Page 12 of Redeeming the Angel

And then I opened them and was speared through the heart by his beauty.

Luminites live for creating and enjoying beauty, but something was singularly different about my perception of Lucian Jagwolfe’s beauty.Up close, in his arms, I could better see his strongly-sculpted features, much more rugged than the average luminite, and feel his muscled form that was also bulkier than others of our kind.And the way his dark gold hair gleamed from the overhead light globes gave me a nearly irresistible urge to run my hands through those shining locks to see if they felt as silken as they looked.

“You dance well, Princess.”His voice rumbled against my chest, sending more potent sensations coursing through my body.

At last, I found my voice.“As do you, Prince.”

We fell silent for the rest of the dance, though it felt like our conversation continued on another level that was somehow both primal and spiritual.Could he be my destined mate?My heart asked while my mind reminded me of my mother’s cautioning words.“Do not allow your relationship with Lucian get too strong before we find out their true intentions.”

When the song ended, we made our way to one of the tables full of refreshments.I chose the one closest to where Mother stood, speaking with Lucian’s mother.

Lucian followed my gaze.“I really hope my relations aren’t ruining things for me again.”

“Me too.”My cheeks heated as I imagined actually becoming betrothed to this gorgeous, adorably naïve man.“Would you accompany me to the balcony?I need some air and would like to ask you a few questions.”

He fetched us two more glasses of wine.“It would be my honor.”

The night air was cool and refreshing, carrying the scent of a multitude variety of flowers in pots on the balcony and below in the garden.Jasmine, gardenia, rose, honeysuckle, and many more I hadn’t learned names for yet.My father was in his botany stage, as Mother called it, though I’d seen her sniffing the beautiful flowers and smiling many times.

Lucian’s voice pulled my attention back to his beauty and the mysteries holding us back from a true friendship and more.“What would you like to ask me?”

“Does your matriarch wantanyLeonine-Jagwolfe marriage alliance, or specifically one with the Medicia Leonines?”

“The latter,” he answered plainly with no hint of deceit in his cerulean eyes.

“Do you know why?”

Lucien shook his head.“They say they want an alliance with an equally powerful clan, but I get the feeling that’s only half of the reason.I know your queen invited them to find out the truth and I hope she succeeds.In the meantime, at least we can be certain that there’s no ill intention with their wanting a betrothal.”

“How do you know that?”

He shrugged as if the answer should be clear.“Because we’re luminites.Evil is against our nature.”

The earnest belief in his eyes reminded me of those of children before they learned about the ugliness in the universe.Which is why I didn’t have the heart to disabuse him of the notion.If he would be spending more time in Medicia, that meant he’d learn more about Aisthanesthai, and eventually, Earth and the work my clan did there to combat Mephistopheles.There were times that we had to sink below our morals to save people from having their lands and magic stolen by the Evil One who claimed to be a god.Lucian could discover that depressing fact later.

So instead, I changed the subject.“How long would you like to stay?”

“As long as I’m welcome…though there’s a chance I may be summoned back to Luminista for my duties.”

Now it was my turn to be the ignorant one.“I am so sorry I’ve neglected to ask before, but what are your duties there?”

“World-building.”Lucian smiled with genuine enthusiasm at the mention.“We are constantly putting different plants and creatures and minerals in our lands to ensure harmonious life.I was responsible for the honeysuckle.And butterflies.I’ve recently attained the power to bring in animals.I’ve brought trout to our rivers and soon I’ll be asked to submit a request for another creature.”

My jaw dropped in awe.“How do you get the creatures to Luminista?When we die, only our bodies ascend.I couldn’t even keep my clothes!”

“I don’t transport them that way.”Lucian chuckled at first, then his brows drew together in thought.“Though I wonder if I could try.Anyhow, what I do is use a scrying sphere to find the creature, then I summon it to a home I’ve created for it.Like a vessel of fresh water for the trout.”

Curiosity made me rock back on my heels.“How many of each creature do you summon?”

“Only a few to use as the models we work from.”Pride tinged his voice, but not in an arrogant way.“That’s how we learn how their molecules are put together so we can create more.The trickiest part is giving enough genetic variance so they’re not so copied that their reproduction is equivalent to inbreeding, but not so different as to make a new species.What are your duties here?”

“First, to learn.”I tried to conceal my insecurity at my responsibilities being less impressive than creating actual life and ecosystems.“Sometimes I spend years perfecting skills like singing and painting, other times I spend time with other civilizations and learn their language and culture.I eventually hope to be permitted to help with rescue missions for the Earthfolk who are losing their homes either from Mephistopheles’s attacks or from the human nulls who persecute the ones with magic.”

Lucian frowned, his tone ringing with disapproval.“I’ve heard that’s becoming more dangerous.”

I shrugged.“All the more reason to save as many as we can before Earth is completely stripped of magic.”

“Do you really think he can do that?”Doubt painted Lucian’s face.“I know magic can be stolen, but to make an entire world barren?”

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