Page 5 of Redeeming the Angel

I learned that Xochitl’s best friend was a descendant of the Earth Jagwolfes.

Which made her my kin.I was now thankful thatmybest friend, Gabriel Leonine, had defied his confinement orders and came along with me in the guise of a wolf.Only,heseemed to be most interested in Sylvis.

Still, I’d gaped at the blue-haired guitarist.“The Earth-side Jagwolfes kept their bloodline going this long?”

Sylvis shrugged, eyeing me with not only a lack of hostility, but a complete lack of interest.“I guess so.All of us in the band have luminite blood, we were told.”

Her blasé tone upset me on some level I couldn’t explain.Every human I’d met before was in awe of me even when I used an obscuring spell to blend in.Maybe she had more luminite blood than I’d guessed?“Have you gotten your wings?”

She took sipped her water and shrugged again.“No.I didn’t think that was possible.”

“And it may not be.I’ll need to learn more about your family and some other things.We’ll talk about that soon.You and the other two.”I studied her a little longer, my curiosity admittedly piqued.Then I turned to Nikkita and asked the question that had been on my mind since everyone else had come back down after their showers.“Where is your sister?”

Nik’s eyes sparked with fresh hostility.“I don’t think she wants to see you.”

“I know.”My bravado cracked and I spoke from my heart.“I’d like to speak to her all the same.I’ve been a coward since our families decided to try to force me to marry you.Please, Nikkita, I am not the enemy you think I am.”

Delgarias’s hand closed around Nik’s upper arm in a possessive gesture, as if to remind me who would be marrying Nikkita.Took them long enough.This reunion would save me from the trap I’d allowed myself to fall into.

“She was in the library last time I saw her,” Nik admitted reluctantly.“If you hurt her, I will hurt you.”

Even though she was right to be wary, I bristled.“Strong words for someone who hurt her first.When you abandoned Kerainne, you broke her heart and I was there to pick up the pieces.”

Nikkita’s teeth bared in a snarl.“You—”

Delgarias restrained her before she could lunge at me.“Let them talk.Your sister is capable of defending herself.We have our own serious matters to discuss.”

I bit back a snort of laughter.With Nikkita having hidden from Delgarias for nearly two thousand years, he likely only recently discovered she’d had his child.I bet he had much to discuss with her.Still, a pang of envy pierced my chest.Kerainne and I were supposed to be the ones who had a child.Instead, someone else had sired a child on the woman I loved.

I forced the usual barrage of hateful thoughts away and found the library.

For a moment, I froze, captivated with the sight of the firelight reflecting off her light gold hair like the nimbus of the angels we were mistaken for.She looked so serene at first, tucked into an overstuffed chair that dwarfed her petite form, reading a book.But then I saw the fine tremor of her hands and the tightness around her eyes and knew her calm was a charade even before her peridot green eyes looked up from the book she hadn’t really been reading.

“What do you want?”she asked brusquely.

You,I wanted to say.Instead, I cautioned myself to move slowly.I knew very well how willful Kerainne could be.And now, there was a new darkness within her from all she’d suffered.I knew in my gut that darkness would make her volatile if I pressed her too soon.

“I merely thought I’d inform you that my engagement with your sister is guaranteed to be called off.”

“And what’s that to do with me?”

“Your sister is important to you and I know you’ll be pleased to hear that she’ll no longer have to hide from us and won’t be forced to do anything she doesn’t want.”I took a deep breath and pressed forward.“Could we take a walk?There are a few things I’d like to know about my stay here, and you’re the best person to ask.”

Kerainne’s eyes widened and a startled laugh escaped her soft pink lips.“Me?Your ex-fiancé?Why?”

“Because the King and Queen are occupied with their other guests discussing the battle and your sister is busy explaining why she kept Delgarias’s daughter secret from him.You, on the other hand, arenotoccupied, and furthermore, are the only other luminite here.”Aside from Gabriel, but I wasn’t ready to expose his deception.“I promise we won’t speak of the past.I know my presence is difficult for you, and the last thing I wish to do is make it worse.”

“Very well.”She slammed her book shut with more force than was needed and rose from the chaise.“Let’s take a walk in the garden.”

I followed her out of a set of glass doors and out onto a large balcony that was set up with comfortable chairs for anyone who wished to read outside.I didn’t have time to admire the reading nook before Kerainne vaulted off the balcony, not even bothering to release her wings.Instead, she used magic to glide down slowly.I followed suit, enjoying the frivolous use of magic we’d learned together centuries ago.

After landing, I kept a respectful distance as she led me down a path to the gardens.

Silence thickened the air between us as I struggled with what to say first.When Kerainne lifted one golden eyebrow in impatience, I began.“I invoked the inter-realm Diplomacy Act of ’forty-two with King Zareth, but I confess that I don’t know all of what that entails, as it’s been some time since I’ve read the document.”

“Ah.Sothat’swhy you were given a room.”Kerainne’s green eyes seemed to spit sparks of hostility before her lips curved in a smug smile.“However, the actonlyrequires that the King of Aisthanesthai provides you with guest quarters near the royal residence, not that you are entitled to a suite in the residence.I’ll be sure to speak with Zareth about that.We’ll find a house in the village for you if you plan on staying long.Doyou plan on staying long?”

After recovering from the crushing disappointment that I wouldn’t be sharing the same roof with her for much longer, I nodded.“Ineedto be here.Our people have spent too much time watching when they should have been participating, taking action.If we’d done so, perhaps Medicia would still be standing.”

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