Page 114 of Starborn Husbands

“I’m the least orderly person anyone knows.”

“You need to get your shit together, Treyu. You’ll be living in Heaven’s Garrison now.”

Merrick’s dad rolls around the corner, fluffing the collar of his leather jacket, and Merrick’s quick to roll the sleeve of his shirt down to his wrist.

“You two getting frisky already?” he says. “Don’t do that shit where your father could walk by, Merrick.”

By the looks of it, he was getting frisky with his husband. His kilt is turned around.

It’s a good cover. “Sorry,” I say on behalf of both of us, while Merrick slides back into his jacket. “Can’t keep my hands off him.”

“If you keep coming to my defense like that, he’s never going to see me as anything but a child,” Merrick says.

Erick pulls a handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and dips it into one of the fountains as we meander by. “Here. Blood on your face, kid.” Merrick accepts the handkerchief. “And that’s nonsense. He approved your archangel runes. He’s not handing those out to Nephilim.”

“I appreciate your domestic issues, sir, but we’re getting off topic,” I interrupt. Truth is, they’re adorable as fuck and I could watch them forever, but the longer I’m here, the more unsettled I get. I’ve only just begun to uncover whatever the fuck is going on.

Merrick wipes at the blood on his face, but too much of it has dried. Erick notices and wets his thumb like a human mother about to clean her kid off. Merrick holds a hand up. “If you use your saliva to clean my face, I’ll puke in this corner.”

Erick rolls his eyes. “Angels don’t puke unless they have Garrison sickness.”

I laugh. Gods, they’re entertaining.

“You’re giving him the wrong impression of me.”

“Too late, Mair. I’ve formed a new impression of you, but I’m totally digging it.”

“Alright, alright. Some human habits die hard,” Erick says, backing off. “And fatherly ones. Did you know Nephilim stay little for a hundred years, Treyu?”

“I didn’t.”

“Well, they do and it’s a long time to have a little one clinging to your side, but also not long enough. You get used to havin’ little feet tagging along after you, wantin’ to be just like you. But suddenly one day you have a little boy, and then the human equivalent of a teenager. Then he’s a man, but all you can see is that chubby little face lookin’ up atcha, callin’ you Daddy.”

Merrick scowls, but I think it’s fucking sweet.

“You talk a lot about humans.”

“I was one. It was a long time ago now, but I have deep memories. It’s why I’m the perfect person to give you the shocking news you’re about to receive. C’mon.”

We follow Erick through white halls. This part of Heaven is plain and devoid of all the cool sex kink stuff. Gives me time to study Merrick who’s giving off a major swirl of vibes from rage to disappointment.

“Hey,” I say quietly. “That was fucking badass, protecting me from your father like you did. I know when I don’t stand a chance.”

I get a stone smile out of him. “I wasn’t going to let him hurt you.”

“I’ve fought a lot of creatures, he’s the most terrifying thing I’ve seen. You’re brave, Mair, even if your dad still tries to wipe your face off like you’re his baby Nephilim.”

“If you tell anyone about that there will be hell to pay.”

“I’m telling everyone. If only my cellphone still worked, I’d broadcast that shit to hell and back on social media.”

“Father’s right. You need discipline, and I’m going to give it to you.”

The hallways trend in a downward direction. Are we descending Heaven? Is that how this place works? I never understood it. Atlantis is technically a planet, but it’s filled with portholes and layers. Heaven resides in its ether.

We step through a door, and then we’re not inside anymore. It’s acres of open fields, grass, and blue skies. It’s an atmosphere similar to Earth. Our feet trek through mud and mist dampens my face. The dark clouds above us threaten rain. Does it rain in Heaven?

My boots are sufficiently tarnished by mud when we enter the little cabin. It’s modest with a small kitchen table and what I think is an ice box in the corner.