Now, we can go home.
“I should go see him,” I murmur to myself.
“Why? If he dies suddenly, it will be very suspicious.” Aiden leans back in his chair and signals the bartender for another drink.
“I’ll be back,” I say, slipping out of my chair.
Aiden snatches my wrist, stopping me. His eyes lock on mine, cold and empty. “Remember, we have a pact.”
I wrench my arm away from him, rubbing at my already bruising wrist. He turns away before I can answer, and I rush up the stairs. If I don’t kill Kane, will I be held responsible by my father and Aiden? The thought of owing anything to Aiden has my stomach twisting. I pause outside the door. Images of Kane’s slack jaw and bloodied face spring to my mind. It hurt me to see him like that. Taking a deep breath, I push the door open slowly.
The hinges creak as it opens and I wince, hoping I haven’t woken him. “Come in, Briar,” Kane’s voice filters towards me from the shadows around the bed.
I bite my lip, trying not to smile with relief. The sound of his voice is enough for me to know that he’s healing well. Closing the door softly, I turn towards him, heart beating rapidly in my chest. I tiptoe towards the bed, not wanting to shatter the silence in the room as Kane waits for me. I can see his eyes glittering in the darkness, watching me. At his bedside, I pause, hands twisting together. I wonder if he saw what happened if he caught a glimpse of the angel that must have been at my side. Mother, I think vaguely.
“Sit, Briar,” Kane says. His voice is inviting, nothing like the demanding tone he would normally take.
“How are you feeling?” I ask. My eyes are adjusting to the darkness. I can see his jaw is secured and healed, bruises pocking his skin below the scruff on his cheeks and chin. His arm is in a sling, propped against his chest. “You look better.”
“I feel much better,” he says. “Healing well, we should be able to return to the Underworld tomorrow night.”
A sense of relief floods through me. Relief that Kane will heal so quickly. Relief to return home. “Good.” I nod, smiling.
Kane is quiet for a moment before he pins me in place with an even stare. “Briar, we need to talk.”
“About?” I ask hesitantly.
“What happened in the Opera House tonight,” Kane murmurs. “About the Nephilim.”
A vision of the Nephilim, red eyes wide and bulging, lips parted in a silent scream flashes through my mind. I can smell his death again. “I should let you rest, we can talk later,” I say hurriedly. Or never.
“Let’s talk now,” Kane says forcefully. I hesitate, frozen, and ease back down on the edge of the bed. “Do you have any idea what you did tonight?”
“I didn’t do anything,” I whisper.
“You saved me.” Kane’s tone softens but I see a hint of darkness in his eyes, like shame. “If you hadn’t come when you did, I would be a dead man. He would have leeched my soul.”
“Why was he so powerful?” I ask, thinking of the moment I saw him force Kane to his knees and pry his jaw apart.
Kane shakes his head. “I can only guess it had something to do with the souls he consumed. He must have gained power and strength through them – at least that’s what he claimed.”
“What now?” I ask, hoping Kane won’t bring up the Nephilim’s strange death.
Kane's black eyes are locked on mine, and I feel warmth stir in my chest. The dagger is still in my waistband, and all I feel is guilt. "When we return to the Underworld, we begin planning our wedding. If you'll have me still."
My jaw goes slack with surprise, and then I grin manically. "So soon? We have over a month left of the Claiming. There's no need to rush."
“Perhaps.” Kane shrugs and then winces at the small movement. “But it would please me, nonetheless.”
My head reels. In my mind, I always envisioned myself returning to my family. Kane was never a part of such imaginings, almost like he never existed. Or as if he were dead. But I never pictured myself in the Underworld until my death. Kane watches me closely, and I try to school my face. I learned everything about the Underworld while I was young. My father wouldn't want me to return to him if I haven't completed my vow. I couldn't.
“It would please me too,” I say softly, not knowing if it’s a lie anymore.
“Good.” Kane smiles like a cat with a mouse in its sights.
“I should let you rest.” I rise, heart thumping.
I turn away from him, eager to reach the door and find some privacy. “What do you know about your mother?” Kane asks suddenly.
I pause, biting my lip. “She died when I was sixteen, I know as much about her as any sixteen-year-old would.”
“Like?” Kane prods.
"Well, what do you want to know?" I eye him over my shoulder. "It's clear you're after something."
“Very astute of you.” Kane grins. “But I simply thought I should get to know my bride now that I’ve made my decision.”
I feel a thrill of anticipation slip through my body, skin tingling. When our eyes meet, I see visions of the two of us tangled together. I blush, pushing such thoughts from my mind. He’s recovering from a near-death experience, I
