Page 27 of The Star's Sword
Griffin’s jaw dropped and his royal-blue eyes went wide. “Samael’s blessing? Seriously?” His eyes narrowed. “For what?”
Zadis gave him a smirk, and Griffin took a step back in pure surprise, folding his arms and looking at me like this was a joke and he was hoping I would put a stop to it.
“He’s been a bit different lately,” I said. “You know, Sam always said I should experiment with others, increase my power. Lately he’s been leaving me with Zadis a lot. Leaving hints.”
“Maybe he’s picking up on something?” Zadis asked, leaning in.
“I don’t think so,” I said. “After all, he never liked the idea of you and I before, and we always had some kind of spark.”
Zadis grinned. “You said it.”
“All right, all right,” I said. “For all I know it’s just Samael being extra protective as usual. Or maybe he just likes being with Cayne a lot.” The way he’d flown off after coming to make sure I was okay with Vasara had been a bit odd. Normally he’d stay with me and send Zadis back.
Was he getting tired of me?
“Trust me, Cleo,” Griffin said. “Whatever thought you’re having about Sam that makes you make that face, it’s wrong. He loves you. He’s desperately crazy about you.” He looked at Zadis. “Must be something else. Like maybe Samael feels secure enough in your relationship to not feel threatened by you pursuing other connections.”
“Maybe,” I said.
“Regardless, Zadis, I’d like some time to catch up with Cleo. Discuss some personal things, if that’s okay with you?”
Zadis nodded, sweeping into a bow. “It’s good to see you back, Griffin.” He grinned. “Once you’ve caught up with Os, maybe we can go catch a revelry.”
I looked up at Zadis in shock. Griffin, Os, Cayne and Simon often went to the demon realm to party while Samael and I stayed in to do couple things. I guess I should have known Zadis would go as well.
“This guy can pull so many ladies,” Griffin said.
I sent a glare at Zadis, then instantly realized I had no right to his history. I had a boyfriend, after all. I’d die for Samael. He was my everything.
Then why did it sort of seem like Zadis was mine as well?
Zadis sent me a curious look. “Would you prefer I didn’t go to revelries, now that you and I are exploring things?”
I swallowed. I wanted to say don’t go, but I knew it was ridiculous. After all, he would never be my only partner.
“To be honest, if there’s even a chance of me being anything to you, Cleo, I’d give up all revelries ever again.” He came forward, taking me by the hand, gently stroking over my fingertips in a way that made me shiver lightly, it felt so nice.
I gently released him. “I understand. But you shouldn’t have to change anything for me. Samael—”
“I know,” Zadis said. “But Cleo, your love for him wouldn’t hurt your love for me. I’m not sure how to make you get that. We both love you. The rest can go at your pace.” His wings extended, shimmering teal and shaped like a butterfly’s, but huge. They flapped a few times, and then he lifted off the ground. “But I promise, having the two of us to love you, watch out for you, and protect you, it can only go well for you. More love is only more love.”
Then he lifted up and was gone, flying off toward the training area to find the others, I assumed.
I knew that ever since he’d been killed by Samael and resurrected, none of his fae family or friends had ever wanted to see him again.
My heart ached for how lonely that must be sometimes.
“Cleo, I’m right here,” Griffin said, threading a heavy arm through mine and pulling me in conspiratorially. “Stop looking sadly at Zadis and tell me everything.”
I nodded, gathering my thoughts. “Tell me everything about how training went.”
“It was amazing,” Griffin said. “In the cloud havens they have other winged lion guards. They train them to be pets for the celestials, and it gave me an inside look at the supposed defenses to the higher realms.”
I sighed in relief, because that had been a main target of sending Griffin in to train.
Gods knew I never wanted to go back to the havens.
Especially knowing that everything I’d known was wrong.
