"Hold up! Slow down!" Larry roared from the sky.

Alicia, speeding on her broomstick, had already hit bullet-train velocity.

She twisted through impossible aerial maneuvers.

"Weren’t *you* the one saying we’re in a hurry? Why slow down now? Faster’s better!"

"Only if you’re not dangling me off the broomstick’s tail! This is personal revenge!"

"Heh."

Alicia grinned, watching Larry sway like a kite tethered to the broom’s end. "Just giving you fresh air. Might clear those filthy thoughts clogging your brain."

"What filthy thoughts? Name one!"

"Your *grandpa* knows. You figure it out."

"I’m asking *because* I don’t know!"

Alicia turned stubborn. "If you don’t even get it, stay back there and choke on the wind. Or jump—I won’t stop you."

"Explode or fade away in silence—you forced my hand!"

Larry leapt. With acrobatic precision, he landed on the speeding broom.

But the magic broom bucked wildly, and Alicia refused to steady it. He needed an anchor.

The only anchor available was Alicia herself.

He locked his arms around her in a bear hug.

"Think I can’t handle you, huh?"

Alicia never saw this coming. She thrashed wildly, but Larry’s grip was iron—no buff could break it. Worse, every brush of skin made her flush with heat.

Her voice softened, almost pleading: "Okay, I won’t kick you off. Just… let go."

*So sweet.*

Her submission only fired Larry up.

"Say it," he teased. "*‘Good big brother, please let me go… nooo~’* Soft voice. Extra weak."

"Don’t push your luck!"

Alicia would never obey. "Let go *now*!"

"Not happening. Say it, or I get *creative*."

He tightened his hold, utterly unbothered. Her warm, pliant body felt better than any pillow. And that delicate scent drifting from her hair—her natural fragrance—made him bury his face deeper.

"Ahhh… intoxicating."

He had no idea how his blissful inhaling electrified Alicia’s senses.

She trembled. Steam practically rose from her head. Crimson flooded her cheeks, deeper than any pigment. All thoughts of escape, scolding, even the broom—vanished. Her mind went blank.

The broom hurtled straight toward a jagged mountain peak. Alicia didn’t even flinch.

Larry, lost in the warmth of her, finally glanced up.

The cliff face filled his vision. One stunned second—then panic. He swept Alicia into a princess carry and jumped.

Her custom-made, ultra-expensive magic broom shattered against the rocks, spraying splinters.

"Phew. Close call," Larry muttered, heart pounding. He flicked Alicia’s nose. "You’re hopeless. Zero situational awareness."

The touch jolted her back. She blinked, realizing she lay cradled in Larry’s arms—his infuriating face inches away.

Instinct took over. Her fist rocketed upward in a full-force uppercut.

Larry’s face contorted. He flew backward, arms flung open.

Alicia hit the ground but sprang up instantly. As Larry fell, she drove a straight punch into his gut.

"You dare take advantage of me? *Die!*"

Fury drowned out her slip—"*old lady*" instead of "me." All she saw was this scumbag needing to be erased.

"Alicia, calm down! I just hugged you!"

"*You* enjoyed it! Did I *ask* for that?!"

The beating continued.

Larry knew she’d lost control. Truth was, he could take a year of this—her punches wouldn’t dent him. But they had no time to waste. And who knew when she’d cool off?

"Alicia," he warned. "I’m fighting back."

Her eyes blazed. "You’ll *fight back*?! I—"

A sharp tap to her skull cut her off. Darkness swallowed her.

*Yep. Mages shouldn’t go melee.*

Her last thought before blacking out.

...

"Alicia! Wake up! The wedding’s starting!"

A shrill voice pierced her sleep.

She forced her eyes open. Her mother’s face hovered above.

"Ugh… I’m tired."

"Tired? You’re about to be *married*."

"Married?!"

Alicia jolted upright—dressed in a wedding gown, lying on a bridal bed.

"Honestly," her mother chided. "You’ll have plenty of time to sleep *in* this bed after the vows. Up! The ceremony’s beginning."

Alicia froze. "Beginning?! Who’s the bride?"

"You silly girl. *You* are."

"*I’m* the bride? But I’m a—"

She stopped. A mirror across the room reflected a stunning bride in white.

*Right. The Demon King transformed me. I’m a girl now.*

*But marrying?! No way!*

Before she could ask about the groom, her mother rushed her to a chapel. The heavy doors swung open. Family and friends turned as one.

Alicia barely noticed them. Her eyes locked on the groom.

A handsome face greeted her.

Strange calm washed over her.

*Him. Good. It’s him.*

*Wait—why am I relieved? NO ONE’S ACCEPTABLE!*

"Larry," her mother said, placing Alicia’s hand in his. "Take care of our girl."

Before Alicia could react, she stood before the priest with Larry, vows sealing their forever.

*Wait—what?! How did we get here?!*

This was moving too fast.

"Alicia," Larry whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too."

*NO! I didn’t say that!*

Her traitorous body leaned into his. His face drew closer—

*He’s going to kiss me?!*

*NO! I’m not ready!*

She tried to pull away, but her feet were rooted. Her body arched toward him, eager.

"Wait! Larry—*no*! I’m not ready to be your bride!"