Page 17 of Wings of Valor
“For the record, I would have hated it. But I just want you to be happy.”
“I know. Even when you weren’t trying, you were there for me. It’s one of the many reasons I love you.”
“I love you, too, hummingbird. Even if you scare the hell out of me half the time and get me hardallthe time. I won’t promise that I’ll always be the perfect guy or that I won’t revert back to Mr. Grumps”—he throws a look at Raph and Theo, somehow fully aware that’s how they thought of him—“but I can promise to love you with every fiber of my being for the rest of our lives.”
He kisses me again, dipping me on his knee and spinning my world on its axis. Only when Theo clears his throat does Zeke let go.
“The last thing in the world I want to do is leave, but …”
I nod, knowing if he stays, he’ll only risk getting in trouble. We have enough of that already. “Be safe,” I whisper, dropping another kiss against his lips.
He heads to the balcony but doesn’t leave right away. Instead, he takes one more look at us, almost like he’s taking a mental picture. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in the morning.” He looks at the guys. “And make her come a few more times, would you?”
His laughter trickles in through the closing door, leaving the three of us alone.
“You said it.” Theo stands at my side, pushing the hair from my face as he stares at me like I personally placed every star in the sky.
“I’d have said it to you in the training room if I knew it wouldn’t start a competition or hurt anyone’s feelings.”
“I know. But hearing the words from your lips is different than knowing you feel them.”
“I love you, Theo. My quiet force.”
“I love you too, firefly.”
We curl back up in bed after changing the sheets since they’d gotten a little messy earlier. Contented between two of my men, I try to focus on the movie currently playing from the projector on the wall. It’s about a guy who stays at a resort on the beach in an effort to get away from his ex-girlfriend, only for her to show up with her new boyfriend. If it wasn’t the night before I go and do something reckless, I’d enjoy it.
But tomorrow things change.
I’m not even worried about school. Compared to everything else on my plate, it’s taken a spot so far in the back of my mind I’d forget about it if I wasn’t actively attending classes or staying on campus.
At least my final term projects are drafted and scheduled to send in the event I don’t make it back tomorrow with my parents. It’s not likely, given the psycho wants me on his side. I doubt he’ll trust me to go back to regular scheduling.
Theo places a hand over mine, and I realize I’ve been chewing my nails. Shit.
“Are you okay?”
The real answer is that I’m far from alright, but that’s not the response I give him. “Yup! Just a little tired, that’s all. Three gorgeous angels wore me out earlier, if you’ll recall.”
They don’t know how little sleep I’ve gotten over the past few nights. Mira’s been helping me teleport, and we’ve gone over the plan a million times to make sure I don’t miss any steps. I probably should have met with her tonight, but without knowing what tomorrow brings, I wanted one more night with my guys. One official night for the four of us to be what we always should have been.
“Why don’t you get some sleep then, baby? Rest up before Zeke comes home and we ravish you again,” Raph says, placing a gentle kiss to my neck that has my lids falling.
My friends, excluding Mira, think I’m waiting to meet Castiel’s Archangel friend tomorrow. As if I’d ever put my faith in someone so blindly. Especially when that same being is an Archangel. They should have known.
I mentally shake my head. I’ve already thought through the pros and cons a million times. Tonight isn’t about that.
“Sleep, little sun,” Raph pushes. “Tomorrow will be hard. It’s best you get some rest while you can.”
His words make me pause. Does he know what I’m facing tomorrow, or is he just referring to what he thinks is happening?
“I find it strange that Auriel gave you a deadline but no location, time, or anything,” Theo ponders out loud.
With my eyes still closed, I can’t see the looks on their faces. Hell, I don’t even know if they’re watching me or just absently talking while staring at the movie. “He wants me on his team.” I yawn and snuggle in close. “I’m sure he’ll find a way to give me the details.”
It’s not technically a lie.
“We’ll be ready,” Raph says, his voice rough.
