ERIK
Helena has gestured for me to leave, and logic wins out despite my every desire to remain by her side for every single second of the rest of our lives. She needs a moment with her uncle, and I need a moment to... understand. Think. Process everything that just happened. Helena’s near-death experience, the bombing, Phelix, Conrad...
“I’ll be right outside, Helena,” I whisper.
My incredible female smiles at me, her pink eyes lighting up as she nods. The way her smile makes me feel... I can’t wait to get her alone.
Show her exactly how much I love her. Teach her that words aren’t the only way to show someone you love them. But I know she might need some time, which is okay with me. Especially now that her uncle has given us the greatest gift of all.
A boon.
I walk to the door in a daze. I fling it open, barely flinching as it bangs against the wall. A whoosh of cool air greets me as I leave the King’s chamber, and I can’t help the breath that escapes out of me as I lean against the obsidian wall.
Rubbing my hands against my eyes, I take deep breaths while I fight to process everything that has happened.
A few days ago, I was a dead man walking. The Ice Mer King was coming after me, and I would have let him have me. Anything for Helena. To keep her safe.
I had already decided to give it all up for her. I don’t know when exactly it happened, but somewhere along the way, Helena taught me that a short life filled with love and laughter is better than a long, drawn-out one absent of all feelings. She taught me to feel and care, and I am so grateful.
And now... now, the Daemon King has decided to grant me a boon. When he first began speaking, I had no idea where he was going. But as soon as I realized what he was offering me, it was as though a bright ray of sunshine had filled the room.
A life with the woman I love. I would have given Aidoneus anything he asked for at that moment. Anything. And all he asks is that I take care of her? Marry her?
After watching Helena’s idiot uncle nearly kill her, I knew I would do anything for her. Iwilldo anything for her. Being with Helena, living with her, is inevitable. Right. Like we were always meant to be.
Marriage is nothing when you are already two halves of the same whole. I was already willing to give my life for Helena’s. Marriage seems like nothing more than a formality at this point.
I’m no fool. I don’t believe that things will be easy for us. For Fortuna’s sake, look at this city. Anyone with half a sense can see that things will take time to rebuild. But somehow, with Helena by my side, it all seems feasible.
A few minutes pass before an awareness washes over me. My skin prickles, and I know I’m no longer alone. Lowering my hands from my eyes, they don’t make it past my shoulders as I take in the large male standing in front of me.
“You,” I snarl. Clenching my fists, I am lunging forward before realizing what is happening. My prosthetic collides with a golden face that is so beautiful it’s hard to look at. Drawing back my fist, I shake it as the pain radiates through my hand. “How dare you show your face here after what you tried to do?”
Helena’s idiot uncle looks at me with a dangerous glint in his eye. His wings snap behind him in clear warning as he tilts his head. “Careful, mortal. I will allow you to speak your piece for one minute, but remember who you are addressing.”
Right. The wings. The golden skin. King Raphael Zeus. Also known as the male who nearly killed Helena. Nodding once, I take a single step back. “You nearly killed her,” I say through clenched teeth.
“But I didn’t, did I?” Raphael’s voice is melodic.
“The only reason you didn’t was because your brother was there to save her.”
The King of the Angels sighs. “Ah, yes. Aidoneus. He’s always been the perfect brother. There to save everyone, it seems.”
My eyes narrow. “What exactly do you have against him?”
“It’s none of your concern.”
I huff. “Seeing as how you almost killed my fiancée, I would say that it is, in fact, my concern.”
“Fiancée?” he chuckles. “You sure work quickly, human.” Glancing at his bare arm where a watch would have been, Raphael’s face hardens as he suddenly slams my body against the wall. “Time’s up. It’s my turn to speak. You might be here under Aidy’s protection, but let me make something clear to you. I am a god. The next time you touch me, I will tear you apart limb from limb. It doesn’t matter to me who you are.”
“Get away from the human.”
Black wings snap from somewhere down the corridor, and I look up as a Daemon flies down from a door up high. I hadn’t even noticed it before.
Raphael jerks away from me, crossing his arms as he glowers. I take in a deep breath as the Daemon appears in my peripherals. His black wings are spread behind him, and he is wearing a thick suit of armor.
“Well hello, Toth’toros,” Raphael purrs. “Fancy seeing you here.”