Page 44 of Beyond the Storm
“Have a wonderful day, even older friend.”
Once the call disconnected, I called Galen. He had just helped Simon open the antique shop for the day and was in the middle of buying coffee and breakfast from the café down the block.
“Did you keep your human in bed for too long again, preventing him from eating breakfast?” I asked.
“Fuck off, Pride,” Galen said in his familiar gruff tone.
“You know I’m right.”
“Yeah, but I don’t like giving you the satisfaction of admitting it.” Galen spoke to someone, ordering a latte and croissant for Simon, before speaking back into the phone, “He said he wasn’t hungry, but like hell I’m letting him skip breakfast.”
“I can relate. I had to basically force Laz to eat before he left.” I smiled at the memory. “How is everyone?”
Galen filled me in on the happenings surrounding my brothers. All of us still gathered every Sunday for dinner, so it hadn’t been long since I’d heard from them. But I liked daily updates. It kept my mind at ease knowing they were doing well.
After talking to Galen, I poured a second cup of tea and curled up on the couch in the library Lazarus had built for me. Floor-to-ceiling shelves overflowed with books, some modern and others dating back centuries. A fireplace sat across from me, and although I wasn’t necessarily chilled, I lit it anyway. The sound of the burning logs was relaxing. I grabbed my book off the side table before losing myself in the pages.
Around noon, I left to meet Raphael and Selaphiel in the palace gardens. The guards allowed me to pass, and I found the winding path that led to the rose-gold gazebo.
“Alastair!” Raphael waved me over. A pink macaron was in his hand. His strawberry blond hair was pinned back with a glittery blue hairclip, and he wore a colorful shirt that matched his vibrant personality.
“Good afternoon,” I said as I reached the table beneath the shade of the gazebo. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“Not at all. You’re right on time. Sel is on his way. Would you like one?” He motioned to the three-tier tower of treats in front of him. “Strawberry and lemon macarons, as well as decadent chocolates and fruit tarts.”
“Thank you.” I grabbed one of the tarts.
Selaphiel arrived a few minutes later.
“Yay, Selly’s here!” Raphael clapped his hands before offering him a lemon macaron. “Your favorite.”
“You spoil me.” Selaphiel accepted the macaron and placed it on the small round dish in front of him. He then nodded to me. “I’m happy you could join us this afternoon.”
“I appreciate the invite.”
Two palace servants brought out another batch of sweets, replenishing the tiers that had been devoured by Raphael. They also brought sandwiches. I helped myself to a turkey-and-tomato one. I enjoyed sweets on occasion but preferred healthier snacks.
The three of us then drank tea, ate, and talked about unimportant matters. Sometimes that was nice, just chatting among friends. Not discussing the possible end of the world or stressing over life-and-death decisions. Other than Konnar, I hadn’t been friendly enough with anyone else to have tea dates like this.
Sitting beneath the gazebo, a warm summer breeze tickling my cheeks as I spoke with friends, I realized something profound. That simple life I’d always dreamed of?
It was no longer a dream.
My days weren’t spent fighting demons or worrying about whether one of my brothers would fall in the next battle. I no longer had the weight of the world on my shoulders. My days were peaceful and filled with laughter and love. Best of all? Waking every morning to the angel who’d stolen my heart.
“I love you,”I projected into Lazarus’ mind.“Train hard and then return to me.”
“I’ll always return to you,”he responded.“As for your confession of love, know that how I feel for you goes far beyond what words can ever convey.”A pause.“Is all well?”
I didn’t often randomly proclaim my love to him. It was understandable that he’d worry that something was wrong. But nothing had ever been more right.
“Everything’s great.”My stomach fluttered.“It’s better than great.”
“Good. Keep it that way. I’ll be home before the sun sets. Be waiting for me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good boy.”
