Page 90 of Redeeming the Angel

For some reason, the question sent her into a bout of hysterical laughter that woke the cat.When she recovered her breath, she promised she’d show me.“But you have to learn about the real Elvis first.Xochitl was never a fan.”

From context I guessed she was talking about music.“She’s been asking me to listen to Megadeth, but Razvan didn’t give me any of those albums.”

“Oh, Megadeth.”Kerainne sighed.“You’ll either love them immediately like she did, or hate them…but then gradually learn to love them if you spend enough time with her.At least Cradle of

Filth was mostly a phase.”

I blinked at her.“I’m trying to follow, but…”

“Razvan has been doing well introducing you to some of the best Earth music,” Kerainne said, and before I could ask when she found out about that, she continued.“But Razvan has had the benefit of spending over a thousand years on Earth.So he’s a very good curator and I’ll bet you have been very spoiled with such wonderful songs to listen to.Xochitl was raised as a human and like all humans her age, she has a lot of things she loves because they resonated with her in that way things do with a developing mind, whether or not they’re objectively pleasant to listen to or not.Razvan has done his best, but no one can take away those core artists that shaped her.”

“Are you saying she has bad taste in music?”

“Not at all.Just some things will take more time for us to understand.”Her lips curved in an amused smile.“And I definitely acquired some questionable tastes of my own during my time on Earth.”

“Like this Elvis?”

“Oh, he was so revered in his time that people referred to him as ‘The King.’”Kerainne laughed.“But there’s some dark and unethical history there too.Anyway, I’m delaying us.”

I kissed the tip of her nose.“I don’t mind.”

Eventually, we made it out of the suite.The smell of food reached us and our stomachs growled in tandem.The cat paused in front of us and meowed for us to hurry up.

When we made it to the dining room, Xochitl looked at us, then turned bright red.My face heated as I realized that she knew as much about what we’d been doing as we did about her.Thankfully, no one brought it up.In fact, everyone seemed as hungry as we were.We devoured our meal in silence.The vampires had a few more hours before they’d rise and visit the blood house in the city, so I was spared from Razvan’s wry commentary…for now.

When I couldn’t eat another bite, I rose and announced my intent to visit luminista to negotiate Kerainne’s and my betrothal contract.

As expected, Xochitl bolted to her feet.“So soon?”

“Yes.”I resisted the urge to step back under her forceful stare.

“Xochitl Goldmoon…” Kerainne said in a low, ominous tone that made me grateful not to be on the receiving end.

Zareth coughed awkwardly and tried to reach for Xochitl’s hand.

The little queen balked a little, then turned back to me.“I don’t think you’ve groveled long enough.”

I couldn’t fight back a smile.“Bold of you to assume I’ll ever stop groveling.In fact, I’ll be able to grovel even more when we’re married.”

Xochitl’s lips twitched with the beginning of a smile.“Can’t you just move in together?”

“That’s not our way.You of all people should know the political ramifications of romantic entanglements when you’re a royal,” I reminded her.“Didn’t you and Zareth have to have six ceremonies?”

“Five, but…Okay,fine.I get it.”She pouted at me, but her eyes were warm even before she turned to Kerainne.“Mom, are you sure this is what you want?”

“Actually, I wanted to elope in Vegas today.With Elvis officiating.”

“Mom!”She gasped in mock horror while her bandmates burst into laughter.

I took that moment to escape and make another attempt to visit with Tanis.While I wasn’t looking forward to hearing about Mephistopheles and his horrible patchwork world of stolen land, at least I could remain under the same roof as her for a little while longer.I didn’t know the luminite very well.He and his family were merchants in Medicia.They wove many fine tapestries and carpets that I probably walked on and saw back when I was courting Kerainne.They also wove the silk of her wedding gown.

This time when I knocked, Tanis opened the door to his guest suite, eyes darting with a timidness never before seen in our kind.The way he brightened at the sight of me tugged at my heart.I should have made more of an effort to visit him sooner.

“Lucian!”he embraced me tightly.“How have you been?”

“Better,” I answered honestly.“Zareth wanted me to ask you more questions about your time in the Evil One’s realm, but if you’re not feeling up to it, we can skip it, have tea, and discuss whatever you’d like.”

Tanis pulled me inside his quarters.“Iwantto tell you.Which tea do you prefer?”

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