Page 77 of Wings of Strife
These unbelievable twins weren’t both born Seraphim. In fact, they weren’t even twins at all.
Only Octavius was born with the Seraphim gene. Ingrid was born Pure. Looking at them now, though, I almost don’t believe it. I wouldn’t if they hadn’t admitted it to me.
A bond. That’s what made it possible. Octavius and Ingrid shared such a strong bond that their essences merged, and once they performed the bond ritual, it was irreversible.
One Seraphim turned into two.
The moment I finish reading, my eyes race to meet Hayliel’s. She looks just as surprised as I am.
“There’s a ritual to bond angels?” she asks sheepishly.
You’d think being angels ourselves would mean we’d know the answer, but this is unchartered territory. Or at least, I thought it was. “Honestly? I have no idea. Before this note, I would have said absolutely not. Our special ceremony to wed is as close to a bond ritual as I thought we had. And even so, knowing that my crazed uncle wrote this makes it hard to believe, but …”
“But what?”
I try to decipher the look that flashes behind her dark sapphire eyes. Whatever it is, it spurs me to speak the truth. “But what if it’s real? The connection I’ve felt with you is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Maybe there’s some merit to what’s written on this page.”
“Maybe.”
I watch as she thinks, and as much as I want to ask her to share, I keep my mouth shut. Glancing at the antique clock on the shelf beside us, I inwardly curse. Shit. Raduriel likely won’t be long now. I don’t want him to know that we’ve found this hiding spot.
Without knowing who taped the picture to the back of that glass, it’s better if we keep this between our trusted group for now.
Once everything is back in its place, I close and lock the cabinet door before beckoning my silent beauty up the stairs and into my old study room. At least here we can talk privately, and when my brother does come, we’ll hear him before he arrives.
She chews on her lip. “I wonder how things went with Uriel today. Has there been any update? I left my slate in your room.”
I nod. “Just that they have news, though, not to get our hopes up too high. We’ll call them once we’re done with my brother, and then hopefully we’ll have a clear plan of action.”
“Hopefully. Do you think Castiel will know more about this? Or maybe his friend that lent him the book about Seraphim?”
“It’s possible. That man knows far more than I would have expected from a history professor. At this point, I refuse to cross anything off without at least trying.”
She chuckles, smiling sweetly. “My parents will like you.”
Heart beating fast, I look at the gorgeous angel sitting on the top of my desk and grin. “Of course they would. I’m charming as shit,” I tease. “At least with a stomach full of food.”
Her hands move to cradle my face, eyes boring into mine. “Always, Raph.”
She pulls me closer and I kiss her hard, unable to stop imagining how she would look sprawled naked across my desk, her legs spread like the pages of a textbook. I could taste her right here. Feast until I’m ready to burst before making her moan so loud that it filtered through the whole damn house.
As I trail kisses down her neck, fully intending to do just that, the door to the library opens and Raduriel calls out, “I’m entering the library.”
Hayliel covers her face, cheeks reddening behind her hands, and I curse. Fucking Rad. Like yes, he’s coming here because that’s what I asked him to do, but dammit. Couldn’t he have kept busy for at least another half an hour? My brother seems to have no issues droning on and on about his accomplishments, so why must he choose now to stop?
I’m slowly pulling away from the delectable woman in front of me when my brother adds, “And now I’m climbing the stairs.”
My sunshine groans softly, and for a second, I worry she’s in pain until she whispers, “How does he know what we were about to do?”
Not pain at all then. Mortification. Fuck, she’s cute.
I laugh, my sour mood turning lighter as I pull her into my arms. “Well, that’s obvious, babe.” I tuck her head under mychin. “With the way you stood up for me at dinner, it’s a wonder I didn’t clear the table and claim you right there in front of everyone. You can thank me later for my discretion.”
Before she can respond, Raduriel raps his knuckles on the open door, a smirk on his stupid face. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
His words cause Hayliel’s face to redden further and now I’m just getting pissed. Making her blush is my job. And Theo’s. And fine, Zeke’s too. But not him.Remember, you need his contact. You can’t flip out at him yet.
Putting on a fake smile, I say, “Is Briathos downstairs?” I didn’t think to get approval from the group on whether we could loop him in on what’s been happening. Not that I’m giving my brother all the details either, but he’s bound to demand at least some information before he helps us. If he’s even willing. But with Briathos and his position at the guild, I’m not sure it’s such a good idea. Zeke hasn’t even told his own father anything yet, or his commanding lieutenant.
