Page 115 of Live Like Legends

I placed my palm on my thigh scars and heat simmered underneath. Maybe I was scaring myself. We were so close to something good. A sharp burn hit my thigh and I flinched.

I was letting Elise’s delusions get to me. I was worried for nothing.

I was spiraling just like my fucking boyfriend.

“Hey, are you coming?” Nick’s voice pulled me out of my mental marathon. His shirt was off and it was hard not to look away from him.

“What?”

“You, me equals shower.”

I gave one look to my thigh, but then narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you going to wash my hair?”

He laughed an easy laugh, like he was calmer. The calmest I’d ever seen him. “I was planning on it, yes. Amongst other things.”

I pulled off my shirt and brushed past him to the bathroom. “Other things?”

He closed the door behind him when he followed me inside. I turned around, realizing quickly how close he was when my chest hit his. He tucked his fingers into the waistband of my shorts and pulled me to him. “Mhmm, like when I’m done, I plan to put your legs on my shoulders and bury my face in your pussy until you are screaming my name.”

“Who knew Ariel’s downfall would make you so feisty.”

“How about no more talking.”

I could hear myself giggling, but there was also this nagging feeling that something was amiss. Ariel was the last problem.

Arielwasthe last problem. I could tell myself that until I believed it.

Ihad to hand it to Ariel as I looked up at the clear blue sky. He picked a pretty good afternoon to have his sham of a ceremony. I could see the tiny progress he was making on his update of the Divine Library. It was a ridiculous venture, but he was the kind of guy who made changes that were visually impactful. Nothing really improved from the things he wanted, the ideas he wanted to implement.

If any angels felt anything significant after my father took the power, they weren’t saying anything about it. Maybe it was better that way. I rolled up the sleeves of my button down as the sun beat down on us. My sword felt heavier at my back; it was like something was weighing on me but I couldn’t figure out what. Angels hustled around in preparation. I had begrudgingly helped this morning, but since Ariel was busy perfecting himself for what would happen in about thirty minutes, I was able to make myself scarce the rest of the time. At least I thought I had.

“You clean up nicely. You always did.” Morgan sidled up next to me, her pink dress swishing around her knees.

“What do you want?”

She scoffed, pushing her glasses further up her nose. “I’m trying to be nice. You could do the same. I’m actually surprised you aren’t.”

“What do you mean?”

Morgan grabbed her dark hair and pulled it over her shoulder. “After your girlfriend's stunt, I should have gone straight to Ariel, but I didn’t. You should be thanking me.”

I huffed out a laugh. “She scared the shit out of you. That’s why you didn’t go to Ariel; don’t twist it into you playing nice.”

She looked like she wanted to throw a tantrum and stomp her feet. “When Ariel takes over,sheis going to have to play nice.”

“She doesn’thaveto do anything,” I argued, peering down at her.

She started to argue back, but Natalia appeared at my side. Her dark hair was in multiple twists with gold threads interwoven throughout each one. Her lilac dress shimmered in the sunlight, contrasting nicely with her dark skin and the glitter that decorated her cheeks. “I am not interrupting, am I?”

Morgan plastered a smile onto her face. “Of course not, Ariel will be so happy you could make it.”

Natalia gave her a half-hearted smile back. “I’m sure. Can I have a moment with him, please?”

Morgan nodded, giving me one last glance before turning away to yell at one of the other angels. Natalia put herself in front of me, raising one of her well manicured eyebrows. “I will tell you that your father is anxious.”

“I would be surprised if he wasn’t.”

“He is eager to help you though, so I think the two emotions are canceling each other out.”

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