Chapter 11 #2
Pain was locked on each seraph’s face. Torrish’s slurred voice boomed, “And the filthy daemonites and dryads get to keep on having younglings like they are deserving of it!” His wine sloshed out of his goblet, splashing Mollah.
She winced but pulled his hand into hers, which he yanked free immediately.
The king stood with a slight sway, and Gabriel moved to his side.
Cora grabbed my hand, wide-eyed, and I pulled her head into my side. Percie’s shoulders rose, and his head hung down. Torrish’s behavior didn’t even faze Sellen, who kept eating the food on her plate with gusto.
Gabriel patted the king on the back. “Brother, I leave tonight to bring justice to those who wrong you in the name of Themis and to spread the word of your power by divine right. Let us toast to the longevity of your reign!”
Everyone raised their glass to Gabriel’s attempt to placate the king. “To King Torrish! Long may he reign!” The room cheered out in unison, apart from the younglings and me.
The king grinned at the toast, lifting his chin. Mollah stepped to Torrish’s other side and whispered into his ear. His glassy, red-rimmed eyes roved up and down her body, and he pulled her to him with a lustful gaze.
“Dinner is over,” the king bellowed. “I have more important things to do. Like my wife.”
Everyone stood, keeping their eyes off the head of the table, and moved swiftly to leave the banquet hall. Queen Mollah nodded quickly to a servant across the room, who directed the children to follow her so that they might be spared their father’s attention.
Gabriel grabbed my hand, and I took Cora’s. He led us silently through hallways and staircases until we reached the third floor. I didn’t dare speak.
Gabriel knelt. “Cora, would it be alright with you if I spoke with your mother in private?”
Cora looked to me. I tipped my head toward our rooms. “Go ahead, sweet girl.”
“Sure, Your Highness,” she chirped and then skipped down the hall, her ringlets bouncing as she went.
Gabriel stood and opened his mouth.
“Gabriel, I am sorry about today,” I sputtered out. “I offended you earlier and made everyone upset this evening with talk about younglings. I know I messed up, but please don’t kick us out. I—”
“Rory!” He stepped toward me and cupped his hand to my cheek. Lapis-blue eyes searched mine. “What are you talking about? What happened earlier was a misunderstanding. We would never kick you out of the castle. You have done nothing wrong.”
“Had I done either of these things in Edenalee to any of the aristocracy, I would have been punished. I thought I did the worst possible things.”
He sighed. “We are not humans. Our principles are directed through Themis, and he is a righteous god.” Gabriel moistened his bottom lip with the tip of his tongue.
“I should have told you about this unfortunate situation before having you in front of everyone. I hope my error didn’t cause you embarrassment. ”
I unclenched my jaw. “I am not embarrassed.”
“Good. You couldn’t have known. My brother…he’s…challenging at times. Queen Mollah and the wine will make him forget all about this evening. Don’t worry. In the morning, you will still go see the scholars at the library.”
My posture softened. “Thank you. Is there anything else I need to know so I don’t blurt out the wrong thing while you are away? I would hate to embarrass you as your guest.”
His thumb caressed my cheek, and he moved closer. I certainly couldn’t step away from him now that I was but a night away from getting help. Hold steady, Rory.
Gabriel smiled. “I love how much you want to appease me. My best advice is to read some of our literature from the library on our history, customs, and culture. I hate that I must leave you here. I will try to send you letters if I can.”
“You will only be gone for a few days, right?”
“I hope so.” His voice dropped, and his eyes lowered to my lips. “Rory?”
“Yes?” My body tensed.
“Before I leave…let me kiss you.”
My body responded without hesitation, melding my mouth into his.
His lips were firm and directed mine how to answer him.
His tongue slipped into my mouth, and he pulled me closer.
Gabriel withdrew his lips from mine and took a small step back.
His mouth curled wolfishly at the corners.
“Mm. So responsive. Beautiful.” His voice was deep, and the treble of it made my hair stand on end.
I swayed on my feet, eyes heavy, mouth agape. As far as kisses went, it was not unpleasant. As far as decisions went, it was a bad one.
What are you doing, Rory? Holy. Shit.
“I will see you upon my return. Goodnight.” He pressed his lips one last time to my hand and stepped away, striding down the hall until the darkness surrounded him.
All at once, my senses came crashing back to me, and the shock of what happened, what I let happen, was replaced with guilt.
I shouldn’t have done that. I should have asked him to slow down again, but the urge to put my mouth on his was overwhelming.
In his absence, I only wanted to get out of the stupid pink dress I was uncomfortably crammed into and forget how reckless I was acting.
I hurried down the hall and into the shared bedroom.
Cora had already changed into her nightgown and was lying in bed waiting for me.
“Well, today was different,” she giggled.
I laughed. “Yes, sweet girl. It was indeed!”
I unfastened my dress and let it pool at my feet, Gabriel’s mint smell still lingering on the garment. I slid my own nightgown on and jumped on the bed next to Cora, causing both of us to giggle. We lay on our sides facing each other.
“Did you have a nice day? Was everyone good to you?”
“Yes! Percie is fun! He is a talented artist. Tomorrow, he wants me to join him for schooling and activities, if that’s alright.”
“Of course!” I exclaimed.
“Sellen is snobby. She barely talked to me, but I don’t care. Percie is my age anyway, so I would rather play with him. Is it true that they do not have a lot of children here?”
“So, it seems. It is sad, isn’t it?” I frowned.
Cora tipped her head. “But why don’t they?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. They don’t seem to know either.”
We flipped to our backs after I dimmed the lamp light to a gentle glow.
Gabriel’s assignment taking him away from the castle was a double-edged sword.
It would give me some distance from him, so I would stop falling all over myself for not only a man but a seraph at that.
Conversely, that meant I had to have Darragh follow me around, who was not only incredibly dangerous but unpredictable and moody.
Normally, I wouldn’t let someone’s bias shape my opinion toward another, but I had nothing to go on other than Gabriel’s word.
Truly, the only seraph I could put an ounce of hesitant trust in right now.
I needed to keep my wits about me in both of their presence, so I didn’t make any more mistakes.
Grace usually only extended so far, and next time, I might not be granted such leniency.