Page 73 of The Heir
"We do," she agrees. "Isn't that insane? I didn't… I mean, I hadhopewe would get out of everything, but I didn't know if it was possible."
She snuggles into my side, carefully avoiding my bandages. My arm doesn't hurtthatbad, so I pull her in close and stroke her upper arm. The contented sigh she releases fills my heart with joy. I have her. I have my wife. We'resafe.
A knock sounds at the door, and Elliott walks in before either of us responds.
"Jesus, Elliott! What if we were fucking?" Melody grumbles.
"I've heard you two having sex. Everyone in the building has. I would simply wait until the noises died down and come back later. But, since the hallways were blissfully silent, here I am." He holds out a tablet. "Call for you."
Melody's cheeks are about as red as a tomato. She gently lifts herself from my grasp and takes the tablet.The Eligos's scowling face fills the screen. She looks… less put together than she usually does. Her usual sleek bun is messy, and her makeup is smudged under one eye.
"Dantalion. Melody. I'd like to extend my deepest apologies—you were meant to be safe here. This wasnotsupposed to happen." She huffs out an exasperated sigh. "My most trusted associates have been analyzing the situation, and it appears you were not the only Goetia with a mole."
"Who?" Melody sits up straight, narrowing her gaze.
"They've been dealt with." The Eligos waves a hand dismissively. "Please, rest assured. This will not happen again. I understand I have you to thank, Melody, for the dispatch of the Nephilim."
"Y—yeah," my wife stutters. "Uh, no problem."
"Eligos," I interrupt softly. "I always appreciate your professionalism, but please—are you alright?"
First, she looks infuriated at my question. Her brows furrow, and her lips twist into a scowl. Melody gently lays a hand on mine, peeking a furtive look at me. Just as I am about to apologize, The Eligos sighs.
"No. Yes. I'll be honest, Dante." She fiddles with something out of frame, then lifts a cigarette to her lips. My eyebrows nearly disappear into my hairline as I watch her light up the smoke and inhale deeply. She exhales a satisfied sigh and positions the cigarettebetween her fingers. "This has been… difficult. I pride myself on being one step ahead—several steps, if possible. I know you're the same. But—and I don't mean to offend you—I thought my processes and vetting were airtight. I don't knowhowthis person infiltrated my organization. I'm working on it. This war between us and the Seraph is eons long, as you are well aware, and I'm glad it's over."
"For now," I mumble.
"For now." She sucks in another drag. "I'm so fucking tired, Dante."
"When's the last time you had a vacation?" Melody chimes in.
"A—what? No." The Eligos shakes her head.
"Girl, yes. Let's do this. We'll tie up loose ends, and we'll go to Cancun. Or Tulum. Or Puerto Rico—honestly, wherever you want." Melody chuckles. "I'm game as long as there's a beach."
The Eligos's mouth drops open, and she nearly loses her cigarette. She makes a strangled noise, coughing a little, before shaking herself into a smooth recovery. "I'd like that, thank you."
My sweet love. She doesn't love easily. She doesn't trust easily. But once you're in? You're in for life. I pity anyone who dares mutter a snide word about The Eligos now. Melody might be my wife, but she's the most loyaland loving person I've ever met—with a murderous streak. God, I love that about her.
"May we help with anything?" I ask quietly.
"Hmm? No. Thank you for your patience and understanding, Dante. Melody, we'll be in touch." The Eligos nods, and the screen goes black.
"I'll take that, thank you." Elliott grabs the tablet back and sweeps out of the room. Not one for conversations, I see. Though if I'm not mistaken, his tone was a little more terse than usual. I wonder what that's about.
"Do you think she'll actually go on a vacation?" Melody asks, leaning back into the pillows with me.
"A year ago, I would have said no. But… she just called me Dante. She dropped the title. In all the years I've known her, she's never done that." I shake my head. "I think… I think she'll do it. I think it would be good for her—and for us."
Melody nods and traces her finger along the tattoos on my neck. Her touch is featherlight, and goosebumps erupt in its wake. God, if she'll just keep touching them, I'll keep getting them. Maybe her thumbprint anywhere I have room. Or something different… I smirk and turn to face her.
"What?" She yanks her hand back. "Did I touch somewhere it hurts?"
"Oh, no, love. Please keep touching me. I was just thinking that it might be time for me to add a little more ink."
"Yeah? What are you thinking?"
"Your bitemark."
