Page 83 of Blood & Betrayals

Uriel gives him a look. “It’s good working with my brothers. Though, being the youngest, I had to work even harder to be recognized.”

I nod. “The whole military construct of the archangels fascinates me. I readThe Archangel’s Arca few weeks back and loved it.”

Uriel’s brows shoot up, and I can feel Connor’s surprised stare against the side of my face.

“Yes, well, the Almighty prepares us for the war between brothers.” His lips twitch sadly. “Archangels are a part of the Heavenly Host, but we’re different from other angels and set apart by our wings.”

“It’s so devastatingly stunning and heartbreaking at the same time. I’ve been reading about the war between Heaven and Hell since I was a child. It’s ingrained into Gaian lore.”

The reading material on all things immortal had been scarce throughout my upbringing, but the legends surroundingGodandhis angelsare held in high regard, so the stories are very well known. Since coming here and having more accurate texts available to me, I have discovered that some of the stories are very much based on fact.

Uriel tilts his head, watching me. “It’s not dissimilar to the war of the fae, I don’t suppose.”

Connor tenses beside me. “She doesn’t talk about her people.”

I squeeze his hand comfortingly. “I’ve made it a mission of mine not to involve myself with the fae or their various troubles.” Uriel nods, softening a little. I smile but change the subject. “Can I ask, why did you take the name Morningstar?”

Farrah squeezes Uriel’s arm in a silent show of support. “Because I love all of my brothers. So I may fight for Heaven, but,” Uriel pauses for a moment, “a part of me belongs to Hell.”

“Yeah, and Morningstar is way better than going by Taxiarch,” Zane says.

Silence follows Zane’s comment, weighted with all that needs to be said.

“All our boys are on track to become archangels, except our baby. Lukey is our healer,” Farrah says. Her tone, more than her words, lays a soothing balm over the table, and everyone relaxes.

“Connor has even begun the transition.” Uriel beams at his oldest son proudly.

“We don’t know that for sure.” Connor blanches.

“The gold feathers? That’s what it means?” I ask Connor.

Connor nods, his expression bleak. Uriel shifts in his chair, and his wings appear behind him. He spreads them wide, every single one of his feathers beautifully gilded.

I gasp at the sight, the beauty of his wings, and I don’t miss the way Farrah’s eyes darken at the display.

“Once the transition starts, an angel’s feathers will turn. It is a process, and it can take a while for them all to change,” Uriel explains.

“When did yours begin to turn?” I ask, unable to look away.

“It was different for me because I am a direct descendant of the Almighty. I didn’t tap into my full potential until I met Farrah, the other half of my soul.”

Zach snorts. “Was that before or after the headmaster took her on a date?”

“Before.” Uriel glares at his son, snapping his wings back in.

I glance at Connor and frown slightly, unable to miss the worry in his eyes.

The second we finish eating, everyone gets up and charges outside for more practice. Farrah declares that she will pickteams, and I smile at the thought of her going up against her huge boys. I’m about to join them when Connor tugs on my arm, pulling me back. I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck.

“Not too bad?” he asks, his arms snaking around my back.

“I like them a lot.” I smile up at him.

“They like you, too.”

“Why are you apprehensive about becoming an archangel?” I ask, watching him.

Connor exhales, pulling me in closer. “I’ve always known it would likely be my destiny. It’s not something I have any say in, and I am not sure it is something I would choose for myself.”

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