Page 48 of Redeeming the Angel

“Splendid.”Nik’s lips curved in a bitter smile, but I saw the pain in her copper eyes.

“I don’t understand why she won’t permit you to marry him.It would only be for a few centuries.You two should be able to have that little time together.”I bent down and patted Nik’s shoulder comfortingly before pacing in front of the bed.I was strangely restless, unsettled in a way that I couldn’t explain.“The only guess I have is that since she wants to join our family to the Jagwolfes’ she believes that she has to be as uptight and old-fashioned as they are.But I’m the one who’s almost certainly going to be wed to a Jagwolfe prince, so there’s no need to dictate who you marry.”

Nik snorted derisively and fanned herself.It was unseasonably hot for autumn “And yet she told Delgarias that she intended to betroth me to a luminite anyway.”

“She couldn’t have meant it.”I couldn’t for the life of me explain why Mother would do such a thing.“I mean, she doesn’t get along with the Aviaran or Nautillia clans, since they look down upon our family for residing here in Aisthanesthai and sneer even more about us visiting Earth, so why would she want to unite—” I froze as a sudden jolt of heat shot through me like a bolt of lightning.I’d felt this once before and dread chilled me for a moment before the heat came roaring back.It couldn’t be.It was too soon since the last time!

“Kerainne?”My sister’s voice was rife with worry.“What’s wrong?”

A low moan poured from me and my hips moved with a will of their own.“Oh no.It’s the—” I gasped, unable to finish speaking as another jolt shot through me.

Suddenly, Nik gasped and squirmed on the bed.“Kerainne?”she gasped.“What’s happening?”

“Oh no,” I cried.Pity, both for myself and for her, gnawed at my belly.“It’s the Yearning.It must have spread to you when it struck me.Mother and Father can’t know.Where’s Delgarias?”

“Why?”Nik bolted up from my bed.Her words came in a savage growl.“You can’t have him.”

Despite my panting and writhing, I laughed.“Not for me.I need to send him toyou, at the cave.Andyouneed to fly there immediately.”

“He was with Father, touring the fortifications of the village.”Nik donned her robes, her fingers worrying at the lapels.“What are you going to do?”

“Shield my condition as best I can, and send Del to you.”I paced back and forth in front of the bed, trying my best to hold myself together.“Then I’m going to Luminista.”

“Lucian?”Nik managed to inquire.“Are you going to have him service you?”

I managed a slow nod, though the mental images she evoked nearly made me collapse with need.“I spent my first Yearning unsatisfied.It was agony.I’m going to alleviate this one, either by quashing it with my death, or by lovemaking if it remains with me.”

Silently, I prayed my death would break the Yearning.Although I wanted to mate with Lucian, having our first time like this was not the ideal.

Nik opened her mouth, closed it, and froze.I wondered if she was processing the fact that this meant that one or both of us could end up with child.But instead of mentioning our fertility, she said, “Thank you so much for helping me, beloved sister.My debts to you keep mounting up.”

“Damn right they do.”I tried to keep my voice level as I crossed the room and threw open the doors to my balcony.“With all the sex you’ve been having, it’s likely your fault the Yearning was brought on.Now bring out your wings and fly.”

Nik needed no further urging and was out my window and off to the secret place where she and Delgarias had their trysts.I envied her, for my release from this agony would take longer.I tried to do a teleportation spell, but the deep ache between my thighs kept me from focusing.So I released my wings and flew to the part of the gardens where my sister and her lover talked and sparred with Shellandrian steel swords.All but the autumn blooming plants were desiccated and dying, further aggravating my need to be filled with life.

By the time Delgarias returned, I almost threw myself at him.The only thing that stopped me was his true-bond with Nikkita.It covered him like a protective shield, strong and palpable.

I took a step backward.“You need to go to Nik.She’s in your secret place.”

His dark brows rose and his lightning-kissed eyes widened.“Is something wrong?”

I pressed my knees together and bit back another moan.“She’ll be better when you’re with her.Go!She needs you!”

As soon as he vanished, I hurried to the furthest, most overgrown part of the garden, pulled a knife from my bottomless pouch, and slit my throat.As I bled out, I tried to move the pouch away so it wouldn’t get too messy.

When I awoke in Luminista’s welcoming chamber, the Yearning pressed on me harder, making me writhe on the cool marble floor like a cat in heat.I grabbed a silk robe, released my wings, and flew to Jagwolfe clan’s lands.Every movement I made, coupled with the wind made by my flight felt like tongues of flame licking me all over.

I was halfway to the Jagwolfe palace when I saw a golden form flying towards me.

“Kerainne!”Lucian’s voice called out, making me gasp with need.

I pumped my wings as hard as I could and flew straight at him.

Our bodies collided and I barely noticed the drop as I wrapped my arms and legs around him.Only Lucian’s levitation spell kept us from plummeting to the trees below.

“Please,” I gasped against his neck, licking the salty sweat from his skin, “I need you now.”

Lucian adjusted his grip on me and the motion made shot another bolt of piercing lust through me.“B-but I’d told you we should wait.”

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