like a snake, and I’d memorized the way to Lord Raphael’s cell, a bird-cage-style crate with massive bars situated right across his wings that give off the rotting-bird smell.
Lord Raphael sat in the corner, one leg up, an elbow on his knee. Bones stuck out of his back, and those would, eventually, form new wings in place of the ones the commander had ripped off, then nailed to the wall across from the lord’s cell. Lord Raphael stroked his long black beard before tucking his black cheek-length hair behind his ears. Even broken, he was beautiful.
He didn’t acknowledge me. Given his circumstances, I wouldn’t talk to anyone either. He had acknowledged me once before, so I knew this angel had a heart somewhere in his chest. An iron heart, but a heart nonetheless.
During the battle for the Court of Command and before Lord Raphael lost his wings, I had been lying in the mud, dying of multiple stab wounds, when Lord Raphael landed next me, maybe to rest, maybe just to check his own wounds, I didn’t know. But he took one look at me, then bent and touched my cheek. I would never forget the enormous purple wings looming over me, the violet eyes that lit up as my body burned. He’d healed me.
I’d have left it at that. I’d have thanked him when I got the chance, but aiding him wasn’t in the plan. Until the dreams came, and with them Lucifer, who offered me a deal: feed the prisoner or become one of the Marked, a person completely consumed by Lucifer’s will. Since I’d rather die than get marked, accepting Lucifer’s offer was a no-brainer. I’d been feeding the prisoner ever since.
Although I knew Raphael was an immortal, starvation depleted his power, which in turn kept him inside the prison.
“Perfectly boiled eggs this week,” I whispered, and reached into the sack. I withdrew two eggs and held them out. I couldn’t bring plates or anything besides food because everything inconsumable left traces of wrongdoing. I crouched and stuck my hand between the bars. “Here, birdy. Nom nom.”
One corner of his mouth quirked. All too quickly, he schooled his expression. If I hadn’t seen him smile at my nonsense before, I’d have thought it a trick of the light. Lord Raphael glanced at the food, then tapped the filthy floor with his claw. I hated when he did that. He should take the food from my hand, not eat from the dirty floor. But I didn’t fuss, mainly because I’d protested in the past, and he’d ignored me.
I tsked so he knew I disapproved and put the peeled eggs on the gross cobblestone that people had stomped, vomited, and pissed on over the years. I placed three perfectly sliced pieces of fresh-baked and still-warm bread next to the eggs. I put one nice big sausage between the eggs so the tip of the sausage pointed toward him, making it look like a male organ. I garnished the “plate” with fresh-cut apples before I stood and wiped my hands on my uniform.
“Thank you, Nevaeh,” I said with a smile.
Lord Raphael’s body went taut, and his head tilted. He leapt at the bars, thrust his arms through them, and grabbed the back of my head. He pulled me forward and slapped his palm over my mouth. My eyes widened while he looked up, toward the entrance.
We stood there for what felt like years, my heart beating a mile a minute.
The door to the keep opened.
A whine at the back of my throat escaped. Read more …
What to read after Court of Command
If you started on my books with the Angels and generally read Paranormal Romance, read the completed Dragon series.
If you started on my books with the Angels and want more aggressive, hot, funny over-the-top Alphas start the completed Beast Mates series with Blind Beast Mate OR read the completed Horde series starting with Alpha Breeds. Horde is safe, light Omegaverse so try one if you haven’t already. Plus, Horde has a spin off, the Hordesmen.
If you’ve read all my books, join thousands of Pumpkins on my mailing list that picked up books from my Freebie Library while waiting for Angels. I am grateful for the supportive and wonderful fans that make the world a magical place.
Cheers! ~ Milana
About the Author
Milana Jacks grew up with tales of water fairies that seduced men, vampires that seduced women, and Babaroga who’d come to take her away if she didn’t eat her bean soup. She writes dystopian sci-fi fantasy romance with dominant monsters from her home on Earth she shares with Mate and their three little beasts.
• Sometimes she releases stories for the readers on her mailing list as they await for books in the series. If you want in, join other readers at http://www.milanajacks.com/newsletter/ •
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