Catherine didn't know how it had happened, but she and Phoenix had ended up sleeping together again. It made everything all the more impossible for her to process. How could she have almost married Jasper under a spell? Everything had gotten so complicated, but as Phoenix lay beside her, peacefully asleep, she couldn't bear the thought of losing him again. Not now. Not ever. Not when she had just gotten him back.

Catherine's mind wandered to Jasper. He was a good man, and if she was pregnant like she thought she was, he was the father of her unborn child. That meant they would be linked forever, regardless of the broken spell. Her gaze fell on Phoenix, who slept soundly beside her. He had told her in texts that he often had nightmares, but he didn't seem to have them when she was close. She gently swept her fingers over his forehead, brushing his dark hair away from his handsome face.

He truly was handsome. It was hard to believe he was going to spend eternity in hell. Phoenix was a beautiful person, inside and out—he had a beautiful soul. Catherine knew that now, and she wished she could save him, more than just taking his nightmares away. She wished she could save his soul. There was one thing she could do: she could be with him, as she was meant to.

With that thought, Catherine quietly slipped out of bed and found her phone. She knew she needed to talk to Jasper, to explain what had happened. As she scrolled through her messages, she was surprised to see several from him.

Jasper: Catherine, I hope you're okay. I'm not sure what happened yesterday, but I feel like I've just woken up from a strange dream. Jasper: I know we were supposed to get married, but now that I think about it, I'm not sure why we rushed into that decision.

Jasper: Don't get me wrong, I care about you a lot, but marriage? It seems a bit much, doesn't it?

Jasper: Anyway, I hope you're alright. Let's talk when you're free.

Catherine stared at the messages, a mix of relief and confusion washing over her. It seemed the spell breaking had affected Jasper too. She took a breath and began to type her response.

Catherine: Jasper, I'm so glad you messaged. I'm okay, and I hope you are too. You're right, a lot has happened, and I think we both need to talk. Can we meet later today?

Jasper replied almost immediately.

Jasper: Absolutely. How about lunch at our usual place?

Catherine: Sounds perfect. See you then.

As she put her phone down, Catherine felt a weight lift off her shoulders. At least Jasper wasn't heartbroken or angry. But there was still the matter of her possible pregnancy to deal with.

"Good morning," said Phoenix, his voice all deep and raspy.

"Good morning." Catherine smiled.

Who would have thought a year ago that she'd be waking up to find Phoenix Astar naked and wrapped around her bed sheets.

He rolled over and kissed her shoulder, his arm locked around her and cuddled her tight. Slowly, his palm lowered to her stomach and, though he didn't say anything, she knew he thought it. He could feel it. The slight numbness that had her so worried. Maybe she'd put on weight, but maybe she hadn't?

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

She wasn't sure.

In fact, she was terrified.

Beyond terrified.

"Wait!" Phoenix checked his watch. "Morning?! It's morning. That means we—did we fall asleep after? But what about Jasper? What about—"

"It's okay. We're going to talk later today," Catherine told him.

"Talk? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I think so. The spell breaking... It affected him too. He's not upset about the wedding not happening. He actually seems relieved."

Phoenix's eyebrows shot up. "Really? That's... unexpected. Good, I guess, but unexpected."

"I know. It's a lot to process," Catherine said, snuggling closer to him. "But right now, all I want to focus on is us."

He smiled, big and goofy. "I like the sound of that. You and me, together."

He rolled on top of her, and they started kissing again. It was surreal. Dreamlike. To be this happy. To be this content. Catherine knew Phoenix Astar was a risk, but he was a risk worth taking. A risk she'd surely live her life with. A risk she'd do anything for. And she knew he'd do the same for her. Without saying a single word, she knew he'd die for her.

Just as she would for him.

And that's why she was determined to find a spell to save him. She thought, if there was something to curse him—a spell to sell his soul, then surely there was the same in reverse, right?

The day continued, and it was hands down the best day of Catherine's life. They had breakfast together. Showered together. They spent all day fucking and making love, and getting to know each other's souls. Around lunchtime, Phoenix did push the issue of pregnancy, but mostly because Catherine had thrown up earlier and felt nauseous.

"Please, can't we just… ignore it?" she asked. "Just a little longer? Just today?"

"We can, but I really need to know—it's all I can think about," he said. "I know you're worried, but I meant what I said earlier." He grabbed her hand and gave it a kiss, holding it as he stared at her lovingly. "We're together now. We will deal with things together. Whatever happens, it will be okay because we're together."

"I'm scared," she told him. Scared because she was so certain that she already knew the answer. Her mum had gone full term without showing with her, but she was already showing a little bit. Catherine wanted to believe it was weight gain, but she hadn't had her period in months, save some light spotting a while ago, but it was barely anything at all.

She knew.

Deep in her heart and soul, she knew.

"I know you're scared," he told her, "but it's going to be okay. I'm here. We're a team. Do you have a test here?"

She nodded slowly.

He kissed her hand again. "I won't push, but if you did do the test and we had an answer, I'd feel so much better either way. Not knowing is the worst thing for me."

The issue was she did know either. "And if I am?" she asked him. "If I'm pregnant?"

"Then I'll support whatever you want to do," he said. "It's a big jump—it's fast, and I don't know if I'll be a good stepdad, but I'd step up and take care of the kid—whatever you want to do, Cat."

Catherine could tell he was trying to be supportive, even if the idea scared him too. She appreciated his honesty and his willingness to stand by her.

"Okay," she said, nervous as all hell. "I'm scared, but I have to pee now—I… I guess I'll take the test."

Phoenix took in a deep breath before he kissed her palm again, giving it a squeeze afterward. "If you can deal with me being half-demon and soul-kissed, I can deal with you being pregnant with some other dude's kid. Okay? I love you."

"I love you too."

Then Catherine went to the bathroom to do the most nerve-racking pee of her life. She used several sticks, just in case, but they seemed to be taking forever.