Vera misses the slight tightening of Zeke’s jaw, but I don’t. If I didn’t already know the Dark Fallen still kept things from me, I would now.
“I’m sure Ron will love that.”
Oh, I definitely will.
“Ron?” Vera repeats, looking between us for an explanation.
“It’s a nickname,” I tell her. “All of the Fallen call me different things.” It’s actually kind of nice. I feel like each nickname or endearment helps me distinguish my separate relationships with each of my four soulmates.
“All of the Fallen?”
Crap. “I mean Adrian and Zeke.” I grin, and quickly distract her from my slip up. “How about you and I hang out again this evening? Maybe you can come over for dinner?” I look between Vera and Zeke, smiling innocently.
I’ve realized I need more information before I confront Adrian and Zeke about their father and their significant power. There is a reason why they’ve kept the information from me, and I want to figure out what it is before giving them the chance to lie about it.
“Unfortunately, tonight will not work. You are both busy.”
“Both of us?” I look at Vera, but she is just as confused as I am.
“Yes.” I notice the piece of paper in his hands. He waves it in the air. “There is to be a banquet tonight, commemorating the valor of those who fought The Darkness to defend the Light Council. All bashert are invited.”
Vera squeals, and begins gushing about how long it’s been since the last Dark Council banquet. She rambles about the food and drinks, then contemplates what she will wear. I pretend to listen to her rambling, but I am consumed with fear.
A banquet? That sounds like a large event. The more Fallen I’m around, the greater the chance someone will figure out what I am. I’m wondering how Zeke and Adrian plan to get me out of the banquet when Zeke delivers another bombshell, answering a question I hadn’t heard Vera ask.
“No, Dark Fallen won’t be the only attendants.” Zeke’s hazel eyes find mine, and I know I’m not going to like what he’s about to say. “The council has invited all members of the Light Council to join in the celebration, as well as Light Fallen engaged in fighting The Darkness.”
This banquet just evolved from bad to terrible. Gabe and Joseph sit on the Light Council. They will be here, in the embassy, and I will have to act like I don’t know them—like each of them doesn’t hold a precious part of my soul. What if Fallen will be able to sense our connection?
I’m thankful Vera has missed my lack of enthusiasm, too caught up in her own happiness. I’m not sure I could’ve explained the dreadful expression covering my face.
“What’s the point of inviting Light Fallen?” I ask, interrupting Vera, unable to wait until Zeke and I are alone to get the answer. From the little I know, the two councils do not make a habit of associating with one another. Is the banquet a peace offering, a coming together as allies, or what?
“The invitation only says it is a celebration,” Zeke replies evenly, flicking his eyes to Vera, silently instructing me to be careful of what I say. “I am not sure there is another motivation other than to acknowledge our victory over a common enemy.”
He can’t possibly believe that.
Vera grabs my hand, drawing my attention. “Would you like to get ready with me this evening? I can arrange your hair, and I can help you find a dress if you don’t already have one.” She eyes my t-shirt and jeans, and I can practically hear her criticizing my attire, doubting I have anything suitable to wear. Like the first time we met, she wears a cute sundress. This one is pastel pink. I wonder if Vera’s ever worn a pair of pants in her life or if dresses are all she’s used to.
I suppose Vera was born centuries ago… women didn’t have the option to wear anything but dresses. I shudder. I’m not sure I would’ve survived.
“That sounds wonderful,” Zeke answers for me. “The banquet begins at five o’clock with a cocktail hour. I believe Adrian has already purchased a gown for Veronica. He will have it delivered to your apartments, Vera.”
Again, the Nephilim squeals excitedly. Her grip on my hand tightens and she pulls me up from the chair. “We don’t have much time. Come on. We have so much to do!”
Vera is stronger than she looks, and I am dragged away from the table before I can object. I look back at Zeke. He smirks. He tries to appear relaxed and nonchalant, but I won’t forget the fact he intentionally pawned me off on Vera. He and his brother are compiling a long list of transgressions, and I fully plan on making them answer for every single one of them.
Vera leads me through the library, past tables and chairs with Fallen and Nephilim. Our departure isn’t inconspicuous, and I can feel dozens of curious stares. My face heats, and I curse my quick embarrassment. I wish I didn’t care. I wish I could throw all of my fears aside, and just walk through the embassy like I belong. My skittish behavior only serves to draw more attention to myself.
With that thought in mind, I straighten my back as we walk the final feet of the library. Despite my flaming face, I hold my head eye, keeping my eye on the merciful exit. I can be confident. I’m Fallen, and I’m powerful. I won’t cower to anyone. Not anymore.
Fourteen
“Veronica,” Vera gasps as I step out from behind the changing screen. “You look gorgeous.”
I shift my hips, trying to stretch out the tight, blue fabric. The gown Adrian picked out hugs my body from the sweetheart neckline to the skirt flaring just below my knees. The back dips into a V, ending just above my tailbone. It isn’t hard to breathe, but the dress is tighter than anything I’ve ever worn, and that includes the black miniskirt my mom had pushed me to wear on the night of my eighteenth birthday—the same night I met Adrian.
The satin fabric remains secure as I cross Vera’s bedroom, not giving me any extra space. “Are you sure this dress isn’t too much?” I look like I’m going to a gala, not a formal dinner.
Standing beside a floor-length mirror, Vera has switched her sundress for a sultry red gown. A slit runs up her left leg, exposing most of her thigh and the four-inch stilettos strapped to her feet. She looks sexy, and I’m surprised. I’d assumed she’d be modest, but the racy dress proves otherwise. “Absolutely not. This is how all women will be dressed tonight. Your bashertens will die when they see you.” She claps her hands gleefully, motioning me toward the ivory framed mirror.
I bite my tongue, and resist telling Vera that my bashertens’ attention is what I’m afraid of. Gabe and Joseph are going to be at the banquet. I worry they will have trouble keeping their distance under normal circumstances—our connection naturally pulls us to one another—but adding an alluring gown to the mix can only spell disaster. I am trying to find the words to request a more conservative gown when Vera huffs impatiently.
She nudges me toward the mirror. “Come on. Don’t be shy. Let me admire my work!”
Careful to not trip on the gown’s hem, I move to stand in front of the mirror, and I don’t recognize myself. I look… grown up. Mature. Vera has curled and pinned my hair into a relaxed updo. Baby curls frame my face and the back of my neck. My eyes are painted with dark blue and brown eyeshadow and thick, curved eyeliner. Red lipstick covers my lips, accentuating their shape and fullness. The midnight blue gown drapes over my body as if made especially for me. Come to think of it, it probably was, though I don’t know when Adrian could’ve gotten my measurements.
I admire the smooth fabric as I run my hands over my hips. The neckline shows a line of cleavage but in a tasteful way. My throat is bare, and I find myself wishing I had the thin gold choker my parents gave me as a birthday present on my sixteenth birthday. I rarely wear jewelry, but the modest addition would go well with the bold and elegant gown.
“Wow,” I exhale. “Vera… you’re amazing.” The Nephilim transformed me from a bashful teenager to a stunning beauty. “Thank you for helping me get ready.”
“You’re welcome,” she beams, “but it’s not all my doing. You’re gor
geous. Adrian and Zeke are going to be the envy of every Fallen in the banquet hall. I bet you’re going to get a lot of attention tonight.” She chuckles.
I laugh with her, even though the thought makes a pit form in my stomach, threatening to swallow up the last of the confidence I’d donned during our boisterous departure from the library.
You can do this, Veronica. I tell myself. Say as little as possible and stay next to Adrian and Zeke. You’ll be fine.
Vera takes another look at herself, pinning back a loose strand of her wavy hair, then grabs a perfume bottle from the vanity. She squirts herself once and me twice. “Okay. We’re ready. Let’s go, shall we?”
She is already halfway across the room before I can ask, “Shouldn’t we wait for the guys?”
“No. The males always gather before events begin.”
I hesitate. Adrian and Zeke wouldn’t be okay with me wandering through the embassy without them. There are dozens of unfamiliar Fallen walking through the halls.
Quick knocks rap against the front door. Vera answers, and I smile when I see Zeke in the doorway. His arms are posted against the frame as he tries to catch his breath. I didn’t know Fallen could even lose their breath.
“Sorry, Ron. Adrian and I were caught up with our mother or else I would’ve been here sooner…” The words fade from his lips as Zeke looks past Vera and sees me standing in front of the mirror. His jaw drops, and my heart flutters.
Vera shoots me a knowing grin. “Doesn’t Veronica look gorgeous?” she asks Zeke. He closes his mouth and shakes his head. His expression clears.
“Yes,” he confirms. “Absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you,” I say shyly then pick up the edges of the gown and walk towards the door. Zeke’s eyes roam over my body, and pleasant warmth courses through me. He holds out his arm, and I slip my hand through his elbow. Vera closes the door behind us and follows.
Jude and Vera live on the fourth floor of the embassy, along with other Fallen and Nephilim I haven’t met. A trail of mostly women gathers behind us, each of them beautiful in their own gowns and fine jewels. Vera greets many of them enthusiastically, gushing over their appearance and politely inquiring after their lives. I hear her ask one about her basherten. Vera asks someone else how her work with the council is progressing, and she inquires about another’s child. The conversation is so normal. I feel myself relax. These people may be Fallen angels and Nephilim, but they’re still people. They still have normal lives.
We approach the wide, ornate staircase. Zeke slows. I smile and squeeze his arm appreciatively. The last thing I want to do is fall on my face in front of the dozens of gorgeous women. Vera stays with us, but the others pass us on the other side of the staircase. Only some give us lingering glances, the rest continue on their way, maintaining their excited chatter.
“You really do look amazing,” Zeke tells me as we reach the second-floor landing. He admires my gown again, and I am surprised when I don’t flush with embarrassment.
“Thanks.” I look him over. “You look great, too.” Zeke is dressed in fitted tuxedo. A crisp white shirt is covered by a black jacket, but I see his midnight blue bowtie matches the color of my gown. His black hair is gelled to the side in a suave style, and his face is clean shaven. I’m fond of Zeke’s usual black jeans, leather jackets and scruff, but I have to admit, he seriously rocks this look.
He grins and admits, “I usually hate these types of events, but if it means I get to see you all dolled up, I’ll go to banquets every night of the week.”
I laugh, and the sound draws a couple extra glances. The staircase is pretty crowded now that we’ve reached the lower floors, but Zeke and I continue to walk at a steady pace. I look over my shoulder and confirm Vera is still behind us. She is, but there’s at least five steps in between us. She speaks with a pretty blonde, giving Zeke and I privacy.
“What did your mother want earlier?” I think about his angelic father, but I hold back. Now’s not the time to bring up that conversation.
Zeke rolls his eyes. “To introduce us to some of her friends during cocktail hour. I was lucky to slip away. Poor Adrian lost the coin flip and has to take one for the team.”
“Don’t you already know all of your mother’s friends?” I ask, remembering Vera tell me the guys are known by all Dark Fallen.
“I guess re-introduce would be the better phrase,” Zeke says. “It’s been a long time since Adrian and I have interacted with the community.”
“Because you two are lone wolfs, except for each other.”
“Yes, well… no, actually. Adrian and I don’t spend a significant amount of time together either. We check in, of course, but we both lead our own lives until—"
“Until me,” I finish his sentence. I remember meeting Zeke at the kickboxing studio. He’d seemed like a bit of a loner, but a willing one. His mysterious persona is partly what attracted me to him. That, and his masculine beauty.
“Until we realized what you are to us,” Zeke adds. “Back at the studio, when I was your instructor, I couldn’t figure out why I was so fascinated with you.”
His eyes grow distant as a memory plays in his mind. “I remember walking into that Monday self-defense class, regretting the fact I’d volunteered to teach when I’d much rather be sparring with other elite fighters in the gym. Then, you walked in, and it was like I felt a ray of sunshine on my face for the first time in decades.”
“A ray of sunshine?” I laugh at the cliché, but I’m touched at the same time. “Really?”
“Really. Everything about you was so… bright. So warm. Your dark hair with the blonde streak, your stunning eyes, your charming smile, even the way your forehead crinkles when you concentrate on learning a new defense move, was—and still is—endearing. But I couldn’t understand why I felt the way I did. It wasn’t until Adrian called and told me he thought he met his bashert. When he told me he was just outside Valley Lake, I knew he was talking about you.”
We arrive on the first floor. The crowd moves towards the dining hall, but I’m not ready for this conversation to end. I pull Zeke to the side, moving us out of the way. He doesn’t put up a fight, but when I drop his arm, press my back against the wall and look up, I see the question in his eyes.
Over his shoulder, I see Vera hesitate when she finally reaches the base of the stairs. I dip my chin, and she takes the cue to follow the rest of the crowd, but not without waggling her eyebrows at me.
I look back at Zeke. “You,” I pause, needing to catch my breath. I’d forgotten to breathe while Zeke shared his story. “You’ve never told me any of that before.” Zeke has always been distant and reserved. I never would’ve guessed he felt drawn to me all those years ago. Aside from waiting for my parents to arrive, he never spent extra time with me. Even in kickboxing class, he kept a respectable distance, much to my disappointment. To hear Zeke confess he hadn’t been as detached as he seemed is a shock.
“I didn’t think I needed to,” he bends his neck so his words caress my forehead, “I thought my feelings became clear the night of Freddy Hutchins’ party.” The night we made out in the bedroom, right before my childhood crush, Preston, walked in on us.
“But why try to hide it?” I ask, shaking my head, feeling unsure of myself and my worth. “Back in Valley Lake, all those years ago, why keep your distance?” If Zeke had felt half of the attraction I felt for him, how could he walk away so easily? How does he have such restraint?
“Because I couldn’t bring an innocent Nephilim into my life in good conscious.” There. He finally admits it. Zeke thought I was an abandoned Nephilim. I’ve learned his life is full of political intrigue and a complicated history. Knowing him, I bet he thought he acted selflessly. I suppose he had.
The news is a welcome relief. Zeke’s distance had less to do with my unworthiness, and more to do with his desire to keep me safe. They’re just one more item I need resolved.
I lick my lips. “I know you planned to leave once the yancor
demons were taken care of.” Zeke stays around because he cares, but that wasn’t always enough of a reason. If it weren’t for the fact Lukas showed interest in me, I don’t doubt the Dark Fallen would’ve disappeared after the yancor demons were no longer a threat.
“But then you kissed me, and though I was already lost to you, that moment made it undeniable.” Zeke’s thumb brushes my cheek, and I see his adoration, open and honest. “Let’s not kid ourselves, Ron. Even if I left, I wouldn’t have been able to stay away.”
“Really?” I try to sound flirtatious, but the word comes out a little breathless. I doubt the Fallen will ever not have that effect on me.
“Really.” Zeke nods with a secretive smile. Then, before I process what’s happening, he leans down and presses a soft kiss against my lips. My entire body tingles and the noise around fades into the background, barely more than a subtle hum. My hands find his hips, and I hold him tight, fearing the sudden kiss will knock me off balance.
Too soon, the moment ends. Zeke’s smile turns roguish. I nudge him playfully, trying to not reveal how much the smallest kiss affects all my senses.
“We should get going,” he whispers against my face. “Adrian won’t like if I keep you all to myself.” The ease with which he discusses sharing me with his brother astounds me. Not that I’m a piece of property or anything like that, but it’s natural for anyone in a relationship to not be okay with their partner seeing someone else at the same time. I understand the initial rivalry between my two Light and two Dark Fallen bashertens, but the only brother who’s shown any jealousy of their own brother is Adrian. Gabe, Joseph and Zeke are strangely easygoing about the fact their soulmate is also their brother’s soulmate.
I’m not complaining. I appreciate there aren’t jealous fights between the sets of brothers. But that doesn’t mean I’m not confused by it.
Zeke steps back, opening the space between us, allowing me to regain my senses. With shining eyes, he holds out an elbow. I take it wordlessly, then force my thoughts away from the unexpected kiss and onto the impending evening.
Protected by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 3) Page 10
