“I love you.” I clutched his neck and yanked him close then pulled my mother into the hug. “There’s nothing to forgive. We’re together now; it’s all that matters.”
Our sobs turned into relieved laughter, and my soul felt almost as light as when I embraced Phoebe.
Chapter 36
Phoebe
“He’s fading too fast,” Dad grunted, sweat popping on his brow.
“No.” Frantic, I looked down at Cain, praying for movement under his closed eyelids. His chest remained still. Now chalky white, his normally golden skin had become almost translucent.
“Oh, God, no.” Releasing Dad’s hand, I laid a hand on Cain’s blood-covered chest. “Dad, please. Heal him like you did me.”
“Phoebe. Your injuries weren’t as complicated as his. ” My father’s voice lowered to a sorrowful whisper. “I don’t have the power to bring someone to life. Only God and”—he threw a troubled glance over his shoulder at Lucian—“Angels of Death have the ability to bestow life. I’m just an Angel of War.”
I smoothed Cain’s hair from his face. My tears fell onto his cheekbones, slid across their harsh angles, and dripped to the sand. “Please,” I begged. “He doesn’t deserve this, not after everything he’s suffered.”
“I’m sorry. We need to go.” Dad’s warm hand fell on my shoulder, but I swiped it away, anger simmering beneath my skin. “His soul is in Heaven, and you’ll meet again. Hopefully, after you live a long, happy life.”
“I willnotgive up and leave him here.” I let the fury and frustration building in my blood rise, imagining it flowing from my fingertips and into his chest, willing it to start his heart beating.
God, give us a second chance. Please.
Nothing happened. Like my father, I also had no power to bring life into his broken body. A choked sob shook me, and I fell forward to cradle his face in my hands. “Please don’t leave me, Cain. There are so many things I want to do with you, so many things to show you.” I stared at the thick black lashes resting against his skin, the blood staining his mouth and chin, the silver tattoo curled around his eye. His beauty, angular and severe, seemed even more godlike in death.
“What have you done?” a hoarse voice rasped, jerking my attention upward.
My father’s body glowed golden as he powered his armor and formed a sword, jumping to his feet. “Get back, Lucifer, or I’ll stab you again.” Dad’s gaze flitted to mine for a second before going back to Lucian.
“What in the fuck has happened to my son?” The Prince of Hell, ignoring his ancient foe, fell to his knees opposite of me, his full attention on Cain.
Hesitantly, I straightened and sat back on my haunches. “This is the work of Malachi, your attack dog.”
Lucian’s black gaze somehow turned even darker. “He will be punished most severe.” His gaze fell on Cain once more, and he pushed his fingers through his son’s hair. “I never wanted you dead.” He put a hand over Cain’s brow, then shook his head. “Why do you always have to be so goddamned stubborn?”
He acts like he cares for him.I was so shocked at the thought I scrambled toward my father.
