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I turn back to them.

“I want both of you to leave.”

Mother stares at me.

“You can't be serious.”

“I've never been more serious.”

“We are your family.”

“No. You're people I'm related to.”

That one hurts. I won't pretend it doesn't. Some small, stupid part of me still wants my mother to look horrified.

To apologize.

To say she loves me.

She doesn't. She looks angry. And somehow, that's the answer I need.

“You will regret this.”

“Maybe.”

I straighten.

“But it'll be my regret.”

Her gaze snaps toward Damian.

“This is him. He's influencing you.”

“No.”

“You can't take a Devil as a mate!”

Something inside me goes very, very still. Beside me, Damian does too. My mother continues.

“Whatever he has done to you can be undone. Once we get you home, we can⁠—”

“Well, Mother.”

My voice comes out strangely calm.

“I have.”

She blinks.

“What?”

“I've taken a Devil as my mate.”

The words ring through me. Damian's head turns. I feel his shock through the bond. Then something so enormous and joyful slams into me that my breath catches.

Mate.

I chose that word.