Page 42 of Redeeming the Angel

“I’d like us to be.”Her words eased the tension in my chest at first.“But that would depend on many factors that I’m not certain you’d be willing to agree to.And I wouldn’t blame you if you refused.”

I wanted to discuss those factors immediately, but the song ended and some human and luminite children tugged on Kerainne’s skirts, begging for her to dance with them.

Wondering what our children would look like brought a lump to my throat.Shaking my head, I joined Nikkita and Delgarias, who were leaning against the wall, sipping wine and pointedly ignoring the whispers and pointed stares.

I wanted to offer words of support, but the faelin high sorcerer’s stance and power made me feel like my contributions would be pithy.So instead, I directed their focus elsewhere and praised Kerainne.“Someday, that woman will be the best mother to have ever existed.”

“She will,” Nik agreed.“But I hope to enjoy having her as a sister for a while longer.”

I raised an eyebrow in mock disapproval and teased her.“Are you thinking because your mating has been delayed that hers should be too?”

“I’m notthatselfish.”Nik’s affronted tone shifted to one of mild amusement.“Well, perhaps I am, though not out of spite.I merely want her to myself.Any child of hers will become her entire world.”

“And her husband won’t?”I remembered Kerainne’s bond with children and knew she spoke the truth.

“Of course not.”Nik grinned at Delgarias before turning back to me.“Mates are able, and often need time to be apart, but with children, it’s different.Especially with Kerainne, since she has a bond with them.”

Her words brought that strange lump back to my throat.If Kerainne and I did have a child together, I vowed that they would becomemyworld as well.

As if reading my mind, Kerainne met my gaze and smiled as she handed the children off to their parents and headed towards me for another dance.

“Thank the fates,” Lucretia said behind me.“It looks like that willful girl has come to her senses.”

I ground my teeth.“Auntie, dearest?Would you do me the utmost of favors and keep your distance from Kerainne and me for the remainder of your visit?And please pass on my request to my mother as well?”

Lucretia gasped and looked up at me with wounded eyes.“Why?”

“Because, every time Kerainne and I are happy together, you two always seem to say or do something to ruin it.”

After doing our utmost to display our approval of Delgarias’s and Nikkita’s courtship, Kerainne and I slipped away and flew to the cliffs where we’d had our first kiss.

When we landed, I took her hands in mine.“Now will you tell me what I must do to continue courting you?”

She rose up on her toes and gave me a mischievous smile that nearly rendered me distracted with thoughts of kissing her.

“I have a feeling that you can guess.First, tell me why you feel the urge to apologize to me even though I was the one who was the one who first wounded you?”

I squeezed her hands and regarded her solemnly.“I took it for granted that you’dwantto live in the home realm.It’s the best and safest world.”As her nose scrunched up in disagreement, I continued.“But I now know that Aisthanesthai is home to you.If you agree to continue our courtship, I will insist to the Luminista matriarchs that we will spend equal time in Medicia and even on Earth, if you insist on continuing these rescue missions.All I ask is that you never run off on me again without telling me.”

“You could have followed me.”She’d stepped closer, until our bodies nearly touched.“Often, I wanted you to.”

Unable to resist, my hands slid from hers and caressed her wrists and upper arms.“We both needed time to think.”

“You always touch me like I’m something fragile,” she whispered.“Like you fear I will break.”

“Luminites can’t fear,” I countered, so intoxicated with her presence.“Now, what are your conditions for this courtship?”

Her hands splayed across my velvet doublet, I could feel her heat against my heart.“You were correct in surmising that I want a compromise in where we’ll live.Furthermore, I don’t want the matriarchs interfering with our relationship.I cannot abide it.And I want you to learn more about Medicia’s laws and governance because if we wed, you will rule by my side.And,” she looped her arms around my neck and pressed her warm body against mine before whispering in my ear.“We must find out if our magic coalesces when we mate, as we are both now mages.Nik and Del have their own little hideaway, we should find one for ourselves.Tonight.”

Arousal burned through my being, so hot and intense that I could barely maintain my grasp on reason.“I cannot.Not yet.”

“Why not?”Her full lower lip pouted, taunting me to taste her.“It’s important.And I want you.”

“I want you too,” I groaned in agony.“Fates, you make me burn.But I know if…whenwe join, you’ll become part of me and I’m frightened of what it would be like to lose you after that.”

“But luminitescan’tfear.”Her teasing tone was half-hearted this time.

“Well, it’s something as close to fear as is possible for me,” I confessed.“And I don’t like it.”

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