Page 102 of Oracles Always Win

ButifI’dknownIwas getting hitched,Iwould have preferred to have changed into somethingIhadn’t been sweating in.Somethingthat didn’t smell like puke.Imean, just becauseI’dtried to be careful whenIlost my lunch didn’t meanIwas successful.

Ialso would have loved it if no one had been blood-splattered at the time.

Still, the way the magic had moved through us was incredible.AndIswore, through the connectionIshared withGage,Iwas linked toWillowLaketoo.Itresonated through me and filled me with a sense of awe.Itwas calm, so unimaginably calm.

I’dnever felt so at peace.

Ihadn’t been capable of peace whenI’dbeen living under the weight of the curse.Ididn’t think my mom would have wished me a lifetime of unhappiness, butIcouldn’t be sure.I’dnever know why she did it.Ihad to hope it was because she loved me.I’dnever felt like she didn’t, andIhated questioning her love for me now.

But, given everything she’d done to hide the supernatural world from me,Ialso didn’t think she’d have been happy to see me tethered to a demon.

“We’remarried,”Isaid toGageonce we were ensconced in the motorhome andIwas on my feet again, “andIdon’t even know your last name.”

“Stewart,” he said. “Myname isGageStewart.AlthoughIhaven’t always had that name,I’vebeen using it the longest.”

Iheld out my hand to him and grinned. “I’mJakeTownsend.It’snice to be married to you.”

Hewrapped his hand around mine and shook it gently before tugging me into his arms. “Ican’t believe everything that’s happened today.TheEternalMagichas truly blessed me.”

Whenhe went to kiss me,Iturned my head. “Nope.Nokisses.Notyet.Weneed to get cleaned up before we do anything like that.”

Gageshook his head. “Idon’t care if you’re clean.Ionly care that you are mine and that you’re safe.”

“Nope.That’sjust your emotions talking.Iknow you.Youlike things clean and tidy.It’swho you are.We’llbe able to enjoy ourselves more if we wash off the grime first.”Iwiggled out of his arms and turned toward the back of the motorhome. “BesidesIrefuse to kiss you untilIbrush my teeth again.Andyou smell like…Idon’t know what, but it isn’t pleasant.”

Gagechuckled but let me go. “Allright.I’llgo turn on the hot water heater.”

“Ugh, andIdon’t even have any clean clothes to change into,”Isaid asIpeeled off my shirt and tossed it into the corner ofGage’slittle bedroom.WhenIturned to sit on the bed to take off my socks and shoes,Ifound he’d returned and was staring at my balled-up shirt where it’d fallen.Hisnose was wrinkled, and his fingers twitched.Isighed.Sincewe were married now,IknewIshould try to be tidier. “Itis just there for a few minutes.ThenI’llput it back on again.”

“No.”Gage’seyes snapped to mine. “I’llget you something different to wear.”

“Likeyou’ll magic something up?That’scool.”

Gageshook his head. “Mymagic doesn’t work that way, butI’llgo grab something from your room.”

Inodded. “Yes.Let’sdo that.Goto the inn.Wecan shower.Myshower isn’t big, but it is bigger than yours.Weboth might fit.Ithink it’s worth checking out.”

“Thewater was turned off.Besideswe haven’t heard if it’s safe to go into the building yet.”

“Fine.”Myshoulders slumped.

“I’llgo in and retrieve some clean clothes for you.”

Ifrowned asIthrew my socks over by my shirt. “Ifit isn’t safe for me, it isn’t safe for you either.”

“Go,” he said. “Haveyour shower.”

“Youaren’t going to go in there, are you?”

Hejust rolled his eyes at me, like he thought it was cuteI’dworry about him.

“Ican always wear one of your shirts.”

Hiseyes flared with the red of his demon.Oh.Heliked that idea. “Goshower beforeItry to change your mind and push you back on the bed and clean you with my tongue.”

“Wasthat supposed to be sexy?”Itwas… sort of.Butsort of not too.Imean, wouldIlike to have his tongue everywhere?Whatwould that feel like?Icouldn’t decide if it’d feel good or not, mostly because of the spit aspect.Spitjust wasn’t sexy to me.ButIhad liked the way his tongue had felt in my mouth when we kissed, soImight like a tongue bath too.AndthenIremembered how his tongue was forked when he was in his demonic form, how it curled and moved…Igulped.Yep,I’ddismissed his idea too hastily. “Weshould explore that later.Butonly after we’re both clean.”

“Jake…” he whispered as he stalked toward me.