Page 22 of Redeeming the Angel

Nik heaved a dramatic sigh.“Yes.I’m starting to wish that we’d changed into costumes rather than our wedding garb.”

Xochitl laughed.“I toldja so, Aunt Nik.Want some cake?”

“Yes, please.People kept blocking my way to congratulate me and I am starving!”

Just then, Lucian Jagwolfe came in.He put his back to the library door, eyes darting around like he was wary of being followed in.Some of his hair had escaped its tie and hung over his face in a way that still trapped my breath.

His eyes met mine, and for a moment, time stopped.Then his gaze swept around the rest of our group and he gave a mock pout.“You all found refuge in here and didn’t invite me?”

Everyone laughed before Delgarias said, “I thought you wanted to experience more of this world.”

“The pageantry and chattering out there isn’t any different from what’s at home.”His eyes widened as he saw the tray of cake and bottles of champagne on the table by the furniture.“You even have libations in here.”

Lucian poured a glass of champagne and raised it in a toast.“To a long and happy union.I thank you, Delgarias, for saving me from an unhappy marriage.And to you, Nikkita, for evading our elders long enough for a solution to be found.”

He walked toward where I was sitting and paused, then abruptly found an empty chair.

I released my breath, mostly relieved, but there was some other feeling simmering under the surface that I couldn’t identify.

Then I realized what it was.It was the feeling I’d had when Lucian returned after one of our fights in our early years.

The immediate sense of relief and an end to waiting because I’d missed him.

Chapter Nine

Kerainne

Past

I admit I was hurt at Lucian’s departure, though I pretended I didn’t care.Also, I was furious.How dare he try to come between me and my sister?I buried that anger and dedicated myself to helping oversee Nikkita’s upbringing.She was so wonderful and fascinating.I reveled in helping her learn about life, herself, and the world we were in.My sister remained in my arms, then later by my side, for most of her growth.I loathed the hours when we were parted and my mother gave me lessons on how to rule a kingdom.

But once her childhood ended and she became a woman full-grown, my bond with Nik gradually shifted from doting sibling and child to best friends.

Nik has always been more fiery and ambitious than I, wanting to learn about societies that had big battles, and strategies of combat.I indulged her, finding what books I could on the subject, and when that didn’t sate her, I invited great warriors of Aisthanesthai to tutor her on their histories and combat tools and methods.

But we still had much in common.Music enchanted her, though she liked wilder songs than I.Languages enthralled her, and in a mere thirty years, she was caught up with me in the tongues she could speak fluently.Sadly, she didn’t share my passion for art and creation, though she displayed much aptitude.

Instead, Nik wanted to learn more magic.She wanted to gain the black robes of a high sorcerer.So we had a mage tutor from the Conclave of Sorcery come to teach us magics that luminites didn’t know.

My sister’s ambition didn’t stop there.She also wanted to learn how to wield a sword.So our parents hired a master swordswoman from the Mei-Lu, home of the Shyr warriors.

I didn’t expect Lucian to return to Medicia, but he did.

Nik and I were in the courtyard with our sword instructor.Lucian landed in front of me, a bouquet of lilacs in hand, and sank to his knees.

“Princess Leonine, I owe you the greatest of apologies.I humbly beg of you to welcome me into your company once more.I vow to do anything without complaint.”

My breath caught at the sight of him.How did he manage to look so beautiful?It made it difficult to focus on the odd tone he’d used when he’d said the word, “company.”

Then I’d remembered the last words I’d said to him twenty years ago and my face heated with shame.I’d hurt him.I hadn’t meant to, because I’d been overcome with the bond I’d had with Nik as a baby.But that didn’t make the damage any less.

I accepted the flowers and pulled him to his feet.“I accept your apology…on the condition that you accept the fact that we will be spending a lot of time with Nikkita and that you treat her with respect and kindness.”

His ocean-blue eyes widened.“I wouldn’t treat her as anything less.Truly, I never bore her any ill will.I was merely selfish and foolish in my lack of understanding your bond.I reeducated myself on bonds by spending four years with a wolf pack on my family lands.”

I’d completely forgotten that he bonded with wolves.And his admission to a sort of penance killed every vestige of anger I’d held for him.Still, I remained wary, remembering how petulant he’d gotten last time he’d been here.

“Do you know swordplay?”I asked mildly.

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