She scuffs. “I can’t believe this. You’re not even going to deny it.”
“I would never lie to you, Anima. We’re mates. You are more important to me than anything.”
“No, Torque. I’m not. I’m no more important than these court games. If I were, you’d consider what I wanted. I’m not a princess or a queen. I’m an assassin who has special parents and a jackhole mate.”
She pushes through the crowd, heading for the balcony doors. Demons move out of her way faster than normal. I hasten my pace to catch up to her, but she’s already jumped.
The red silk train is the only thing I see before I get to the railing. She storms off into the forest, her hand on her sword.
“Maybe give her a moment. I’m not sure she won’t stab you,” Mammon suggests.
“Why does she run?”
“Because this is not her world. The rules we find logical and simple are outrageous to her. She feels trapped. Suddenly, everyone wants something from her. Imagine what that would be like for you.”
“I don’t like to admit you’re right. It bothers me.”
He slaps me on the back, joining me at the railing. Her dress is a drop of blood in the night, fading farther away.
“You’ll thank me when your mate wants to be with you.”
“What did you two idiots do now?” Uriel asks, his form taking up the entire doorway.
“Nothing, everything. I have no idea.”
He’s dressed in a ridiculous outfit. There are feathers everywhere, and not all are his. His eyes are lined in kohl, and there may be a jeweled belt underneath all that fluff.
“Where is she going?” he asks, taking a sip out of his wineglass.
“She didn’t say. She’s pissed at him. She may have overheard him telling me that being mated is an advantage for the kingdoms.”
Uriel closes his eyes. When he opens them, hellfire burns. He flips off his fluff-layered coat and takes to the sky. “Try not to cause a war while I’m gone,” he says before following Anima into the woods.
ANIMA
The woods behind the castle are sinister. Dark shadows consume secrets, causing a chill down my bare arms. My only solace is Hubris and my SIG.
The beating of wings has me tilting my head to the sky. Black wings flap overhead with a remarkably familiar angel between them. He lands behind me, but I don’t wait for him to catch up. I’m too pissed to stay still.
“Being mad at your mate is pointless.”
“That’s fucking ridiculous coming from the angel we found in a shack in the Bloodlands.”
“Nox and I have a lot more behind us than you and Torque. This is new, and you’re new to the realm and life. You’re barely thirty years old. We’re ancient compared to you.”
I whirl around, stepping into his space. “You all should know better than that. I’m not a puppet for Nox or Torque to show off in court. I won’t be used.”
“Being of royal blood and having a royal mate comes with responsibilities. Blame it on me. I wasn’t there to raise you. I should have made sure the soul merge was safe. I shouldn’t have ran.”
“Don’t be the martyr. We all know who is to blame, and she will die, but that doesn’t mean the rest of you get to show off your shiny prize now. Look at me.” I hold my hands wide. “I look ridiculous in this dress.”
“You’re lovely. The color is perfect for your skin.”
“We take you to court, and you’re suddenly like one of the guys from Queer Eye.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
“It’s an old TV show in the Mortal Realm. The joke isn’t funny if I have to explain it to you.”
I sigh. “It’s not just the clothes and all the demons bowing to me when I walk into the room. It’s that everyone is watching me to see what I’ll do. What makes me so special. It’s a lot.”
“They did it to me when Nox and I first mated. He’s a demon, I’m an angel, and we’re both males. It was as if we took all of their happy lives and turned them upside down. We were quite the scandal.”
“How did you do it? Get over all the stares and expectations?”
“We did it together. The one thing Nox is always true about is his loyalty. Regardless of the fights and the separation, he’d always be there for me if I needed him.”
“I’ve never even had a boyfriend. I don’t think I’m mate material. What can I offer him? I know nothing about court life or even dresses.”
I fluff out the ridiculous train. Frustrated, I want to take it off and throw it on the ground to stomp on it.
“You are more than you think. Special doesn’t even describe what you’re capable of. Anima, you are a prize.”
A giggle comes free, the anger slowly seeping out of me. “I love Torque.”
To admit it out loud is crushing me, but there’s no point in denying it anymore. He’s seated inside of my heart. A part of me I could never shake.
“Does he know that?” Uriel takes a seat on a fallen tree, patting the wood next to him.
“No. I didn’t even believe it until I said it. It’s not a traditional head-over-heels love. It’s more like he’s an extension of me. Our essences are carved into one another for all time. It’s scary as fuck.”
“Fated mates are rare. You’re lucky—some demons or angels don’t find their person in their entire lives.”
“I don’t want to be lucky. I want to be free. Uriel, I’ve always had someone to control me, guide me, command me. I’ve never lived a life for myself. Once we take care of Rahna, I’m leaving. No more Dark or Blood kingdoms. I’m done.”
“We have to survive first, but you’re right. You should be able to do what you want. I can’t imagine all that death has been good for you. It’s the requirements of a warrior, but
