Holy shit, this lined up perfectly with what I had read in the library.
“Okay… but what does that have to do with ancient blood?”
“Descendants of ancient blood are the offspring of the Archangels when they bred with other species,” Titus said. “Descendants of the Guardians themselves.”
“After eons, it’s diluted. It only shows up in traces now. That’s why it’s unlikely you’re directly related to Aurelius or Gleeda.”
Then his gaze sharpened. “What I can’t figure out is how a mortal has ancient blood. Mortals aren’t supposed to be able to conceive with angels. There shouldn’t have been any lineage in your realm after the realms were divided.”
I wasn’t technically an orphan, but I’d spent so much of my life in the care of strangers that I felt like one. The idea of lineage—ofknowing—lit a hunger in me. All I have ever wanted was a family.
“Is there any way we could find out?” I asked. “Do you know someone who’s an expert in this?”
After a moment, his mouth curved into a filthy grin.
“I do,” he said. “A historian in ancient lineage. An old friend… so to speak. Aurelius, Cercies, and I have fond memories with her.”
I didn’t miss the wordher, or the implication but jealousy wasn’t the priority right now. If someone had answers, I wanted them.
“Great. Can we visit her on the way back?”
“Yeah, no,” he said. “Three problems. One, she won’t be happy to see me. Two, we need to get these crystals back as soon as possible—the food supply is top priority. And three, she’s a Water Fae in the Kingdom of Seas, and we’re nearly at war with them. It’s not happening.”
“Oh, come on. Can’t you glamour us again to look like Water Fae? How far is it?” I begged.
“It would add a few hours to our already delayed arrival,” he said. “I have to get these crystals back.”
He studied my disappointed face.
“We don’t have the same ability to preserve information like you do in this realm,” I said quietly. “If I don’t find out here, I’ll probably never know who, orwhatI am.”
His expression softened. His eyes sparkled with mischief. He leaned closer and placed his hand on my thigh.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he murmured. “I’ll mind-link Aurelius to be here in the morning to pick up the crystals, and I’ll take you to her— if you do something for me.”
His voice was sweet seduction. My heart slammed against my ribs.
“I’m listening,” I said, breathy.
“I want you to take off the shirt,” he said, gaze dragging over me, “and let me see that lingerie with my own eyes. Then come to my tent and let me do whatever I want with you.”
His perfect face, hard body, and the bulge beneath his towel beckoned.
Was I going to let myself go all the way with him?
I’d tried to stay devoted to Jared, but the truth was brutal—there were no guarantees. No guarantee I’d survive getting the dagger. No guarantee I’d ever be sent back. No guarantee he hadn’t already moved on.
And I had died.
Whatever vows I’d made belonged to a version of me who no longer existed. The woman who lay in a hospital bed and promised forever had flatlined.
This was a different world. I was a different woman. I was choosing as the woman I had become.
Giving in to Titus didn’t feel like betrayal. It felt like claiming something that was already mine.
And he was so damn seductive.
For once, I wasn’t going to choose fear. I was going to choose myself.
