Page 11 of Redeeming the Angel

I clung to the positives as much as I could.“You brought at least one dragon to our cause.And, most importantly, you’re back in my life.It’s important for families to be together.”

Nik opened her mouth like she was going to say something important, then a secretive look flashed in her eyes and she left me to help elsewhere.

Lucian’s voice rumbled behind me.“You fought well.”

“Thank you,” I muttered, but couldn’t help stepping away.Seeing Mephistopheles for the first time since he’d attacked me brought back too many painful memories.Even if Lucian was being kind right now, my entire being was reliving his cruelty when he’d found me on Earth shortly before Xochitl was born.

With that interspersed with flashes of my traumatic assault from the Evil One, I was having a difficult enough time being aroundanymen right now.

He seemed to sense my discomfort and left my side to help Sylvis and her new pet wolf check the perimeter in case there were any enemy stragglers.

Once all the dead and missing were accounted for, I opened a portal, returned to Zareth’s tower, and took the longest, hottest bath I could endure, trying to wash away the dirty feel of Mephistopheles’s eyes on mine during the battle, and the memory of disgust in Lucian’s when he’d first learned what happened to me.

When I collapsed onto my bed in exhaustion, my dreams spared me those awful memories.Unfortunately, they tormented me with good ones that hurt almost as badly.

Chapter Five

Kerainne

Past

At first, having a suitor was a diverting novelty.Especially one as handsome as Lucian Jagwolfe.Most of all, I loved being able to show someone my world and all the things I loved.It astounded me how much he didn’t know despite being fifty years older than me.Though it also gave me a sense of unease about Luminista.All my life, I was taught that the home realm of the luminite species was superior to all worlds and that going there was a great honor and privilege.

Yet they didn’t even have lizards there?

My mother and father often told me that though I was heir to the throne of Medicia, I’d probably be required to spend many centuries in Luminista.Even worse, after my reign here, when my heir took the throne, I’d have to return to Luminista like Grandma Silvara, and possibly even become the clan Matriarch if my mother didn’t wish to keep the position.

With that in mind, I resolved not to get too close to Lucian Jagwolfe until I knew what a betrothal with him would entail.

Not long after Lucian had gone to his guest quarters for the evening, I was summoned to my mother’s relaxation room.

Queen Natalya lay back on her cushioned chaise, a stack of books and a platter of snacks on the table beside her.“Tell me everything you’ve come to know about Lucian Jagwolfe.”

I weighed my words carefully.“Heishandsome, kind, and seems to have great magic.However, I find him very ignorant of our world.But I do believe he was sincere when he told me he didn’t have anything to do with the plans to arrange a betrothal.And he seems to honestly like me.”

Mother nodded as if she hadn’t expected anything different.“While it pleases me to hear that he lacks the rudeness of his mother and matriarch, I am still suspicious.What motive could they possibly have to rush a betrothal?And why not with one of the Luminista Leonines?”

I pondered my brief time in Luminista with Grandma Silvara.I hadn’t met very many other Leonines in her lands.“Perhaps most are already mated, or established loners?”

“Or perhaps there’s something about our specific line that the Luminista Jagwolfes wish to harness.Do not allow your relationship with Lucian get too strong before we find out their true intentions,” Natalya cautioned sternly.“I will throw a ball to celebrate the blessing of a second child and invite all the Luminista Jagwolfes and Leonines.Then, perhaps, we will learn all we need.And if they prove evasive, then at least you will still enjoy dancing with your beau.”

I bit back a smile, relieved that my inviting Lucian in advance hadn’t been wrong.However, I wasn’t looking forward to seeing his mother and great-aunt again.Though it would be amusing to see Mother put them in their place.

And indeed she did.

The Prenatal Celebration Ball was a merry event.Every citizen of our city was invited, and all who offered to cater, serve, clean, and decorate were paid double the usual rate.Lucian was astounded at both things.

“In my lands, only nobles and elders are invited to functions like this.And our palace servants handle the organization and service details, not volunteers from the commoners.”

“Many Earth societies operate the same,” I told him before taking two glasses of Shellandrian wine from a passing caterer’s tray.

His eyes narrowed as they scanned the revelers.“With every citizen being invited, I’d expected this ballroom to be overflowing.”

“Not everyone comes.Many are too busy with their own pursuits, others don’t care for crowds, and some are grieving losses of their own pregnancies so a celebration like this would cause them pain.”I shrugged.“But all are our people, so all are welcome.”

Lucian’s smiled down at me with genuine admiration.“That is an incredible sentiment.I am learning so much from you.Would you like to dance?”

I nodded eagerly.And that’s when it happened.The moment he placed one hand on my waist and threaded the fingers of his other hand through mine, a spark shot through me, weakening my knees and fluttering my belly.The sensation was so overwhelming that I had to close my eyes and focus on the dance steps drilled into me by my instructor.

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