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)
More bread and stew, along with a fresh array of snacks, lay on offer for anyone else who was hungry.
Holding his consort against him, Raphael sat and enjoyed being with these members of his family—each and every one of whom would join with the others in protecting that which was most precious to him and Elena.
29
Don’t kill Bluebell. He’s teaching me to do a downward spiral roll right now.
—Elena to Raphael (Once, in the skies above Lumia)
There could be no surprising Illium, not when it came to their arrival. He was an archangel, had scouts monitoring his borders. Which was why Elena and Raphael had sent him a message saying they’d decided to make a spur-of-the moment trip and would like to drop by.
They used the sky roads high above Suyin’s territory to get to Illium’s—after first alerting the Archangel of China that they’d be crossing her region and requesting permission to stop as needed. They’d also alerted Alexander of the same, in case they needed to alter their intended flight path due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Neither had questioned them, both likely assuming their need to stop was related to Elena’s lack of archangelic speed and strength.
“Come see me if you have the time,” Suyin had said with a smile. “I am always happy to welcome friends.”
Alexander had, unexpectedly enough, offered the same invitation.
In return for Suyin’s and Alexander’s grace, though they couldn’t accept the invitations, Raphael and Elena had ensured they didn’t cause disruption by landing only in uninhabited areas in Suyin’s territory. Had they ended up over Persia, they’d have chosen remote desert oases.
Yana had provided them with more than enough food to see Elena through this flight.
Their primary—and alternative—flight plans were all based on giving Aegaeon’s region a wide berth.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, Illium and Aodhan were waiting for them over Illium’s half of the wide span of the Amur River, which formed a natural border between his territory and Suyin’s. The riverside landscape they’d passed in China had been a verdant green, the river a bringer of life.
No doubt it’d be the same on the other shore.
Suyin’s territory was uninhabited in the area they’d crossed, but regardless, they should’ve noted scouts. Raphael had seen none—and saw none now. Only then did he realize the depth of the friendship and trust between Suyin and Illium. It seemed that while Illium was the open rebel, Suyin was a quiet one, the two of them deciding not to play politics just because it was expected.
As Raphael and Elijah had long ago decided the same.
The only scouts between their territories these days were young warriors who needed scout experience—the majority of the time, those young ones ended up getting lessons from both sides of the territorial lines.
“Ellie!” The man who would ever be Elena’s Bluebell, no matter how much he grew into his power, spiraled around her in welcome, the silver-kissed blue of his wings vivid in the sunlight, before rising up to kiss her on the cheek.
Laughing, she cupped his face. “You’re supposed to welcome Raphael first, archangel to archangel. Angelic etiquette 101.”
“Hello, Rafa,” Illium said with a cheeky grin, using a name he’d only been permitted to use as a child.
Raphael threw a bolt of power at him, but it was never one meant to hit. “One of these days,” he threatened, “you’ll push me too far.”
Illium’s grin widened. “Never.”
It was true.
Never will you have to fear me as an enemy. This bond between us, it is forever. I will come to your aid should anyone dare raise their hand or sword against you.
Words the small blue-winged boy become an archangel had spoken to Raphael on the day of his ascension. A vow he’d kept, would always keep. This Raphael knew with every fiber of his being.
Even as Illium hugged a laughing Elena, a smiling Aodhan exchanged the grip of warriors with Raphael, complete with a back-slapping hug, before kissing Elena’s cheek in welcome. He dazzled in the sunshine, this man made of crushed diamonds and crystalline beauty, his wings appearing afire in their brilliance.
Some called him a cold, distant star, but none of those people knew their Aodhan. The quiet boy who’d once been so angry at Aegaeon on his best friend’s behalf had grown into a strong, loyal man, a man with a heart as powerful as the sun.
“It’s so good to see you both,” Aodhan said as Illium came to hover beside him. “You’ll be staying?”
“Just a day or two,” Raphael said. “We have come to share news.”
Illium tilted his head a little, his hair shining in the light that refracted off Aodhan. “Has to be big if you’re delivering it in person.” Narrowed eyes. “Can’t be bad, not with those smug and happy expressions on your faces.” He stroked his chin. “Hmm.”