My eyes dart toward the open door.
Bright sunlight streams into the foyer from the courtyard.
I shake my head. “I think I’m going to stay here, Eve.”
She claps me on the arm as she moves toward the stairs. “Glad to hear it,” she says with a genuine smile.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
It doesn’t takelong for the foyer to empty.
Leaving deafening silence challenged by my pounding heart.
The guards posted at the door step outside and swing the doors shut, severing the bright stream of light.
This is it.
This is what I’ve chosen.
It’s time I step into my choice with everything I have and everything I am. Eve’s offer to run… would have tempted me were I the same scared and desperate creature who stalked the hells.
Things have changed.
I’vechanged.
I never belonged to the hells.
I belonghere.
My transition to this realm, to this life, hasn’t been easy nor seamless. That’s no one’s fault but my own. I recognize that. And with as much as I’ve changed, more change is yet to come. With any luck, it will all be for the better.
The sound ofhisfootsteps cuts through the silence and offer a slower, steadier pace than that of my heart. Forcing myself to breathe, I peer over the banister.
He strides directly below, his black cloak billowing behind him as he walks toward the bottom of the staircase and my silly little racing heart freezes. Upon his brow sits a silver crown, a slip of moonlight against the midnight of his hair. He peers over his shoulder, as if he can feel my stare, and golden eyes dart to mine.
And the universe ceases to exist.
The world could be turning to ash, burning in hellfire, and itwouldn’t be enough for me to look away. Stopping, he turns, the expression on his face one of sheer awe.
I have never looked upon Ryc and thoughtnyraphim.
Not without his wings.
I donow.
How can anyone fail to see the heavenly creature walking among them?
How did I never see it before?
It’s not the black tailored suit he wears. Nor is it the touches of silver ivy embroidered on his collar and cuff. It’s not the glittering, onyx-encrusted crown or the trailing cloak lined in silver silk.
It’s the way he looks at me.
The way heseesme as if nothing else could ever matter.
A nyraphim unafraid to love darkness.
He vanishes in a flash of light and in the same instant, I’m pulled into his embrace. One I’m eager enough to accept. A hand curls behind my neck, the other falling onto my hip.
