Page 34 of Protected by the Fallen
“Until we realized what you are to us,” Zeke adds. “Back at the studio, when I was your instructor, I couldn’t figure out why I was so fascinated with you.”
His eyes grow distant as a memory plays in his mind. “I remember walking into that Monday self-defense class, regretting the fact I’d volunteered to teach when I’d much rather be sparring with other elite fighters in the gym. Then, you walked in, and it was like I felt a ray of sunshine on my face for the first time in decades.”
“A ray of sunshine?” I laugh at the cliché, but I’m touched at the same time. “Really?”
“Really. Everything about you was so… bright. So warm. Your dark hair with the blonde streak, your stunning eyes, your charming smile, even the way your forehead crinkles when you concentrate on learning a new defense move, was—and still is—endearing. But I couldn’t understand why I felt the way I did. It wasn’t until Adrian called and told me he thought he met hisbashert. When he told me he was just outside Valley Lake, I knew he was talking about you.”
We arrive on the first floor. The crowd moves towards the dining hall, but I’m not ready for this conversation to end. I pull Zeke to the side, moving us out of the way. He doesn’t put up a fight, but when I drop his arm, press my back against the wall and look up, I see the question in his eyes.
Over his shoulder, I see Vera hesitate when she finally reaches the base of the stairs. I dip my chin, and she takes the cue to follow the rest of the crowd, but not without waggling her eyebrows at me.
I look back at Zeke. “You,” I pause, needing to catch my breath. I’d forgotten to breathe while Zeke shared his story. “You’ve never told me any of that before.” Zeke has always been distant and reserved. I never would’ve guessed he felt drawn to me all those years ago. Aside from waiting for my parents to arrive, he never spent extra time with me. Even in kickboxing class, he kept a respectable distance, much to my disappointment. To hear Zeke confess he hadn’t been as detached as he seemed is a shock.
“I didn’t think I needed to,” he bends his neck so his words caress my forehead, “I thought my feelings became clear the night of Freddy Hutchins’ party.” The night we made out in the bedroom, right before my childhood crush, Preston, walked in on us.
“But why try to hide it?” I ask, shaking my head, feeling unsure of myself and my worth. “Back in Valley Lake, all those years ago, why keep your distance?” If Zeke had felt half of the attraction I felt for him, how could he walk away so easily? How does he have such restraint?
“Because I couldn’t bring an innocent Nephilim into my life in good conscious.” There. He finally admits it. Zeke thought I was an abandoned Nephilim. I’ve learned his life is full of political intrigue and a complicated history. Knowing him, I bet he thought he acted selflessly. I suppose he had.
The news is a welcome relief. Zeke’s distance had less to do with my unworthiness, and more to do with his desire to keep me safe. They’re just one more item I need resolved.
I lick my lips. “I know you planned to leave once the yancor demons were taken care of.” Zeke stays around because he cares, but that wasn’t always enough of a reason. If it weren’t for the fact Lukas showed interest in me, I don’t doubt the Dark Fallen would’ve disappeared after the yancor demons were no longer a threat.
“But then you kissed me, and though I was already lost to you, that moment made it undeniable.” Zeke’s thumb brushes my cheek, and I see his adoration, open and honest. “Let’s not kid ourselves, Ron. Even if I left, I wouldn’t have been able to stay away.”
“Really?” I try to sound flirtatious, but the word comes out a little breathless. I doubt the Fallen will evernothave that effect on me.
“Really.” Zeke nods with a secretive smile. Then, before I process what’s happening, he leans down and presses a soft kiss against my lips. My entire body tingles and the noise around fades into the background, barely more than a subtle hum. My hands find his hips, and I hold him tight, fearing the sudden kiss will knock me off balance.
Too soon, the moment ends. Zeke’s smile turns roguish. I nudge him playfully, trying to not reveal how much the smallest kiss affects all my senses.
“We should get going,” he whispers against my face. “Adrian won’t like if I keep you all to myself.” The ease with which he discusses sharing me with his brother astounds me. Not that I’m a piece of property or anything like that, but it’s natural for anyone in a relationship to not be okay with their partner seeing someone else at the same time. I understand the initial rivalry between my two Light and two Dark Fallenbashertens, but the only brother who’s shown any jealousy of their own brother is Adrian. Gabe, Joseph and Zeke are strangely easygoing about the fact their soulmate is also their brother’s soulmate.
I’m not complaining. I appreciate there aren’t jealous fights between the sets of brothers. But that doesn’t mean I’m not confused by it.
Zeke steps back, opening the space between us, allowing me to regain my senses. With shining eyes, he holds out an elbow. I take it wordlessly, then force my thoughts away from the unexpected kiss and onto the impending evening.
Fifteen
The banquet halldrips with elegance. Five massive gilded chandeliers, larger copies of those found in our private apartment, are spaced evenly throughout the room. Tall, ornate floral arrangements adorn every single table, rising more than four feet above the surface. The red, purple, and blue roses are combined with lush leaves and alstroemeria buds.
Deep black table cloths and vibrant purple napkins reveal the event’s color scheme. Strands of vibrant green garland run the length of each table, accenting the golden china and flatware arranged in front of every mahogany chair.
The center of the room is empty of tables and chairs, providing an open space for Fallen and Nephilim to walk and mingle. That is the direction Zeke leads me. I gape at the opulence all around me, marveling at the beautiful and handsome beings filling the room. I’ve never seen so many stunning people. I lift my head a little higher. That’s when I see a familiar head of short, dark hair beside a table near the front of the room, standing next to a head of matching black hair, speaking with a group of males and females.
Gabe and Joseph are here. Excitement zips across my skin. Though I can’t interact with them like I want, it is nice to see them. My soul sighs, content. It’s nice to feel the strong presences of all mybashertens. It’s almost like we’re back in Texas. Only, at that time, I’d loathed the Fallen’s constant attention. Things couldn’t be more different now.
Zeke and I veer to the right, and I lose sight of Gabe and Joseph as I am surrounded by tall, muscular Fallen. Zeke lowers our arms, but he places a strong hand against my back, staying close.
“Ezekiel.” I’m happy to see Jude and Vera stand within the group. “About time you showed up. What kept you so long?” Jude gives me a knowing wink, and that’s when I know Vera saw Zeke kiss me.
I blush.
Zeke, composed as ever, smirks and says, “I had business to attend to.”
“Business huh?” Jude gives me another wink, and I shake my head. I don’t know how to respond to his teasing. “That must’ve been some important business to keep you from the banquet.”
“The most important business, actually,” Zeke looks down at me. Again, the depth of his adoration threatens to steal the air right out of my lungs.
