Page 67 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

M y body thrums with life as I round my last lap, the sun finally perched high in the sky. Beads of sweat slip down my temple as I slow my feet to a soft walk. It feels good to get back to my routine after being away for so long.

Hade flew us back to Lunaria early this morning, as duty called his attention.

I about doubled over when I saw a dainty flower and radiant sun charms sitting on my bed with a note that read, To add to your bracelet of love .

A placeholder for Rayah and Theo to have with me forever, right next to Hudson’s paintbrush charm.

I have no idea when he had time to have them made, but it’s one of the most thoughtful things I’ve ever been given, right next to Theo’s dagger necklace guarding my heart.

It was exhilarating getting a real look under Hade’s skin, unraveling the story etched beneath it, even if it was only bits and pieces. These charms are another look into his heart .

Forced to leave our cushy little bubble this morning was harder than I thought, and it makes me wonder what lies ahead.

Will we go back to stolen looks and lust buried beneath a facade of hate and loathing?

Will he continue to keep his distance like it’s painful to be near me?

Will he think of me when he’s alone in his room?

Or was yesterday just a blip in time, never to surface again?

Time will only tell, and for now, I need to keep relying on myself and only myself to make it through another day up here in hell.

My morning run has seeped through every inch of my body, grounding me again.

I live for the quiet, peaceful mornings when the city still sleeps before it explodes to life.

Now, with the sun fully risen, the city is thrumming as I slip down a back alley, weaving through the chaotic crowd.

Magic pushes at me from every angle, brushing up against my skin like I can reach out and grasp it.

I finally spot the glowing orb radiating under the warm sun, and I silently rush through the crowd to slip through the door, the soft bell chiming above me, announcing my arrival.

A calmness flows through me, same as it does every time I step foot in here. It’s extra calm in here today, only a few patrons lounging in chairs in the corner, reading and basking in the sun streaming through the stained glass.

A giant gasp draws my attention, and I can’t help but smile. “Well, c’mon, sugar. Get over here so I can give you a proper greeting.”

A small laugh leaves my lips as I stride over to Mo, the owner of Knead It. She encases me in her arms, squeezing me to her chest until my face is pressed snugly in her cleavage. Her sweet smell of cinnamon sugar floods my nose, and I relax in her hold like a child would in a mother’s embrace.

“Where have you been, sugar?” she scolds me like a child. “It’s been ages since you’ve paid me a visit.”

She unwraps her arms from me, planting her hands on each of my shoulders as she looks me over for injuries. “You look just fine… Maybe even more than fine.” She shoots me a little smirk that cracks my walls. “What’s got your skin glowing and cheeks rosier than ever?”

My cheeks flush under her scrutiny, and I try to turn away, but she holds me steady.

Busted.

“I know you enjoy those cute little romance novels, but you’ve never radiated this bright before,” she states knowingly.

I bat her hand away and try to sound unaffected, like my heart isn’t plastered right on my sleeve for her to see. “It’s nothing,” I say under my breath, walking to the pastry counter. Mo follows, rounding the counter with raised eyebrows.

She points to my chest with a gleam in her eyes.

“That blush creepin’ up your chest is not nothing.

” She draws out her words with a rich accent that feels like a warm hug.

“That blush tells a story of stolen kisses and passion words could never convey,” she purrs.

She pins me with a stare, waiting for me to crack like I always do for her and only her.

“There may have been a kiss involved,” I admit sheepishly.

“I knew it!” she gushes, a giant smile taking over her face. “I need all the details. Just one kiss, or a night full?” she questions, right before her eyes light up. “Wait, was it on the lips?” Her eyes narrow on me expectedly, and I let out a loud, dramatic gasp.

“That’s all the details you’re getting!” I throw her a scolding look, but she knows it’s all show as she waves her hands at me in defeat.

“Fine,” she huffs. “Then you’re gonna tell me why you’ve been gone for so long. The strawbana bread has piled up in your absence.”

I chew my lip nervously as I’m brought back to the night that flipped me on my axis, slightly more than I already was. I feel a phantom ache in my side and grab it instinctually. Mo tracks the movement, and her eyes darken uncharacteristically .

“What happened, sugar?” she presses, deadly serious, concern etched across her brows.

I think carefully, deciding how I want to phrase my next words. “I was injured and had to take some days to rest,” I say carefully.

“Exactly how did this injury come about?” she presses.

“It was really nothing,” I say under my breath, downplaying the events. “Look, I’m totally fine.” I do a spin, showing off my good health.

“Nothing?” She scoffs. “I haven’t seen you in around a week. You’re more addicted to my bread than you are to those silly little romance novels, so I know you wouldn’t have missed getting them for just ‘nothing’.”

Double busted .

I let out a loud sigh as she plants her hands on her hips, waiting for my response. This woman is more persistent than Winston searching the castle for oranges. She raises her eyebrows at me in question, and I crumble beneath her hard gaze.

“I may have gotten a small cut on my side that required some down time,” I mumble under my breath quickly, hoping she takes the information I’ve given as satisfactory.

“What created this so-called ‘small cut’?” She makes air quotes, looking totally unimpressed with my explanation.

I bring my hands up to my face, trying to hide from her. Peeking out between my fingers, I squeak, “A dagger.”

Her face grows red with anger, and I shrink back a step. “A DAGGER!” she bellows loudly, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

I nod back but offer no other words. I don’t know why I’m withholding information from her; it’s not like I care about spilling the shady side of Aeron to the world.

He deserved what came to him, and I believe in a balance of actions.

What hurts more is how used I felt, and I’m embarrassed for letting my walls down again just for them to be smashed to smithereens .

Mo’s features soften, and that motherly side comes back out, ensnaring me in her caring gaze. She grips one of my hands, gently stroking her thumb over the back of my hand.

“What really happened? Are you okay?” she says softly, seeing the way this conversation is affecting me.

“I was stabbed in my sleep,” I say defeatedly. Her hand tightens on mine, but her eyes never stray. “The dagger was laced with poison, but one of the Vanquishers saved me. I’m okay now.”

I think back to the raw anger that radiated off Hade when he walked into my room to find Aeron standing over my body, a dagger in my side. I’ve never seen something so lethal bottled up inside someone. He’s saved me in more than one way since that night.

“I presume the culprit was dealt with accordingly?” Mo says protectively.

A tremor racks my body as I nod back to her, remembering exactly how Aeron was dealt with. I can still smell and vividly see the state of his body the last time I laid eyes on him.

“Well, good! I’m glad that piece of shit was taken out with the trash then.” She says it harshly, which is the opposite of how I know her to be. A piece of my heart warms knowing I have people in my corner who exude such fierce protectiveness.

I smile. “Me too.”

Mo drops my hand and reaches into the pastry window, grabbing a handful of strawbana bread slices out and shoving them into a box. She slides the box across the counter to me with a toothy grin.

“To make up for all the slices you missed while you were away,” she says softly.

I reach into my pocket for some coppers, but she smacks my hand with a tsk. “I don’t need your money, sugar. Just your company will do. ”

“Thank you,” I respond earnestly. She flashes me a wink, and I decide to stay awhile longer, making my way to one of the velvet chairs in the corner.

Sliding deep into the large chair, I prop my feet up on the matching ottoman, snatching out one of the slices. The vivid flavor of strawberry and buttery banana explodes on my taste buds, and I let out a quiet moan of pleasure.

The loud ring of the bell draws my attention away from my sweet treat as a tall, slender man struts through the door. He walks up to the counter confidently, slamming his hands down, alerting Mo to his presence.

“What can I do for you today, sir?” She looks impatient with the man, which is off character for her, but I would be too with the way he charged in here like he owns the place.

“I’ll take everything you have in the pastry window,” he says sternly. “And you will give it to me for free.” The air turns thick, as if magic is sweeping over the room, and I find it odd.

“I will do no such thing,” Mo retorts with a scowl and a mocking laugh. The man looks at her, stunned, caught off guard by her noncompliance.

“You will, and you will do it with a smile on your face, darlin’ .” His voice is monotone but strong as he breathes the words, trying again.

“The only thing that will put a smile on my face is when my foot kicks your ass out of my shop.” The man takes a step back, stunned by her response, like he’s never been told no before.

She leans forward, mumbling under her breath, “Your coercion magic won’t work on me, darling .

So I suggest you take it someplace else. ”

He swears under his breath, something my ears can’t pick up.

He turns on his heels swiftly and storms out the door, looking beyond embarrassed and angry.

Apparently, there’s bad people everywhere, whether you live in the dump I grew up in or on a magical floating rock.

You learn something new every day, I guess .

I shoot Mo questioning eyes, and she shrugs like it’s just another day on the job.

“He’s a Manipulant. Their magic allows them to control people, but it doesn’t work on me.

Perks of my own magic.” I take in her words, wondering exactly how she is immune.

I’m about to push her further on the matter when my eyes snag on the clock above her head.

It’s then I realize how late it’s gotten.

“Shoot!” I rush out, jumping to my feet as a few crumbs of bread fall from my shirt. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” I trot over to the counter, snatching Mo into a tight embrace. “Thank you for the bread and caring enough to notice my absence.”

She rubs my back with a serious expression that hits me straight in my heart. “I have always and will always care for you and notice your absence, sugar. I’m just glad you’re finally back.” She sighs happily into my hair, seeming more sentimental than just missing me.

She plants a warm kiss on my forehead just before I slip from her arms and out the door, a giant smile on my face. I race back to the castle with a box full of sweets and an even sweeter heart.