And even though Lily couldn’t figure out how to really come to grips with his betrayal, she knew his memory needed to serve a purpose.
Held deep within Rock Creek Park, the memorial service was assembled with the help of local law enforcement and government officials—those who were aware of what the Sanctuary truly was. The more heavily wooded section of the grounds had been blocked off to the public. Not even park rangers were allowed to go within seeing distance.
There the group of humans and half angels gathered together to remember Luke. Adrian stood behind Nathaniel, seemingly untouched by Luke’s death. It was an act. Lily knew there would come a time when he would possibly accept it and maybe even forgive Luke. This was not the time. Micah had been unable to attend. The injuries Luke had inflicted on him would take months to heal, and she doubted he’d ever be the same.
Lily stood between Nathaniel and Michael, their tall and imposing figures dwarfing her slight form. They had not spoken during their trip to the site, and now they were slightly apart from the rest, but together.
The elderly priest led the prayer and issuance of remembrance. As he spoke about Luke’s transcendence into Heaven due to his unwavering faith and loyalty, Lily shuddered. His soul—if his soul had still been present—would not have gotten past those pearly gates.
When the priest spoke of Luke’s rewards in Heaven, she had enough. She quietly ducked out when the ceremonial pyres were lit. Other Nephilim and the human employees would now share stories about him. Memories meant to lift them up and carry on his name. There was no way she could remain there while this happened. No one would think her abrupt disappearance to be strange. They knew how close she and Luke had been. If anything, the eyes that followed her would be filled with pity.
As soon as she passed the line of parked cruisers that ensured the service wouldn’t be interrupted, she felt Julian. He had come as far as he could. In the shadows of the oak trees, he joined her, wrapping her in his strong embrace and soothing the bundle of emotions in her heart.
He smiled down at her upturned face, smoothing his thumb around the fading bruise on her jaw. “I love you, Lily.”
Nothing could prevent the smile from spreading across her face. Julian had saved her life three times now, but most importantly he loved her in a way that would eventually overshadow the dark spaces in her heart and soul. His love was more than that, though. It was something powerful, breaking the chains that tethered her to the Sanctuary and to her duty. With him, she wasn’t just a Nephilim. She was Lily, just like he’d always seen her.
It had just taken her eight years to figure that out.
Feeling a little bit like her old self, she pressed against him. “I think we can spare a few hours before we knock some minions’ heads around, can’t we?”
His eyes assumed a hooded quality. “What do you have in mind?”
With an impish sort of smile, she slipped her hand between them as she watched his face, loving how the hue of his eyes flared.
His arms tightened around her. “I think I got the idea.”
Lily’s laugh died when his lips captured hers. It would take more than a few hours before they would have enough of one another. It may even take an eternity for that to happen. And Lily was willing to find out.