Page 74 of Redeeming the Angel

My voice cracked a little when I told her about presenting her with a mage staff I’d hand crafted for her as was the custom for a mage proposal, and a ring because she loved that Earth custom.

“Wow,” Xochitl breathed.Her amber eyes were wide with astonishment.“I didn’t realize that you two were involved for that long.For some reason, I thought the breakup was a long time ago, like with Aunt Nik and Uncle Del.”

Her words brought me to a devastating realization.“She never told you anything about me, did she?”

“Only that you broke her heart and never wanted to see you again.”Xochitl’s nonchalant tone twisted my heart before her voice softened.“But she’s seemed to have changed her mind about that.Still, I need to know.What did you do to her?And to me, since you mentioned that you wronged me too.”

“I did.”Though it wasn’t yet night time, I summoned a six pack of hard cider and a bucket of ice.“Would you like one?I know it’s early in the day, but I’m going to need it for what comes next.”

Xochitl smirked at my new liking for her favorite drink and accepted a bottle.“I have a feeling you’re right.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lucian

Past

The day before my wedding to Kerainne, the palace was abuzz with activity even though the wedding wouldn’t even be here.However, there’d be countless gifts and guest coming down and my mother and Great Aunt Lucretia insisted that everything be perfect and twice as impressive as anything Medicia would provide.

“We’ll show those Aisthanesthai luminites the power and majesty of Luminista so they learn what they’re missing,” Mother said smugly while the royal tailor worked on the final fitting of my suit.

Lucretia nodded.“And Queen Silvara will learn what an advantageous honor the Leonine Clan will receive.”

I turned away from the mirror so they wouldn’t see my eyeroll.All I gave a damn about was finally having a sacred and eternal union with the woman I loved.My true-bonded mate.My matriarchs were driving me insane with their political machinations, obsession with flaunting their superiority, and vague speculations on how my marriage would benefit them.

The tailor jerked me back around so he could mess with the tuck of my lilac dress shirt, made from silk woven by the Delcine clan.Mother had argued that I should have selected fabric from a weaver from Jagwolfe clan, but I wanted the exact same silk in the exact same hue as Kerainne’s gown, so I’d match her dress and show my commitment to making Medicia my home just as much as she’d make Luminista hers according to our betrothal contract.

Lucretia had been angered at the contract terms.She wanted Kerainne to come to Luminista immediately.

“Why?”Lucian had demanded.“You’ve been in a rush for this union since Kerainne first ascended here.”

“I’ll tell you everything once you and your bride come home.”

My jaw clenched in irritation at this constant secrecy.“Then you’ll just have to wait another fifty years.Which truly shouldn’t be such a hassle, given that you’ve already waited for nearly two millennia.”

And if the thing they wanted from the union would make me or Kerainne uncomfortable in any way, we would refuse to give it to them.

“I suppose you’re right.”Lucretia had sighed.

Then she’d reached up and ruffled my hair like she had when I was a boy.Her cheerful veneer returned as she asked for details about the manor house the King Kiernan had built for us in Medicia.

Kerainne and I were forbidden to see the house until after the wedding, though we’d both given Kiernan the rooms and specifications we wanted.I was so excited to see it and carry her over the threshold like in those romantic Earth films she so loved.

We’d spend a few days in our new home, then go on what Kerainne called a “honeymoon,” which involved traveling to other places for the sake of fun, not trading or diplomacy.We’d booked a ship in Piscanos that would sail us to Verdan, Shyr, Kanuria, and various islands.We’d spend all that time making love, trying new cuisines, and shopping.

I ached to make love to her again.The year-long mandated celibacy period before the wedding had been absolute torture.Somehow even worse than the time she’d disappeared for over twice as long, much less the other periods that were only one year.I think my impatience had to do with the fact that when we did finally next mate, it would somehow be different as husband and wife.

I also held onto a secret hope that once we were wed, Kerainne would no longer avoid me when she went into her next Yearning.What ever secret reason she’d had for doing so, maybe we could work out together.

Next the tailor inspected the fit of my dark blue velvet suit jacket and trousers, embroidered with the Jagwolfe family crest.I knew I’d need a cooling spell to avoid sweating to death under the summer sun, but at least I’d look pleasing.

My mother and aunt were talking quietly about the scrying sphere they were gifting us for our new house.I resolved to put it in whichever room Kerainne and I used the least in case they would try to spy on us.

As soon as I was released from my fitting, Mother and Lucretia tried to ambush me for more stratagems, but Gabriel Leonine burst into the room to rescue me.

“I need to go over my male of honor duties with you again.”

The matriarchs scowled at being thwarted, but as Gabriel wisely said the word, “duties,” they were helpless and I was free.

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