Page 76 of First Offense

He lifted a shoulder. “Her story to tell.”

“She said she Fell at birth,” I breathed. “That’s why she believed me when I said I hadn’t done anything worthy of a Fall.”

“I still think that’s impossible,” Auric muttered.

Novak made a noise, then rolled off the bed to explore the room. Or I assumed that was what he’d chosen to do, because he started moving the few items of furniture around, then disappeared through a door.

My eyebrows lifted. “Is that a bathroom?”

“With a full shower and heated water,” Auric confirmed. “Yeah.”

Novak wandered back out with two glasses in his hands. He held one out for me and the other for Auric.

“Thank you,” I said, suddenly very thirsty. I finished almost half the contents before he returned with his own glass.

He settled beside me again, this time with his back against the wall like Auric, leaving me somewhat lying between them. I’d gone up onto my elbows to drink. Now I wanted to sit up as well, only their spanned wings left little room for me to rival their positions. So I chose a spot in the center with my feathers pointing at the foot of the bed.

A comfortable silence fell as we all sipped our water, which was actually cool and refreshing, reminding me of a glacier.

“How did he knock us out?” I asked, referring to whatever Sayir did to us in the courtyard.

“He said it was a spell,” Auric replied. “But I’ve never seen an enchantment knock out so many angels at once before.”

Novak studied him for a moment, then brought his cup to his lips once more, drinking instead of talking. It’d been rather interesting hearing him speak earlier. His deep voice had been almost soothing, even when his words were anything but.

“He said it was necessary to move all the inmates to the new prison. Did you hear me telling Novak about the plane?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “I heard everything.”

Novak’s lips twitched while Auric narrowed his gaze. “Eavesdropping isn’t a very attractive trait, Layla.”

“Neither is belittling a royal, Auric,” I returned.

He considered that and nodded. “You’re right.”

I blinked. “I am?”

He leaned forward, then drew his fingers through my hair once more, this time all the way to where it ended along my upper arm. I shivered as he grazed my skin, his touch electrifying. It was such an intimate stroke, one meant for friends or lovers. And it lulled me into a state of comfort, almost eliciting a sigh of contentment.

“Do you know why you Fell?” he asked softly.

And there went my contentment. I narrowed my gaze. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Not that he would ever believe me. I wasn’t even sure why I tried anymore.

He wasn’t fazed by my comment. “I didn’t ask if you did anything wrong,” he murmured, his words still impossibly gentle. “I asked if you know why you Fell.”

I frowned. That had been on my mind every single moment of every single day since I’d been cast out of my home. “No,” I said, resolute in my innocence. “I have no idea why.”

Auric twirled a fuchsia curl around his finger, catching Novak’s interest, but the Nora didn’t even seem to be aware he was touching me. “If you were listening to our conversation, then you heard how Novak truly Fell. It wasn’t by breaking some sort of moral, but breaking a command.”

Yes, I’d heard that part. It had confused me because it didn’t seem right. Why would he Fall as a result of not following through with an edict? Particularly one that seemed to be encouraging harm where it might not be due.

“What was the last thing you did before your wings turned black?” Auric asked, his gaze intense.

I bit my lip, overwhelmed by Auric’s question. Not because I didn’t know how to answer, but because he’d actually questioned my Fall. And not in a condescending or belittling manner, either.

“It wasn’t overnight,” I began. “The tips turned first.”

Like the Reformer’s,I thought. Although, his feathers hadn’t progressed like mine into full black. If rumor was to be believed, his wings had always been that way.