“I’m sorry for calling that meeting. If I’d known she was a half-blood, I wouldn’t have put you both in that position.”
“It’s not your fault. You didn’t know.”
“I still feel responsible.”
“I know.” He dropped onto the chair beside mine. “Falling in love with a human isn’t an easy road. I think it might be impossible to do so without screwing up at some point.”
“You know, that’s not very comforting.”
He chuckled. “It’s honest though. And both of us should know by now that hard truths are better than pretty lies. I made the same mistake, you know. I didn’t tell Sierra that children between angels and humans were forbidden before we got together. I never meant to fall for her, and then I didn’t want to break her heart. When she found out that I’d been hiding the truth, she was so upset. She said she didn’t know how to trust me anymore.”
“Clearly she forgave you.”
“She did, but I didn’t know that she would at the time. I felt her pain through the guardian-angel bond, and it was the worst experience of my life. I would have given anything to do it over again, to make different choices. But that’s not how life works.”
“What if Hayden doesn’t forgive me?”
“Then he never loved you the way you deserve. If he’s right for you, he’ll understand what you were trying to do. You’re not perfect Danielle—no one really is. You’re going to make mistakes and so is he. What matters is that you believe it’s worth it to be together. And if it’s not, you’re better off letting him go.”
“But I don’t want to let him go.”
“I could always kidnap him for you.”
I shook my head. “Something tells me that won’t help my case.”
“Maybe not, but you never know. And I’d enjoy it.”
“Nate, don’t. Promise me.”
“Fine. But don’t give him too much time. If you’re sure he’s what you want, go after him.”
“Is that what you did?”
“Yes.”
“And she forgave you?”
“Yeah, though I had just lost my wings while saving her from a roomful of demons, so that might have helped persuade her.”
We sat in silence for a while after that as I mulled over what Nate had told me.
It was hard to picture Sierra being truly upset with Nate. They’d been such a perfect couple the entire time I’d known them. At least, as perfect as any couplecouldbe.
Nate looked at her like she was his whole reason for living and a bit like he was preparing to jump between her and a bullet. And Sierra had always taken all the divine stuff in stride. She made marrying an angel and mothering a Nephilim look easy.
Did that mean there was hope for me and Hayden?
THIRTY-TWO
Hayden
Ten days.
That’s how long it had been since I left Danielle standing outside her brother’s apartment. I’d spent the first night in a hotel room, but then I came home to the penthouse, where everything reminded me of her. Her tea was in my cabinets, her scent lingered in the air, her beanbag chairs were in my living room, her clothes were in my closet, and her shampoo was in my shower. The only thing missing was her.
She hadn’t come back once, not even to get her stuff. I’d gone so far as to check the security footage to make sure I hadn’t missed her that first night.
She didn’t text me or call. At least not in the week before I shattered my phone against the wall when I got sick of it going off with messages and calls from everyoneexceptmy wife. Would she even be my wife much longer?
