“Right,” Mesa says in a taunting tone. “Because you were too busy pawing all over your sister.”
His eyes close slowly. When he opens them, he pins me with a look as if to say this is my fault.
Lightly, her small hands begin assessing my wing from tip to top and then all over again. Several minutes pass as she seems to go over every square inch.
“That’s odd,” she mumbles, and I peek back over the wing at her. “I don’t see any injury. It was this one, right?”
Ryder and I both nod to her but she doesn’t look at us.
“What’s that mean?” Ryder asks, taking a step closer to me.
My heart begins a steady beat, making itself known, making me focus on the strong sound of it as I wait for Mesa to explain my body to me.
“Fae heal themselves, but broken bones take days.” Her lips purse as we hang on her words. “It means your friend has more angel blood in her than human.”
Angel blood. My heartbeat becomes demandingly faster as I repeat her words in my mind.
“What does that mean?” I ask quietly, glancing over my ebony wings once more.
Mesa steps back and her wide gaze collides with mine.
“It means you have stronger healing powers than fae. Stronger than … everything.” She pauses, her eyes boring into mine, sinking uncertainty and confusion right into me. “You’re immortal.”
Chapter Five
An Angel and a Prince
My heart’s slamming against my chest as I think about what Mesa just told me.
Ryder and I stare at one another for so long that Mesa eventually goes back inside. It seems she’s intentionally giving us space. The warm orange hues of the sun cast his shadow across my face as I stare up at him.
“Aren’t all fae immortal? Darrio’s like two hundred years old.”
“Fae are not immortal. They just age very, very slowly. We can die. But you—” his gaze drifts across my face, a look of awe held in his features, “you’re not a fae at all, beautiful.”
I force myself to swallow. It’s a harsh, dry feeling that takes entirely too much effort.
First I was a thief, then a Hopeless, then an Eminence, and now an angel.
I don’t even know who I am any more.
My arms fold tightly over my chest.
“Next you’ll be telling me I’m a goddess of love.” I hate how pouting my voice sounds.
A half smirk tilts his lips.
“A goddess of destruction is more likely.”
My eyes narrow on him and my annoyance only makes him smile more. His big hand pulls at mine.
“Let’s call it a night. I have a few things I have to help Mesa with. We can have some dinner and work some more tomorrow.”
I nod, staring hard at the lush green grass as worried thoughts push into my mind.
Where are Dax and Darrio?
Another day has passed, and they’re not here. I shouldn’t worry. They can take care of themselves. If Ryder says they need a couple days, then I’m sure he’s right.
