“Perhaps I will stick to those dark orange ones Cameron likes,” Reggie mused.
Liquor burned my nose, and I cupped my hand over my mouth. I choked and coughed, spitting part of my drink against my palm. Samkiel patted my back as I glared at Reggie.
“You drink with Cameron but make a fuss with me?” I scoffed, wiping my mouth with the back of my sleeve. “I’m hurt.”
He pushed his glass away. “Please, do not be. He wears me down with his incessant pestering. I think he hopes I will become inebriated and give him the answers he seeks, but unfortunately, his efforts are in vain.”
My chest clenched, a bit of my buzz wearing off. I knew what he meant, and I knew Cameron was still searching for Xavier. I had seen his wings coast across the light of the moon one night when he thought Samkiel and I were asleep. He was looking, and I knew he would never stop. I understood his need to find the missing part of his soul.
“I think Cameron just has a soft spot for you,” I said. “And he also likes to annoy you.”
A ghost of a smile pulled at Reggie’s lips. “That he does. While this is a joyous event for this town and the two of you, I feel I must retire.”
I kicked his foot playfully and nodded toward the makeshift dance floor. “What? No dance?”
His face dropped as if I’d just asked him to skin and eat raw fish. “I fear I foresee no future in which that shall ever come to pass.”
Samkiel’s laugh was big and loud, the sound shivering right through me. Reggie stood and bowed slightly.
“Good night, my liege,” he said to Samkiel and me before retreating down the long hall toward the room that had been prepared for him.
“He hasn’t had a vision in weeks,” Samkiel said, watching Reggie until he disappeared.
I sighed and looked up at Samkiel. “Not right now.”
Samkiel shrugged, but I heard the concern in his voice. “I’m just letting you know.”
“You know, you get this worry wrinkle above your brow when you overthink.”
Samkiel slapped his hand against his forehead and frowned at me. “No, I don’t.”
I tilted my head back and laughed. The conversation and mirth of the crowd drowned out the sound. This was what I’d wanted. I craved a minute just to exist without worrying or constantly looking over my shoulder. These people deserved it, too. They deserved a life free from a tyrant who only wished to subjugate.
“I love playing with you,” I admitted, grinning at him.
“Yes, I’ve learned,” he said and dropped his hand, his eyes sparkling with silver heat.
I leaned across the table and brushed my lips against his, tasting the spicy liquor he’d been drinking. “At least you’ll never be bored with me.”
“Never,” he said, flicking his tongue against the seam of my lips.
I sat back and filled our glasses from the bottle. “Here is another drink to enjoy with your favorite wife,” I said, sliding it toward him.
Samkiel chuckled and lounged back in his chair, sipping the alcohol. “You’re my only wife.”
“For now.”
His face grew stoic. “That’s not funny.”
“You know what else is not funny? That you have been hiding the fact that Oblivion has been bothering you, and not just physically. I saw it in your head at Shorerock, and I’ve caught you twice trying to rub it off your hands like dirt when you thought I wasn’t paying attention. It’s not funny when you don’t tell me these things.”
I watched his throat bob as he dropped his gaze, staring at the liquor swirling in his glass. “I didn’t want to worry you. Plus, as you have pointed out, we have a list of other things that are much more important to worry about.”
“And the nightmares?” I added. “You kicked me the night before last as if you were running again, and then last night, you woke up covered in sweat.”
“Dianna.” He dragged my name out like a reprimand. “I’m fi—”
“You are my number one priority, Samkiel.” I reached up and cupped his jaw, idly rubbing my thumb over the rough stubble on his cheek. “Nothing is more important than you, and when you don’t share your burdens with me, it scares me. I know you’re at war, baby, even in your sleep, but let me fight those battles with you. Please? I worry about you.”
