Page 91 of Trust the Fall

“She’s a warrior. You may not realize it by looking at her, but she’s fierce. She was an archangel.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Camille has shared a lot with me over the centuries, but her time in Heaven is something she keeps close. All she’s said is that she broke the rules and was punished by God. He damned her to be the keeper of souls, and from there, the termreaperswas born.”

“Punished for sleeping with Michael,” I mumble.

I don’t miss the way River’s back straightens when I mention the queen having slept with the legendary archangel.

“How did you come to be a reaper?” I ask, changing the subject to safer ground.

River shifts, looking uneasy, but he never turns away from me when he says, “I was a human.”

“What?” My head snaps to his. “A human?”

He nods. “I was the first soul that Camille came to collect. She saw something in me and didn’t think I deserved to be damned.”

“You were damned? What did you do?” I whisper the words as though the walls have ears, and who knows? Maybe here they do.

“That’s... a story for another time,” he says, averting my gaze and effectively ending that part of the conversation.

It only makes me want to know more.

“Anyway,” he continues, “she brought me here and made me a reaper.” His eyes dart around. “We built this place together.”

That explains a lot. It’s not surprising that they’d have feelings for each other. If they’ve been together this whole time and built this amazing place, love was sure to factor in at some point. It’s a wonder they’ve never acted on those feelings.

“Who are the others?” I ask, recalling Catarine and Apple.

“Other souls she felt needed redemption. There are even a few fallen angels in the mix,” he says, side-eyeing me.

“Really? Who?”

He chuckles. “You’ll get to meet everyone in due time. Camille will undoubtedly throw a party. It’s the one true love of her life,” he says, a tad more wistfully than I thought possible coming from a man like River. “She loves her people, and they love her.”

I think back on everything that River has just shared about the queen, and all the apprehension melts away. She sounds like a good person.

We reach a large wooden door, likely the way to Queen Camille’s quarters. River’s arm shoots out to push it open, and my hand flies up to stop him.

“Wait,” I say. “I... I think I need to do this alone.”

I’d asked for him to stay, but knowing their shared past and how much he cares for her, I’m not sure my original motives apply. I sought someone to have my back, but that won’t come from him. I know that now.

I’m capable of doing this myself and, in truth, it’s necessary. I don’t need distractions while I try to uncover the facts about my birth.

River nods. “I’ll wait out here. If you need me, call. I wouldn’t desert you, Victoria. Not even for her. I brought you here, and I will protect you as promised.”

I smile, appreciating River’s words more than he could possibly realize.

“Thank you.”

I take a deep breath and push through the door, ready to meet the queen.