Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 561(@200wpm)___ 449(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 561(@200wpm)___ 449(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
That floor wasn’t cold, however, for on the central section lay a huge rug that had been a gift from Alexander after their home was rebuilt. A gift unexpected, but well-chosen. Cream and gold, with touches of a vivid blue, the Persian carpet was the perfect accent to the space. Montgomery changed the seating depending on who they were expecting, but that seating configuration was usually either on or around the carpet.
His Seven preferred to sprawl in comfortable sofas and the like.
For the Cadre, it was luxurious single armchairs with firm but comfortable cushions in cerulean blue and curving wooden arms. The set had been hand carved by talented artisans in Amanat and given to him and Elena by his mother as a housewarming gift.
In daylight, the pale honey-colored wood of the arms glowed in the light that fell from Aodhan’s glass sky. At night, the light came from a chandelier delicate and lovely, designed by Lady Sharine. Another gift, Illium’s mother turning up in person to supervise the installation of the droplets of crystal that looked like falling rain.
Montgomery had placed the odd object d’art in the small nooks in the walls, and Raphael had discreetly ensured that all those pieces of art belonged either to him or to Montgomery. His butler no longer “rescued” as many items as he used to from homes where those items were not being properly appreciated, and, well, it was a small enough peccadillo to accept from such a loyal member of his staff.
“I love this space,” Elena said right before the meeting, as she stood beside him, her eyes lifted to the skylight designed with jagged pieces of glass that melded in haunting and lovely harmony with Lady Sharine’s rain of crystals. “It’s welcoming, even with the formal chairs.”
As she spoke, he watched her, this extraordinary woman who was his consort—a fact for which he was ever grateful to fate. She wore a light layer of cosmetics today, in honor of this first major gathering of the Cadre in their home, and her hair was a ripple of near-white down her back.
Thanks to Montgomery, she’d become known for gowns in shades of blue, but today, the butler and the tailor with whom he worked had gone for a gown so deep a blue it was near black. Softer than many of the styles she’d previously worn, it had long sleeves and a V-neck created by overlapping panels of fabric.
Fitted to the waistline, it then flowed to the ground in a grace of air. It bore two slits, one on either side—but those would only become visible should she kick out her legs to access the weapons strapped on them.
Her amber studs glowed in her ears, and on her wrist sat a bracelet of white gold carved with elements taken from the Guild’s historic coat of arms. A gift from Beth for a milestone birthday in mortal terms. A gift he knew his hunter would treasure for all eternity—though he’d also seen her touch it with sorrow in every line of her face.
His Elena. A born hunter. An angel Made. A sister tender. And a woman who never gave up, no matter what the obstacle. Her loyalty was unbreakable, her love a fierce caress that he carried with him every second of every day.
“Raphael, are you listening to me?”
“Knhebek, hbeebti,” he said, reaching up to cup her cheek. “More than eternity itself.”
Her eyes shone with a light that shouldn’t have been possible in an angel so young. “You stop my heart, Archangel.” Elena didn’t know what had gotten into Raphael, but the way he was looking at her . . . It stole her breath, destroying her in the best way.
It was tempting to kiss him, fall into him, but they couldn’t afford to be distracted with several of their guests already crossing the Hudson. Most had arrived in the city earlier in the day, a couple late the previous night because of the distance involved in their travel, but all were itching to meet Marduk. Enough to leave their seconds in charge of territories all hit by various natural disasters—but none would stay on after the meeting for the same reason.
Because while this might appear a social occasion with everyone in formal dress, it was rather a council of war in peacetime. The Cadre had to meet—because all their usual avenues of information and answers had failed, with a distraught Jessamy having informed the Cadre that she had nowhere else to search.
Even Vivek had admitted that he was going around in circles at this point.
Marduk was their last chance.
She saw the same knowledge in Raphael’s eyes, and between them passed a silent vow that no matter what, they’d walk into it together.
For now, she turned her head to kiss his palm, then ran her own hand over the black of his formal leathers. Sleeveless, and sealed down one side, the stark color of the jacket was unrelieved but for the golden design on one shoulder: his sigil, which now included a dagger. Included her.