Page 53 of Sinful Pride

“There is no ‘but’ though there is an ‘and’. Hellion and I had come to consider Tirael as a little brother, no matter that he is older than both of us, so it’s natural of us to be a bit nosy. You have already got the taste of the… let’s say, bad side of the in-laws conundrum… with Hellion’s overprotectiveness, but I wanted you to know there’s a good side as well.” Zachariel measured us with serious eyes that made it hard not to believe in the honesty of his words. “As you are important to Tirael, you are important to me as well. I want you to know I will support you and your relationship in any way I can. Hellion as well. You can stop skulking around the Embassy as if I’m going to eat you.”

“I’m not scared of you.” I crossed my arms.

“But you are scared of Tirael’s reaction if we have a row.” Zachariel’s raised eyebrow dared me to protest the statement. Unfortunately, the fucker had a point. “Which is a good sentiment. But, as I said, you are welcome in our home. Hellion may still have some harsh words for you from time to time… but he is just a lot of bark and little bite.”

“So, he’s a chihuahua?” I smirked.

“Well, if you say that to him you may have a fight on your hands after all.” Zachariel said dryly. “If you keep it civil, we can coexist in peace, and you can continue eating my food.” At Raphael’s guilty expression the angel laughed. “What, did you really think I have so many leftovers every time I cook? I made bigger batches on purpose.”

“Thank you, then. Food prepared by you is always delicious,” Raphael said. “We are lucky to not be humans or we would starve, what with all three of us not knowing how to cook.”

“Who said I didn’t know how to cook?” I scrunched up my nose. “I just refuse to do it.”

“Of course. It sadly makes sense with you.” Raphael exchanged pitying glances with Zachariel.

“I’m rich and powerful. Why would I do labor?” I said it like it was a dirty word. “I prefer eating food to slaving away preparing it.”

“There’s joy in creating something with your own hands.” Zachariel shrugged.

“You are right. I love creating with my hands. Creating pain, that is,” I grinned, blood-thirst raising in my veins at the thought.

“Aaand I think we are done,” Raphael said quickly. “It was lovely to have a chat with you, Zachariel. We will be around and I won’t say no to the peach cakes if you make them again…”

I rolled my eyes at being handled, but I still let Raphael say our goodbyes and pull me outside of the Embassy.

I had a lot to think about.

Was it really that simple? Gaining support and a chance to become a part of a family? Good things didn’t just happen to me. I always had to fight tooth and nail for everything and here Zachariel was, extending his hand… His offer to feed us symbolized so much more than just food. It said ‘with Tirael as an anchor you can stay. Be welcomed here’.

I got more than I bargained for.

And for once, that was a good thing.

Chapter 21

Tirael

“We have been dating for six months now…” Raphael pointed out.

“What, do you have another stage planned? Should we get Tirael pregnant?” Beelzebub leered in my direction and I squeaked.

No, thank you! I was quite happy with my inability to procreate!

“No! I just meant I could… introduce you to some friends? It’s not like we are hiding our relationship, but I wanted to acknowledge it publicly?” the poor angel sounded unsure so I jumped in without hesitation.

“Of course! It would be lovely to meet your friends!”

“Who is that? I refuse to hang out with Michael and Gabriel in my spare time, if that’s what you mean by friends,” Beelzebub said.

“I have other friends than the Archangels, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, you are the soul of a party. So, some other angels?”

“Humans, actually. I met that bunch while I was trying to continue my nightlife without the sex part. I grew quite fond of them.”

“Humans can party hard. I admire the fearlessness they show by destroying their livers and trying to function on a few hours of sleep. Let’s do this!”

We went to a club in Cracow; the building brimming with life at this hour. Raphael’s friends spotted him almost immediately.

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