Page 57 of Destined for Eternity
“He left a box of chocolate on my doorstep yesterday,” Cori admitted, rubbing her face. “As if that’s going to make up for everything—or the fact he hasn’t shown his face since the fight.”
“Was the chocolate good?” Melena asked.
Cori licked her lips in remembrance. “Very good, but that doesn’t let him off the hook.”
“Of course, not.”
Melena parked the Jeep and they got out, heading for the main field. Rows of white chairs had been set up, as well as a center stage. The nerou were already seated in the front, and other guests milled toward the back. They still had about ten minutes until the ceremony started.
“Check your one o’clock,” Melena whispered.
Through their bond, Cori could sense Bartol in that direction and resisted the urge to look. “What is he doing?”
“Talking to his father.”
“Let’s go find our seats,” she said, wanting to avoid a confrontation if possible.
They’d just settled in their chairs when Bartol appeared before her. “We need to talk.”
Cori didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m busy.”
“Please.”
“The graduation is going to start soon.” She kept her voice even, trying not to show the hurt she felt at being near him. “Can we do this later?”
“I thought you hatelater,” he said, amusement in his tone.
She stared at the seat in front of her. “It’s my turn to say it.”
Bartol settled in the empty seat next to her and leaned close. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you like I should, but I plan to make up for it if you’ll allow it.”
“You’re not ready. I get it,” she said, glancing at him. His expression was so sincere that it almost melted her heart. “Don’t feel you have to do this.”
“Yes, I do,” he said, taking her clenched hands and grasping them gently. “These past days, I’ve missed you.”
She lifted her head, fighting tears—stupid hormones. “Then why haven’t you come over?”
“Jeriel has hardly given me a break between getting the nerou ready for graduation and eradicating demons all over. Sending you notes and the other things was the best I could do.” Bartol reached up and smoothed a thumb over her cheek. It felt good. He so very rarely touched her that she couldn’t help enjoying it a little. “But he assured me his men were watching over you when I couldn’t, and I did check on you from afar at least a few times a day.”
Cori had wondered if he’d been monitoring her somehow, but she’d had no way to figure it out. “My mother has been asking about you.”
“I saw she arrived the other day.” He grimaced. “I’ll visit tonight to prevent her wondering any further about my absence.”
“Are you certain you want to do that?” she asked, her voice cracking a little.
His golden gaze held hers. “Yes.”
Jeriel moved onto the stage, wearing his traditional white robe rather than a cowboy hat, and spoke into the microphone, “Please take your seats.”
“I’ve got to go.” Bartol gave her a regretful look. “But I’ll talk to you again afterward.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
The archangel welcomed everyone in attendance and introduced himself, though pretty much everyone there knew him. Cori noted several other archangels present, including Remiel. Of all of them, he’d been in their lives the most. Remiel had been the one to watch over Lucas and catch him whenever he did something against their laws. He’d been there to tell Cori they would allow her to become immortal. He was annoying and stiff, but he occasionally proved useful. The jury was still out on what she thought of Jeriel since he’d be the one dictating supernatural lives from here on out.
“The nerou before you have worked hard for the past year,” the archangel said, his voice steady and strong. “Along with battle skills and tracking, they’ve also learned science, history, agriculture, and many other topics to allow them to blend into human society.”
The nerou had been sequestered in Purgatory, which was a barren, mountainous island in a separate dimension. Growing up, they’d been taught languages and math, been given ancient books to study, and taught the basics of right and wrong, but they’d never seen cars or televisions or any kind of technology before arriving on Earth. In approximately fourteen months, they’d had to learn a lot, as well as how to become enforcers.
