There were no more lies between them, no more secrets. Knowing this did little to ease the ache he experienced whenever he thought of her. There was so much damage and history between them …

Unable to dispel his troubled thoughts, he simply held her, grateful to know she was safe and in his arms once more.

"Did you retake the palace?" she asked, voice muffled against his chest.

"No. I came with a few Immortals and a particularly hungry Dark One."

"That's it?" she pulled away to stare at him, startled. "Gabriel, how can we take back our home?"

"I have a plan. Trust me," he growled, irked as much by her critical tone as he was her too accurate question.

She studied him briefly. "Okay. I do." Without another word, she moved away from his embrace towards the souls.

"That's it? You'll trust me?" he echoed.

"Yes. Without question."

Impressed, he joined her at the pedestal. "I've never heard those words from you."

"I figure it'll soften the blow when I tell you the demon and I are using the weapons you kept up here."

He hissed. "Those were rare, collector's items in mint condition spanning several millennia of search efforts."

She held up an Elisian knife proudly. "I can almost use it, too."

"That's … good," he managed.

She went to sheathe the blade and dropped it, point down, on the floor.

"Oh, gods, woman, be careful with that shit," he grumbled.

"I got it." She lifted it to show him then put it away carefully. "Jared was teaching me how to hack off limbs with them."

Gabriel glanced at her.

"Barbaric." Her features skewed. "But I'll do it. I'll defend you and the underworld, even if I must behave like a savage."

He hid a smile. She was uncertain but determined, her arrogant edge dampened by sorrow. The mix was enchanting, her honesty, absentminded humor and dedication to her duty reminding him why he'd fallen in love with her long ago in the first place. There was a new, raw edge to her as well, one he didn't know how to read. It was neither despair nor vulnerability, and for the first time since he'd known her, she was completely, utterly open to him.

"We'll be alright," he promised her, wrapping an arm around her once more. "I really expected more of this place."

"Maybe there is more," she said, frustrated. "I can't remember. You can monitor the Sanctuaries and in-between places from there." She pointed to a low table lined with bowls. "Your soul goes here, whenever you find it."

He grimaced. "You searched?"

"Of course. It's the first thing I did," she said, gazing up at him. "You can't love me yet, but I love you, Gabriel. I wouldn't let them hurt you. I've never let anyone hurt you and I never will. You may not have known that, but it's true."




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