When Father ordered me home this morning, I should have known. Vivienne’s capture at school, the way Sebastian toyed with her in the woods—it was all planned. The only part that didn’t go the way I, or the reaper, expected was the part where he met his end at the tip of an angel blade wielded by his supposed ally.
His betrayal doesn’t bother me. Father isn’t trustworthy. I’ve known this for years. His loyalty is to himself and himself alone. Sebastian wanted out of Death’s servitude. He wanted a larger role in the things to come. I understand the reaper’s motive. What was his?
“Why did you kill him before he could answer my questions? What do you know?”
Vivienne stirs, and Father cracks his neck, his eyes narrowing before he steps back.
“You have until your birthday. Elias will keep me informed of everything here,” he says, ignoring my questions. I reach for Vivienne’s hand, already dismissing him.
“Breckin, you owe me her life.”
He’s out of the room before I can speak, but his words send flames of anger through my veins. I owe him her life? Yes, he saved her. Does he think he owns her, too? Will he use her to rein me in? Will he use me, to get his hands on her? Vivienne’s thumb rubs against mine, and I refuse to taint this moment with one more thought about his motives.
“You healed me.” She licks at her lips and blinks several times. “Where were you when I broke my leg skiing two years ago?”
Pushing her hair from her face, my thumb smooths over the cut in her brow as I sit on the edge of the bed.
“Yes, I healed your arm and a pretty nasty cut on your forehead, but you still have some minor cuts and bruises.” I place a kiss on her forehead and linger, my lips hovering over hers. “And probably a bit of a headache, thanks to Elias.”
She turns her head to the right and winces. Yep, there’s the soreness. “Are you hurt?”
Warmth floods my chest at her concern. This human girl could have been ripped to shreds by Sebastian, and she asks about me?
“Angel, remember. I heal myself.”
“Elias hit me?” She confirms more than asks.
“You weren’t cooperating, and I needed to get you away from the fight,” Elias says from the doorway. His presence confirms Father is gone. I sit up. Kissing her can wait.
“I’m sorry, Vivienne. I’m sure Breckin can take away the pain.”
She offers me a crooked smile before turning toward him. Her jaw drops. “What happened to your lip?”
“He hit me.” Elias points out, his fingers touching the split lip. “Then he warned me if I healed myself, he’d do it again.”
Vivienne’s blue eyes flick between the two of us, then she bursts into laughter. Grabbing a fist of her filthy, blood-stained sweater, I pull her into a sitting position and wrap her tightly in my arms. I kiss her temple, my soul quieting for the first time since it found her a week ago.
I Get to Love You
Vivienne
“Who could have predicted Breckin Roberts would lose his heart to a lass like you?”
“Gee, thanks, Z.” My hip bumps hers as we watch Breckin walk across the overly decorated school gym for some drinks.
She giggles. “Every time he looks at you, I blush. You two are in so deep.”
She has no idea. “The decorating committee outdid themselves. I barely recognize this place.”
“I know, right?”
Trees twinkle throughout the gym. Everywhere I look, there are balloons, ribbons, and fabric in white and silver. Giant snowflakes and glittery stars cover the walls and hang in doorways and around the stage, where a DJ plays music. When Breckin asked me to the Yuletide Ball yesterday afternoon, I thought he was teasing.
“I probably should have asked before my soul imprinted on yours, but do you have a date for the Yuletide Ball tomorrow?”
We’re snuggled on his couch watching a movie, my head on a pillow in his lap as his hand combs through my hair. The Christmas lights Breckin weaved around the mantle earlier in the week wink at us. Elias left an hour ago to work a little angel magic at the school so my attendance reflects an early dismissal due to illness. Breckin’s father is gone, and except for a brief description of what happened on the mountain, neither Breckin nor Elias will tell me much of what went down.
I roll my head and look up at Breckin. “The ball? No, I don’t have a date. There’s a group going stag, and I’d considered it, but that was . . . before.”
“Do you want to go?”
“Right. Like you want to go to a school dance.” I laugh and roll back to my side, focusing on the movie.
Twenty minutes later, Breckin’s hand stills in my hair again. “Vivie?”
“Hmmm?”
“I want to take you to the dance tomorrow night.” My heartbeat accelerates. “Nothing about being with me is going to be normal for you. I want to give you normal. School dances, prom, ice-skating at the park—”
I fly into a sitting position. “Wait. Are you asking me to prom?”
Breckin laughs, his hand taking mine and weaving our fingers together. “I’m sorry it’s not some crazy social media–worthy request. I could plan one, if you need that.”
“Are you kidding? All I need is you. And normal is overrated, Breckin.” I pull his face to mine. “By the way, my mom is expecting us at the clinic for dinner tonight.”
“That’s reasonable. I should formally meet my girlfriend’s mother.”
“Yeah, you should,” I agree, kissing him soundly.
“May I have this dance?” Breckin’s lips tickle my ear as he steps up behind me, his hand curling around my hip.
I take the cup of punch he’s holding for me and turn into his chest. “You dance?”
“Drink, and come find out.” He winks and walks by, continuing to the edge of the floor and slipping his hands into his pockets. Waiting.
I take one sip and set the cup on a table. Zara is already on the floor, along with everyone else we’ve been sitting with, but I don’t care about them. Right now, it’s me and my angel.
His eyes sparkle as I join him. My hands slip between his waist and arms, and press his back, bringing him closer. He keeps his hands in his pockets, a smile playing on his lips. I’m wearing four-inch heels, and still he looks down at me. So not fair, but I love it. I hold his stare.
After a moment, he caves, and I’m wrapped in his arms. His unnatural heat sears through my gold velvet dress, warming my skin. His chin rests on top of my head as he inhales deeply.
“Ginger and mint,” he says with a touch of humor. His lips kiss my hair, before he pulls back. “That was how I knew it was you that day. I smelled ginger and mint, and I knew.”
I press my cheek to his chest. “What happens next?”
I didn’t mean to ask, but the questions linger. Sebastian’s words won’t let go of me. He said I had a calling. He questioned if I would stick with Breckin. He insinuated Breckin knows more than he’s telling me.
Breckin inhales deeply. “We live. We celebrate being seniors, and we do all of those things normal couples do.”
“Breck.”