Page 1 of Redeeming the Angel

Chapter One

Kerainne

Present

I remember the first time I died.The shock of the cold water, the unrelenting force of the wave as it forced me under, the burning pressure of salty liquid pouring into my lungs, the crushing weight and starburst of pain in my chest, followed by a drowsy weightlessness.Then soothing warmth and darkness wrapping around me, cocooning me in blissful oblivion.

The next thing I saw washisface.

I never wished to see that face again, though my dreams taunted me with him every night.

But on the day my daughter and her small army returned from a skirmish against Mephistopheles in Kinsen, she brought an unwelcome guest.I should have expected such, as I’d only been reunited with my sister mere weeks ago.He was bound to find out.Bound to come after her.

Yet I’d only been thinking of my joyous relief that my daughter and her king had won the battle and were coming home.I’d rushed from my rooms in the King’s tower, eager to embrace my loved ones, only to freeze and nearly tumble down the stairs when I saw him standing with them.

The former love of my life.

My true-bonded mate.

My former betrothed.

The man who spurned me.

The man who broke my heart.

The man betrothed to my sister.

Lucian Jagwolfe.

Fates damn him, he still looked like a god from Earthfolk mythology.Though he wasn’t as tall as King Zareth or Delgarias, he’d tower over any other luminite.His golden hair, darker than mine, tumbled down nearly to his waist and glinted from the lamplights like treasure.His eyes, no longer the cerulean they turned when he was happy, were a cold cobalt blue.Much as I was always a summer creature, he’d taught me the beauty of winter.

The chill of those eyes flicked over to me, and I nearly tumbled again before Xochitl and Nikkita rushed to my sides and steadied me.

My voice came out in a weak whisper.“Lucian.”

“Princess Kerainne.”His voice was icy as he bowed.

I couldn’t look weak in front of him.Never again.I straightened my spine and shrugged off my sister’s and daughter’s grips on my shoulders.“Queen Kerainne now.”

He had the gall to laugh at me.“Queen of what?A giant abyss?”

Now I shook from rage instead of heartbreak.Rage was much better.“We the people of Aisthanesthai and our allieswilldefeat Mephistopheles and take back what is ours.In the meantime, I claim my rightful title and seat on the Conclave.You never answered my question.What are you doing here?”

“Following orders.”Lucian paused, then added, “To a point.I did as our matriarchs commanded and came here to find my betrothed, but since I hope just as much as you and Nik to get out of the arrangement, I’m going to take a vacation from the dull monotony of Luminista.”

Nik spoke beside me, her tone more civil than I would have liked.“Is it true that they broke your betrothal to my sister because she gave birth to Xochitl?That’s what Grandmother told me before I escaped her clutches.”

I wanted to throttle her.Did she have to speak of this here?And now?Couldn’t I have a moment to brace myself?But my little sister had always been impatient.

“It is.”Lucian suddenly looked at my daughter.Unbelievably, his cheeks flushed red.“No offense, Highness.My family has certain standards on who is permitted to join with our clan.”

My mouth twisted in scorn.There he was, blaming his family again.The family that pressured me for centuries to marry him.But when it came to my daughter, he’d had plenty to say forhimself, not for them.

Nik seemed to ignore the insult and continued calmly.“Is the Jagwolfes’ declaration of my sister’s unworthiness because my niece is a half-breed, or is it because she’s the daughter of the Evil One?”

Xochitl spoke up, voice rife with hurt and anger.“They called me an abomination up there.”

I put my arm around my daughter’s shoulders, and shushed my sister like when she was a child.“Nikkita, that’s enough.We don’t need to press the issue.”

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