15. Our Girl
Chapter fifteen
Our Girl
T he sound of someone clearing their throat at the entrance to the bedroom stops our kiss.
“Can I have a minute alone with my fiancée?” The irritation in Uziel’s voice is loud.
“I’ll be outside if you need me.” Gabe places a soft kiss on my lips; he doesn’t acknowledge Uziel on his way out.
The new arrival moves the chair from the corner so he can sit next to the bed. The atmosphere of the room has changed—the softness of the space I had with Gabe replaced by suffocating impliability.
I don’t look over at him when he shifts in his seat.
I keep my eyes trained on the door that Gabe has partially closed on his way out.
The heaviness of the room weighs down on us.
I can feel it contorting my shoulders with pressure and locking my jaw.
He clears his throat again. Unable to stand the uncomfortable silence and consistently growing awkwardness.
“I thought you ran from me to figure things out. Not to do this. ” He waves his arm around. The judgment in his voice is not unexpected. “I told you I wanted to fight for us. To make this, us, better. And you. You came to earth to sleep with a nebula and a human? You did? Didn’t you?”
His voice is measured but his words are spiteful. I can feel the anger oozing out of him. I remain quiet.
“Damn it, Leeahla! Are you just going to ignore me? I apologized. I wiped your tears. You’re my fucking fiancée! Say something!” He is yelling but I don’t notice how loud he’s gotten until Gabe and Eliam appear.
“You need to relax.” Eliam is heading inside when Gabe stops him.
“Fuck off, nebula. And you, you can fuck off too.” Neither moves from where they are standing. Their eyes are focused on me. I nod slightly, as both a thank you and confirmation that they can leave us alone. “And keep your mouth off my wife.”
“I’ll do that when she asks me to.” Gabe’s voice is sleek and crystal clear. He and Eliam walk away, leaving the door more open than they found it.
“You won’t have your guards there to intervene when we’re married, Leeni.” I jolt my face towards him for the first time since our interaction has started .
“I remember.” I watch a parade of emotions flash across his face: guilt, confusion, anger, sadness and finally understanding.
“You weren’t supposed to—”
“Remember?” I interrupt. “That much is clear.”
“Be able to find him,” Uziel corrected.
“Get out.” I’m done talking. But Uziel ignores my demand. He sits ramrod stiff, our gazes locked. “How could you help them do this to me? How could you help them keep up this fucking charade? Lying to me every day. You never took the trip without me, did you?”
“No. When I met you, I’d already taken my first trip.” The dark shadow of shame cloaks his words. “And you know why I did it.”
“Because you’re too dutiful to do anything else. But I don’t know what’s real because of you. I lost—” I stop myself because I don’t want to discuss the topic with him. “Does Ambra—” The question nearly chokes me. “Does she know?”
There’s a long silence before he answers. “No. Neither do Syn and Gaea. Our parents used the elder dust on all of them. They needed them compliant for the rewrite to work.”
“But they didn’t use it on you. Not their perfect little Uziel. Ever intent on going along with the plan for obligation’s sake.” I break eye contact. “I hate you.” My voice is flat and monotone; a reflection of the rage I’m feeling inside.
“I know.” Uziel puts his head in hands, flops back in the chair, and sighs.