“Oh, it’s you, sire,” a man said. “Can I help in any way?”
“It’s fine,” Lore murmured without breaking their eye contact. “Michael should be here soon.”
“Very well.” The door shut again.
His gaze skimmed her face, an urgency edging his expression. “Nia, I know you don’t want to hear anything I have to say, and I can’t blame you, but there is something I must?—”
“Oh, you want a last fling?” she taunted, and his brow lowered. Made him angry, did she? Good.
“Is that what you want?” he demanded.
Did he think she would beg him to stay? No matter her breaking heart, she’d groveled enough.
“What I want is a man who can make his own decisions. And to want me as I—never mind. Let’s just forget this. You and me? It was just a passing fancy, a momentary insanity, whatever you want to call it. I mean, you’re an angel, after all. A girl can get swept off her feet.”
She pivoted to the French doors. With shaky hands, she removed her scrunchie, recoiled her messy hair into a tight topknot, and secured it.
“I am no man,” he said, voice tight. “Nor can I behave like one. My life isn’t straightforward, Nia. There are things beyond even my control.”
There was a note in his low voice, pain?—
No, she squeezed her eyes shut. It was just the foolish longing of a heart starved for affection and love, the bane of all her dealings with him, imagining things not there.
“Yes. You made it quite clear where you stand.”
A deep exhale. “All isn’t as you think?—”
“Oh, more secrets?” She spun back to him. “Why am I not surprised?”
“You aren’t alone?—”
“No, I’m not,” she cut him off. “I might not have any family, but I have Saia and Zayn. They are all I need.”
A tic pulsed on his clenched jaw. “Ishewhom you want?”
Even though he didn’t want her long-term, he still had a bee in his bonnet over Zayn. She rubbed her brow wearily. Didn’t bother to respond.
“I’ve made it clear to you, Nia. It has and always will be you.”
She wished with all her heart that it was true. But she came second, and he couldn’t see it. He had no clue about the workings of a relationship. He couldn’t have her and keep his halo, too.
Besides, always hiding just to be together would eventually destroy her, if she wasn’t killed first. “I’m not doing this.”
“Very well, Michael can explain everything since you won’t let me.” With a terse nod, he stepped back. “Wait here.”
He stalked off, the door closing behind him with a soft snap, and she shuddered. The cracks in her heart splintered wider. Not even when her parents died, and Nan became her guardian, had she felt this lost.
How could everything collapse so fast and be this devastating?
After the intensity of their lovemaking that morning, she’d awakened with so much hope. But it was just the longing and foolish daydream of the child she’d been, to be chosen first, just this once.
She dashed away a tear. And she stilled as what he’d said flickered through her hurting mind.
All isn’t as you think. You aren’t alone.
And the intensity in his tone…
Was he trying to tell her there was hope for them without actually using the words? He had mentioned he was compromised and that the other angels watched and listened.
