Page 18 of Guarded
“They didn’t upset me so much as frustrate me. I was pissed thinking one of you let him in here.”
“We wouldn’t do that,” Micah said firmly. “You’re a Seraphim, Noah. We’ve got your back. Even if we think you’re in the wrong, we’ll still support you. We train together. We fight together. We die together. Always.”
I fiddled with the ends of my hair. “I’m grateful to be part of the unit, you know that. I feel very comfortable here.”
“Unlike when you were in Juniper.” It’s not a question. Micah knows what I went through. “You know, I understand why you’re pushing Jeremiah away.”
“You do?”
“Yes. It makes sense knowing what you went through with Lyle.” Micah clasped his hands together over his stomach and fixed me with a hard stare. “But, Noah, Jeremiah isn’t Lyle.”
“I didn’t say he was.”
“No, but you’re comparing them,” he said softly. “I even understand why. The way Jeremiah behaved wasn’t great.”
I snorted. “That’s an understatement.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t work it out.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because I did the same with Nox.” My mouth dropped open as Micah fixed his gaze on the flames. “I realised he was my mate and flew as hard as I could in the other direction.”
I blinked rapidly. I’d known their relationship hadn’t got off to the smoothest start, but I hadn’t known that was how Micah had reacted. “Why?”
He sighed.“Because my heart was aching for another.Someone I couldn’t have. I believed fate was wrong. That Nox couldn’t be the one for me. I truly thought there’d been a mistake somewhere.”
I stared at him. “But the two of you are perfect together. I’ve never seen two people more suited. Well, outside of the other mated pairs in the unit.”
“Exactly.” Micah leaned forwards. “We’re matesbecauseof how well-suited we are. We might not always feel it, but fate knows what it’s doing.”
I wanted to believe him, I did. “What if it’s wrong about me? What if Jeremiah ends up breaking my heart?”
“What if he doesn’t?” Micah smiled tightly. “I get it, Noah. I do. I understand how you’re feeling better than anyone else. You’ve opened yourself up so many times, only to get kicked in the jaw repeatedly. If anything, you’ve had it worse than I did with Dimitri. There wasn’t a moment where he returned my feelings, and certainly nothing physical happened between us.”
My hand clenched on my knee. “Yeah. The same can’t be said about me and Lyle.”
Micah rubbed a hand over his jaw. “If it wouldn’t cause more issues, I’d execute him. No, I’d go one better—I’d let Nox do it.”
“He’d make it painful, I’m sure.” Especially given how he’d contributed to Micah and Nox’s own near execution. “But it’d cause too much of a mess. Besides, he’s not worth any of our attention.”
“Indeed. Lyle isn’t worthy of your attention, but what about Jeremiah?”
I shifted in my seat, thinking of the note he’d left me.One hour, Noah.“I honestly don’t know.”
Micah smiled encouragingly. “Then perhaps you should find out.”
Chapter 4
Jeremiah
“That outfit doesn’t do your arse any favours.”
I jumped at Quill’s voice, frowning at the demon in my doorway. “Satan, Quill. Warn a guy next time.”
He ate a spoonful of cereal from the bowl cradled in his big hand, crunching it ostentatiously. “I’m telling you, those jeans aren’t the ones. Wear the black ones instead.”
I rolled my eyes, tempted to point out that someone with milk stains on his top shouldn’t be judging me. I didn’t though. If Quill said they weren’t working, then I needed to change.
