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“Good morning.”
“Good morning,” they said in unison, repeating the greeting back to me as if I had caught them in the middle of some wrongdoing.
“Imogen. Neverra.” Their backs snapped straight, all humor draining from them at my tone. “You’re needed at the council hall immediately.”
They nodded once and smiled at Dianna. Imogen thanked her for the evening before heading upstairs. Neverra placed a hand on Dianna’s shoulder, a look passing between them as if they shared a secret.
Dianna gave me a soft, almost shy smile. It was such a rare sight to see her so relaxed with her hair sleep mussed and her hazel eyes warm.
“Sorry about the mess.” She smiled, glancing at the kitchen and the glass between us.
With a simple flick of my hand, the kitchen was as before. Spotless, with only their breakfast laid out on the island. “What mess?”
She looked at the clean kitchen. “If you ever need to change careers, you definitely have a future in housekeeping.” Her tone was light, but I caught the slight tremor in her voice.
“Was yesterday pleasant for you?”
Dianna nodded and stood. The movement was pure seductive grace, reminding me so much of the power she wielded but refused to use. I could sense it at times, a flicker, a spark, begging to be lit once more. The way she moved, regardless if she knew it or not, was an enticement. She did nothing in particular; merely her existence made my blood thrum as if singing her praises. The night she’d stripped in front of me, I’d damn near fallen to my knees and begged for just a taste.
What she did to me without even trying had to be a sin in some realm or the next. On Rashearim, they called women like her temptresses. Able to seduce anyone with a flick of their gaze, a finger, or a soft smile. She was the embodiment of a temptress, and I ached for her no matter what she wore or how she spoke. All she had to do was look at me, and I was hard for her. She caught me up in the wildfire that was her, and I burned happily, but I feared I could not give her what she wanted. The thought put a damper on my mood.
Dianna stepped closer and ran her tongue over her lips. I nearly groaned and had to force myself to focus on her words. “I was wondering if you wanted to do something. Just the two of us? And this time without us fighting. I have this place in mind that would be fun. You do remember fun, right?”
Her scent surrounded me, mixed with the sweetness of the crepes. I swore my heart leaped in my throat and lodged itself there. I smiled to soften my response. “While I would—”
She placed a small hand against my chest, and the words died on my tongue. “Just hear me out before you say no and pretend you are busy. Please.”
My hand covered hers, holding it against my chest. “I never pretend that I am busy. I truly am.”
“Sure you are. Anyway, it would just be for a day. A whole mortal day. You can give me a day at least.”
Don’t look at me like that, my mind and heart whispered. So much had happened so quickly, and now Dianna practically begged to spend time with me. Duty told me I should not, but my heart raged that she would only further recluse herself if I said no. She was so fragile right now, but more than that, I wanted to be with her, to have this time with her.
“Y-yes.” I stumbled over my words before I cleared my throat. “I have things to attend to today, but I can try tomorrow.”
She slipped her hand from beneath mine, and a pained expression crossed her features. It was fleeting, but it was there. She smiled and stepped back right as Neverra and Imogen came downstairs. They carried large bags, both of them dressed and ready to go.
I kept my gaze on her, noting that this smile hadn’t touched her eyes, the hazel now clouded. “I may not be back tonight due to—”
“It’s fine. Tomorrow, remember. Just give me tomorrow,” Dianna said, cutting me off.
Neverra and Imogen seemed to hold their breath, everyone waiting for my answer.
I nodded. “Tomorrow.”
Sixty-Eight
Samkiel
A roar shook the ground, and another celestial flew through the large gate. Cameron held the end of one thick chain, and Xavier was on the opposite side, straining against his own chain. At least a few dozen celestials struggled with them, trying to hold it still.
It let out another ear-shattering roar, thrashing against the bindings, trying to break free.
“Gigantes.” My voice vibrated from the stone walls, adding another tremor. Pebbles rained down, scattering across the floor. “Be still.”
“You!” it thundered, spotting me in the massive arched doorway.
Its head scraped the high rock ceiling as it continued to pull against the chains. I summoned an ablaze weapon, igniting the runes burned into the cuffs containing the giant’s wrists. Its arms pulled tight, stretching the bulging muscles of its chest. Cameron, Xavier, and the celestials let go, stepping back as the magic took over the job of containment. Matching runes lit above the arch, sealing the door.
