Page 91 of A Kiss From Death
Grief is like an ocean. It comes in waves, ebbs and flows, calm and content at times and all-consuming in others. You just have to learn to weather the storm, and that is what I will be doing today: using it as the fire that licks my back until there is no other option but survival. Grief may be debilitating, but today, I will be wielding it as my weapon.
A knock sounds on my door, pulling me from my thoughts. I rush over, throwing it open and expecting it to be Hade collecting me, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see big, rosy cheeks shining me the biggest smile as Winston comes into view.
“I’m here to whisk you away, little lady,” he beams down to me. I spot a tiny bit of dried orange juice on the side of his mouth, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up my throat. He noticesmy eyes on his mouth and bashfully reaches up, wiping away the evidence.
“Saving a little for seconds, I see.” I tease, shooting him a wink.
“Tastes even better the second time,” he jokes with a cheeky smirk, and I can’t help but smile at this big teddy bear of a man. “Are you ready?” he asks with a hint of worry he masks behind a big smile.
I nervously nibble my lip and nod in answer. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
As I follow him out into the corridor, we easily fall into step next to each other. I hook my left arm though his elbow, habitually rubbing the dagger necklace hanging from my neck.
“No Hade today?”
Ever since Hade took back over for Winston, I have seen less and less of him. I’m starting to think Hade has a bit of a controlling problem when it comes to me—not that I’m complaining, but it means I have seen less of Winston than I would like. He has been a rock to lean on while here and has helped me more than he will ever know.
“Daddy Death was summoned to inform Aire of today’s events, but don’t you fret—he will be joining us later.” Winston says it so casually, I choke on my breath, caught off guard. He shoots me a concerned look as I clutch my chest, trying to collect myself.
“Did you…” I sputter, trying to hold in my impending laughter the best I can. “Did you just call HadeDaddy Death?”
Winson looks at me out of the corner of his eye, sporting a slight smirk. “Is he not?”
I lose my small sliver of composure and howl with laughter, bending over at the waist. After collecting myself, I reply, “I suppose you’re right, though I would love to see you call him that to his face.”
“Whose face?” A deep voice crawls up my spine just as I crash into a hard body. Strong arms wrap around me before I go crashing to the ground. I drag my eyes up, colliding with two swirling, opposite-colored saucers. A blush creeps up my chest just from his nearness and the memories of his magic wrapped around my fingers in the library.
Shaking my head, I clear my thoughts and shoot a side glance at Winston in question. Hade slips his hands into his pockets casually, staring between the two of us. Silence carries on until it’s painfully awkward. Being the troublemaker I am, I nudge my shoulder into Winston’s, making him stumble a bit until he lets out a loud sigh in defeat.
“Yours, sir,” Winson says in a professional tone, making me giggle under my breath.
Suck up.
Hade lets out a short grunt, looking at the end of his extra short fuse. “And what exactly are you saying to my face?”
Winston turns beet red, looking like he can’t decide if he’s embarrassed or about to piss his pants. If I didn’t know Hade was a secret softy underneath all his hard exterior, I would be fearing for my friend right now, but I would never let Hade do anything to Winston. I know he wouldn’t lay a finger on him anyways. I keep my lips sealed, though, enjoying the sight of Winston flushed and squirming uncomfortably under Hade’s deadly stare.
Daddy Death, indeed.
“It’s nothing really,sir,” he rushes out. “Just a silly little nicknamewecame up with.”
Did he just say we?
“Out with it,” Hade barks.
“Daddy Death!” I shout before losing all my composure again, slapping my hand over my mouth to muffle my laugh.
Winson freezes, looking like a mouse trapped by a predator. Silent giggles rack my body, my chest shaking uncontrollably.Shock flashes across Hade’s face for the briefest moment before he schools his features again, back to the mighty Cardinal. Then, the strangest thing happens. The side of his lips betrays him, lifting ever so slightly as the smallest chuckle sneaks its way up his throat.
“Daddy Death?” Hade repeats in an amused tone. Leave it to Hade to be impressed—as if he needed another thing to fuel his overflowing ego. Winston gulps loudly before letting out a long breath, relaxing again.
“Well, if you two are done ogling me and my magic, I’m going to take this one off your hands.” He points to me, and my damn heart does a little somersault in my chest.
“It’s no bother,” Winston says with a smile. “I do not mind escorting her to the Bubble.”
“I wasn’t asking,” he states. “She’s going with me.”
“Hade,” I scold, narrowing my eyes. “You can be nice, you know.”
