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“Oh.”
I could only imagine the colorful things Vincent said about me. I knew his dislike came from centuries of being sworn enemies, but at times, it seemed to go deeper. Samkiel stared at the bulbs in his hands. They flickered to life, light dancing in them for just a moment before going out.
“So, no, he’s not coming, but it’s more because of me than you. He blames me for leaving, and he’s right. I left them all, secluding myself for a thousand years after Rashearim fell.”
“Samkiel, you know better th—”
“I’m trying, Dianna. I am, but I can’t keep from feeling as if all I do is fail. One decision I make affects another, and so on and so on. Anything I do… Vincent’s right. I don’t know what I’m doing. My father always knew what to do and how to act. If he saw me now, what I am, how I’d failed. He would be disappointed. It’s not enough.”
His powerful shoulders slumped, the literal weight of worlds resting on them. He dropped his head, hiding the unshed tears in his eyes.
“Hey, it’s enough. You are enough,” I said, jumping off my chair. I placed my hands on his arms, and he glanced down at me. “You lost your world and your father in a war you feel you caused. Trust me. You could have done a lot worse. You know, like go on a murderous rampage.”
Samkiel’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “I suppose. I just wish they were all here. But I understand things have changed, and everything is different.”
That part hit me hard. Everything was different. Here I was, trying to make this time with Samkiel’s family special and important, doing things I had done when Gabby and I would celebrate The Fall. The lights always made her happy. I thought it would do the same for all of us. Even the dishes I forced him to help me make when he returned meant something.
“No one can be mad when they have delicious food. It’s basic science.”
“That’s not science, Gabby.”
“Who has a degree? Yeah, that’s right.”
The memory came and left, and I let it, accepting both the pain and the warmth that came with it. I sighed. “I get it. Everything has changed, and you miss your family.”
“I do.”
“Maybe separating will be good for you all. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
“Perhaps.”
“Or,” I squeezed his arms, “I can kill him. Just say the word.”
He looked down as he shook his head. “That will only prove his point.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll wear a pretty dress tonight to make you feel better.”
He gave me a small smile, a crack in that thick, heavy armor. “You’re too kind.”
I stepped forward, the lights between us glowing from his power as I whispered, “With nothing on underneath.”
The lights burned brighter, illuminating both of us.
“I’m healed.”
I laughed and placed my hand against his cheek, wanting to protect him as furiously as he had always protected me. The darkest part of me, made of razor teeth, claws, and armored scales, seemed to grin widely at the thought of just how far I knew I would go to do just that. So I let a tiny sliver in that cracked locked door shine through when I spoke next. “I am sorry, though. I wish I could make it better, truly.”
“It’s not you. Things were rough long before you. Thank you for this. That you are doing all of this for us means a lot. It’s nice.” Samkiel glanced around the large deck, the tan railing made of the same pale stone as the palace.
I winked at him. “I’m a nice girl.”
Samkiel grinned, and every light I had hung up fell, the cord dragging them down one by one as if the universe disagreed.
“Well,” I said in a disgusted huff. Samkiel laughed, and I shook my head. “Just fix it, please.”
Samkiel’s smile never wavered as he lifted one hand and snapped his fingers. The lights hung themselves, draped perfectly along the awning and the railing, glowing with a soft, warm light. A large table appeared in the middle of the deck, the place settings and flowers flawless.
I stared. “You know, if this god thing doesn’t work out, you could also have a career in party planning.”
