Page 108 of The Seeker
Rhys turned away from the action. “Tell me what we know.”
“More Grigori. They’re quiet, but they’re there. My contacts here called their contacts up north. Once we put it all together, it’s pretty clear. We just weren’t making the connections before. Bastard is making his way down the river. It’s possible he’s had people in place for years, lying low.”
“Why now?”
“I don’t know. Something changed. Maybe a new enemy? Maybe another angel has shown up in the area and he’s feeling like he needs to flex his muscles or something?”
Rhys glanced across the lawn to Meera, who was walking with Sabine as they surveyed the sloping back lawn. “Is it her?”
“She’s been here four, five years almost? I don’t think it’s her.”
“But it’s something.”A new Fallen in the area.
Vasu?
Could the mere presence of the angel have put them all at risk? Meera said he’d just managed to find her. That he’d only recently shown up. Could that have tipped Bozidar off to an increased magical threat?
“What do we do?”
Roch leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Right now? Nothing. Y’all decided to have a mating production that’s gonna rival Mardi Gras. I got nothin’.”
Rhys smirked. “Not your cup of tea, is it?”
“When I convince Sabine to take my mark, I want to sneak away and leave everyone behind. No company needed, thank you very much.”
“Have you tried? Have you asked her to take your mark?”
Roch shook his head. “Man, I been trying for years.”
Over the next two days,Rhys learned just what an effective military commander Patiala could be. She rallied her army of scribes and singers to create a paradise of flowers, draped tents, and colorful banners across the lawn.
Further construction on the guest house was halted, and finished rooms were cleaned and furnished to make room for Atawakabiche’s retinue, whatever that ended up being. Simple cottages were decorated lavishly. The kitchen garden was roped off, and a fountain was erected at the base of the stairs leading off the back of the big house.
Rhys watched, gobsmacked, as Havre Hélène changed from a functional, beautiful home to something out of a movie set.
He walked hand in hand with Meera under the oaks where crimson banners hung in the trees. “How is this even possible? Where are all these things coming from? How much more are they going to do?”
“To answer in order, money makes most things possible when you have a lot of it, which I do. Most of these things are coming from New Orleans.” Meera looked up. “Though the banners are from the Tomir. One of my father’s brothers flew in last night from Ahmedabad. And I have no idea how much more my mother has planned. For a woman of simple tastes, she also takes her responsibilities as guardian of the heir of Anamitra very seriously.”
Rhys could tell she was moved and a little overwhelmed. “Everything is beautiful, Meera. I’m honored everyone is going to this trouble for us.”
“It’s not trouble to them, you know.” Meera squeezed his hand. “It’s a celebration. A continuance of Anamitra’s line. The history of Udaipur’s singers will continue for another generation, and the fortress will gain a new scribe and a new family alliance dedicated to its protection.”
“It’s because they love you.” He kissed the top of her head. “It is all those things you mentioned, but it’s also because of love.”
She stopped and turned to him, closing her eyes and taking both his hands in her own. “Are you sure about this, Rhys? Are yousure? This is me. All of this is me. The ritual and the ceremony. The obligations and the responsibilities. Your life as you know it ends when you take me as a mate. We will be able to travel, but we will ultimately be bound to Udaipur, a place you have never even visited.”
“It sounds beautiful. I hear there are lakes.”
“Please, be serious. You need to know—”
“I know everything I need to,” Rhys said. “I will be your partner, Meera. In all things. This is what we were created for.”
She threw her arms around him and held him tightly. Rhys gripped her with both hands.
Sha ne’ev reshon.
My beloved.
