Chapter 41
Chapter
Forty-One
HELL’S POETRY
Poe
“She touched me like she owned every broken piece—and she did.” — A
I sat cross-legged in the garden, surrounded by the sweet aroma of blue roses as the soft hum of the morning breeze stirred the leaves around me. Early sunlight filtered through the tall trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The moment felt peaceful—perfect.
The only thing missing was Azariel.
He’d left early for some business in the city, leaving me with the cats. After feeding them and getting a bit of writing done, I decided to step outside for some sunlight and tend to the roses while waiting for him to get back.
My fingers absentmindedly plucked at the blades of grass, but my thoughts were elsewhere. All morning, I’d been thinking about one thing—a dream I had last night.
Or maybe… it wasn’t a dream at all. Maybe it was a memory.
A memory of a teenage me, working on my first book. The first one I ever finished but never let anyone read—except my dad. I was too ashamed at the time. Ashamed of the words, ashamed of how much heart I’d poured into it for someone who never even acknowledged my existence.
So, I left the document buried on my old laptop and never touched it again. I even forgot about it—until last night. I dreamt that Azariel read it. I don’t know why, but it’s been stuck in my mind since I opened my eyes.
Prince meowed at one of the roses like it had personally offended him.
“You’re an even redder flag than I thought, demon,” I muttered. “Does a rose really piss you off?”
Prince side-eyed me before stalking off, leaving me with just Allen, who sat quietly next to me, observing me with those cool, curious eyes. Azariel’s cat was definitely my favorite.
“What do you think, Allen? Should your dad read my first book?”
If Azariel were here and heard me calling his cat his child, he’d give me the same look Allen just did—like I was completely insane.
With a small sigh, I pulled my phone from my pocket and hesitated before dialing my dad’s number. I still kept in touch with my family, even if it was just short calls or texts.
It rang twice before his familiar voice came through.
“Little witch? Everything alright, kiddo?”
His tone was warm, as always, though I could hear the usual undercurrent of concern. Dad was the opposite of Mom. Mom worried, yes—but Dad? He was always watching , always ready .
I felt a twinge of nerves. I hadn’t told him about what’s going on with Azariel. I should have. I wanted to. But I haven’t found the right time.
Mom knew. But I also knew she wouldn’t tell Dad without talking to me first.
“Hey, Dad.” A soft smile tugged at my lips at the sound of one of my favorite voices in the world. “I was just thinking about something, and I wanted to ask you. Do you remember the first book I ever wrote? The one on my old laptop? The one that’s been broken for years?”
There was a pause. I think I caught him off guard.
“What about it?” His voice sounded… off.
I took a deep breath. “I was wondering… if you still have it. The laptop, I mean. I know it’s been forever, but I was thinking maybe I’d like to get it fixed.”
I want the book inside.
The one I wrote for the man I love.
I wanted to tell him that. But the words wouldn’t come.
Dad is my hero—but admitting I’m in love with Azariel feels like a betrayal. And I don’t even know why.
Dad sighed before answering. “Well… I think that computer is beyond repair, but I’ll look for it, baby.”
“I don’t care if it’s a little broken,” I said, smiling despite myself. “Just as long as I can get my files back.”
“The files… right.”
I frowned. Dad was definitely acting weird.
“Dad… are you okay?”
There was a pause. Then his voice dropped, quieter now. More serious.
“I love you, Poe. I never wanted to lose you.”
Lose me?
“What are you talking about, Dad? You could never lose me. Ever.”
He let out a bitter laugh.
“It doesn’t feel like that. It feels like I’m losing my kids.”
And just like that, it clicked.
Cassie.
“I haven’t heard from him either,” I admitted quietly. “He won’t answer my calls or messages.”
There was something subtle in his voice when he replied—guarded.
“Cassian’s… my boy’s going through some things, Poe. He’s out of trouble now, but that’s his story to share. Not mine.”
My chest tightened. Trouble?
“What do you mean he’s not in trouble anymore? What happened? What did he do? Dad, I’m his sister—I should know if something’s wrong.”
Had I been so wrapped up in my own fairytale with Azariel that I missed something serious going on with my little brother? And why wouldn’t they say more?
“Cassian will talk to you and Vade when he’s ready,” Dad said gently. “Just know he’s dealing with some things. And I’m sure he’ll come to you when it’s time.”
That familiar knot twisted in my stomach. So much left unsaid. So much I wanted to ask. But I knew my father. He was a vault. He would never betray a child’s trust—not even for another.
“I just… I hope he’s okay, you know?”
“I know, my heart. Cassian’s all your mother—he’s strong. He’ll get through it.”
I closed my eyes and tilted my face toward the sun. The warmth calmed me, even as the worry still lingered like a shadow at the edge of my thoughts.
“I just wish he didn’t feel like he had to go through it alone. We love him. We’d get him through anything.”
First Artemis, now this. I need to start calling each sibling and cousin regularly. We’re all different, but one thing we share is the way we love each other—fiercely, no matter what.
We’re the kids of the strongest people I know. They walked through hell so we could live in peace. Of course we’re strong. But maybe some of us need a little reminding.
“Just give him time,” Dad said softly.
I didn’t want to. But I would. For Cassian, I’d do anything.
“Okay. I will,” I whispered. “Thanks, Dad. Please don’t forget about the computer.”
He chuckled, the sound a little sad. “You’ve always had a soft spot for old ghosts and broken things.”
I swallowed hard.
Does he know?
It felt like he knew more than he’s letting on.
Guilt twisted inside me.
Should I…?
“Hey… Dad.”
“Yes?”
“…Do you know?”
A long pause.
“I’ve always known.”
Oh.
Anxiety crept in like fog.
“Are you… okay with it?”
“No.”
Shit. Dad.
“But I love you. I love you more than life, Poe. And if he makes you happy… I’ll deal with it.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
That’s my hero.
“I’ll always be your little witch.”
“But you’re his too.”
I am.
“Yes.”
He sighed. “I’ll get the computer to you once I find it.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“143, Poe.”
I smiled brightly. “143, Daddy.”
We hung up.
I leaned back in the grass, staring up at the canopy of trees above me. My fingers brushed the earth, grounding me in the moment as I thought about how much my life had changed in just a few short weeks.
I once believed love wasn’t meant for me.
But here I am.
Surrounded by love.
My dreams.
My family.
My Azariel.
I didn’t know what was coming next. But I did know that as long as I had him—and the people who loved me—I’ll be okay.
It couldn’t get any sweeter than that.