Page 157 of Crimson Promises
Riley was on a long stretch of away games. The lack of the angelfucker's presence was superb.
There was an absence of demonic activity. No word or abrasive summonings from Michael. Aurora hadn’t had any dreamwalking occurrences from Lucifer. Her nightmares had seemed to taper off.
We were living in a snapshot of what our future could look like. For the first time ever, it seemed attainable. But before I could do that, Aurora deserved to know the entire truth.
I had always planned to keep my vow to Lucifer from Aurora. I feared her judgment, feared it would change the way she viewed me. However, the more time I spent with her, the more it made me hate myself.
She had chosen me, given me everything, and there were still so many things she didn’t know about me. Aurora deserved the truth. I had been too scared and selfish to admit it. But that was going to change—tonight. For us to have a real future together, I had to tell her everything.
* * *
I scurried around, ensuring every detail was perfect. I had managed to secure the university's conservatory, a breathtaking space centered around a stained-glass ceiling and surrounded by windows overlooking the neighboring gardens. The room was adorned with flickering candles, their gentle flames casting dancing shadows on the walls. Soft music filled the air as a talented violinist played romantic melodies, adding a touch of elegance to the ambiance.
Aurora was to meet me promptly at seven o'clock, and the thought of seeing her beautiful smile ignited a mix of excitement and nervousness within me. I had planned every detail meticulously, hoping to create the perfect setting for what I knew would be a pivotal moment in our relationship. As well as an early birthday celebratory dinner.
Love consumed every fiber of my being. Her presence filled the darkest corners of my heart, erasing the shadows that had plagued me for so long.
A part of me feared her potential rejection. I understood the weight of the truth I was about to unveil, aware that it had the power to shatter the fragile paradise we had built together. The vulnerability that came with baring my soul frightened me to my core.
But love, true love, demanded honesty and trust. I couldn't keep the truth hidden any longer, as painful as it might be.
The minutes ticked away, and my pulse quickened with each passing second. Doubts and fears tugged at my mind, whispering uncertainties and worst-case scenarios. But I couldn't let those thoughts sway me. I had to believe in the strength of our connection, in the power to transcend the darkness of the past.
The scroll I had gotten from Greta was a leaden weight in my breast suit pocket. Mine wasn’t the only secret that would be revealed to her tonight.
As I put the final touches on the table, arranging delicate plates and glasses, a mix of hope and anxiety washed over me. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to face whatever lay ahead.
The wax on the taper candles began dripping all over the table linens. The scent of a freshly cooked meal filled the air. All I could focus on was the empty chair across from me. Aurora was over fifteen minutes late. She was always on time.
I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling as I dialed Aurora's number. It rang and rang, each unanswered tone a dagger in my heart. Her voicemail picked up, and my voice caught in my throat as I left a shaky message, my words betraying my anxiety.
"Hey, it's me. I'm here at the restaurant. Are you okay? I'm worried. Please call me back as soon as you can."
I should have picked her up myself.
Time seemed to stretch out, each minute dragging on like an eternity. My mind, plagued with worry, conjured images of accidents, mishaps, and worst-case scenarios. I tried to dismiss those thoughts, to quell the rising panic, but the pit in my stomach gnawed at me mercilessly. I glanced at my watch for the hundredth time, the ticking of its hands echoing in my ears.
Maybe she wasn’t coming because she changed her mind. Maybe she decided she didn’t want me anymore.
Something must have happened. I stood from the circular dining table and began pacing the black and white marble tiles. What if Aurora was hurt, lost, or in danger? The possibilities swirled in my mind, each more terrifying than the last. I fought to control the fear that threatened to consume me, but there was no use.
I longed for her to burst through the door, her warm smile erasing my fears, but each passing second that I stood there and did nothing could be a second she didn’t have.
The night had started out with so much promise, but it seemed doomed not to last.
ChapterSixteen
Aurora
Stepping into my room, anticipation bubbled inside me like a fizzy concoction.I have a date with Bentonight. My heart skipped a beat, and a playful grin tugged at the corners of my lips. The last few weeks felt like a dream. Ben had come back, finally deciding to let me in. Without any more secrets.
I approached my closet, eyes scanning the array of outfits hanging there. Since Ben opened up, we’d barely spent our free time apart. Most nights, we ended up at my place, and with that, I’d inherited a miniature collection of leather jackets, long-sleeved henleys, gray drawstring sweatpants, and black jeans. He’d just leave it all in a pile on his side of the bed.Why can't males pick up after themselves? It isn't hard.Once, the stench of his dirty training clothes woke me up an hour before my alarm. Surprisingly, angels could have terrible body odor. I gave him a drawer and some space in my closet after that.
My fingers brushed against the fabric of various dresses, searching for the perfect one that matched my mood. It was comforting seeing Ben’s clothes mixed in with mine. It was those little moments when happiness shot through me like the comet we had seen the first time he had taken me flying. We were doing this…together.
Hanging amidst a sea of colors — my fun, flirty A-line Juniper dress. Its vibrant shade of green and whirly hem fit almost any occasion.
With a spark of excitement, I slipped into the dress, feeling the smooth fabric glide against my skin. It fit like a dream, hugging my curves in all the right places. The twirl-worthy skirt made me feel like a carefree spirit, ready to dance the night away. It was an easy choice for whatever mystery evening Ben had planned out.
