Melek caught my eye again.
I sighed.‘I love you.’
‘I love you, too. Give them hell, beautiful.’
His hands dragged down my body as he let me go, but we both stepped away. As he turned back to Gall, I stepped back, never turning, watching his broad shoulders, his careful movements, drinking in the sight of him alive, and vital, and breathing.
Then I stepped into the shadows, and into the fray, praying that Gall would finally hear him, and that somehow we’d all live through this night.
It was time. We needed to end this.All of it.
As I stepped through the wall and into the corridor outside, the ring of steel and shouts of Neph warriors washed over me.
I balked. Hesitated for just a moment, scanning the chaos that extended well beyond this corridor—a centaur galloped across the intersection of hallways further down, chasing a screaming Neph whose hair was on fire.
I didn’t know whether to be thrilled, or terrified. I decided on both.
Letting my fear fall aside, because it could only hinder me, I darted into the fray, reaching for every accessible mind—and I might have smiled.
My mate had too much grace for these brutes, in my opinion. Luckily, he wasn’t here,Iwas. Perhaps I’d let these poor, misguided souls see the light.
Or maybe I’d just terrify them.
Either way… chaos would reign.
And then Melek.
44. Come Back
AUTHOR NOTE: This chapter is dedicated to Jasmyn Grier.
Friend, your bloodthirst is worthy of a Nephilim, and inspires me.
I hope you enjoy a little divine retribution.
~ MELEK ~
“…I know it’s frightening, and believe me, you aren’t the only one. All I’m asking you to do is trust me. To remember that I love you. I’m not going to hurt you. Ever.”
Gall’s eyes had stopped rolling. He remained hunched, and I touched him to help him ground. His breath had stopped wheezing, but it still hitched at times, and he startled at every noise from the battle in the corridor.
“Gall, are you listening?”
He’d turned to look at the wall behind which the battle was being waged. I needed to be out there, leading. Protecting. Making certain my mate didn’t get herself killed. But I’d neverleave Gall in the clutches of the Fallen—and technically he was still the King of the Neph.
“Gall?”
He tensed as a muffled cry—cheering—rose from the hallway outside. I prayed it was allies, not Neph.
“They’re fighting. Why aren’t you out there?” Gall asked suddenly. His voice was low, quiet. His shoulders still rolled forward, but his eyes darted everywhere in the room except my face.
“Because I’m here with you. What’s happened between us… it’s the most important part of this, Gall.”
“You don’t mean that. You’re just saying that.”
“Of course I mean it—”
“You think I’m the king?” Gall lifted his head finally and met my gaze. His jaw flexed, and his arms were tight, but he didn’t try to push me away. “Grandfather says you laugh when people call me king.”
