turned to stare at Ethan. “What’s he talking about?”

“I’m sorry,” Ethan said, tears welling in his eyes. “I don’t want to leave you, Rami, I don’t. But I have no choice.”

What the fuck?

Damien reached into his pocket. Noise filled the air as various supes drew weapons. Not that they were needed with our powers, but there were many supes in this warehouse who’d like the pleasure of seeing Damien bleed.

But when his hand emerged, it was only his phone he was holding.

Ethan gave a choked sob at the sight. He pushed my hands away, shakily getting to his feet. “Please. Don’t. I’ll go with you. Please. You don’t need to hurt anyone else; I’ll go.”

The pieces fell into place. I shot a quick look at Nate. He nodded, confirming all I needed to know.

Moving slowly, I drew Ethan back into my arms. He collapsed against my chest, and the searing pain through the bond was almost enough to send me to my knees. “Ethan.”

“I’m sorry,” he sobbed, turning and crumpling into me. “I don’t want to, Rami. I want to choose you. I’d always choose you. But I don’t have a choice.”

I chuckled, the sound making him lift his head in confusion. Gently touching his chin with one finger, I smiled. “A perk of being my mate means you always have a choice.”

Some of the fear ebbed away, confusion taking its place. “Wait, you don’t understand⁠—”

“No, he doesn’t.” Damien cut him off, arrogance practically dripping from his pores. “But that’s okay. He will. I hope you’re ready to be very busy, Ramiel. Although, I fear the damage will be too great for even your…talents.”

“Go ahead.” I jerked my chin at the phone, attempting to send reassurance down the bond to Ethan. Just in case that wasn’t working, I rubbed his arms with my hands. “Do your worst.”

Ethan suddenly whipped his head around and stared at Quill. There was a beat of surprise in the bond, and then my mate was smiling. I stared at the demon, wondering what the fuck had just happened, but his face was inscrutable.

“Have it your way,” Damien crooned. He tapped something on his phone and…

…nothing happened.

“Oh dear.” Nate snapped his fingers in a gosh-darnit-esque manner. “Don’t tell me your dastardly plan was reliant on technology? What a shame.”

For the first time, Damien let his anger show. “What have you done?”

Nate shrugged one shoulder. “Supernatural shields aren’t the only protection in place right now. Something told me we also needed to disrupt all phone networks in the area.”

He drew nearer to Damien, power crackling around his knuckles. “And unlike you, I always listen to my instincts.”