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)
“He’s too small right now, but later, when he’s a bit bigger,” Raphael’s consort said, “I’m sure he’d love to come stay with his grandmother for visits.” The blue-white fire lustrous with midnight and dawn that licked over her wings echoed in the silver of her eyes. “And you’re always welcome in our home. Though you’ll be busy getting a handle on your territory for the time being, I think.”
Overwhelmed, Caliane took the opportunity to change the topic to a less emotive one. “So the Cadre is still nine?”
Elena whistled. “Yeah, about the Cadre.”
62
Illium, Son of Sharine, the Hummingbird, daughter of angels who passed in their long Sleep, and Archangel Aegaeon, who is an Ancient with his lineage lost to time.
—The Naming Book (Archives of the Angelic Library, Refuge)
“It’s good to see you, Callie,” Alexander said at the Cadre meeting that took place on the next eve.
While Caliane had joined the meeting from Amanat, Raphael had done so from one of her other strongholds that had the requisite technology.
“I am glad to be back.” She took in the tension on the faces around her as she spoke, aware of the cause thanks to Raphael.
“The border situation between Illium and Aegaeon,” he’d said, his lips set in a grim line. “Aanisa’s birth, then Nix’s, stabilized matters for a long time—just the odd border scuffle now and then. But the aggression has ramped back up to boiling point in the past six months, incited by Aegaeon.
“That isn’t my partiality for Illium speaking, either. Aegaeon is the one who began to mass his troops. His people are also hassling border settlements for the sole purpose of drawing Illium’s people into fights. War could break out at any moment—we all feel it.”
But that wasn’t the only piece of news.
“Michaela.” She took in the woman who had once been the Archangel of Budapest, and now wore only her name as a moniker. “I’m pleased to see you healed and with us.”
Michaela, her features as lovely as ever, but her presence somehow more mature, inclined her head. “I did not mean to be gone so long from the world, but it couldn’t be helped.”
“So,” Aegaeon said the instant Michaela had finished, a tic in his jaw and his muscles bunched. “We have no territorial issues to discuss, as Caliane can step back into her role as the archangel in charge of India.”
No one opposed his statement.
“Your people have held it well for you,” Elijah told her. “Your neighboring archangels provided all necessary support.”
“I thank you,” Caliane said to those neighbors. “My people tell me my territory has remained stable throughout, with no vampiric uprisings or other major violence. This couldn’t have happened without your help.” Without archangelic oversight, even the most well-governed populace could fall victim to bloodlust.
“Then,” Aegaeon said curtly, “if we’re done with the business of the Cadre, I have other things I need to be handling.”
“Any other business?” Suyin asked, looking around.
When everyone shook their heads, Aegaeon left without another word. At which point, Zanaya said, “Well, that took care of the bad smell in the meeting chamber.”
“You’re going to start a war with him one day soon.” Illium’s rebuke was mild, his own tension visible in the unfamiliar lines on his face.
“No, he’s too focused on you, my blue friend.” Zanaya’s dark eyes were piercing. “Be careful—the way he’s preparing, he wants your territory in ruins and you dead.”
Sharine’s son shot the Queen of the Nile a playful salute. “Oh, I never drop my guard around my so-called father.” Then he turned to face Caliane. “Lady Caliane, I must go today, but I look forward to meeting you in less fraught circumstances.”
Most of the others soon followed suit, until only Elijah, Raphael, and Caliane were left.
“You chose an excellent time to rise, Lady Caliane,” Elijah said. “You have ever been our most temperate head.”
“I will attempt to be so again,” she said, then smiled at the man who had once been her first general. “I congratulate you, Eli, on your daughter.”
“You must come visit, meet her in person.”
“I’d be honored to do so. Please pass on my well-wishes to your consort, too.” It felt as if her cup overflowed with happiness, but—“How did it come to this, with Aegaeon and Illium?”
Elijah spoke first, his expression grim. “It is not Illium’s doing—he hasn’t made any incursions into Aegaeon’s territory, and his troops are scrupulous about following his orders to remain on their side of the border.”
“This is about Aegaeon’s pride,” Raphael muttered. “It has become a slow-acting poison within him. He can’t let it go that his son has disowned him.”
“I am disturbed to hear this,” Caliane murmured. “From what Sharine has told me, he was a good father to Illium when he was present—he certainly never hurt his child.”
“But children grow up,” Elijah said quietly. “And this child no longer looks at his father with the awe and wonder he once did.”