by C. M. Owens
“He’s in Connecticut right now talking with your mom,” he murmurs. “He’s been calling Persia nonstop, but she won’t tell him where you are either. He’d be super pissed if he knew we’ve all been talking to you.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk to me. I don’t want you to have any problems because of me,” I guiltily reply.
“I didn’t say that. I don’t care if he gets mad or not. You’re my friend too, and I’ll be damned if he gets us in the divorce,” he chuckles out, and then it shifts into a sudden uncomfortable silence. “That was a terrible joke,” he mumbles. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. I would laugh, but I sent him the annulment papers two days ago,” I explain.
“Oh. Hell. He hasn’t told me about that,” he gasps.
“I figured a normal marriage deserved a normal end. I can’t be someone’s wife when I’ve seen their lips on another woman’s. Please tell me he’s not going to the wedding,” I sigh.
“He’ll be there. He’s paying for your brother’s honeymoon, and he bought Jane a new car just to make sure they didn’t leave him off the guest list. He’s pretty determined to see you.”
“I can’t believe this. How am I going to keep him away from me in such a closed in area?” I huff.
“He’s not going to cause a scene in front of so many mortals,” he assures.
“You saw him on the beach.”
“Yeah, I did. There was hell to pay for us all that day,” Hale sighs. “But he’s had four months to calm down. I’m sure he can be civil. He looks like hell, and I’m sure it would do him some good to get out for more than harpie killing,” he adds.
“You’re still having issues with them?”
“They’re popping up more and more. It’s weird. There’re usually not so many, but don’t worry about it. We’ve got it under control. I suppose I’ll see you at the wedding,” he chimes with a worrisome tone.
“I suppose I have no choice. I can’t miss my brother’s wedding.”
I put the phone away and grip my aching head. How can I make it through a whole wedding with Devin there?
Jace walks in smelling horrific. I start laughing ridiculously hard while holding my nose.
“Oh good grief. What’s that smell?”
He glares at me with exhaustion. “Skunk,” he mumbles.
“What the hell? Why have you been playing with skunks?” I chuckle.
“Camara said it would help neutralize your delicious smell, and we have five hours to hop on a jet and make it to the wedding. You need to mix this with a drink, and I hope you have better luck than I did,” he gripes while handing me a vial of skunk juice.
“Why didn’t you get Camara’s help?” I giggle out.
“Oh, I asked for it, and instead of one skunk spraying me, there were twenty. I told you she didn’t like me,” he gripes in a sulking tone.
I laugh even harder, and he pulls his shirt off to throw it in the trash.
“I’m going to go take a shower… or ten,” he growls.
I laugh a little more while pouring out the contents from the vile vial into my blender. I turn my nose up as I mesh the fruity drink with the skunk spray, and I hold my breath while I gulp it down.
I almost throw up, but I manage to chug the rest of it.
Pulling out the ice cream, I sigh and then walk over to turn on the news while I wait for Jace to clean up. I laugh a little as I think of how crazy we’ll smell walking in together.
The news takes away my moment of carefree thoughts, and I frown as I see the evidence of a tsunami in a small island town. Devin has been stalking harpies and me.
I walk back to the kitchen to add a new ingredient to my ice cream, and I wonder if I should question my sanity. Jace walks down while drying his hair, and he smells like he was dropped in a tub of cologne.
“Over compensating?” I chuckle out.
“What the hell are you eating?” he asks in surprised disgust while ignoring my teasing question.
“Don’t ask,” I grumble.
“Is that pickled herring and ice cream?” he gasps.
“Please don’t say it out loud. Apparently my misery needed an extra dose of disgusting today.”
“We need to get going. It’s a long flight, and we’ll barely have time to get you in your bridesmaid dress,” he seduces.
“I’ve got it with me. I had Jane mail it to me a few days ago, and it’s ready to be thrown on just before I walk in. Devin’s going to be there,” I murmur.
“Camara told me. She thinks you two will get back together at the wedding. She didn’t know about the annulment papers,” he answers hesitantly.
“Apparently he didn’t tell anyone,” I grumble.
“I’ll keep him away,” he menaces.
“Please don’t start a fight at the wedding,” I plead. “How long will this skunk stuff work?”
“She said you’d have about seven hours if her calculations are right,” he answers.
“I should have saved it until just before the wedding then,” I sigh.
“Don’t look at me. Next time you get your own skunk juice,” he chuckles out.
I laugh a little, and he takes my hand to lead me out the door. I feel the nervous knots growing in my stomach as we flash over to the jet in the back yard landing strip.
Persia’s Phoenix home has been perfect for hiding from Devin. She and Kahl have been out looking for answers. They’ve been desperate to bring me solace, but they’re not going to find anything.
What Devin did wasn’t provoked by powers or divinity. It was a normal man being too terrified of commitment.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Jace asks as we pull up to the inn.
“No, but I’ve got to do it. Just don’t let me cry,” I almost whimper.
“I’ll do my best,” he promises, and he takes my hand again as we walk into the inn where my old life will collide with my hidden misery.
“Adisia!” my mother squeals. “Oh girl, you are cutting it close, and you’re holding a man’s hand that’s not your husband,” she speculates, and her eyes criticize me. “Is this why your incredible husband has been an absolute mess?” she scolds.
“Jace is just my friend. Devin and I are about to get an annulment. Just drop it for now, please. This is Jake’s day, and I hope he has more luck than I did,” I say with tears teetering.
“What happened?” she insists.
“I really don’t want to talk about it, and I have to walk down the aisle in just a minute,” I add.
“Well, you’ll be surprised when you see your escort. By the way, several young men are excited to meet Jake’s newly single sister. I’ve told them you’re still married, but they are still insistent on meeting the pretty girl in the pictures Jake has from the wedding,” she cautions.
“Great,” I harp. “Just what I need.”
“I’ll go grab a seat. I’ll see you out there,” Jace says while giving me an encouraging pat on the arm.
I walk over to the doors that are waiting to be opened, and I almost trip when I see Devin standing among the wedding party. He cracks his neck from side to side before walking over to me, and it’s all I can do to stay upright.
“What are you doing back here?” I stumble out.
“I’m a groomsman, and I’ll be the one leading you down the aisle,” he answers with a fearlessly charismatic tone.
Hale told me Devin looked like hell. Apparently hell is a lot sexier than I imagined it to be.
“It’s nice to see my brother can be bought,” I gripe.
“I just wanted to see you, touch you, and talk to you. Please let me prove I love you, baby,” he pleads.
“Stop it. This is Jake’s day,” I scold. “You had your chance.”
“I know, but I swear it wasn’t me,” he murmurs as his lips inch dangerously close to mine. “Your smell is there, but you’re trying to dilute it. Let me help you,” he seduces.
�
�Stop,” I demand while spinning out of his clutches. “This is a wedding. It’s not a chance for you to try and tell me the same bullshit story I’ve heard too many times. Just walk me down the aisle for the last time, and then sign the damn papers,” I whimper.
“I won’t sign them. I’ve already thrown them away. I told you I’d never let you go, and I meant it,” he growls.
“It’s a little harder to believe when I’ve had the pieces of my heart scattered across the sea. It’s over, and now’s not the time to discuss it,” I admonish.
“Then when is? You won’t talk to me, and you threw away the phone I gave you. I have been pulling apart the world trying to find you. This is my only chance to bring you home to me,” he exasperates.
“You broke me, Devin. I don’t have a home with you anymore,” I cry out, and then everyone looks over to investigate the commotion.
His eyes drop pitifully, and I look away instantly.
“Adisia. Devin,” a girl calls. “It’s your turn.”
Devin takes my arm and loops it through his, and I feel the long desired heat of his touch burning me inside and out. I almost lose my footing, and he’s forced to hold me up.
“What’s wrong?” he worries.
“Nothing. I just got a little too worked up,” I gripe.
He reluctantly releases me, and I go to stand in my place. Memories or our time together surge through my mind, and the month long honeymoon’s sour note slaps me in the face.
I fight to hold back the tears, and I miss everything the minister is saying. The lights become blinding as they pronounce their love for each other, and I feel so dizzy. The room is spinning wildly, and I don’t have the strength to stand any longer.
Please let them already be married.
“Adisia,” Hale sighs in relief as I open my eyes to the very immortal party surrounding me.
I sit up slowly, and Jace greets me with a bottle of water. I guzzle it quickly, and I feel everyone waiting for an explanation.
“I don’t know,” I answer to the question they’re all asking with their eyes.
“Immortals don’t usually faint for any reason,” Devin rattles off with anxiety.
“It probably has something to do with all the stress she’s been under,” Jace says very pointedly.
“Stress doesn’t affect our bodies, and you know it,” Camara scolds before turning back to me. “Have you had this problem before?” she asks with concern.
“Only when I’ve been consumed by my inner entities. I’m sure I’m fine. I need to go apologize to Jake,” I sigh.
“He already left,” Jace adds. “He told us to call him the moment you woke up.”
“I’ll call him,” Kry offers, and then he bends down to kiss the top of my head.
“I need another drink,” I grumble.
“Waiter,” Devin prompts to a tuxedo man. “Please get Mrs. Cole a vodka.”
“Yes, sir,” he answers before running to fill the request.
“She won’t drink vodka,” Jace scoffs. “I’ll go get you another water,” he says softly before stroking my cheek with his thumb.
Devin’s eyes droop miserably, and he shakes his head. “Why don’t you drink?”
“I can’t. The thought of alcohol disgusts me, and I’m pretty sure it has something to do with all the memories attached to it,” I snark.
“Adisia, I-”
“Here you go,” Jace says to interrupt Devin while handing me a bottle of water.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“Here’s your vodka, Mrs. Cole,” the waiter offers as he returns a few seconds too late.
“My wife decided she wanted water instead,” Devin rattles out with a cold touch, and the waiter hastily creeps away from the gathering tension enveloping room.
“Adisia!” Mom bellows as she barrels in. “I’ve been so worried. What happened?”
She starts fanning herself as if she’s burning up, and I realize everyone else is feeling the heat as well.
Damn it. The skunk scent has worn off.
“I guess I should have eaten something before drinking,” I lie, and it’s a pathetic lie at best.
“I’m… well… I’m glad…” she stammers, and I realize my scent is driving her mortal mind crazy. “I need to go find your father. Bye dear,” she murmurs with complete distraction.
“Gross,” I mumble in disgust, and a few snickers erupt.
“Damn. That’s stout stuff. It’s like a scented aphrodisiac, and no one can escape its intoxication,” Hale murmurs with a dab of drool on his lips.
“I know. I’m sorry. Poor Jace has had to be incredibly friendly with the local girls just to let off steam. Persia and Kahl couldn’t take it anymore. This is ridiculous,” I gripe.
Jace covers his laugh, and then his arm wraps around my shoulders in a comforting manner. I lean into his body, and I see Devin’s jaw clenching tighter than I’ve ever seen it as his eyes burn against our contact.
Serves him right. I should kiss Jace in front of him to give him a little taste of what it felt like to be me that day on the beach.
Camara’s hand starts tugging at Deacon’s, and wolfish grin spreads over his face.
“Okay. I’m definitely causing you guys some problems. I need to go,” I sigh.
“No. We want to hang out with you. We haven’t seen you since the beach,” Camara whines, and Devin grimaces as his eyes start to tear up.
“I can’t. Jace has had time to acclimate to it, but it’ll drive you guys mad,” I pout, and then I turn to Jace. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” he says too smugly, and I see the taunting smirk he intentionally flashes Devin.
I nudge him to glare my disapproval, and he gives me a cocky half grin in response. Hale leans over to hug me, and then Kry is next to follow. One by one they all bid me ado, and then Devin steps up.
“You’re not going with him. I’m taking you home with me,” he says in a calm, serious tone.
I don’t even acknowledge his order, and Jace grabs my hand to flash with me outside. Devin suddenly grabs me at the waist and rips me from Jace’s hold.
“You’re coming home with me,” he orders again.
“No, I’m not,” I object, and then I force him off me.
“Adisia, I’m not leaving here without you,” he warns.
“Then buy yourself a house here because I’m not going with you,” I mutter with dripping sarcasm.
He grabs me again, and he starts to kiss me just before an electric current blasts him in the side and knocks him to the ground.
Jace is smirking deviously, as he lowers his hands, and I instantly try to defuse the nuclear situation brewing.
“Jace. Devin. Don’t. This can’t happen. There are mortals here, including my parents,” I admonish in a near whisper.
“We can go old school,” Jace chirps.
“That’s fine by me,” Devin growls as he stands to his feet.
Jace smiles as if he’s elated over the accepted challenge, and now I feel like a piece of meat trapped between the jaws of two hungry wolves.
“Stop,” I bark.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a while,” Jace murmurs to Devin while completing ignoring my plea.
Devin gives him a malicious grin that chills me to the bone before responding, “That makes two of us.”
Suddenly they’re flashing toward each other, and I screech as Jace is sent sailing into a small cluster of trees. The fierce cracking deafens the ears of the night as the trees almost splinter into mere fragments.
Jace stands up to dust himself off, and then he charges again, but this time Devin is the one struck. I scream loudly as he sails into a group of cars, and alarms blast into the air before completely whining to a dead hum as the heaps metal become unrecognizable.
Suddenly they’re exchanging blows faster, and the skies above us crackle before the rain surges free when I try to mask the hellacious noise they’re creating.
Jace launches a car toward Devin,
and he just barely slides under it before slamming Jace into the ground by his throat.
“Stop,” I plead again, and then I turn to the others who seem less amused by the whole scene. “Why the hell aren’t you doing something?”
“They’ve needed to do this for a while,” Kry says with unremarkable interest. “Let them get it out of their system. It’s not like they’re going to kill one another… maybe,” he says with a slightly more worried tone.
“Maybe?” I squeak.
“I’ll stop it before it reaches that point,” he asserts.
“Great. Thanks,” I scoff, and then I turn back just as Jace charges Devin like a rampaging bull, and his head slams into Devin’s abdomen as he forces him backwards to plow up bits of the street.
That’s it.
They’re destroying everything, and now I can see people watching. I flash down, and suddenly I’m in between the only two men I can’t control.
“Enough! I’m leaving, and I’m going back to my new home. Just get over it,” I scold to Devin. Jace is breathing heavily with a smile when I turn to glare at him. “You can clean up the mess you made from the car,” I admonish, and his smile quickly wipes from his face.
“Adisia, I’m not leaving you,” Devin declares.
“You already left me when you kissed another girl. Now I’m leaving you. Just sign the papers, please,” I murmur softly, and then I flash into the car with Jace.
He cranks it, and I stare into the rainy night as the dark silhouette of Devin slowly fades from sight.
As soon as I know he can’t hear my sobs, I release the floodgates that have been begging to burst open. Jace’s hand rubs my back as I lean forward, and he coos to me.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have started a fight.”
“Just take me home, please.” I whimper, and he’s silent the rest of the way to the jet.
My head is pounding as I stare out the too bright sun, and I see the clouds pulling in front of it to offer me less of a glare while I lounge poolside.
Jace’s arms wrap around me as he jerks me up from the chair, and I laugh a little at his odd excitement.
“We’re going out,” he announces.
