Page 42 of Live Like Legends

“Make sure the ceremony is secure? Morgan, I’m not doing that.”

She let out a sharp laugh. “It’s really cute how you think you have a choice.”

“Actually, I do, and the answer is no. The entire purpose of me being here currently is stupid.”

Morgan took both my biceps in her hands and peeked up at me through her lashes. It would be an innocent gesture to anyone else. “You are slowly working your way into Ariel’s good graces; you’ll need that for when he takes over. I assure you this stain on your reputation won’t last forever. Ariel trusts me, so when I tell him how good you’ve been, well then, you’ll be back to your perfect place in this realm.”

I shrugged away from her, running a frustrated hand through my hair and walking away from her. I stopped short and quickly walked back over. “My perfect place in this realm? Do you honestly believe I actually want to have the kind of relationship I had with Jonah…withAriel? I did all of this because as long asDani was doing everything she was supposed to, he would leave her alone and keep up his end of the deal.”

Morgan inhaled deeply, her calculating brown eyes narrowed. “Sheisdoing all she needs to do and when she goes to take care of whatever the hell is happening, saving us all from everything her existence nearly caused then Ariel might, I don’t know, give her a medal or something. Happy?”

My ears perked up at something she’d said. “You are aware, she isn’t going back to Purgatory alone?”

“She can take her weird friends with her. Ariel made it clear that you and Reese are to stay here. He’s trying to give you a second chance, Nick. I would advise that you take it.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, staring up at the ceiling. Decorated ivy hung from above, various flowers intertwined throughout it. “What are you not understanding? I don’t want a second chance with that asshole. I also don’t plan to stay here and pathetically follow him; I’m going with her.”

“No, you aren’t.”

“Morgan, stop. I am and Ariel can whine about it all he wants, but it’s already been planned. You said it’s her mess, but it’s my mess too.”

Morgan scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Her freckled nose wrinkled. “You go and he could banish you, kick you out. It happened to your father. You aren’t invincible, Nick.”

I cocked my head back. “How do you know anything about my father?”

“Ariel likes to talk about a lot of things. When you get brought up, so does your dad. He sure as shit doesn’t like that man, but he always makes a point to say that if you would just move your pride over just a smidge, look at the bigger picture, then well you could miss out on your father’s mistakes…”

I pointed my finger at her, leaning down a small bit so I could meet her face to face. “My father did look at the bigger picturea long time ago and decided not to slaughter people that didn’t deserve it. My father and my future aren’t his fucking concern, nor is it yours. You want to help me, Morgan? Help this realm? Then stop thinking Ariel can do you any favors and start really looking at who you’re working for.” I backed up, needing to get the fuck out of here.

“You want to help the realms, Nicholas, well then, I suggest you stay on the side of individuals who have the power to legitimately change things.”

“Ariel’s version of change isn’t something I’m interested in.”

“It’s in your best interest.” She took her glasses off and started to clean them with the bottom of her shirt. She was so casual about all of this, like this was a conversation she assumed she’d be having. “You used to want to be the best, be at the highest tier. Don’t you miss being envied and sought after by higher ups.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have no idea what’s in my best interest, believe me, you never have.”

She placed her glasses back on, sticking her tongue between her teeth. “You seriously thinkshe’sin your best interest. She came as Lilith’s pawn, she manipulated you into following her to Purgatory, she’s brought all this into our home and somehow you think….”

“She didn’t manipulate me Morgan, I went all on my own.” I closed my eyes, thinking over my next words carefully; I wanted them to matter, make an impact. “You’re right, I did used to want all those things and I would have fought sword for sword just to keep it, but things change.People change. There are way too many people involved for me to just considermyselfanymore and maybe that’s where you and I differ.”

“She’s a demon, Nick. Oh, sorry a hybrid, not that it matters. You can’t honestly tell me that you’ve just…”

“I’m in love with her!” My eyes widened at the need for her to fucking hear me.

Morgan’s mouth closed quickly as she looked around at the different angels that glanced our way. I had seen them looking before but now they weren’t even trying to act as if they weren’t paying attention.

My chest could have exploded from the relief I felt. I had told Dani I loved her plenty of times, but saying that statement out loud, even if it had to be to my ex-girlfriend, made me feel a certain way. “Ariel doesn’t matter. This fucking ceremony doesn’t matter. There are plenty of other sentries that can stand guard and make sure he is still alive by the end of it. I am going with her tonight, Morgan. She isn’t a stain or a problem, she’s…she’sitfor me. I don’t know when it happened but she’s it for me. Whether it’s Purgatory or Hell itself, I am going with her, because I’minlove with her.”

“Nick.” Morgan’s face turned a shade of red, almost as if she was embarrassed that I wasn’t professing my love for another person. I almost chuckled to myself thinking about that. I turned on my heels as I headed out of the ballroom.

If Dani thought she was ready for whatever lay ahead of us, then she deserved to get out of her head while she was still in Heaven’s Gate.

Ilaughed at Reese’s joke during our short break in between sessions when the door opened and I swung my head around to see my very frazzled angel charge through it. His eyes were a little wild, but his steps were determined, like he had thought about being in this location andonlythis location. The door slammed behind him as he looked around the room and found me. There was always this raging electrified energy whenever I became the focus of Nicholas Cassial’s attention and it made me feel loved and comforted, it made me feel like I could do anything.

It also made me feel something else between my legs, but right now was not the time to consider that, at least not unless he wanted to.

“Where’s your number one fan?” Elise asked.

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