Page 82 of Hazel's Choice
Annex hits his feet, wrapping his tail around my side as he tosses his arm around my shoulder.
“I would bow at the waist, but I’m afraid I would hit the floor,” I tell Hazel’s fathers, dipping my head in a show of respect. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your assistance in saving me.”
Hazel climbs off the couch and stands at my side. “Say nice things to my mate.”
“I saved his life. That was nice,” Wraith says, keeping a completely straight face.
“Yeah, that’s probably all you’re going to get from him.” Knight holds out a hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Hazel siphons us back to the house in Black Cove.
We land in her bedroom, and she immediately bolts for the bathroom.
“Be right back. It’s an emergency.”
“Ahh, that’s right. Her uterus is still trying to kill her.” Annex chuckles. “You’re still healing, anyway.”
I frown, squinting and trying to determine what the hell he’s talking about.
“It’s probably better to put off the sexcapades for another few days. Come along, angel. Let me get you tucked into bed so your mate doesn’t worry,” Annex says, guiding me to the edge of the mattress. He helps me get settled—even removing my boots—and glances at the small bedside table. “Fuck. I was definitely supposed to check in at Rut tonight.” He pulls the blanket over my chest. “I’ll be back. Tell Hazel not to worry.”
The incubus disappears in a smoky cloud of shadows, and I shake my head. It’s possible that’s true, but he could have simply said he was going to give me a few minutes to talk to Hazel. She and I need to clear the air.
I wince as my mind helpfully replays some of the things I said before I knew she was the creature.
Fuck. My. Life.
I called her acreature.
I’m still mentally beating the hell out of myself when Hazel exits the bathroom. She’s clad in that same set of soft rubber duck pajamas, and I frown, realizing Annex tucked me into bed in my jeans and ripped shirt.
I toss the blanket back as Hazel stops at the edge of the bed.
“I’m beat, but I should probably change,” I admit. She smiles, running a hand down my front. Everything except my boxers disappears. “Thank you.”
She proceeds to climb over my chest, settling on the mattress next to me. “We should probably talk, huh?”
I’m not sure where it originates, but an unexpected bark of laughter spills from my lips.
I stretch my arm out, and she scoots closer until her head rests on my bare chest. “I called you a creature. I’m surprised you didn’t devour me right then and there.”
Hazel laughs, running her hand over my stomach. “Are you kidding? The first time you walked into Spellbound, I was about to pee myself. I’d never come face-to-face with an archangel.”
“I’m sorry for the turmoil that I’ve caused you.” It’s the truth, and I’m genuinely baffled how I never sensed something more, even after our bonding. Perhaps that’s untrue. I sensed immense power, but her demonic sides hide themselves well. Her aura and soul tethers also failed to signal there’s more to Hazel than meets the eye.
The universe gave her many added protections to ensure her survival, and I find that fascinating.
“Me too,” she whispers. “Do you want to hear about what happened when I found your friend?”
My lips blow together with the force of my exhale. “I believe I have the basics, but I would like it if we could get out of the habit of calling Levi a friend. Even the bits of information that I learned from Simon and Josiah painted a grim picture.”
“I can understand that,” Hazel says softly. “My monster led me to the forest that night. The woman was terrified. He wasn’t salvageable. His soul was too corrupted to come back from.” Her misery filters through the bond, and it’s the first clear hint that I’ve gotten since waking. My system must have been in shock, thus blocking everything outside of essential functions.
“I trust your judgment,” I tell her truthfully.
“I never gave much thought to who might grieve those I’ve devoured.” She sighs. “If nothing else, I think I’ve learned more about compassion.”
“I hate that I caused you to feel remorse over doing what you were called to do. That was unfair.”
