Page 40 of Redeeming the Angel

I used the extra waiting time to shower with extra thoroughness, remembering how much Kerainne had loved my hair, that I’d worn long ever since she’d expressed her delight with it that way.A sudden realization made me smile at my reflection: With my long locks, I resembled the heavy metal musicians, faelin, and vampires that made up Kerainne’s inner circle.Perhaps she’d realize that I could fit in too.

With that thought in mind, I put one of the Rage of Angels CDs Razvan had given me in the music player I purchased from one of the Earth supply stores in the village.At first their music, something called heavy metal, was overwhelming to me, but between repeated listening to Xochitl’s band and hearing Razvan’s academic-sounding lectures about the genre and what made it good, the sound had grown on me.

Xochitl’s voice was, obviously incredible.I’d loved Kerainne’s singing, but her daughter was unquestionably better in range and power.It was a voice that brought the sun back to Aisthanesthai, a voice that was bringing magic back to a barren world.But her bandmates were equally impressive.My cousin Sylvis’s guitar playing held me in awe, Beau’s throbbing and versatile bass invoked primal feelings I couldn’t name, and Aurora’s drums, fates, I needed to see how she was able to make such percussion with only two hands and two feet.

The band was working on their next album.Maybe I would accept Razvan’s invitation to visit him on Earth and he could bring me to one of their recording or practice sessions.My new vampire friend had described the threads of power linking the band when they played together and I wanted to see it.

I sang along and baked some pumpkin bread to bring along as well as some chocolate zucchini bread in case Kerainne didn’t like pumpkin.But I was fairly sure she did.By the time the two loaves were done and I’d brewed some spiced cider that went in a time stasis thermos, it was finally almost noon.

I flew to Zareth’s tower, not bothering to ring the gate stone since she’d asked to meet in the courtyard.Going through the nightmare forest proved to almost be a mistake, as my eager steps were constantly hindered by phantom hands and grasping roots.Why did Zareth have to go to these lengths when no creatures except luminites could enter?It wasn’t as if a human or faelin could be tormented under these strange boughs.Rayven was much more practical in the design of his forest, having it only emanate a sense of pure terror to all who were subject to fear.Tiana had told us about all the wonderful roots and mushrooms flourishing there.I doubted either of us could forage here in peace.

When I finally made it through, I saw Kerainne waiting for me near the place where Sylvis liked to go for her solitary guitar sessions.She looked adorable in an oversized wolfskin coat and thick wool trousers.I felt overdressed in my velvet doublet and overcoat.

“What’s in the basket?”she asked.

“Two kinds of warm bread and some spiced cider to wash it down.”

Her eyes narrowed.“Hmmm.”

I’d forgotten that food preparation for a female was a part of luminite courtship even though I’d done that very thing for her several times.

Quickly, I explained.“This is only to repay you for last night’s delicious wine and cake.”

“Oh.Alright then.”With that, she walked toward the garden of black roses, not looking back to make sure I followed.

She didn’t need to.

We sat down on a bench near a marble sculpture of a luminite.I gave it a double take.“That looks like one of yours.”

“It is.”Kerainne grinned with pride as she sliced the pumpkin bread.“It belonged to Zareth’s great-grandmother originally.His mother brought it here when she created the garden.”

“That is incredible.A piece of Medicia here and waiting for you.”It couldn’t be coincidence that a piece of art Kerainne had created nearly two-thousand years ago had become a family heirloom for her own daughter’s husband.How long had Kerainne been a part of the Prophecy?“Black roses are an interesting choice for the faelin.Don’t they normally prefer brighter colors?”

She sipped her cider and hummed in appreciation.“There are several faelin who prefer the dark and nocturnal.But their society often rejects them.Which is probably why Princess Belanatha left Shellandria in the first place.Earthfolk are the same, which was why Xochitl had a harder time of it, being what they call ‘goth’ over there.”

“What’s goth?”

We spent a delightful hour in which she explained what goths were, that led to me asking more questions and getting an education about the world she’d raised her child in.I found myself with countless other questions I didn’t dare ask.

“It’s getting cold,” she said suddenly and rose from the bench.“Thank you for the bread and cider.And the company.”

“I can keep you company inside again too.”I took her in my arms and she shivered against me.“I can warm you.”

“Lucian,” she said my name in a way that made me ache.“I can’t do this.I can’t do any more pretending.”

“Then let’s not pretend,” I said.“There is too much between us for it to magically go away.”

“It’s too late, Lucian.”Kerainne pushed on my chest.“I’m able to accept you as an ally.And if you’re able to accept my daughter, perhaps we may even be friends again in a century or two.But I can’t entertain a romantic relationship with you again.We’ve hurt each other too badly.”

I released her, though it killed me to do so.Before I could say anything else, we both heard voices and froze.

Kerainne recovered first and dashed out of the garden.Xochitl, Zareth, Sylvis, and Gabriel had returned from New York.I must have looked guilty because Gabe gave me a knowing smirk.

“Hi, sweetie!”Kerainne dashed over to Xochitl.“We didn’t expect you to be back so soon.”

Xochitl gave her an odd smile.“We can leave again if you want us to.”

Her words threw me off balance.On one hand, it was nice that she didn’t seem angry at me for being near her mother this time.On the other, had it truly looked like we’d been doing something other than talking?

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