Page 118 of Starborn Husbands

“Older brother. He’s a virtue,” Merrick says in bored tones. “Father’s favorite just because the Gods fashioned him to look like Dad.”

“That’s not true. Everyone knows you’re both our favorite. Even your brother. Shit,” Erick says, closing his eyes and placing two fingers at his temple. “I’ve gotta go. We good, kid? You gonna go off the rails again?”

“I’m fine,” I say.

“Don’t make a mess in here, and no sex in your grandfather’s house.” Erick stumbles into his boots and then races out the door.

I smirk. “I loved angel family day.”

“Not another word, Treyu. Fuck, this is way fucked up.”

“Lemme see it again.” He knows what I’m talking about, but just in case he forgot, I paw at his arm.

“No.” He yanks his arm from reach. “Leave it.”

“You gonna tell me where your angel tattoo came from?”

Huffing, he removes his heavy jacket and rolls up the sleeve again. He runs a thumb over the shimmery letters. “This is why I was certain that you were a divine creature before we ran our tests. Having your name here wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. It’s believed they’re assigned by the Gods, but someone told me once that isn’t true.”

He’s unbelievable. I haven’t forgotten his Tom fuckery, saying no one was making me angel anytime soon. Meanwhile, he knew all along.

“Who told you that?”

“My crazy brother. He thinks they come from the all-knowing ethers.”

“Isn’t the ether supposed to be a giant canyon of nothing?”

“The opposite. It’s everything, but it’s not a place. It’s a vibration. You call to it, and it responds to you.”

“That would make sense, especially with the way humans use it. Do you believe the ether has consciousness?”

“I don’t know, but I know these markings are important. Did you see all of Dad’s? He has more in other places. Father has them too.” He runs his fingers over the letters, lovingly.

“F-For each other because they’re mates?”

He snaps his head up. “Some. Father’s brother Michael has one for my dad, which we don’t talk about, or Father gets murderous.”

“Doesn’t your dad help Michael use his sword or something?”

“Dad is the sword. Dad is one of Heaven’s weapons.”

I get close enough to run my fingers over the glimmering letters, needing to feel them. They’re mesmerizing, almost like they call to me. “You haven’t asked your dad?”

“I’ve tried to covertly ask him questions, but Father can slip into his mind at any time. I can’t risk it.”

“Your brother?”

“Virtues command the elements. He’s with the sky and not to be disturbed for minor wonderings.”

None of this seems minor to me. What does it take for an angel to see something as dire?

“I won’t let your father rip your arm off. He’s a real prick, y’know?”

Merrick takes my hand and presses the palm onto his cheek. “Do you believe me about him now? I’d never leave you willingly.”

“Whoa, hey. That thing on your arm have Treyu love potion in it? You were never this devoted.”

“I was too. As much as I could be. There was so much I couldn’t tell you before, but now that we know you’re an angel?—”