“Let’s go, Phantimèssa.”
Chapter 27
Nahomie
Clinging to Tassarion’s back,I settled between the columns of his wings as the king flew down a barren hall near the entrance of our lair. This hall was also only accessible by boat or angelic flight. Tassarion reached a glass door made of mosaic tile encased in stone. With his bare foot, he kicked the door open. Without warning, he squeezed my thighs, then jumped out.
“Tassarion!” I screamed.
The king belly-laughed so hard his shoulders shook. At the last moment, he spread his wings open and floated down to the sandy beach floor.
“Oh, come now, Nahomie. Did you die?”
That didn’t even warrant a response. I smacked his head from behind. Tassarion laughed harder as he walked across the sand, still carrying me on his back. As we approached the shoreline, I saw the beautifully curated picnic for two. My hearts fluttered at the sight. I kissed the winged tip of his ear, which led to him gripping my thighs tighter. Tassarion reached the picnic and tenderly placed me down. As I settled on the soft blanket, I glanced back and gasped.
“She’s a beauty when you can look at her from this angle in the middle of the dawn,” Tassarion chimed in proudly. “Thetwinight of our wingbinding was too dark for you to see all of this.”
I took in the detail of the rocky slope Everthorn Manor was embedded in. The ebony manor was colossal, an architectural feat that left me speechless. The gothic, interconnected towers of the manor were an astonishing sight. Along the balustrade, the Gargorètti perched, blinking down at us. For a silly reason or another, I lifted my hand and waved at them. To my pleasant surprise, the Gargorètti gave me their best terrifying smiles as they collectively waved back.
Turning back to Tassarion, I snuggled into the blanket. We sat in comfortable silence for some time. I relished this moment as the seven suns burned into my exposed skin. I took a deep breath, eyes glued to the continuous waves that rolled in before fading at the shoreline. This was my favorite place in the world. The ocean brought me an insurmountable amount of peace.
It seemed the same could be said for my wingmate.
At the same time, we both sighed. I tucked my knees into my chest, loving the feel of the ocean breeze on my skin. Tassarion sat close to me, the feathers of his wings brushing my arms and legs. There was nothing better to me than the therapy of the Ouanaviel Sea. Sitting in this moment of peace and quiet, I couldn’t help but think of my family and how badly I missed them. How badly I missed Edenael Island.
“What are you thinking about, Nahomie?”
I shivered at the intimacy that now swarmed me regularly when Tassarion spoke with me down the bond. Each time we spoke through it, I felt closer to him. I felt... safe with him. I choked on the thought, my eyes tearing up. It had been so long since I felt safe. But with the Mortevain King... Stars. I had to keep it together before I started sobbing from this new truth. I rested my head on Tassarion’s shoulder. In turn, he leaned into me, resting his head on top of mine.
“My family,”I said.“Edenael Island. My lost home, Nahomie Manor. But truth be told, you are right. It’s not safe for me to go back. Not alone.”I sighed, battling rising despair.“My powers have isolated me my entire life. Made me an Empyrean target. Manmi and Papi moved me into Nahomie Manor on my own by my First Millennia. I didn’t get to live among the villagers because it was common knowledge the Farasee Order was hunting for a Seraphim with a certain fire. Not to mention, many of the angels thought me a Lougawès, too.”
Tassarion wrapped an arm around my waist and squeezed.
“Unfortunately, I know all too well what that’s like. Being forced into your home to live there alone, away from those you love so very much.”
I tried so hard not to cry, but I couldn’t help the fresh tears clinging to my lashes.
“It wasn’t all bad. But. I had lived alone for so long. Built an entire world full of peace and reasonable safety. Like you, I had Anshantmants all around the manor. But what’s the point of building a perfect home you are forced to live in alone just to survive the hatred of a world that won’t ever accept you for who you are?”The tears flowed. My lower lip trembled.“It’s so hard, so exhausting, having to survive in isolation because you’ll never be protected in community.”I wiped my tears watching the ocean waves through blurred vision.“I just wanted to live. To exist. But that was asking too much.”
Tassarion didn’t rush to respond. Instead, he stroked my back. He curled me to his side, brushing my skin with his wings. The thought of him letting me just talk, letting me beseen... I cried even more. I’d kept this close to chest for so many centuries. Manmi and Papi couldn’t handle the truth. It was such a relief to finally be with someone who held space for my brokenness and gave me room to grieve.
“I’ll never forget when Manmi and Papi finally sat me down forthe talk.” I sniffled, talking out loud. “Manmi always said a dawn would come when the...” I choked on the words I’d kept secret for centuries. “When the Farasees would come for me. She never guessed they would also deploy the Ivory Rain. Hèls, the Dyabèssa herself! She always said, should I be caught by them... they would not be kind.” I shuddered. “Farasees have a thing for pretty faces and tiny waists, didn’t you know?” I snorted, still crying. “They’re also insatiably addicted to power. Especially that of fire.”
I frowned, growing bitter at the somber memories of being told the truth.
“Allegedly there is no worse fate than falling into the custody of High Farasee Manazzra Ahabiah. Angels in his captivity will beg for death and never find it. He is cruel and wicked.” I curled my nostrils. “I pity the angel who’s been taken by him and still lives.”
“Manazzra can go straight to the Hèls with gasoline britches on.”
I exploded with laughter. My chest felt much lighter after sharing all of that about myself. It felt like I could finally take a real, deep breath and be okay. Tassarion leaned forward and propped open the picnic basket. There was enough food inside to feed a small army.
“This is an insane amount of food considering we just ate, Tassarion.”
“There’s no such thing as too much food.” He reached a hand into the basket, pulling out a sweet treat.
“Are all Everthorns Soul Benders?”
I plucked a piece of mangogo from one of the gilded bowls and popped the mango into my mouth.
