Fifteen
The banquet hall drips with elegance. Five massive gilded chandeliers, larger copies of those found in our private apartment, are spaced evenly throughout the room. Tall, ornate floral arrangements adorn every single table, rising more than four feet above the surface. The red, purple, and blue roses are combined with lush leaves and alstroemeria buds.
Deep black table cloths and vibrant purple napkins reveal the event’s color scheme. Strands of vibrant green garland run the length of each table, accenting the golden china and flatware arranged in front of every mahogany chair.
The center of the room is empty of tables and chairs, providing an open space for Fallen and Nephilim to walk and mingle. That is the direction Zeke leads me. I gape at the opulence all around me, marveling at the beautiful and handsome beings filling the room. I’ve never seen so many stunning people. I lift my head a little higher. That’s when I see a familiar head of short, dark hair beside a table near the front of the room, standing next to a head of matching black hair, speaking with a group of males and females.
Gabe and Joseph are here. Excitement zips across my skin. Though I can’t interact with them like I want, it is nice to see them. My soul sighs, content. It’s nice to feel the strong presences of all my bashertens. It’s almost like we’re back in Texas. Only, at that time, I’d loathed the Fallen’s constant attention. Things couldn’t be more different now.
Zeke and I veer to the right, and I lose sight of Gabe and Joseph as I am surrounded by tall, muscular Fallen. Zeke lowers our arms, but he places a strong hand against my back, staying close.
“Ezekiel.” I’m happy to see Jude and Vera stand within the group. “About time you showed up. What kept you so long?” Jude gives me a knowing wink, and that’s when I know Vera saw Zeke kiss me.
I blush.
Zeke, composed as ever, smirks and says, “I had business to attend to.”
“Business huh?” Jude gives me another wink, and I shake my head. I don’t know how to respond to his teasing. “That must’ve been some important business to keep you from the banquet.”
“The most important business, actually,” Zeke looks down at me. Again, the depth of his adoration threatens to steal the air right out of my lungs.
I smile but tear my gaze away. I’m not naïve, I know we are going to attract attention no matter what, but we don’t have to make it worse by staring at each other like love-struck fools. Zeke’s thumb rubs against my bare back, silently apologizing. I relax a little, soothed by the sweet gesture.
“Have you greeted the guests?” A different male Fallen with strawberry blond hair asks Zeke. All of the angels’ eyes travel over to the front of the room. I notice the other five Light Fallen, standing near where Gabe and Joseph are speaking with others. I see three guys and two females. They aren’t as relaxed as the Dark Fallen wandering around the room. None aside from Gabe and Joseph bother to interact with anyone. Their rigid bodies and alert eyes reveal their discomfort being at the Dark embassy.
“Not yet,” Zeke answers. “But I’m sure my mother will rectify that shortly.”
The group laughs, and I observe those around me. I get the vibe these are some of Zeke’s friends. The strawberry blond has kind eyes, and a strong, lean physique. A different guy with hair down to his shoulders stands next to Jude and Vera. He is smiling, but the scars marring his knuckles paint him as a fighter. A leggy redhead in a fabulous short, green gown leans against his arms, marking them as a couple. Her hair is twisted in a fishtail braid, and I envy how effortless her beauty is. A lovely brunette stands beside Vera. Her dress is a deep red, and her neckline dips in a tight V to her belly button. Strips of fabric barely cover her breasts. Long, wavy hair helps conceal some of her exposed skin.
On anyone else, I’d call the dress over-the-top, but she rocks it. She screams sexy and confident. I continue to admire the beautiful bracelets stacked on her wrists, when she catches me looking at her, and a not-so-friendly smile pulls at her lips.
“Ezekiel, darling,” the brunette purrs my soulmate’s name, and the sound puts me on edge. “Who is this creature you’ve yet to introduce?” Calculating, she eyes me up and down. I resist the urge to fidget. This one is giving off all of the bad vibes, and I refuse to show any sign she’s affecting me.
“My apologies,” Zeke gazes down at me with an expression I can only describe as proud. “I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors, but in case you didn’t, Adrian and I have found our bashert.”
“Congratulations.”
“That’s marvelous.”
“It’s about time.”
The group choruses their responses, and I smile politely, glad Zeke’s friends seem supportive. Well, not the brunette. But I’m not surprised. I know jealousy when I see it, and the brunette is practically green with it.
“Veronica,” Zeke continues, gesturing to the strawberry blonde. “This is George. He, Adrian and I traveled Europe together during the Renaissance,” he drops the information as if it’s nothing, then motions toward the affectionate couple, “Oren and Cecilia.” The brunette’s scowl morphs into a stunning smile when Zeke’s attention moves to her, “and this is Roxy.”
Roxy. Of course she has a unique and sexy name to go along with her looks.
“And you already know Vera and Jude. Everyone, meet Veronica.”
Everyone, including Roxy, returns the greeting.
“It’s nice to meet all of you,” I reply genuinely.
George steps forward holds out a hand, “It’s great to finally meet a soul capable of snatching this one up. We weren’t sure it’d ever happen.”
Beside me, Zeke rolls his eyes. I take George’s hand and shake it with a chuckle.
“That’s what I said,” Jude tells George. He grins between me and Zeke. “Only someone with a lot of power could match up with you and Adrian.”
I stiffen, but my reaction goes unnoticed when Oren adds, “And patience. Creator knows Zeke and Adrian are probably the most annoying Fallen alive.”
Again, the whole group laughs. It’s nice to get a glimpse into Zeke’s life. I know almost nothing about his life before me, and I’m sure there’s a lot to uncover.
I glance at Zeke. “You travelled Europe during the Renaissance?”
“Yes,” his hand rubs my back again. “It was fun.”
“Fun?” Being at the epicenter of the pinnacle of human knowledge and insight was just fun?
“Oh, isn’t he unbearable, Veronica?” Cecilia speaks up. She shakes her head in mock annoyance. “All of the Fallen are so nonchalant about their exploits. I swear, sometimes I believe immortality is lost on them. They don’t appreciate all of the magnificent things they’ve seen and done.” From her speech, I gather Cecilia is a Nephilim.
“That’s not true, my love,” Oren wraps an arm around her, pulling her even closer. “I’ll never forget meeting you, and that was the most magnificent day of my life.” He kisses her temple adoringly, and I swoon a little bit.
“Not all Fallen have such short memories,” Roxy says. “I, for one, remember the Renaissance well. Zeke, do you remember the time we went to a ball thrown by the grandi in Florence? Ah, I’ll never be able to forget that night. We danced and drank until I was dead on my feet.”
So, Roxy is an angel. And she is not-so-subtly throwing the fact she and Zeke have a history in my face. Lucky for me, I’m used to mean and manipulative girls. I dealt with them throughout high school, and I bet my old rival Tina could give Roxy a run for her money.
“I do remember,” Zeke says, “but I must agree with Oren. The best day of my life was when I first set eyes on Veronica.” With his fingers, he gently moves my chin towards him, then kisses me with a tenderness I’m not sure I will ever be able to comprehend.
“Ugh,” George pretends to gag. “Are the couples going to be lovey-dovey all night? If so, I’ll go find another group to speak with.”
Zeke ends our kiss. “Don’t make threats you aren’t willing to fol
low through with,” Zeke warns, tucking my waist tightly against his body, “You know no one else is as fun as us.”
“Until you are carried away by the diplomats,” Oren says with disdain.
“Lucky for you,” I hear someone say behind me. “I’ve sufficiently distracted our mother and her colleagues. We should have some time to ourselves.”
I spin out of Zeke’s arms, a new smile forming on my face. “Adrian.”
“Hello, Angel.” He wears a devilish grin. “Did you miss me?”
Sixteen
I shake my head, acting like his flirtatious question is ridiculous, refusing to let him see how he makes my heart skip a happy beat.
Adrian wears a fitted tuxedo like his brother. In fact, they match completely. Their midnight blue bowties are the same, except for the fact Adrian’s hangs loosely around his neck. The sight of his slight rebellion makes my smile grow. “Nice outfit.”
He smirks. “Back at you. I knew you’d look great in that dress.” His gaze travels over the sweetheart neckline and form-fitting fabric. Heat gathers behind his brown eyes. Desire, wanton and unveiled, stabs me in the chest. I almost give in to my desire and close the distance between us when a feminine voice breaks the spell.
“Adrian, how lovely to see you.”
I look back at the group. Roxy’s bedroom eyes are locked on Adrian. So, she’s got it bad for both of my bashertens. Undeniable possessiveness threatens to take over, and I have to shove down the ugly emotion. My inner beast wants to claw her eyes out.
“Roxy,” he returns coolly. Unlike Zeke, he doesn’t bother to be polite. He looks at the rest of the group, and his demeanor lightens. “Nice to see all of you. Thank you for coming to the banquet.”
“Did we have a choice?” George asks with a smirk. “The invitation read more like a summons than a request.”
“Ah, yes,” Adrian sighs, moving to stand to my left, closing out the circle with Zeke on my right. “That would be our lovely mother at her best.”
“Her determination to get what she wants is one of your mother’s most admirable qualities,” Roxy replies, killing the levity of Adrian’s remark. I watch as her own determined eyes, once again, land on Adrian. “Tell me, are you avoiding me?” Either she doesn’t notice or doesn’t care that he shows zero interest, or that I’m standing right here.
“Why would I avoid you?”
Roxy tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. I only ask because you’ve been living in the embassy for days, but I haven’t seen you.”
“Our mother keeps us busy,” Zeke speaks up, drying to diffuse the tension both he and I sense building in his brother.
“As does our Angel,” Adrian caresses my arm, and I shiver.
“She’s not an angel,” I don’t think Roxy meant to say that out loud. Her face colors ever so slightly. Then, she lifts a hand in the air and waves at someone behind me. “Oh, look. There’s Zelma. I must go say hello. Excuse me.”
With a dramatic swish of her skirt, Roxy sashays away.
I’m speechless.
George doesn’t have the same problem.
The strawberry blond barks a laugh. “Looks like someone’s finally knocked Roxy down a peg or two. Veronica, welcome to the group. In case you don’t know, we’ve been waiting for you a long time. Please don’t ever leave us.”
The bubble breaks, and the awkwardness dissipates. I peek at Adrian. He’s smirking. A glance at Zeke confirms he’s also amused.
“I second George’s statement,” I’m surprised when Cecilia speaks against Roxy. Being the two females of the group, I’d assumed they were close. “Roxy is too cocky for her own good. It’s about time she abandons her foolish pursuit of you two.”
My eyes are wide as saucers. Did she really just admit Roxy is after my soulmates in front of me?
Seeing my expression, Cecilia explains, “Please don’t think I’m cruel. If you had to watch her embarrass herself for centuries, you’d be relieved too.”
My jaw falls open. I close it and clear my throat. “I-I don’t think you’re cruel. It’s just…” I look at my soulmates. Neither looks like he’s going to intervene. Jerks. “It’s just that I’m surprised you’d tell me your friend likes my bashertens.”
Oren laughs, and speaks before his soulmate can, “She’s obsessed with them, but never fear Veronica, our Roxy has an unhealthy attraction for power. It’s nothing serious.”
“And Adrian and Zeke wouldn’t touch her with a thirty-foot pole,” George provides.
I want to be reassured, but doubt lingers in the back of my mind. I look to Zeke for confirmation. “Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“There’s been no one but you, Angel,” Adrian seconds.
From the corner of my eye, I see Vera give me an “I told you so” smile.
Shaking my head, I clear away all thoughts of Roxy. I have way bigger problems in my life than a jealous angel. “You’ve told me about your friendship with George,” I change the subject and look at the affectionate couple. “But how do you two know Zeke and Adrian?”
For a second, I’m afraid I’ve asked a stupid question. Adrian and Zeke are celebrities among Dark Fallen. Everyone would know them. As would I if I were really the Nephilim I’m pretending to be.
“In the best way,” Cecilia answers, giving no indication she’s found my question strange.
At my curious look, Cecilia explains, “Adrian and Zeke are responsible for introducing me to Oren.”
Oh!
“Really?”
Adrian shrugs. “I’m not sure we can claim credit for something Fate would’ve facilitated in time.”
“Who is to say Fate isn’t the force that caused you to invite me to Rome in the first place?” Cecilia asks.
She turns to me. “I met Adrian and Zeke four hundred years ago. Their mother threw them a lavish birthday party, and all Dark Fallen and Nephilim were invited.”
“We found Cecilia hiding near the bar,” Zeke tells me. He grins at the redhead. “She’d taken over my and Adrian’s normal hiding spot.”
I can sense the comradery Zeke feels with Cecilia. Adrian’s emotions are the same.
“They invited me to travel with them to Rome,” Cecilia continues. “They wanted me to meet their friends who shared our desire to remain out of the spot light. Needless to say, the moment I laid eyes on Oren, I knew I was meant to meet the sullen Dark princes at that party.”
Princes?
“I know you didn’t just use that title,” Adrian growls, but there is no aggression in it.
Cecilia holds up her hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. It just slipped out.”
“Do people really call you that?” I ask.
“Only the delusional ones,” Zeke says.
Again, the group laughs. This is surreal. Adrian and Zeke have friends—genuine friends. Friends who’ve been with them over the centuries. Friends who don’t begrudge them for not taking up the proverbial mantel and leading the Dark Fallen. Standing here, witnessing them laugh and joke, watching them smile easily, I want to know more. I want to hear all about their lives before me. I want to be a part of it.
Out of the blue, George groans loudly. “Alas, the time has come for the royals to leave the lowly peasants.”
I don’t understand George’s comment. He’s looking behind me. I turn and see the crowd part to make way for Sarah. A slinky black gown cascades over her flawless figure. Her makeup is perfect, and her ebony hair is piled high on the crown of her head. If I saw her on the street, there is no way I would’ve pegged her as a mother, much less thousands of years old. She radiates authority, and it’s easy to see why Dark Fallen made her their leader when her sons declined the position.
“Adrian. Zeke.” Sarah arrives. She reaches out and grasps onto my shoulders, kissing my cheeks. “And Veronica. Here you all are. I’ve been looking for you.”
“Mother,” Zeke greets. “You remember our friends?”
&nbs
p; “Ah yes,” Sarah glances briefly at the trio around her sons. “How nice. I’m glad you’ve been able to reconnect with your companions. Like I said, you should’ve returned to the embassy sooner. I’m sure your friends are glad you have returned.” She gives them a pointed look.
“Indeed.” George bows.
“Yes, ma’am,” Oren and Cecelia murmur at the same time. The former bows like George, while Celia bobs into an elegant curtsy.
Sarah watches their subservience approvingly, then returns her attention to the three of us. “Come. Representatives from the Light Council are here, and I want you to speak with them about the battle.” Gliding away, she doesn’t wait for a response. She expects us to follow.
Adrian mutters under his breath but offers me an arm. Zeke, having already had the honor of escorting me, allows his brother the privilege.
Again, the crowd parts for Sarah. I notice two Fallen flank her. I hadn’t noticed them before, but they act like bodyguards. Does the leader of the council warrant such protection? Can a Fallen’s life really be in danger?
Immediately, I think of The Darkness. I’ve learned, first-hand, how the growing negative energy can fatally wound earthly angels. Suddenly, I am on alert. I can’t explain it, but a feeling of dread gathers in my gut. I tell myself I’m being ridiculous. I blame past trauma for my paranoia.
We walk through the tables. Adrian dips his head, acknowledging some of those we pass. The side of my face tingles. I look to my right, and I am caught up in a dark, unnerving stare. Master Nate sits at a table, surrounded by six boisterous Fallen and Nephilim, but he takes no part in their amusement.
The last time we ran into each other, Master Nate was suspicious of me. I’d tried to play it cool, but I hadn’t been able to shake the notion that Master Nate had figured out I’m not who I’m pretending to be. I’d left that situation worried, to say the least.
Protected by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 3) Page 11
