I could walk away right now and never look back. That would absolutely be the easy route to take. Hell, I’m relatively confident I could hide from the Archangels for the rest of my existence. I could travel theentireworld. I’d be able to do everything I never had the chance to do in my mortal life. Obviously, it’d be challenging, but it’d be more fulfilling than living the rest of my existence in limbo, stuck in Eloras.
Sighing, I fixate my gaze on the tall pine trees surrounding the lake. The gentle sound of birds singing fills my ears. I breathe in the cool, misty air. Earth may be my favorite place ever. I missed it and the people living in it more than words can describe.
But I’d give all this up for her.
Even still.
I don’t know what lies ahead—for us, for me, for anyone, really—but I know I can’t keep running away.
A harsh punishment is what I need.
Punishment isn’t whatCleoneeded, though. She punishes herself enough as is. Ever since we crossed paths, we’ve been on a sinking ship. The closer we grow, the deeper the Clai ship sinks. Her company has meant the world to me, but I’ve decided to kick her off this sinking ship formally.
Stripping her of her wings was uncalled for. I’m the biggest idiot in the world. I can’t believe I assumed they wouldn’t discipline her for my incompetence.
That alone has motivated me to return to the Middle Realm immediately.
After half an hour, she emerges from her childhood cabin, her cheekbones glistening. As she steps off the wraparound porch, a small dragonfly lands on her hand. She holds her hand up and inspects it, taking in every detail. I’ll admit, with our heightened ability to recognize different colors in the afterlife, the creature looks sick. In a good way, of course. I can see a rainbow of colors within its skin, even from several feet away.
There’s something about the way she’s analyzing this little guy that strikes me. Once again, there’s more to her than meets the eye. I’m starting to question if I’ll ever fully figure this angel out.
The dragonfly takes flight and flutters away toward the lake. Her eyes follow it for as long as possible before we lose sight of it.
“I’ve always loved dragonflies. As a little girl, my family and I often chased them out here,” she says with a soft smile, her voice trailing off as her eyes remain fixed on the direction it flew in.
“That’s something special. I enjoy how insects and animals can see angels when other beings can’t. Seemed like that little guy took a liking to you.” I break the silence before remembering her betrayal. Once I remember it, I clear my throat and school my features. Sorting out feelings is not a skill I’ve been graced with, I fear. “Ready to meet our fate?”
“I told you. I’ll handle this up there. In fact, let me do all the talking and you’ll be back down here in the blink of an eye.” She smirks. “Don’t you trust me?”
“I did.” The words escape from my mouth. Her brows raise, then she gazes at the ground. You know, it’s not often that I regret putting my foot in my mouth—I usually just own that shit and laugh it off.
That sentiment hurt her, though.Fuck. My stomach turns uncomfortably as I study her expression.
I hate that I’m hurting her, but I still need to process these complex feelings, and I couldn’t lie to her. I’m genuinely not sure if I trust her right now. I mean, damn, I want to, but for all I know, she could still be playing me as we speak.
I need to be wary.
“Shall we?” I ask, holding out my hand.
She nods, emotionless, and takes my hand. I embrace her for our trip back to the Middle Realm.
We arrive directly outside the headquarters and ascend the staircase to the bridge in silence. We’re still holding hands,though. Even after everything, the last thing I want to do is let go.
I’m a goner.
Glancing to my left, I see she has taken on the usual rigid stance she maintains in this realm. Her back is straight, her chin up, and her shoulders back. This is the stern woman I first met months ago. Right before entering the building, she pauses and pierces my eyes.
“The Archangels will be expecting us,” she says in a cool tone she hasn’t sported in quite some time with me. “I’m going to get you out of this, but I need to maintain a certain persona to accomplish that. Please, just know that no matter what happens in there, I’m with you, Kai. Iswear.”
She takes the lead before giving me a chance to respond, releasing my hand. We walk in uncomfortable silence for a few seconds until reaching the landing strip on the third level, just three levels below the throne room. I’m more distant from her than ever before, but again, I just need some time.
Suddenly, shouting from behind me disrupts my thoughts. I quickly turn around and gaze down the staircase to see two angels with massive sets of wings flying our way in rapid succession. Without thinking, I step in front of Cleo and use my arm to shield her. She grasps it firmly, and when they reach us, one of the husky men immediately grabs my shoulders and attempts to yank me away from her side. I quickly catch a glimpse of her and see her tough resolve dissolving and the slightest hint of panic settling into her gaze.
A mix of pure fury and adrenaline like I’ve never known kicks in. I turn back toward the angels ripping us apart with ice in my gaze. One of my arms remains shielded around her as the other swings at the burly man directly in front of me. He dodges my strike,and then I lift my knee to meet his groin with brutal force. His wings curl inward, and he heels over, drifting back down to the ground one level below us to deal with… that.
I smirk in satisfaction, pleased to still feel her hand grasping my arm. In a matter of seconds, though, her grip grows strained—desperate. I twist my body to gauge the situation and discover why her grasp has changed.
The other damn angel is behind her, yanking her away from me with an extreme level of force. She’s fighting as hard as she can—kicking and thrashing within his grasp.
