Page 21 of Claim the Twilight
She takes a moment to ponder my questions. “I feel…awake. Alive in a way I’ve never felt before, but…”
“But what?”
She touches her arm, the spot where her blessing once left its mark. “When I broke the rules of chastity to save Ordell, I thought my ability to connect to the white wing power was gone.But I somehow connected to it to escape Henry’s mansion and save you. I think when the white wings brought my soul back, when the deal with Loviator was made, it might have connected me with the celestial light somehow. I think that’s how I could wield the blade even without my mark. But now…Now the light is gone. I can feel its absence like an ache in the deepest part of me.”
“Orina…you don’t need a blessing to believe. You don’t need a mark and a sword to protect the innocent.” She looks up at me through a sheen of tears and smiles. My heart fractures a little, the yearning to heal her, to turn the smile of sorrow into one of joy coursing through me. “You are a champion. It is the core of you, and that won’t change, no matter how much your body changes. And now, more than ever, this world needs champions.”
She blinks, dislodging tears. “I love you, Ezekiel. So very much.”
Emotions form a painful knot in my throat. “I do believe that I love you more.”
A moment passes between us, one that would have, should have been punctuated with a kiss. Dammit, what’s taking Hemlock so long?
Orina exhales. “You’re right, though. Losing my blessing doesn’t mean I have to stop working with the Order. Loviator is free, and the white wings will need our help to catch her.”
Mention of the white wings reminds me that she doesn’t know about Kaster. “Orina, there’s something that you should?—”
The door opens, and Hemlock enters the room. “Is she herself?” he asks me. “Stable?” His tone is curt. A far cry from the lovesick male I’ve spent the last two days with. What the fuck is he playing at?
“Excuse me,” Orina says. “Sheis right here. Why don’t you ask me yourself?”
Hemlock gives her a flat look. “How are you feeling?” His tone softens a little, and Orina’s shoulders drop.
“I’m okay. A little hungry, but Ezekiel is going to get me some bagged blood.”
“Good.” Hemlock smiles, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. “Let’s get you out of there.” He drops the wards, then unlocks the cell to let Orina out.
She looks up at him, her gaze searching his face for something. Most likely affection, but Hemlock gives nothing away, and a flicker of anger licks at my chest.
Granted, I would prefer not to share the woman I love with him, but he’s hurting her, and I won’t have that.
He and I will be having a conversation soon. But for now, Orina’s needs must come first.
I gently grip her elbow and draw her away from him and toward the door. “Let’s get to the library. You can eat there.”
She tears her gaze from Hemlock, her mouth tightening. “Sounds good.”
We get to the door, and she pauses to look back at Hemlock. “You coming?”
He offers her his profile. “I have things to do, Orina.”
I catch the hurt in her eyes before she masks it. The part of me that wants her to myself revels in it because Hemlock pushing her away brings her closer to me but…dammit, I can’t be selfish where her heart is concerned. “I’m sure yourthingscan wait, brother.” Irritation bleeds into my tone.
Hemlock nods. “Fine, I’ll join you both there shortly.”
Yes, Hemlock and I will most certainly be having words later.
Chapter 9
AN INTERLUDE WITH A MEMORY
Ican’t believe we’re here. That we made it.
Together again.
I grip Tor’s hand tighter as his face fills with wonder at what I’ve created.
“This is ours?” he asks. “We can come here whenever we like?”
