Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 139178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
The two of them had no other year-mates, but five children had been born in the four years that followed—it had been the first big baby boom since the time immediately after the War of the Death Cascade. “It’s been eight decades since the last birth,” Jessamy had told them. “The Refuge has been far too quiet for far too long.”
Also according to Jessamy, the age gap would be meaningless by the time the children hit about thirty years of age, so it was good for Phoenix to start spending regular chunks of time in the angelic stronghold regardless.
Because these babies would be his compatriots as he grew.
Nix was so excited about seeing his friend—and flying—that he was awake at four the morning of their departure, whereupon he tiptoed around in his room, whispering to a sleepy Bengal and a wide-awake Tigress.
“We’re both awake,” Elena whispered to her archangel. “Shall we head out?”
Raphael tapped her on the nose. “Is he talking to the not-housecats in Bengal’s language again?”
“He’s fluent now, I think.” Elena wondered what secrets the three kept, but those were things for a wild boy and his pets to know.
Both felines would be coming with them today.
Elena had volunteered to go on the plane with Nix and the not-housecats because she knew how much Raphael hated being in planes—didn’t matter how high-tech they were, they were still tin cans to him—but her archangel had shaken his head. “I will travel with my family.”
Which travel commenced with much excitement as Phoenix ran toward the plane behind an equally excited Tigress—only to stop on the doorstep to wait for his oldest friend. The senior not-housecat was getting on in age, but Naasir had assured them that he remained in the prime of his life, and that they didn’t have to worry about losing him anytime soon.
“Come on, Ben!” Phoenix called from the doorway.
Of all the people in the entire universe, only Nix was allowed the honor of calling Bengal a nickname. The not-housecat wouldn’t respond to anyone else who attempted it. Today, he loped after his favorite person as if he were a kitten again, his tail curving and lush above his body.
Elena and Raphael entered after them—to find child and not-housecats eagerly exploring the transport. Nix had a thousand questions, only went quiet once he was strapped in by the window.
Then, he pressed his face to the transparent shield, eyes huge as they took off.
Tigress stood with her paws on the edge of the window, Nix’s arm securely around her body.
“Ben!” Nix called out. “Come see!”
But Bengal wasn’t as much a fan of flying, and condescended to curl up next to Elena on her seat, so she could stroke and comfort him as they flew. As she petted him, she murmured, “Thank you for protecting him, for always being by his side. We never worry when he’s with you.”
Bengal pillowed his head on her thigh and purred.
Raphael’s eyes met hers from the other side of the plane, the two of them seated opposite each other in seats modified for winged beings. Will you thank Naasir, then? For the not-housecat?
If I do, we’ll end up with wolf pups. So the fact I love Bengal and his daughter is our secret.
Her archangel’s cheeks creased as he rose to go to Nix. Leaning over their son, one arm braced on his seat, he pointed out landmarks, and explained how the plane flew and that it was different from angelic flight.
Framed against the light, that was her heart right there.
* * *
* * *
“Eeeee!”
Raphael caught Nix’s body for the fourth time that morning. His son was grinning, his scream not of fear but of exhilaration. “Papa, I’m flying!” While some angelic children needed to be bumped gently out into open air to start them on their flight skills before they developed a fear of taking off from high places, Raphael and Elena’d had the opposite problem: they couldn’t keep Phoenix from jumping off into thin air.
At least now, he had the wings to keep himself aloft once he’d had a bit more practice.
“A few more steps yet, Phin,” Raphael said, aware that he had to be realistic with his intrepid boy or Phoenix would be taking off into the gorge the second he turned his back. “You managed a longer glide this time.” While he’d grown another three gray hairs.
At least he wasn’t the only one.
Elijah had just scooped his tiny daughter up from her own uncontrolled dive—but like Phoenix, Aanisa was ecstatic about “flying.”
I begin to see why so many parents, no matter their territorial affiliation, are happy for Galen to teach their babes flight, Elijah said in Raphael’s mind. I’m not sure I can take the stress.
I think I must agree with you. And it was only the third day. He has offered to go over basics with them this afternoon, if you’re agreeable? His gruff and blunt weapons-master refused to admit that he was good with children—and often growled them away…but the babes always came back.