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BROKEN
What feels like hours later, I’m staring out a third-story window, overlooking a beautifully sculpted garden, watching a hummingbird hover over a bush full of vibrant red flowers. The color reminds me of Luke, and a pang of sadness washes over me.
I miss him.
Focusing on the bush, I almost miss the couple walking the path to the far left of the garden. Their backs are to me, but I know immediately that it’s River and Camille.
Her white-blond curls cascade down her back, blanketing the pale pink dress that swishes with every step she takes. She looks every bit a queen from this vantage point.
Polished. Prim. Majestic.
Her head turns toward River and her smile lights up. She’s practically beaming. It’s clear that the feelings River has for her aren’t one-sided.
“Oh, how fun future family events would be if I were forced to marry the man my mother is in love with.” I purse my lips.
A knock sounds on the door.
“Come in,” I call out, before thinking better of it.
I hadn’t considered that it could be someone other than River, even though it’s clearly not, since I’m looking at him across the garden. Although I’m not afraid of reapers, I’m not in a very social mood.
My time in Hell has caught up with me, and I’m exhausted. I half considered curling atop the king-sized bed and taking a nap, but my nerves won’t allow it.
I want to get this big reveal over with, shut down the incorrect assumption that I’m the reaper princess, and make my way back to Luke.
Multiple wars are approaching, from what I gleaned in Hell, and I’m needed on Earth to protect humanity. This little jaunt to Reaperville is merely a short detour.
The door cracks open and I’m semi-relieved to find Leeanna on the other side.
“Are you hungry? Catarine has shown me to a parlor where they have food ready.”
At the mention of food, my stomach growls loudly.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she says, lifting a perfectly manicured eyebrow. “They have pizza.”
She had me at pizza.
“I know it’s your favorite. We used to—”
I raise my hand to stop her. “No need to traipse down memory lane. I remember our past, and if I don’t get to food quickly, I might perish.”
She chuckles. “Glad to see nothing has changed where your eating habits are concerned.” Turning away, she heads down a hall and I follow, too hungry to stand around.
She wasn’t kidding. I enter the room to find a dining table full of fine china and pizzas topped with every combination of toppings one could imagine on a buffet against one wall.
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.
