My mother had always been distant and cruel, off climbing the social ladder. My father and older brother hadonly sought to harden me, beating me and calling it training for my eventual military service.
Tears stung my eyes.
“I was only ever a tool to them. So… no.”
She shook her head slowly. “This world is way more messed up than I thought.”
I scoffed a laugh, sniffing back my tears. “Got that right.”
I’d participated in the “messed up” and brutal game of this world for far too long. I’d done so many things I regretted, to the point that I didn’t recognize myself, hating who I’d become. And deep down I so desperately wanted to change the system. I just had no idea how.
But Izzy.
She could change everything.
Seraphim were beings of light and spirit, and it was our spirit magic that made us an indomitable force against the brute strength and greater magic of the nephilim. We could keep going beyond what wasphysicallypossible. We could even bolster others when their spirits flagged. And yet, Izzy’s proud spirit invigorated me in a way no seraphim ever had. I wanted nothing more than to bask in the pure brilliance of that radiant spirit. Maybe if I did, if I stayed with her long enough, I could become the man I dreamed of being, a man of honor and dignity.
“Maybe together,wecould change things,” I breathed.
Those sea-green eyes gazed up at me, searching, probably trying to figure out if I was playing her. I didn’t blame her. Everything I’d said — even as impassioned as I’d been — could all be an act.
It wasn’t.
But she didn’t know that.
She grimaced and shook her head.
“That sounds good, but…” She sighed heavily. “It’s not you, I just… I don’t tend to work well with a partner. I’m a loner.”
My heart constricted. Yet I felt a wavering in her spirit. I got the feeling she didn’tlikebeing alone.
“You don’t have to be,” I offered, bringing my hands to the sides of her shoulders. I wanted to pull her closer but settled for this contact.
She smiled. “Maybe…? Talk to me again once I have a better grip on this strange world. I’ve been here all of three days. I’m not ready to fight the powerjustyet.” But she wanted to, I could feel it.
I nodded. “I’ll wait.” Even if every moment I spent away from Izzy was torture, every second serving Saldrea, a knife in my soul.
She blew out a long breath.
“I really should get to my water magic class.”
I nodded, then offered my arm to escort her over to Naia Hall.
And after I’d dropped her off, I stood there, staring at the flowing lines of the water magic building.
How in Heavens could I get Izzy to trust me?
I walked a very fine line, avery dangerousline. If I played my hand too openly, Saldrea would find out what I was doing. As much as she couldn’t hurt me, she could hurt or even kill Izzy, who was still young in her power. On the other hand, I needed Izzy to believe me, so I could train her in spirit, help her see her potential. I needed her to learn and grow and become the capable and compelling woman I knew she could be.
So that she could wrap me in that powerful aura of hers and banish the darkness within me. And once I was whole, we could stand up to Saldrea, hand in hand, heart to heart, spirits bound in love and defiance.
But how could I explain to a non-seraph — who knew so little of the fae realm — that her spirit and mine were meant to be together? That she had the power to heal me and help so many others?
I didn’t know, but I had to find a way.
I had to make this work, had to make her trust in herself, had to make her trust me, because I had a feeling the very fate of this world — the very fate of my own soul — depended on it.
IZZY
