Page 132 of An Unexpected Ascension
“Ada,” I greet, climbing to my feet and away from the drop.
“I don’t mean to intrude. I was just exploring.”
“Would you like a tour?”
“Sure, I could use a good walk after days in bed.” She blushes. “Sleeping.”
I smirk. “Sure.”
She follows as I lead her back to the stairs and down to the second level.
“I think you’ve seen all there is on this floor.” As we pass the Throne Room and beyond it, the war room where Lucifer now orders guards to assist with putting together the party.
On the opposite side of the corridor is the Great Hall where we just dined hours ago, so instead, we descend another level. To the left is the East Wing and to the right is the West.
“You may recognize this space. Lucifer’s lent me quarters in the East Wing, Briar resides in the West.”
“You sleep separately?” she asks.
I rub my hand over my mouth in thought, then let out a damning chuckle.
“Earlier, you called us soul mates and we’re not. Briar does not love me.”
The confession hurts no less than it did when she uttered the words just days ago.
“But you love her.” It’s not a question. “It’s obvious in the way you look at her.”
“Yes.”
“She didn’t deny it this morning. That must mean something.”
I shrug. “Perhaps.”
“Have you told her how you feel?”
“On more than one occasion.” I smile bitterly.
She halts in the center of the hallway between the two wings where the stairwell descends to the next floor. Her eyes rove over the gold accented frames hanging along the wall. Pictures of her family.
I anticipate a flood of tears or even an air of dread to wash over her, but she only stands admiring the photos.
“Then keep fighting.”
“That’s what your husband said. Only, I’m beginning to grow exhausted. How does one fight a battle you may never win?”
She turns to me, a hand on the black tarnished credenza below the frames.
“What does she like?”
“I-I don’t...”Well, shit.What does she like? I’ve known the angel for a short period of time and in that time, I’ve found a lot of things she doesn’t like, but that isn’t helpful. Then it comes to me. “She likes to dance.”
Hazel eyes flash with delight. “How perfect. Then you dance with her at the party.”
My hand rubs against the back of my neck. “Only one problem.”
“You don’t know how to dance.” She laughs.
“One hand in mine,the other on my waist.”
