Page 316 of Caelum

Can’t or won’t?Well, that was boring. I sighed. “Whatcanyou tell me?”

“That you have my thanks.” His tone was amused again, and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be amusing or not.

Father Bryan would probably have whipped me by now.

“Fear not, he might believe he is on his way to Heaven, but he most assuredly is not.”

I stilled at that then released a relieved breath. “Thank you for that.”

“No thanks necessary. He earned that right, or the lack of, himself.”

That Father Bryan would be punished soothed something inside me, but even as a part of me relaxed, my curiosity stirred to life once more.

“You may ask, but I may not answer,” God replied, and I heard the smile in His voice again and was thankful for it.

“How did I Choose my mates?”

He laughed, and the sound was so beautiful it made tears prick my eyes with joy. “You Chose them of your own volition, with a lot of pheromones helping you along the way. My plan was only for you to forge a Pack with seven guardians worthy of protecting you, strong enough to keep you safe along the path to fulfilling my will. But sometimes, these things forge a life of their own, and I can’t be sad about that.”

Inside, my heart lurched. “How is that even possible?”

“Sometimes, true love comes of its own will.”

That had even more tears pricking my eyes as a soul-deep need for my men to be at my side hit me. But equally, that would mean that they were dead, and I couldn’t bear that. Couldn’t handle it.

I needed them to live. More than I needed them with me because I could cope without them for the time being. Until they were returned to me here, after having lived what I hoped would be long and fulfilling lives.

God sighed. “So sacrificing. They are fortunate.”

“I’m the lucky one. Even if Dre has an attitudeproblem.”

“Diamonds in the rough usually are worth the trouble,” He consoled.

“Oh, I know,” I told Him, aware my tone was cheerful. “He and I have come to an understanding.”

“Really?” He asked, sounding amused again. “What kind of understanding?”

“If he talks to me like I’m—” I cleared my throat. Swearing here was a big no-no. “I mean, he knows I just won’t talk to him if he’s being mean.”

God snorted. “I understand more than you think.”

My cheeks tinged bright pink as I thought about what Goddidknow and had probably seen.

Yikes.

“What do the marks mean?” I asked, curling my fingers into my palms where Nestor and Dre’s felt like they were burning me as though they were brands. I also thought of the huge pieces of ink the others sported on their backs.

Their delicious backs.

Their thickly muscled,yummybacks.

Goodness, I missed them already.

“It is the oldest oftongues. Older even than what Adam and Eve spoke those first few days.”

I frowned, thought about what Hewasn’tsaying, and hesitantly asked, “What the angels speak?”

Another soft laugh that made me tingle like a drop of rain falling on the tip of my nose—gentle and warm, not frightening. “Yes.”

---