Chapter 3 #2
Right now, I was all that mattered as they fueled the protective dome with their dwindling life force, an immortal, angelic power not meant to be shared.
Yet they did, for me.
I realized as all of Purgatory fell on top of us that these angels loved me. I could feel the sheer adoration through our bond as if we had spent years together, developing a relationship I simply couldn’t remember.
And based on what they had said so far, I was starting to suspect that’s exactly what had happened.
I had fallen in love with these angels during my time between death and life, when I had been trapped in Purgatory before my rebirth.
While I had only been gone for a year for my mates, time ran differently in Purgatory.
No telling how much time I had spent with them.
But why didn’t I remember? What did Sam mean by past lives?
The golden light of our protective shield faltered, sending my heart leaping into my throat, but then a beam shot up, breaking through the marble and stone until it all melted away, Purgatory dissipated into nothing until only we remained.
The ethereal structure hadn’t been able to maintain its mass in this realm, withering into nothingness until only a singed, broken piece of Hell was left.
I blinked up, in awe of the crater that spanned around us. Then I spotted Kaito in the distance, a flickering form that echoed relief through our bond.
Then he turned.
And left.
I’ll wait for you.
I’ll wait until I know you’re safe.
He’d kept his promise, but his departure still felt like a betrayal. Why would he leave me alone here, in the pits of Hell?
Then I remembered I wasn’t alone.
Both angels had knelt before me, taking my hands in theirs as they bowed their heads in… worship?
“Uh,” I began, not sure what to say. “You guys okay?”
“I prayed for your return,” Azra said, a tone of sincerity in his words as he pressed his lips to my knuckles. “I prayed to you, that is, so I knew my prayers would be answered this time.” He glanced up at me, his slight grin betraying he knew what his mouth could do to me.
Even if I couldn’t remember, my body had a good idea, my core tightening at his knowing smile.
“Why don’t I remember?” I asked, bewildered by it all.
Sam stroked my hand. “It’ll come back to you, sweet blossom, when you’re ready.”
Sweet blossom.
Sweet cheeks.
Both terms of endearment triggered something inside of me.
If only I could retrieve the memories.
“How long was I… with you?” I asked, the heat in my core only growing when Azra’s kisses on my knuckles turned into flicks of his tongue.
“Ten years,” Sam replied.
That knowledge hit like a blow to my chest.
Stunned, I looked from one angel to the other, unable to believe what I’d just heard. But one look in their eyes and I knew Sam’s words to be true.
I sank to my knees, joining the angels and their pool of feathers, my ebony blades to mingle with their white ones.
“Lilith,” Sam said, my demon name like honey on his tongue, “it’s natural not to remember your past life, and even if Purgatory doesn’t exactly count, it could prove dangerous to remember too quickly.”
“Past… life?” I asked.
He nodded. “Not all creatures go through the cycle of rebirth, but some do. Yours… is unique. You were grievously injured when you were killed. Not just your physical body, but your eternal being—your soul.”
I knew that to be true. Cole had been responsible for my death. He hadn’t been able to control his rage and the cost had been my life, something I still hadn’t forgiven him for.
It had wounded me, deeply, as had leaving my mates for any length of time and allowing them to suffer.
“I was broken,” I agreed, that distant sense of sorrow piercing my soul. I rubbed my chest, wincing as it threatened to break me all over again.
Sam squeezed my hand. “There were good memories, too. In Purgatory, you had a chance to heal. Your protective meadow kept you safe and when the time was right, you found us.” My eyelashes fluttered as I looked up at him, knowing that him and his brother had been my comfort, my perfection in a world of flaws.
“We were together for years, but in that realm, time is… different.”
“Hmm,” I said, my attention drawn to Azra who kissed his way up my neck.
I closed my eyes, the sensation familiar and… amazing.
“Brother,” Sam warned.
He nipped my ear, making me sigh. “I suggest we help her remember the good memories you mentioned,” he said with a wry grin.
He glanced up, looking at the broken, bleeding layers of Hell where Purgatory had smashed through.
“If we’re going to get out of here, we’re going to need to rejuvenate our angelic energy.
” He brought my finger to his mouth and sucked, making me bite my lip.
He released me with a pop and a blaze of golden light flickered between us. He grinned. “See? It’s safe.”
Sam frowned at his brother, but his entire body had gone hard, my gaze dipping to confirm if…
Yep.
Their silky trousers did little to hide his impressive erection that formed as Azra adored me.
Sam didn’t stop him when Azra leaned in close to me, his breath hot on mine.
“Do you want to remember, little thorn?”
Another endearment that tugged at my heart.
“Yes,” I breathed, leaning in to mold his mouth to mine.
I was ready.