Page 89 of The Star's Sword

And it felt like there were still questions hanging in the air around us.

In fact, with calmness falling over the room, finally, it felt like the intense emotions between us were finally rising to the surface, making us all feel awkward and shy.

“I had a good time,” Zadis finally said, leaning against the window. “I would be happy to do it again.” He winked at me. “As many times as possible.” He stretched, yawning, and came over to sit by me. “How are you feeling, Cleo?” He took my hand. “Okay with everything?”

I nodded.

Samael hunched slightly, and then stood, moving quickly for the door. “I’m going to be sick. Be right back.”

Then he ran out the door and out of sight and we heard him heading down the hallway.

“I should go check on him,” Zadis said. “Probably the wine. Or maybe he’s sick from the battle.” He looked around the room. “Regardless, you stay here where it’s safe. You’re in the most danger. Lock the door behind me. I’ll bring him back, I promise.”

I sat on the bed hesitantly as Zadis put up a hand and went to the door.

“So quick,” he said, then he left too.

I got up, tired, and went to lock the door behind him.

But as my hand touched the cold metal, I hesitated.

Should I really leave my two friends out there alone? In demon country? With vampires on the hunt?

Sure, Samael was a ninth realm celestial and Zadis was a powerful demon fae prince, but I was the Morningstar.

It was my duty to make sure everyone was safe.

And I felt oddly protective of them, after our time together.

They’d stood up for me to the vampires, pleasured me senseless, and even now were thinking of only me.

I unlocked the door and slipped out of the room, heading in the direction I’d heard Samael’s footsteps go.

I’d never seen him hunch over like that, even after drinking.

Then again, he didn’t drink very often.

Was the threesome bothering him, or something else?

I turned down a hallway that led to a glass door that led to a garden outside the cottage, and heard Samael and Zadis’s voices coming through.

Even though I hated to eavesdrop, I listened in, just to make sure I wasn’t interrupting something.

But what I heard had every cell in my body rising to attention. I’d been drowsy, hungover, but instantly I was sober and awake.

“You have to tell her,” Zadis was saying, his hand on Samael’s back as Samael was bent forward, looking like he was puking into a line of rose bushes.

Samael raised his head, running both hands through his hair. “I can’t. I won’t. Stick to the plan. You will stay with her. I’ll keep showing you.”

“I can’t love her like you do,” Zadis said. “I will love her with you, but not instead of you.” He patted Samael’s shoulder. “I promise to protect her, but I will never take your place.”

Samael pushed away from him, swaying slightly. Then he turned back apologetically, standing with his feet spread and his head hung, looking oddly bereft in the moonlight. “I’m angry, not because you get more moments with her, but because I won’t be there.”

“You have every right to be angry,” Zadis said, walking over to him again, hesitantly putting a hand on his shoulder. “It should be you staying beside her, not me.”

Samael jerked away again. “It’s not my choice.”

“It might not happen,” Zadis said. “Look, I know you think it will, but just throwing me at her won’t help once you’re gone. You need to help her understand now.”

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