This is it… we got out.We’re finally home.
CHAPTER 26
The circle of idiots
Nevaeh
It’s been eight days, and the newlyweds still refuse to leave their room.
The last I saw them, Harvey was twirling a giddy Grace before he picked her up bridal style and all but ran out of the ballroom. The ridiculously horny and loved-up couple locked themselves in their room that night, and haven’t came out since.Young love.
Diamond huffs out of boredom, making my head bounce where it’s resting on his stomach. Technically, Diamond is Papa’s horse, but he lets me bother him because he loves me so much.
When I first came to see Diamond, the horse kept his distance, and it hurt to know he forgot the only little girl who was allowed to touch his grumpy butt.
On day three, I had enough of him acting like I was a stranger. I took the risk of him headbutting me and reached out to touch him. With trepidation, the horse sniffed my hand, and then immediately wanted me to be his best friend.
The horse refused to stop nuzzling into my hands for more pets. The desperate need for touch squeezed my heart. It was clear how much Diamond had suffered in the absence of the only two people capable of touching him.
Usually, when people see Diamond, they either run away screaming or stand there with pale faces about to pass out. It’snot the poor animal’s fault the Fates chose him to be Death’s immortal horse.
Since every horse was made to reflect its rider, our family horse has skin paler than a ghost, and scorching fire erupting from his legs, tail, and wings. The fire makes it impossible for anyone who doesn’t have Blackburn blood or isn’t mated to the Grim Reaper to stand near him without burning to a crisp.
When I was little, it used to bother me so much that Diamond was the only horse who wasn’t pampered like others because no one else could touch him without getting hurt.
After Diamond knew I was family, I spent hours hovering over him and grooming his beyond-dirty skin and hair because the task had been impossible without Papa.
As much as I was missing him, I hated that Papa left his horse all alone like this. I get that he wasn’t fine, but how does that makeup for abandoning his horse like that? I think both Diamond and I will be holding this grudge for a while.
I remember the angry tears dripping down my chin when I scrubbed him for the first time. The poor animal hadn’t been cleaned or showered with love in almost three years.
My grumpy horse huffs again, signaling me to get off his stomach. He likes to show that he only tolerates my clingy ass and constant blabbering, but I know Diamond loves my company. He just thinks he’s too cool to admit it.
Diamond is a little huffy puffy with me, and I think it’s because he’s mad about me leaving for such a long time.
“The filthy couple is finally here!” I hear Seiji exclaim from the training grounds and sigh tiredly, even though the day has just begun.
Dusting myself, I pat Diamond once more before leaving. He likes to pretend I ruin his alone time, but I don’t miss the little whine whenever I leave him for the day.
When the Deviants attacked us in the human realm, and we failed miserably to fight as a team—mostly because of me, it became clear we needed to fix our team dynamic and become familiar with each other’s fighting techniques.
Angel allowed us a day to relax after the wedding before the practice sessions started the next day. It’s been a grueling week of perfecting individual skills since the entire gang isn’t here yet.
While we work our asses off, sweating and bathing in dirt, Harvey thinks the only exercise he and his wife need can be achieved in bed.
A dozen dirty jokes later, Grace hides her face in her mate’s chest while Harvey seriously contemplates strangling me and Seiji to death. Thankfully, I have Angel on my side, who diverts Harvey’s pent-up aggression to the combat field before his mate is murdered.
Just like that, it was time to sweat like pigs.For them.
Stuffing my face with another handful of spicy Cheetos, I watch Harvey jot down notes between pummeling the poor dummies to the ground with his fists. One would think a whole week with his mate would leave the guy with nothing but happy vibes, butno.
Harvey is pissed that he had to leave his roomat all.
I trace the rough pages of the ancient-looking book in my hand. The consistent overuse screams of its importance. The spine quivers each time I turn a page, and I have to be extra careful before I ruin my mate’s precious work.
Anxo’s book of battle strategies is filled with illustrations and tricks I’ve never heard of before. This is a significant insight into how sharp my mate is when it comes to planning and strategising. I have yet to see him unorganized or careless, even about minor things.
While everyone swims in their sweat and hard work, I sit under a tree with Anxo’s notes because I refuse to waste myenergy on things I have already known since I started training at four years old.
