Page 114 of Cursed
Pray? Did I hear him right?What had happened to the broody man who’d left me to Malachi and Lucian’s devices only an hour ago?
Samael ran a hand through his hair, smoothing his bangs. “And when we do, you’d best have better wine in your fridge.”
“I promise.” Cain’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he faced Samael.
After an arrogant bow, Samael blinked, leaving an empty space where he’d stood.
Cain turned to me, his grin fading. “Phoebe, I’m—”
From behind me, someone grabbed my hair, jerking me backward. I threw my hands outward for balance but still toppled to the floor. Too startled and dazed to fumble my newfound sword or power, my useless weapon skidded across the smooth floor.
“Let her go.” Cain raised his weapon, his stare focused beyond my sprawled form to whoever stood behind me.
“You traitor,” a female voice screamed. “How could you betray Lucian? He gave you everything, and you deserved none of it.”
The pressure on my scalp disappeared, and the hate in her voice pulled my attention. I tipped my head up to get a better look. Her face, pasty white, showed black veins snaking across her skin and her eyes, as black as Lucian’s, narrowed on Cain. Pointed teeth bared in a hiss.
This is how I’d always believed demons should look, not the beautifully deranged angels like Samael and Malachi.
Cain gave a shrug, flashing a quick glance to me before returning to her. “We all get what we deserve eventually.”
She knelt and stretched a hand toward me. “I will cut her into—”
A line of burning white fire shot from Cain’s sword and exploded into the demon’s face, melting her skin like hot wax dripping down a candle.
Crouching, Cain dissipated his weapon and shield into nothing then scooped me into his arms. “I need to get you out of here.”
Thankful for his strong arms, I threw a hand around his neck and clung. “Thank you. I wanted to fight, but I don’t think I’m a very good Nephilim.” A high giggle escaped, and I knew I was only seconds away from losing it.
“I’m sorry.” He turned a half circle, peering everywhere, a vertical line appearing between his brows. “I’m sorry for everything. I—”
I placed a finger against his lips. “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. You made a deal with the devil, and he gave you everything you ever wanted. I don’t blame you.” I shrugged, the words creating a sting in my chest.
He blinked us outside the palace, against a wall hidden in shadow. The jarring, clanging ring of war faded a bit and a slight breeze stirred.
I closed my eyes and inhaled Cain’s spicy, masculine scent mixed with sweat. Leaning my forehead into the crook of his neck, I squeezed my eyelids, forcing away the hot tears trying to form.
“Phoebe,” he whispered. “All I ever wanted was—”
“Vengeance and Chosen status. I know.” Getting ahold of myself, I pulled back and stared up at his face. I motioned toward the ground. “You can put me down.”
He narrowed his eyes to slits and stretched out his wings but didn’t let me go. Instead, he gripped me tighter then lifted a hand to cup my cheek, his thumb stroking the skin.
I leaned into the touch even though I knew our relationship was impossibly over.Just one more time, for goodbye’s sake.A renegade tear rolled down my face. “I fell in love with you.”
He stood straighter. His stroking thumb stilled, and he let out a slow exhale. Gently, he slid his hand along my jaw and tilted my face closer to his, his eyes searching mine. “I don’t deserve your love. I hated leaving you here, but I had no one to rely on other than Samael, and the only way he’d help with your rescue was for me to get him into Heaven.” His voice broke. “It was a terrible gamble, and even knowing you were here, possibly dying, I still sought revenge.”
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Yes.” He kissed my forehead. “But it wasn’t in Heaven. It’s here, you in my arms, being surrounded by your love. I’ve found a reason to truly live, and it’s you, if you can forgive me.”
Nodding, I bit my lip, unable to speak because my throat constricted painfully with emotion.
A genuine smile, one of the very few I’d ever seen on him, lit his face. It was breathtaking, a sun peeking between clouds after weeks of storms.
With a quick release, he dropped me to my feet on the ground and pushed me against the warm, black obsidian wall.
“You are worth more to me than anything in the entire universe.” He crashed his mouth against mine, digging his hands into my hair and pushing his hard, muscled body against mine, his tongue forcing its way into my mouth and his pelvis digging into mine.
