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Kiranon tilted his head, sneering.
“Un’Sèlie whore.”
I flinched at the insult, seething. I was about to say something that could get me killed when I saw his siblings shift. A low growl slipped out of Dèravhen’s mouth, his eyes glued to my frame. Magic pooled into Nèrvanya’s palms, her eyes blackening. The Domenent looked like Death incarnate. The Sky Watchers slipped imperceptibly closer. My chest was pounding with panic. I shuffled uncomfortably, failing to keep from fidgeting in growing terror.
“Pray tell. You who have spread yourself wide for free.” He grunted, his beauty turning savage. “Don’t tell me you were stupid enough to fall for the Condemned.”
I said nothing. I didn’t trust myself to speak.
Kiranon shook his head, tsking with disappointment.
“Silly little harlot. You let him sway you, too?”
“I told you she would,” Dèravhen said, his lips curling in disgust.
I blinked. Me too?
Me too, what?
“Daliah the Enchantress,” Kiranon said.
“You do mean Daliah the Two-Timing Harlot,” Dèravhen chuckled without mirth, his eyes flashing dangerously.
“She probably thinks she’s the only one who’s entertained him for so long,” Nèrvanya said, rolling her eyes. “Probably even thinks they have some kind of twisted future together. How embarrassing.”
My nostrils flared, my cheeks burning.
The flattery. The confessions. Making love.
Had it all been a ruse?
Kiranon’s cruel grin stretched as he twisted his words into me like a knife.
“You’re not the first pretty thing with open legs we’ve sent to him, harlot. You’re just the only one who has managed to last.”
As emotions warred inside of me, Mother’s wisdom slipped into the forefront of my mind. I could hear her now, as if she were standing right in front of me, her warm palms on my cheeks, her silver eyes piercing into mine.
My sweet, precious Daliah. It’s easy for one to lie through their teeth. It’s impossible for the truth to be withheld from the windows of the soul. If you are to survive Kairyen, always remember: To know if a male is being honest, don’t listen to what comes out of his mouth. Look at what unfolds in his eyes.
I thought of every time I looked into Zhèmson’s eyes. For an angel as old as he was, I knew he’d had many lovers. If I was being honest, I’d had my share, too. But whenever he looked at me, I knew he loved me with something beyond heated passion between sheets. I was certain, deep in my soul, Zhèmson loved me with the bonds of eternity.
Now, when I looked into Kiranon’s eyes, while his mouth painted a tale to break my resolve, I saw something else. Lies and deceit. Greed and hot irritation.
I thought of Mother’s words again and curved my lips into a serpentine grin. I tilted my head, looked at Kiranon, and shrugged.
“Okay.”
He scowled.
“What do you mean, okay?”
“For an angel with your breadth of wisdom, I’m certain you know what the connotations of okay entail.” I crossed my arms. “What are you here for exactly, hm? Threatening me will do nothing. I’m already chained here with Zhèmson, and I still have time. Unless you’ve come with a better bargain, I suggest you go back down that Sky Ladder and leave me the hells alone. Find another fae to piss off.”
Kiranon snarled, his nails curling like claws. Remembering himself, he settled into a quiet calm, regaining his composure.
“You have one mekàd left faeretheth,” he seethed. “Find the rotting secret. Call us immediately. You’ll have that bullrot parlor and be free of your bargain.” His eyes darkened. I swallowed. “If you fail to uphold your end of the bargain, or you run out of time, you’ll wish I’d left your fate in the hands of Un’Sèlie.” He leaned forward, his voice just a breath. “Do as you’re told, or I’ll strip you naked and dump you as a new pet for my Watchers.”
Without another word, Kiranon and his siblings opened their wings, turned around, and floated to the Sky Ladder before making their descent.
