Page 43 of Redeeming the Angel

“Then when will we…”

I silenced her with a kiss.“When my willpower crumbles.Andthathad a cracked foundation the moment I laid eyes on you.”

I’d honestly expected to be able to hold strong and resist the act that would bind myself to her for eternity for at least a few years.

My resolve shattered in a week.

Chapter Sixteen

Kerainne

Present

As we headed back into the tower, I noticed that Lucian tagged along.Part of me wanted to ask him to leave, but there was no way I’d let everyone know I was that affected by his presence.Not when I’d come so close to giving in and letting him embrace me.The past two days had been a mistake.I never should have caved to my loneliness and allowed him to spend time with me.Both the movie night and our little picnic in the garden made the past quarter century fall away and the long bond we had creep in.

I forced myself to ignore him and focus on the conversation at hand.I’d delivered the news about which mages the Evil One had targeted in his raid on the mage school in Shalafi.

My daughter paused in the foyer.“Wait, I thought blood mages were evil.”

“Not at all,” Zareth and Gabriel said in unison.Zareth gave him an amused smile before he continued explaining to Xochitl.“The reason you got that impression was that the ones helping my brother build his tower with mortar made from human sacrifices were indeed evil.But many blood mages are healers, often the sort who are the only ones who can cure rare diseases.The ones who don’t heal are able to do magics that are impossible for all but the highest-level mages of other elements.Intricate wards, regeneration, shapeshifting, and other skills.”

Xochitl shook her head.“Damn.No wonder Mephistopheles wants them.Do you think many of the new mages on Earth will end up being blood mages?”

When we reached the solar, I sat with my daughter on a loveseat, leaving no room for anyone else.Lucian paused, looking adorably awkward, then sat beside Gabriel and Sylvis on one of the longer couches.

“Not many, but enough to be concerned for their safety.”Zareth summoned a tray with a pot of hot tea, cups, and little sandwiches.“I’m going to call an emergency meeting with the Conclave.”

Lucian and I exchanged pained looks.Another Conclave meeting?

Sylvis tapped her teacup with her spoon.“We also need to let Silas and the other vampires know about the Nightwatch Society and the AIU.”

Xochitl nodded.“Not to mention, we should see how the Lewiston battle went.But damn it, I want a break.I want to eat some shrooms or drop some acid, laugh my ass off with my friends, make a pot roast, then have lots of sex with my husband.”

My face heated at her blunt words.“Xochitl!”

“Sorry.I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud.”She stroked the lapels of Zareth’s robe.“You go ahead and set up the Conclave meeting, and Sylvis and I will go back to Coeur d’Alene.Since we also need to work on the new album, you can meet us there after you’ve done all your kingly duties.”

Sylvis spoke again.“I want Gabriel to come with us.Lillian should have the results of our blood tests, and he still owes me shapeshifting lessons.”

I raised a brow.It seemed Sylvis had forgiven my bratty cousin for his deception.I tried to give Gabriel a stern look to let him know that I still disapproved, but he and Lucian were too occupied exchanging triumphant smiles.Lucian then caught my look and blinked in mock innocence.

I used to approve of Lucian’s and Gabriel’s friendship they’d struck nearly three hundred years ago, but now I was starting to think they were bad influences on each other.

Thankfully, when everyone headed upstairs for a brief rest before they’d depart for Earth, Lucian took his leave, slipping away without even saying goodbye.A strange ache in my chest ruined my relief.

Before she left for Earth, Xochitl came to my chambers to say goodbye.“Lucian isn’t bothering you, is he, Mom?”

“He is,” I admitted.“There’s a lot of history between us that I need to suppress for the sake of our cause.He is a very valuable ally and can work well for us.Not only to get Luminista on board—which I’m not certain even he can accomplish—but here on Aisthanesthai he commands respect.For example, he cowed Shin Zen Li at the Conclave meeting when he was being obstinate.”

“I really hate that prick,” Xochitl growled.“I don’t even get why he’s the head of the Conclave.Both Rayven and Zareth are more powerful than he is.And Uncle Del is probably the most powerful.”

“The Conclave doesn’t work that way, sweetie.Nor should it,” I explained patiently.“It’s a democratically elected position with checks and balances.The King is automatically ineligible because that would cause a conflict of interest.Same with the Keeper of the Prophecy.Then, out of the eligible candidates, they vote on who has the best qualifications as a leader, diplomat, and has the least obligations that will prevent them from doing their job.Shin Zen Li used to be a great orator, though he’s slipped over his long years.However, he remains very skilled in trade agreements, communications, and paperwork.”

Xochitl visibly processed all this then smirked.“Sounds like the Conclave is almost as much a bureaucracy as the Elders who govern the vampires on Earth.”

“Precisely.”I stroked her long black hair with the two big streaks of purple restored from after her first death.“Have I told you how proud I am of you?”

“Not since the last time we got to hang out.”She threw herself into my arms.“Mom, I’m so overwhelmed with all of this.You were the one who was raised to be a ruler, not me.I’m worried that I’m making mistakes and that it’s going to cost more lives.I don’t even understand how you can love me when I came from such evil.”

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