Page 75 of Wings of Strife
Karena frowns when she notices Raphael hasn’t changed. “Was there something wrong with the outfit I laid out for you? Why you insist on wearing such garbage is beyond me.”
Garbage? He’s not wearing rags, for fuck’s sake. “I think he looks very handsome in what he’s wearing now.”
He offers me a soft smile, but it’s wiped away before it reaches his eyes when his bitch of a mother responds. “Well, of courseyou would, dear. But Raphael grew up in a wealthy Pure family and should dress the part.”
I ignore her barb, following Raph to our seats. He mumbles something under his breath, which sends his mother into a tailspin.
“What was that? How many times have I told you that you need to speak clearly if you want angels to understand you? Do I need to book another appointment with your speech therapist?”
Is this woman for real? I look around the table, absolutely floored to find no one else saying a damn thing to protect or stick up for Raphael. If this is what it’s always like for him, no wonder he doesn’t want to come home.
The first course arrives, and a blissful silence falls over the table as we all dig in.
Raduriel lets out a happy sigh as the staff takes away our empty plates to make room for the next course. “I didn’t realize how much I missed the taste of this food.”
His mother beams. “If you’re called away again in the future, we’ll serve your favorite to make the return even more special.” She turns to me, a curious look on her face. “So, how did you go from tutoring my son to dating him?”
It catches me so off guard that I struggle to keep the annoyed look off my face. She thought I was his tutor the first time we spoke too, and even though we corrected her then, it seems she’s forgotten.
“It’s the opposite, actually. Raphael wasmytutor. I wouldn’t have been able to ace my midterm without his determined and focused guidance.” I shoot him a warm smile before continuing. “As for how our relationship evolved, it was natural. As easy as breathing.”
I can tell Raphael appreciated my kind words by the way he presses his leg against the outside of my thigh.
His mother looks like she wants to speak, but Andras makes the first comment of the evening to me then. “What subject was he helping you with, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Our angelic powers class. Coming from a Fallen family, it was my first experience with using any type of powers, and unfortunately it took some getting used to. But Raph never judged me or made me feel weak, which I appreciated.”
His father appears pleased by my comment, but the look is wiped clear off his face the instant his wife speaks.
“My youngest, helping the less fortunate? Now that is a surprise indeed.”
My smile is tight as I say, “Not to those who know him well.”
Surprisingly, she doesn’t clap back with anything and allows us all to focus back on our meals. Raduriel still hasn’t said much or spoken up for his brother, but the closer I watch him, the more I notice the small twitch in his jaw whenever his mother speaks. Interesting.
Briathos looks just as uncomfortable as I am, though Karena doesn’t seem to realize a damn thing.
Clearing my throat, I say, “The food is delicious, Mrs. Adams. Have you always known how to cook?”
The bitch scoffs while Raphael squeezes my leg under the table.
“The lady of the house does not do her own cooking, dear. The kitchen staff prepared the meal, as they always do, though I find it rather dry myself. I’ll have to speak with them again about expectations.”
There’s not a chance in hell that I’d want this angel as my mother, boss, or anyone else near me at all. I can just imagine whatspeakingto them about expectations would be like. I bet she adopts the same tone she uses when speaking down to Raph.
We make it through to the next course with only a few more incidents. Raduriel became animated while talking abouthis work, and of course Karena couldn’t pass up another opportunity to compare and belittle Raphael. As if he’s not a completely different angel. I truly think she expected having kids would be like making a batch of cookies, where the mold is the same and all cookies turn out exactly perfect.
What she fails to realize is that Raphisperfect. No thanks to her.
“You should take this as a learning opportunity, Raphael,” his mother begins, heading on yet another tirade. I’ve had enough.
I set my drink down a little too forcefully; the sound drawing everyone’s eyes my way. Then, without even a second thought, I stand and look around the room. Raphael stands beside me, not saying a word but letting me glare daggers at everyone else as I try to keep my cool.
“Whatever are you doing, child? Sit down, Raphael. You’re causing a scene,” Karena starts, looking annoyed. And I snap.
“Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Adams. While the food was lovely, the company was anything but.”
Karena sucks in a sharp breath while the rest of the angels sitting at the table only wince. “Excuse me? I—”
