“They feel the same,” Ronan murmured to himself as he flexed them back and forth. “I actually like them a bit better this color.”
I couldn’t disagree—they were beautiful.
Closing my eyes, I listened as Niz let out an excited, encouraging trill from above before I gave fully into the moment and released my wings. All at once, a relieved sigh leftmy lips as I realized how good it felt to have them back out. I had kept them tucked away for far too long.
I opened my eyes and looked to either side of myself, noticing that despite the bruising that was still very apparent on my arms, my inky feathers now took center stage. I swallowed, feeling emotion come over me at the change.
“You look stunning,” Gabe murmured, and I offered him a soft smile.
Looking skyward, I exploded up into the air, letting my wings stretch to their full extent. It was a euphoric feeling, as if I had fully entered a new phase of my life.
I couldn’t explain exactly what shifted other than the color of my wings, but the thought filled me with confidence that this decision had been the right one. That any of the troubles or conflicts we faced so far paled in comparison to everything falling brought with it.
I blinked, pulling myself from the memory as I realized Gabe was explaining something from where he stood cooking over the stovetop at the island. I tried to catch up in the conversation we’d been having, but my thoughts had taken me a million miles away.
“I didn’t realize there were so many differences between Earth and Alfemir—I guess I assumed that outside of having humans, it would be the same,” I admitted as he finished explaining the nuances of what a television was. Of course, talking about the earthly inhabitants and their way of life wasn’t on the agenda of our schooling in Alfemir, but still, I felt a bit silly asking. It was strange to come to a new land where I didn’t quite understand how everything worked.
“A lot of the difference comes from the sheer size of Earth and the variety of communities that can form with such a large population. Clearly, that’s something Alfemir doesn’t encourage since anyone who doesn’t fit the standard gets kicked out.” Gabeshook his head, continuing to mix something in the skillet in front of him, the smell of the steak causing my mouth to water. He continued, “Even the treaty between the fallen and the US Government is something they would never consider up there.”
He was correct about that. I couldn’t imagine anyone like my father allowing that to happen—hell, it was aliterallaw that if you didn’t fit the mold, you got your wings ripped from your body. Didn’t get much clearer than that.
“I want to learn more about humans and how they live,” I announced to him. “Maybe I’ll watch something on the television about it—I’m sure they have some type of show for that.”
“I can tell you as much as I know, but there are shows. You could also check out documentaries or even watch the news,” Gabe explained, and I nodded eagerly.
“Don’t waste your time.”
My spine stiffened in surprise at his cold voice. Tension flooded my system as Steele, for the first time indays,strode in from the front door and toward the kitchen. I noticed he was wearing a dark uniform, the black combat pants and shirt fitting his muscular body perfectly. His buzzed hair had droplets of rain running from it onto his face, and it was clear that he had walked home from whatever he’d been up to. His gaze barely met mine while grabbing a bottle of water.
“What do you mean? I should learn about where I’m living.”
“Who knows how long you’ll be here.” He shrugged, looking annoyed before taking his water bottle and walking toward the stairs and disappearing without another word. My jaw tightened with annoyance as I inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to decide if his words pissed me off or made me sad. Honestly, I thought it might have been both.
“I think it's a great idea,” Gabe offered. “Don’t worry about him, Steele just?—”
“Doesn’t like me,” I finished for him with a grimace before giving a little salute to the empty staircase. “Message heard loud and clear, Commander. It’s mutual.”
I hope he fucking heard me.
Gabe paused his cooking for a minute, looking like he wanted to say something more before simply returning to stirring the food.
My resolve only strengthened with Steele’s input.
Earth was my new home, and he wouldn’t stop me from learning about it.
KIERAN
Ijerked awake as something soft smacked me in the face.
“Get the fuck up,” Steele barked as I sat up, pulling the clothes he’d thrown at me off of my face and into my lap, not giving them a second glance.
No, my attention was entirely trained on the douchebag lording over me from the side of my bed. My lips thinned as anger stewed within me at the mere sight of him to start my day. He stood there with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face that dared me to bite back.
Unfortunately for him, I would never back down from him.
“Was that necessary?” I asked in a dry tone and with a tight, sarcastic-as-fuck smile.
I tilted my head as I drank in his more-casual appearance, trying to figure out what he was bothering me about on this beautiful morning. Shorts and a plain shirt was his attire for the day, and I hated the way it put his stunning tattoos on display. It was rare to see angels in Alfemir with tattoos. In fact, Ronan was one of the only angels I knew with two full sleeves, but even he didn’t havethismany.
