Page 54 of Claimed By Midnight

The laugh that bursts from my throat is bitter, alien. "Safe? I was suffocating. You and Father wrapped me in silk and locked me away like some precious treasure that might break."

V's magic dims, his eyes shifting to a confused violet. Uriel's arm stays firm around my waist, but he doesn't interrupt.

"We protected you!" Astrid's voice cracks.

"You imprisoned me!" The words explode out, years of frustration finally breaking free. "I couldn't train, couldn't learn to defend myself, couldn't even walk through the fucking gardens without an escort. Do you know what Raven taught me yesterday? How to throw a proper punch. Something so basic, and I never knew because you were all too worried I might hurt myself."

Astrid flinches like I've struck her. "We just wanted?—"

"To keep me safe. I know." My fingers dig into Uriel's arm, anchoring myself. "But I'm not made of glass. Here, they let me help in the workshop. They trust me with weapons. Raven's teaching me to fight. For the first time in my life, someone's looking at me and seeing strength instead of weakness."

"Father will never?—"

"Father doesn't get a say anymore." The words come out sharp as steel. "Uriel didn't kidnap me or trap me. He just showed me what it feels like to breathe. To make my own choices. To fail and learn and grow stronger."

Astrid's green-gold eyes fill with tears. "I didn't know you felt this way."

"How could you? You were too busy protecting me to ever actually see me."

Astrid's eyes search my face, and something in her expression shifts. Her gaze darts between me and Uriel, understanding dawning in those green-gold depths we share, and that alone scares me. She takes a hesitant step forward.

V's hand shoots out to catch her arm, his pale blue skin almost luminescent in the workshop's light. At the same time, Uriel's wings tense, curling tighter around me.

"Let me go," Astrid murmurs, not taking her eyes off me. Her fingers brush V's hand until he releases her.

Uriel's grip loosens when I squeeze his forearm. "It's okay."

The distance between us closes, and Astrid's arms come up around me in a tight squeeze. Her daggers are gone, tucked away somewhere in her vest. "I never meant to cage you. None of us did."

"I know." The words catch in my throat. "But intentions don't change what happened. Here, I'm learning who I am without everyone's expectations weighing me down."

She shakes her head against me. "I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. You're my little sister - I should have known better than anyone how much you were hurting."

"You were trying to protect me." I wrap my arms around her waist. "But I need room to grow, to make mistakes, to figure things out on my own."

V clears his throat, his eyes shifting to a calmer blue-violet. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation another time." His gaze slides to Uriel, who still stands battle-ready. "We'll stay in the city for a while. Visit when the timing is... better."

Astrid pulls back, wiping at her eyes. "He's right. We should go."

"I'd like that." I glance at Uriel, whose perfect features have softened slightly. "I need to talk to Uriel anyway."

V's lips quirk up at one corner as he extends his hand to Astrid. "Come, little rebel. Let's leave them to sort things out."

29

URIEL

My fingers curl into fists as her family's footsteps fade. Anger boils beneath my skin, the only thing keeping my fear at bay, making my wings snap out and cast shadows across the workshop floor. I grab Athena's arm and yank her against me, my heart thundering at how close I came to losing her.

"What were you thinking?" My voice drops to a growl. "You could've been killed."

Those golden-green eyes flash with defiance. "You never fucking relent, do you?" She shoves against my chest, but I don't budge. "Can't you see why I did it? Why I want to be here?"

"Enlighten me." The words scrape from my throat.

"Because I'm in love with you, you arrogant ass." Her voice cracks. Those honey-blonde curls tumble around her face as she drops her gaze. "I know I'll never mean that much to you. I'm just some human you tolerate, but I want you. And if you don't feel the same-"

My control snaps. I slam her against the wall, caging her with my wings. "Never feel the same?" A snarl rips from my chest. "You think I don't lie awake at night, burning for you? That I don't dream of marking you, claiming you, making you mine?"

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