Page 24 of Wicked Prince of Curses
Kazemir snorted, but said nothing more.
“You’re all in your Orders and you have your Presbitaris. Your Presbitari will break you up into your Dominions and Choirs. There are three Dominions and Seven Choirs per Order. Pray you like each other because you will remain together for the entirety of your Ascension.” Esau looked at the Orders. “Presbitaris, you may begin.”
Davithius flew into the air. “Incense Order, listen up. This is going to be simple. I went through your exams and matched you accordingly. When I call your names, group up and make it quick. I don’t want to be here all dawn.”
Davithius began calling out names. Angels started shuffling. This was annoying. They couldn’t have grouped usbeforewe satdown and got comfortable? Or was splitting us up now the whole point?
Without preamble, Davithius flew through the names of First Dominion, and it’s first Six Choirs. “Incense Order, First Dominion, Seventh Choir,” he called out.
I was about to tune him out.
“Safah Anethelle!”
I snapped my head up. Grabbing my belongings, I quickly threw Ellabeth a look before flying to the front row where seven seats remained for the final angels left in First Dominion.
“Ellabeth Riventhelle!”
“Oh thank the stars!” I cried, spinning around.
Ellabeth bounced with happiness as she grabbed her belongings and flew straight to my side. The seat to my right had the letters QV inscribed on it. But the desk to my left said ER. I got it now. Ellabeth Riventhelle. I eyed the QV to my right once again, my trepidation for whoever would fill the seat growing with each passing second.
“I was about to rage,” she said, throwing herself in the cloudchair.
“Seriously, same.” I nodded.
“Daelun Shenric. Amayah Kamron. Isandra Marisol. Omarion Wylium. Kazemir Nhanket,” Farasee Davithius called in rapid succession. I grinned wide as our newly bonded group found itself close to each other again.
“This entire place was about to be flooded with a devastating whirlwind if we’d been split up,” Daelun said.
I laughed as Davithius ran through the names quickly, going through Second Dominion and all its seven Choirs, and then Third Dominion and its seven Choirs. When he was done, he flew back to his seat, crossed his arms, and perched his legs on the banister in front of him.
“And now, for your temple-mates,” said Farasee Esau once every Order was seated in their proper Dominions and Choirs.
The auditorium fell deathly quiet. We all sat up, our ears pricked. A bond was no small thing. Whoever these Farasees had bonded me to would have to be an angel I could function with or else it would be absolute Hèls trying to break the bond.
“This season every Order here will partner with a Legion from Azarath Academy.”
My jaw dropped, as I shot out of my seat with everyone else. “We arewhat?”
Chapter 12
“Have the Farasees gone nuts?”
“The Legions ofAzarath? Is this a joke?”
“Don’t Fallenspawn go to Azarath Academy? Are they coming here, too?”
The Ascendants were vehement. Everything inside of me wanted to erupt. Azarath had Fallenspawn in attendance. They were angels raised since their youngling cycles by the Fallen High King and his Shadowlords. These were the very angels who helped breach the Seal Gate. Because they tempered with a realm gate, my Manmi was dead. I fumed, unable to contain my mounting rage.
“SitDOWN!” Farasee Esau barked.
We did no such thing. Instead, more Ascendants shot out of their seats. “Why in the stars are we partnering with a bunch of pompous Legionnaires from Azarath Academy?” an Ascendant screamed.
“All of you will shut your mouths and sit downnow.” Farasee Esau slammed his wings into the dais before flooding the Sanctuary chamber with fiery heat so dry I started coughing. As we grew quiet and sat down, he didn’t relent. The heat wasinsufferable. I started choking, wrapping my hands around my neck.
“Interrupt me again and I will clip your wings and feed them to the stareagles for firstfast!” Esau finally relented, drawing back his ethèr. “As I said, youwillbe partnered with the four Legions of Azarath Academy. Klubari Legion, Hartari Legion, Saixari Legion, and Xadari Legion.”
He looked out over all the Ascendants. Content we were done with the outbursts, he continued. “It is time for you to meet the Azarath Academy Legionnaires.”
