Page 83 of Trust the Fall

Piling my plate with a stack of plain cheese, I grab the nearest seat and begin shoveling a slice into my mouth, moaning around my first bite. “So good,” I mumble.

“Dear God, help her not to choke. I’m ill-equipped to handle that today.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “I see you’re still as dramatic as always.”

“More so, probably. It’s about the only thing that keeps me entertained these days.”

“I’d think your constant meddling on Earth would keep you more than busy.”

She chews on her cheek. “The creatures on Earth are doing a good job of slaughtering each other. Between the vampires’ and the witches’ internal wars, our services haven’t been required for much more than cleanup.”

I lift my eyes to her, taking another bite of pizza.

“Not exactly exhilarating.”

“You never have cared to get your hands dirty,” I quip.

Leeanna folds her arms on top of the table, leaning forward. “Can we have a serious discussion without the jabs, Victoria? You haven’t always been so juvenile.”

Schooling my features, I try not to react to her insult.

I make a show of wiping at the corner of my mouth with a white napkin, paying too much attention to the embroidered edging so as not to look at her.

When my eyes lift, Leeanna’s hard gaze causes me to squirm under the weight of it.

She’s always managed to set me on edge. Even before. She’s one of Heaven’s toughest warriors. I trained her, but she was obviously innately stronger. I’ve never admitted that, but we both know it to be true.

“What do you want from me, Lee?”

“Forgiveness.” She enunciates every syllable of the word.

It’s simple, yet so much. There was a lot of damage done, and I’ve thought our relationship irreparable due to it. Peering at her now, I see the truth. She’s remorseful for her part in our fallout. Perhaps it is time to let bygones be bygones. She apologized and I said I forgave her. It’s time I walk the walk.

“You have it. I swear it.”

She knows I mean it and acknowledges so with a nod, followed by a genuine smile.

“There you are,” River says, stomping into the parlor like a bull in a china shop. “Ready? The queen has requested I bring you to her chambers.”

“Her chambers? As in, her bedroom?”

Lee and I share an alarmed glance.

He shrugs. “That’s where she wants to meet you. I don’t ask questions, Victoria.”

“Are you going to stay in there with us?”

“Do you want me to?” He seems surprised by my request.

I don’t know what it matters. I don’t require a babysitter, but if I’m being honest with myself, I really don’t want to be alone with the queen. I didn’t even know she existed until recently, and I don’t know a thing about her.

It’s not that I’m scared. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. It’s mostly due to my lack of understanding about their customs. I still know very little about the reapers in general. There’s a childish part of me that has some warped need to not mess up. To not offend the queen in some manner all because I’m naive.

As tough as I am, I can admit that there’s a lot I don’t know.

“I’d like you to stay.”

He nods. “Let’s go. She’s waiting.”