Page 32 of Angel Unchained

Then the moon came out behind a cloud, shining on a temple on the mountain. My home. Celia was leading us and for the first time in a long time, hope sprang in my chest. I flew higher and higher. Each thrust of my wings growing easier. I could do this. Had to do this.

The Roulex grew further away. Their shouts a faint murmur on the breeze.

I landed on the temple's balcony. Then fell to my knees, cradling Samantha in my arms.

Several of my people poked their heads out of the temple. No one I recognized.

Then Alva, the temple priestess, strolled out with her cane. Her white-gold hair announced her station as the oldest of us. I bowed my head. My body shook from the journey here.

"Knox?" she asked. "Is it really you?"

I swallowed, nodding.

"Who is this? Where is Celica?"

I cringed, lowering my head, I couldn't look at her. "S-She died. I couldn't save her. I'm so sorry. I failed her—failed you.”

"She was your wife. It was your sacred duty." Her words were harsh and they felt like stabs into my soul.

As well I should be punished. Celica was Alva's great-great-granddaughter.

"I accept whatever punishment you deem worthy of me." I kept my head down. "But please, help this human. She's pregnant with twin Angeliminirs."

Several around me gasped. If I couldn't make them accept her, they'd throw her off the mountain.

"You had sex with this... female... this human? You corrupted the memory of Celica, your wife?"

"No." I shook my head, not daring to lift my head or she could have the soldiers whack it off with one swing of their swords. "I did not complete the act, even though both of us were given the aphrodisiacs. I didn't even know she was pregnant until she healed me at great cost to her own life and that of the twins. Please, you have to believe me. I would never betray Celica, she came to me in a dream and led us here."

"If you lie, I will kill you myself."

I didn’t argue. Her word was law. “I agree and obey.”

“How do you know this woman wasn’t working for the Roulex? And you led her right into the heart of our city.”

“She’s not.” I swallowed. Couldn’t blame Alva for being cautious. We’d had worse things to happen to our people. Celia, had wanted to fly over the ocean. I had been so involved with her laughter on the breeze, that I hadn’t seen the Roulex and their nets. Hadn’t heard the warning of her brother shouting for us. He’d come to help us escape and gotten captured himself. “I bet my life on it.”

Alva scowled. “Until we know her motives, you will not tell her anything without my express permission.”

“But the pregnancy—”

She smacked her staff down on the flagstone floor. “Nothing! Not even your feelings about her or Celia.”

“If I refuse?”

“Then I will kill you both, myself. But I will not risk my people on your heart or hunches. I will know the truth. When she is ready to leave, you will not stop her. You and Reganald will follow her. See and listen only. Do not disobey me in this.”

I bowed my head. “You have my solemn vow.” Even though it was tearing me up inside. But I would do anything to keep Samantha safe—even if it meant walking away from her.

Alva tapped her staff three times. "Heal the woman and the infants she carries. Then we will hear what she has to say."

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