Page 66

So that was the story of how Nero had become an angel.

“And you never found out what happened to Colonel Brightwing?” I asked.

“No.” Nero went quiet again.

“Kia’s betrayal hit Nero hardest of all,” Harker said, “because he’d put her on such a high pedestal.”

“I did no such thing.”

“You did, and you know it,” Harker replied. “Hey, we were young back then. Young, loyal, and totally blind to all the Legion’s flaws. We thought the Legion was perfect and all angels were infallible.”

I set my hand on Nero’s. “I understand.”

“No, you really don’t,” Harker told me. “You never idealized the Legion, Leda. You didn’t want to join our ‘perfect army’ to keep the world safe from rogue supernaturals, even if that’s what you wrote on your application form.” He winked at me. “You joined the Legion to save your brother, which isn’t any less noble, but it was a decision driven by pragmatism. The Legion was a means to an end for you, not a way of life.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” I admitted. “Though that kind of changed along the way, as I made friends and fell in love.” I looked into Nero’s eyes, remembering all those moments that had changed me.

How he’d offered to train me so I could gain the magic I needed to find Zane.

How he’d confessed his feelings for me in his office after we’d survived the big airship crash.

How he’dorderedme not to die after I’d taken a bullet to the gut from an immortal weapon.

How he’d literally stormed the dungeons of hell to rescue me. Nero’s magic had held back the avalanche of marble and concrete. He’d held up the whole damn building for me. He’d kept me safe.

How he’d burst into the Legion building, dramatic and romantic, a fresh wave of magic flaring up around him, igniting his aura, lighting up the sword he held in his hand. And then he’d declared,I have no intention of allowing any other angel but me to marry Leda.

Even now, I practically swooned just thinking about it.

Time and time again, throughout the years, Nero had always been there for me, every step of the way. He was the perfect partner, the unerring constant in my wild, chaotic life.

Nero looked at me. We didn’t need to speak, aloud or otherwise. At that moment, I knew we were remembering the same thing: the journey we’d taken together, a path forged in love and trust and danger.

Yeah, there’d been a lot of danger.

I smiled at him, setting my hands on his cheeks, leaning in to kiss him. He kissed me back. Packed into that kiss was more emotion, more love, than any one person could ever feel, whether human or immortal, but I wasn’t just one person anymore. Nero and I were linked. Bonded. Joined by the power of love, a force stronger and sweeter than any magic or weapon.

Harker cleared his throat.

I gave Nero’s mouth a playful, final nip, then drew away, my gaze still locked with his. Silver and gold, fire and hunger,swirled in his eyes. A drop of his blood, spicy and sweet, lingered on my lips. I licked them.

I closed my eyes, holding in a desperate moan.

“Do you two need to be alone?” Harker said, his voice sarcastic.

Yes. We really do,I told Nero.

Nero’s hand brushed against my arm, his touch soft and supple.I’ve missed you.

I opened my eyes. He was sitting very still, watching me. It was the stillness of a predator just before the strike.

Nero reached out, wrapping his arm around me. I leaned my head against his shoulder, drinking in his scent. He smelled like spice and sweat, angel and ecstasy.

“You’re so hot,” I told him.

Harker snorted. “Smooth, Leda. Real smooth.”

I leaned into Nero’s burning body. “Not that kind of hot, though you aredefinitelythat,” I told Nero, licking my lips again.