Enchantra (Wicked Games, #2)

by Kaylie Smith

“I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.” —Emily Dickinson

But the golden hoop that was pierced through his full bottom lip and the hypnotizing gold of his eyes enticed Genevieve in a way that was sinful.

smash

And certainly a complete departure from the man with golden hair and blue eyes that she saw in her nightmares.

you should've known better than to date blonde man

“My name is Genevieve Grimm.” “And?” he drawled. “What the fuck do you want?”

meet cute

“What are you?” he retorted. “Besides trouble, I mean.

Besides, what was worse? Coming so close to everything she’d been wanting for so long and walking away like a coward—or dealing with another insufferable man?

“You’re an absolute bastard—” she seethed.

“And you’re half wild,” he observed, a spark igniting in his golden eyes.

“You’re going to tire yourself out long before you hurt me, trouble.” Her jaw clenched as she pulled her punches, the blood rushing to her head giving her a migraine. Then she did the only other thing she could think of: she bit him. In the ass.

“Do you?” she asked as they made their way into the ballroom now. “Have a favorite game I should know about?” His expression turned thoughtful as he led her across the expansive marble dance floor. “I’ve really enjoyed the one where I ask you to do something, and you simply refuse to fucking do it.”

“The Hunt this, Devils that,” she muttered to herself as she walked through the foyer. “If I have to look awful on my wedding day, I’m going to be the scariest thing in this house⁠—”

In his hand was a knife, and he was… slicing it across his ribs, moaning every time a new river of blood dripped down his side from the shallow wounds.

Hey, quick question. What the FUCK?

“You and your bride can sleep in peace tonight, but the moment the Hunt begins, you will not be getting any mercy from me. So I suggest you take Covin’s advice and thoroughly enjoy the masquerade.” Rowin advanced a step toward his brother, a dangerous smile playing on the edges of his lips. “And I won’t be showing you any mercy if you lay a finger on my wife.”

When Rowin burst through the door a few moments later, Genevieve knew two things. The first was that she was not built for quick getaways—she’d never needed to be before. And the second was that Rowin had known she’d been eavesdropping the entire time.

Covin let out a low whistle. “Biting. Nice.” Sevin tilted his head at Rowin. “And I thought choking was more your thing.” Genevieve gave Rowin a taunting smirk. “Now that I’m game to try. I’ve wanted to strangle you since the first time I heard you speak.” Rowin rolled his eyes as Sevin corrected, “I don’t think you’d be the one doing the choking, sweetheart.”

“Sometimes parents make terrible mistakes. And there’s nothing we can ever do to fix them,” he whispered to her. “The least we can do is let you be as angry for as long as you need.”

“So”—Covin flicked his crimson gaze over her—“do you have a favorite amongst my siblings yet?” “Whichever one of you I’m not currently talking to,” she told him.

But Enchantra was not made of gold. Just ruthless Silvers.

“If he upset you, I think it’s important for you to remember that, as your husband, it’s my job to defend your honor.”

Her teeth began to ache, her mouth watering for something she couldn’t quite pinpoint, but the shape of it was awfully reminiscent of his name.

At the sound of Salem’s full name, Knox’s face turned ashen, and Genevieve’s lips curled up in a triumphant smile. “Play all the games you want with me, but you’ll have Salem to deal with when I get out,” Genevieve threatened. “And Salem adores me.”

“Now we just… wait?” “This would be the hiding part of the game, so yes.” A beat. “For nearly three more hours?” she confirmed.

“That’s forever,” she complained. He sighed deeply. “You wouldn’t handle being an immortal very well.”

Unlike her, he wasn’t bothered by long stretches of silence, apparent by how relaxed he looked sitting in the armchair while Umbra slept curled up on his chest.

“Well, well, well, look who lasted the first four hours, after all—” Genevieve began to boast at the sound of the bells, but before she could finish, Rowin was hauling her out of the room by her upper arm. “First rule of catching a bear in a trap—don’t continue to fucking poke it,”

“If I had known it would lead to all of this, obviously I would’ve left it alone.” He barked a laugh. “No, you wouldn’t have.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And how the Hell would you know?” “In the last two days you have not once left anything well enough alone.”

Though definitely more pleased than Rowin, who was now wearing the strings of flowers atop his head, around his neck, and on each of his wrists. The soft pastel petals were so at odds lying against his tattooed skin, yet it somehow only enhanced his allure to her. “Stop giggling to yourself over there,” he ordered.

It’s morbid, but if there’s cake, I won’t complain.

“No. You’re not overdressed.” She made a face. That was not what she was looking for. Perfect, gorgeous, or flawless was more her speed.

“What makes you think I’m going to be the one to get carried away?” He snorted, as if the notion that it would be him was ridiculous. Which sounded like a challenge to her.

All Genevieve could think to say was, “I do not understand this family.” But in another life, I think I might have really loved to be a part of it.

“You’re being a brat, again,” he murmured against her skin.

Genevieve wasn’t sure how one was supposed to dress to go to Hell, but pink was a fitting color for any occasion.

I’m convinced you were made by the King of Devils himself to torture me for my sins.” “You’re such a self-centered bastard.” She scoffed at his presumption and poked a finger into his chest. “I deserve to be the center of my own story. I was not made for you.” “Truth, truth, lie,” he told her.

“I was not made for you,” she repeated, though it was much less convincing this time. “Then maybe I was made for you,” he implored, as if he were angry about that fact.

“Shadows can only be seen in the presence of light,” he told her, the words agonized. “I worry when you leave, there will be no one left to see me.”

Our vows may have said “eternally,” but as I told you then, nothing is ever truly eternal. Except my longing for you.

The moment Rowin spotted recognition on her face, he lunged forward, wrapping her up in his arms so tightly she could barely breathe.

“Does that mean… does that mean there are strings now?” “As many as you want, Mrs. Silver. And tie them down as tight as you’d like,” he told her.

Salem offered a hand to assist her off the final step, pressing a quick kiss to the tips of her fingers before letting go.

Obsessed with them