‘I’d make an exception for you.’

‘Quit stalling. What are you trying to say?’

‘I’m trying to say that I . . . that I . . .’

‘Yes?’

He sighs. ‘You’re very difficult, you know that?’

‘You’re trying to say that you’re what?’

‘OkayIwaswrong. Now let’s move on. Where do you think would be the best place for the angels to stay until they leave?’

‘Whoa.’ I burst out laughing. ‘Did you just say that you were wrong? Was that the word? Wrong?’ I smile at him. ‘I like the sound of that coming out of your mouth. It’s lyrical. W-r-o-n-g. Wroooong. Wrrrrong. Go on, sing it with me.’

‘If I didn’t love your laugh so much, I’d kick you off this extremely noisy and bumpy vehicle and let you shiver in the freezing water.’

He loves my laugh.

I clear my throat. ‘What were you wrong about?’ I ask in all seriousness.

He throws me a glare, looking like he might not answer. ‘About Daughters of Men.’

‘Oh? We’re not all freakish, repulsive animals who sully your reputation?’

‘No, I was right about all that.’ He nods. ‘But it turns out that’s not always a bad thing.’

I give him a sideways glance.

‘Who knew?’ he says. ‘I had no idea that someone could be such a thorn in your foot during a death march and still be irresistibly attractive in some magical, undeniable way.’

‘So is that what people call sweet nothings? Because somehow, I expected it to be a little more . . . complimentary.’

‘Don’t you know a heartfelt declaration of love when you hear one?’

I blink dumbly at him with my heart pounding.

He caresses a lock of my hair out of my face. ‘Look, I know that we’re from different worlds and different people. But I’ve realized that it doesn’t matter.’

‘You don’t care about the angelic rules anymore?’

‘My Watchers have helped me realize that angelic rules are for angels. Without our wings, we can never be fully accepted back into the fold. There will always be talk of taking a newly Fallen’s wings and transplanting them onto us. Angels are perfect. Even with transplanted wings, we’ll never again be perfect. You accept me just the way I am, regardless of whether or not I even have wings. Even when I had my demon wings, you’ve never looked at me with pity. You’ve never wavered in your loyalty. That’s who you are – my brave, loyal, lovable Daughter of Man.’

My heart beats so fast I don’t know what to say. ‘You’re staying?’ With me?

He moves to kiss me but winces. I lean over to him and pause just as our lips are about to touch. I like the heat and electric tingles on my lips from his closeness.