Page 187 of Rise of the Queen

Adrik walked over, sliding his arm around my waist. Jessica looked up at Ilya, still shocked at what I’d just told her, but she kept her mouth shut now that Adrik was there. I could feel she was intimidated by him. It was a common reaction to him, even before his latest level-up. Now, it was much more pronounced. He was aware of it, but he rarely tried to make anyone feel more comfortable. With Jessica, however, he did make an attempt.

He smiled at her, saying, “You look much happier than the last time I saw you.”

She smiled nervously, which made Ilya laugh quietly. “She is much happier,” he said for her.

She inhaled deeply, held her breath for a moment, then said, “I want to thank you again. I didn’t realize how much money you handed me until I got home that night. I’m very grateful.”

Adrik chuckled. “I’m glad it could help you out.”

“She tried to get me to give part of it back to you. I wouldn’t do it,” Ilya said. He looked down at her and her face hardened as she looked up at him. “It was our first fight,” he said, still completely amused by all of it.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I knew Adrik didn’t even know how much money he’d handed her. It didn’t matter.

“I don’t make that much in three months!” she said, still somewhat irritated that Ilya wouldn’t give part of it back. “I didn’t know it was that much money or I wouldn’t have accepted it!”

“Please, Jessica. Accept it. Keep it. Do not feel guilty for it. You needed to not have to worry about leaving that situation,” Adrik said. Ilya gave her a very clear “I told you so” look.

I laughed quietly. “He looks quite intimidating, but he’s one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet,” I said, leaning my head on Adrik’s shoulder. He pulled me closer to him.

“Just don’t tell anyone. I don’t want that getting out,” he said, kissing my forehead.

As the evening was winding down, Viktor caught me and Adrik off to the side of everyone else, asking, “Would you mind if I spent some extra time with Ilya once Vitaliy leaves for theevening? I haven’t seen him in a few weeks. I also haven’t gotten a chance to really meet Jessica yet.”

“Of course, Viktor. You know you’re free to do as you wish once I’m done for the day,” Adrik said.

Viktor looked at me, grinning slightly. “I didn’t want you to think I was avoiding anything,” he said.

“I don’t think that, Viktor. Anymore,” I said, mirroring his grin. “I think you should spend time with Jessica. She’s pretty adorable. I also think you can be good for her as well. I think you have an inside track to help her understand her gift. She’s slightly overwhelmed. She also knows that we’re different, but she doesn’t know why yet. I didn’t want to hit her with everything yet.”

He nodded. “I have talked to Ilya once or twice since they’ve been spending more time together. He said almost the same thing. He thinks I can help her.”

“He takes after his older brother with his level of intelligence,” I said, winking at him.

After Viktor had walked away, I told Adrik, “Even your father likes her. It was like the first thing he told me when they got here. She’s already got Ilya wrapped around her finger.”

Adrik pulled me in front of him, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I can’t imagine what that would be like,” he said, as he pressed his lips to mine. “I would never let that happen.”

I laughed, hugging his neck tighter. He pressed his cheek lightly to mine, rubbing his facial hair against my cheek lightly the way I loved. He whispered, “I love you, Sephie. So very much.”

“I love you. And your giant heart,” I said, hugging him tighter.

After Vitaliy left with everyone but Ilya, he and Jessica stayed in the penthouse for a few more minutes. They eventually left with Viktor to spend some quality time together.

Andrei glanced at me after they left the penthouse. “Did you see?” he asked.

“I did. I’m guessing you did as well?” I asked.

“Yup. I might’ve overheard you ask how you looked different. That’s when I looked,” he said, his handsome smile stretched across his face.

“Are you two going to let the rest of us in on what the hell you’re talking about?” Ivan asked.

“Jessica said I looked different to her this time. You all do too. I asked her to explain how. As she did, I snooped to see what she sees. It’s pretty dang impressive, if I do say so myself,” I said. I quickly shared what she could see when she looked at all of us. Before, she only saw our wings from the perspective of us being able to walk through Heaven. Our wings were white, but they had a different look from other angels she’d seen, so she knew there was something about us that wasn’t like other angels. This time, she could see the black in our wings. It made me wonder if she’d soon be able to see demons the same way she sees angels or if her gift was just getting clearer for her.

“Boss and Ivan are clearly in a competition over who has the cooler wings,” Misha said as he looked at what Jessica could see.

I chuckled. “I’m surprised Vitaliy left without finding out why we’re all different.”

“I fully expect him to be back tomorrow because of that,” Adrik said.

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