I gaped at him, my mouth opening and closing.
He wanted me to stay here,alone,while all three of them were out there,taking action?!
‘Yes. Because sometimes the most important action to take, is keeping yourself safe.’
I gaped.‘What aboutyou?!’
‘I can fly,’he growled.‘And the hounds won’t come for me. I have to warn our army, then I will return to you—hopefully with my son and your sister right alongside me. Even if they aren’t… I’m coming back for you, Yilan. I’m not risking my life. I know the difference between a strategic necessity, and avoiding heartache. It’s a terrible truth of war that we have to choose who to save. Today I’m choosing you—our queen—and the army at our backs. Now, please. I have to go. Please… give me your word, Yilan. Say it plainly. Say you’ll stay here unless it’s a matter of life and death forus.’
Tears welled, blurring my vision. This was so unfair! Since I’d lied to him once before, measured my words and kept him in the dark about my plans—and got him and Gall safely out of the grip of these fucking bloodthirsty Neph!—he’d made me promise never to shroud my intentions again.
I spent a few, fruitless seconds searching for a way out of this, but it didn’t exist—because my matedidknow me, and I knew exactly what he asked. Giving him anything less would be nothing short of betrayal.
My heart deflated, tears sliding over my lashes for the poor women left undefended in the city, but I nodded.‘You have my word, Melek.’
‘Tell me.’
I swallowed, and shot him a glare, but I could feel the love washing from him in the bond. Knew the fear he felt at the thought of me being out there. Knew his bullshit plan was to take all the risk himself because he valued me more than his own life. Even though I hated it, and even though my skin was going to blister every moment that I had to sit here,safe,while the others did the real work. I nodded.
‘I give you my word—I won’t leave here unless it’s a matter of life and death for me, or you. Or Jann or Diadre—or Gall and Istral,’I added hurriedly.
Melek’s lips thinned, but he nodded.‘Thank you.’
‘Melek—’
‘I have to go, Yilan. There’s no more time.’He pulled me up onto my toes and kissed me. Panic screamed through me and I clawed at him, my tears coming thicker and faster. Then he broke away, stroked my face, whispered his love, then marched straight to one of the rooms off Jann’s sitting area and was back moments later, swathed from head to toe in a merchant’s hooded cloak, with a moneybelt at his waist, and gloves on his hands.
His eyes caught mine, and a rush of love and fear reached me through the bond, but he walked straight to the doors that opened onto the balcony.‘I love you. To my soul.’
‘I love you too. Even to death, Melek.’
His steps stuttered, but he kept moving. Then moments later the door closed behind him, and he was gone from sight.
I hurried to the window and watched him manifest his wings, mutter something to himself, then launch from the balcony like an arrow from a bow.
Then he was gone, and I was left there in silence. Alone. Impotent. Scared.
And fucking furious.
32. Never Again
Please ensure you’ve read the Important Note from the Author regarding content warnings at the beginning pages of this book before continuing here.
~ DIADRE ~
The first time I met the Fallen, Jann had led me into a group of golden-eyed Nephilim surrounding Gall, all of whom stood on a balcony at the back of the palace, waiting for a hunt to begin. I’d shuddered at the looks in their eyes, and wept for the women huddled in the garden below.
I’d been scared and skeptical, disgusted by these men who watched with avid eyes, slavering over innocent women forced to run naked through the forest in the hope of winning their freedom. It had felt sick, and frightening.
That was nothing compared to what greeted us this night.
Whether the darkness fed their depravity, or it was just the increase in Lucifer’s recent influence, the group that gathered on the ramparts of the palace was almost identical to those who were present on my very first day here. Only tonight, theyall held women by leashes—at neck, or wrist—and their eyes searched the city below…ravenous.
“It’s almost time,” one of the males graveled.
I tensed as Jann tugged me forward to overlook the streets, muttering and nodding along to whatever the others said. I should have been listening, but all I could hear was the screaming in my head.
Hunching in Jann’s shadow as if I was terrified, wasn’t entirely an act. These men hadalwaysbeen frightening. But there was a new edge to them tonight. A frenzied, lustful intensity to them, that exceeded even the day we’d arrived.
