Page 39 of Redeeming the Angel

“Of course.”I would go anywhere she asked.

Unfortunately, the moment she got a bottle and glasses from the cellar, the gate stone chimed.I bit back a curse, then managed a friendly smile when Kerainne let Rayven and Tiana inside.Rayven gave me a pointed look with one eyebrow raised.I grinned back at him, triumphant that he recognized my success in being alone with Kerainne.

“We’re not staying long,” Rayven said as if to reassure me.“But we learned some very important details about the attack on the mage school that everyone needs to know.”

Kerainne summoned two extra glasses and poured everyone some wine.We settled on the couch in the solar.“What did you learn?”

Tiana began.“The evil vampires Akasha and Del—Father killed weren’t taking any mage they could grab.”

Rayven nodded and continued.“The school records revealed that all the students taken either had aptitude for healing magic or blood magic.”

“Oh shit,” Kerainne gasped.“I hope my daughter and Zareth return soon.I need to tell them immediately.That fucking bastard.What is he planning?”

I blinked at her language.She’d never cursed much before.I also selfishly hoped that the others wouldn’t be returning too soon.

Raven sipped his wine.“While I don’t relish the idea of spending more time with your son-in-law, I know he’d be the best person who can help figure that out…aside from me…and, of course, Tiana’s parents.”

“Kerainne studied for the black robes alongside her sister,” I reminded him.“As did I, though I did not keep up with my studies as well as they did.So not only did we learn about the uses of specific magical specialties, but the Leonine sisters took part in many rescue missions on Earth when Mephistopheles was raiding that world.”

“That’s right,” Rayven eyed Kerainne with a mixture of awe and curiosity.“I sometimes forget how much older you are than Zareth and me.Your experiences with his attacks on Earth could shed light on the Evil One’s goals.”

“Perhaps.”Kerainne sounded doubtful.“But I do agree that we should wait for Xochitl and Zareth before any hard speculation.For now, I want to hear how you two are doing.”She beamed at Tiana.“Have you set a wedding date yet?”

“No.”Rayven answered.“I want to make sure the proposal is right and in proper mage tradition.For that I need to find the right items.”

Kerainne and I both nodded in comprehension.Even though we’d become betrothed in luminite tradition first, I also proposed in the way of mages.That required me to create a mage’s staff compatible with her power level.I thought of that first staff I’d made and mourned its loss.It had to have either been destroyed in the attack on Medicia, or perhaps Kerainne obliterated it herself after I broke her heart.

“I don’t envy you the task,” I teased Rayven to lighten the mood.“For a luminite-faelin hybrid who’s technically a thousand years your elder, you’re going to need to find equally as rare and precious materials.”

“Precisely,” Rayven’s odd golden eyes were solemn.“The search will be difficult.”

Tiana put her hand over his.“I don’t need a staff, much less a perfect one to marry you.I would do so right now and have Aunt Kerainne officiate.”

Rayven chuckled and killed the top of her head.“Tiana, my love, I don’t think you’ve grasped the prestige of your family.I will not shame you before any of them.”

“But my parents were able to wed quickly and without such formalities.”

“The rush was for political reasons,” I reminded her.“We had to break the betrothal between your mother and me that our family matriarchs were trying to force.”

Kerainne made a delicate sound.“Earlier, Lucian and I had agreed not to talk about the past.If you don’t mind, may we change the subject?”

Tiana’s eyes widened and darted between Kerainne and me while Rayven smirked.“Of course.”

The remainder of the visit was taken up by Tiana’s description of the herb garden she’d been working on at Rayven’s tower and Rayven’s plans to redecorate before the wedding.I’d already heard my fill of the latter on the evenings the sorcerer had stayed with me when courting Tiana here.The man had a passion for decorating.

But since I too loved gardening, Tiana’s plans were fascinating and I was able to give her good advice as well as gain ideas from her for what to do with my own garden at the guesthouse.All four of us drank more wine than we should have, to the point where Rayven and Tiana were swaying when they said their farewells.I knew I couldn’t overstay my welcome, so I put on my coat.

“May I come back tomorrow?”I asked her after the sorcerer couple departed.

“I don’t know…” Her green eyes were unreadable.“I don’t want to give you any wrong ideas.”

Unfortunately, the wine loosened my tongue.“Don’t worry about that.You’ve never given me the opportunity to form an idea for long enough to stick.”

Thankfully, she seemed to take my acerbic remark well.Or at least, she laughed.“That may be true.Meet me in the courtyard at noon.The days are getting shorter and I try to get as much time outside in the sun as possible.Perhaps we can figure out what the Evil One wants with healers and blood mages.Right now, I’m too tired and can’t think clearly.”

“Very well.”I bowed low.“I thank you for your hospitality, Princess—er, I mean, Queen.I shall see you on the morrow.”

When I got back to my guesthouse, I was so rejuvenated with hope and triumph that I had to brew myself a sleeping tea.And I still awoke far too early, when flights of squawking geese on their southward journey heralded the dawn.

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