Page 116 of Live Like Legends

I pulled at my shirt collar, looking around.

She swatted my hand away. “You are doing the right thing, we all are. Have faith in your choices. Ariel has made it seemlike everything you’ve done is a mistake, but I like to look at it like everything you’ve done has led you to all these people that want to help you, it’s led you toher.” Her honey eyes looked at me knowingly, then she nodded towards something over my shoulder.

I swung my head around seeing Reese and Dani walking down the aisle of marble benches. Reese matched me in a button down, but he’d left more buttons undone than normal for a formal event. His bow strap settled across his chest and he nodded towards me, letting a half-smile play at his lips. Dani ran up to me, hooking her arm through mine. She wore a dark purple dress with thick straps that didn’t hug her curves too tightly, giving her enough room to move around or run if needed.

I looked down at what was around her neck. Reese’s arrowhead sat delicately at her chest, held in place with a tiny chain. “That’s new.”

She fingered it gently, looking over at Reese and then back at me. “Natalia did it. Made it so no harm came to the arrowhead and the chain can be removed when I give it back…eventually.” She wrinkled her nose in the cutest way.

I kissed the top of her head, letting that cinnamon scent of hers waft towards my nostrils.

“The big guy is keeping his eyes wide and vigilant.” Reese pointed towards Zane, who stood silently further back near the front of The Skies.

“She can’t be here.” I heard Morgan before I saw her. She nearly flew over to us, her finger pointed at Dani, accusatory.

“Well that’s a real bummer since she’s already fucking here.” Reese rolled his eyes.

“Oh don’t start…” Morgan began but she was stopped by Ariel clearing his throat behind her.

Angels were starting to take their seats on the benches and the final touches were being finished.

Ariel sneered at me and then rested his green eyes on Dani. “Always the disturbance, aren’t you? No bother though. This is a joyous day, so why shouldn’t you be here to witness it.” He gave her a quick smile and gestured towards the benches. “Take your seats and High Priestess, I have saved you a place near the front. You and I will be working closely after today.”

“We are waiting on a few more guests,” I said, standing my ground.

“Guests? Mr. Cassial, you are not permitted to invite guests.”

Natalia laughed, the sound of it musical. “Ariel, these are nothisguests. These are mine. You wouldn’t forbid the guests of the High Priestess, now would you?” She gave him an innocent expression.

Ariel looked around, noticing that some of the angels, including his fellow executives were watching our scene curiously. “No, I would never. As long as they are punctual.”

Natalia nodded, laughing softly. “Oh they are. Right on time.” She waved her hand to the side and a circle started to form to the far left. The edges were a blue mixed with a white hue, the center caving in a bit. We all stared at the portal as the light flickered.

Elise and Beetee stepped out first, followed by Garrett, Leah and my father. Axel jumped out right before the portal closed, sitting nicely next to his mother.

Ariel squinted, vibrating with anger. “I suppose if you want to bring your fellow Enchanters I cannot stop you, but I will not have unwanted demons and that disgraceful man on this lawn!”

I stepped up to him, using my hands to push him back a little. “I have no problems breaking your nose again. You donottalk about my father that way.”

Ariel snickered. “Guards! Take him and his father away. Gather up the other trash while you’re at it.” He motioned towards where Elise and Beetee stood.

“Excuse me! I swear to fuck, I will rip your fucking dick off…” Elise shouted, practically running up to him, but Garrett grabbed her, holding her still.

Beetee’s eyes shifted and Axel pressed his paws into the ground, running his claws across the grass. The guards moved closer to all of us, but my father cleared his throat.

“I think we’ll stay, Ariel.” His voice was calm and unmoving, his tone made my spine straighten.

Ariel let out a sharp laugh. “You have no authority here, Maurice.”

“What the hell is going on?” Morgan demanded.

“I think he hasallthe authority,” Dani said, ignoring her and placing both her hands on her hips, sizing Ariel up.

My father stepped up so he could be right in front of Ariel. He placed his hand on his shoulder, the tension in his forearm causing his muscles to pulse. “Stand down, Ariel.”

The red headed angel’s eyes that held a menacing stare began to morph into one of understanding. The settling nature of my father’s newly found magic erupted over the entire space. The guards that stood behind Ariel backed away from him and looked at my father as if they were waiting for an instruction.

Ariel’s mouth gaped open. He knew what had happened, he could feel it pulsing into his body with the way my father held onto him. That didn’t mean he had to accept it, though. “It can’t…you don’t deserve it!”

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