When the elevator opens, Angel leads me into an office decked out in gold and precious jewels, just like the rest of the castle. He skips the main desk in the center and instead guidesus to a cozy-looking sofa set in the corner.
Honestly, I don’t like the excessive amount of yellow everywhere I turn. And when Angel tells me his mother designed it, I naturally hate it even more.
We’re waiting for Angel’s parents, who cut their vacation short to visit the kingdom for a few hours to meet me. All I can think about is that I hope I don’t kill them.
Angel was very clear that he didn’t want any blood drawn today. I was already trying to find loopholes, like killing them in a way that won’t get any blood on the carpet. I was sure Khatri would help me with that.
Angel caught the look on my face and reminded me that killing the previous rulers without provocation counted as treason. So I decided to wait until they eventually slip up, then I’ll have the perfect excuse to dig their graves.
In the meantime, I’ll treat this meeting like a practice run for when I officially become the Horsewoman of Death. Calm and composed and deadly… but with my words instead of sharp weapons.
The sound of the door creaking open behind us wipes the happiness off Angel’s face. His whole demeanor shifts in an instant as he watches the couple enter, hand in hand.
I know for a fact that Seiji’s parents are older than Angel’s, but by the looks of it, their frequent vacations haven’t been kind to them.
The woman already has faint wrinkles that could easily make someone mistake her for a woman in her late forties. The man has a similar build to my Angel, if you ignore the lack of muscles and the confidence in his walk.
The prominent signs of aging on the couple make me think that, for some reason, their supernatural genes aren’t doing what they are supposed to do.
Looks like someone pissed off the All-knowing Fates.
I can’t wait to gossip about this with Seiji!
“Nevaeh, this is my mother, Kiara Alarie, and my father, Luke Alarie.” Angel’s voice is stiff, matching his rigid posture.
I’m scared his act might break if I squeeze his hand too tightly. Angel is curt as he replies to their small talk after theybowto him.Ugh, such kiss-asses.
Angel and I take the small couch after his parents choose to sit across from us in separate chairs. The meeting has barely started, and I already want to go back to my room and pretend they don’t exist.
As if Angel’s womb provider can read my mind, she turns toward me with a look that screams fake pity. I already dread whatever bullshit she’s about to spit out.
“We were so relieved to hear Anxo found you. I still remember how Grim’s heart broke the day you were taken. As if the misery of not being granted a mate by the Fates wasn’t cruel enough, he then let his only offspring get kidnapped?” She clicks her tongue, and somehow it’s both offensive and manipulative. “I hope Horseman Blackburn will find some semblance of peace now.”
Let her get kidnapped?
Is this woman on drugs? And why is she talking like it’s the medieval times? She could’ve just said, ‘Your father was fucking wrecked and disappeared to find some inner peace,’ like a normal person.
“It’s so exciting to have you back with us. Perhaps your presence will benefit the kingdom. The way things are running now is lousy at best,” she scoffs, totally unfazed that she’s openly badmouthing my mate in front of me.
I can’t stop myself from interrupting her idiotic tirade. “Why don’t you lend a helping hand, then?”
Angel squeezes my hand that he’s holding on his thigh, maybe to ask me to shut up or help me calm down, but something—actually, no,everythingabout her tone is pissing me off.
I’m shocked how comfortable Kiara is openly criticizing Angel with these snide remarks, like no one’s ever told her to shut the fuck up before. She clearly doesn’t know me if she thinks I’ll sit here and let her insult my mate’s hard work.
I may not know everything, but from what I’ve seen, Angel could use a lot more help. He’s working himself to the bone, breaking his back to carry the weight of three kingdoms while they’re busy roaming the world.
Fates, I loathe them.
Kiara lets out a shallow chuckle and places the teacup she filled just for herself on the table.Inherently selfish bitch. “We’re old, child. Luke and I have worked for years. We deserve this time off. Besides, Anxo has to learn eventually. We’ve given him everything he needs. He just has to do better.”
Oh, now she’s really testing my generosity.
“By everything, you mean the bruises or the insecurities you gifted him growing up?”
My words freeze the room. Angel’s parents flinch, and even he stiffens. I know the abuse stopped as he got older, but they never apologized. Hell, they act like it never happened in the first place.But it did.And I’ll be damned if I let them walk away unscathed, especially when Kiara has the audacity to belittle my mate after all the respect he’s shown these undeserving assholes.
I glance at Angel, searching for signs that I’ve gone too far or if he wants me to back off. But my sweet man looks like he’s not even here, lost in his head, and practically ignoring the entire conversation. He’s holding my hand like it’s the only thing anchoring him, his fingers gently tracing the lines on my palm.
