Page 58 of Destined for Eternity
Jeriel continued, “I am proud of the men and women before me, who have shown diligence and dedication in their studies. Every one of them has proven themselves trustworthy and capable.”
He said that, but everyone knew Tormod would still be on restriction. From what Melena had said, the demon-nerou had to go through a series of tests just to be given that much allowance. He’d have a nephilim Cori never met before watching him when he went to his duty assignment in Anchorage. Quite ironic that the supernatural leader there didn’t like other races coming in, but she could hardly stop the angels.
“And now I ask that all the nerou stand,” Jeriel said as he wrapped up his speech. He waited for all fifty of them to rise to their feet. They wore golden robes and laurels on their heads. “Each of you should come forward as I call your name.”
Behind the archangel on the platform, all the nephilim instructors stood behind a table with scrolls organized on it. It wasn’t too different from a high school or college graduation, but perhaps they’d done that on purpose. It wasn’t like the nerou had ever gotten to attend any human educational institutions. This was their one chance to have a similar experience.
Jeriel began calling them by their first names in alphabetical order since none of them had surnames. In fact, they hadn’t even received any proper names until coming to Earth. Cori had felt terrible for them when she’d heard about that. At least once they left the compound soon to go to their assignments, they would get identity documents that would fix that problem. They’d get to pick the names they wished to go by as well.
She watched one by one as each nerou came forward, and a tear entered her eye as Olivia stepped up on the stage. She shook the hands of her nephilim instructors, but her father, Micah, pulled her into a hard hug. For centuries, they hadn’t been able to be together, but during the last year they’d grown close. Cori could only imagine how the two felt now that Olivia would be going out into the world on her own. Her assignment was Seattle. Not too far away, but far enough.
A couple of students later, Tormod was called forward. Cori was surprised to see a slight grin on his face. He still didn’t walk with the carefree attitude he had before, but at least he wasn’t as dark or scary. The nerou shook the hands of his instructors and Jeriel before moving off the stage and meeting his father, who stood next to it. Yerik was a man unlike any other. As a half demon and half angel, serious power clung to him. His aura was burnished gold and almost hurt Cori’s eyes to look at him. But once she got past that, she spotted the kilt he always wore. Usually, he was barefoot and shirtless, but he’d donned a pair of black boots for the occasion. She could still see his thick chest hair, though.
In the row in front of her and off to the right, she heard Tormod’s mother sniffle. Lorna was a sweet woman. It had to have been difficult for her to see her son change so drastically after London, but there was pride in her eyes now. She sat with her back straight and a huge smile on her face. The sensor was mortal and had originally appeared in her seventies when she first arrived in Fairbanks from Scotland, but she’d been allowed to ingest some of Melena’s blood so she could live a little longer and be there for her son. That had given her a younger appearance, so most would think she was in her forties now. Tormod needed her around if he was to stay grounded, which was why Remiel had allowed it.
The last nerou was called up and received his scroll. Jeriel called for everyone to stand and congratulate them. Cori pulled herself to her feet and clapped. She was proud of them all for what they’d accomplished and only wished they had a choice about becoming enforcers. It reminded her that her child would follow in their footsteps one day.
“Now, please take your seats,” Jeriel said, smiling. “There is one more order of business I ask that you witness.”
Bartol came forward and took the microphone. There was a nervous look in his eyes as his gaze ran across the audience until it touched on her. “Cori, could you please come up here?”
She stiffened. “Oh, God. What is he up to?”
“Better go find out.” Melena nudged her. “The man looks ready to bolt, so you better hurry.”
The people sitting next to her got up so she could get past them. It was embarrassing having to waddle her way to the front. Her heart was in her throat, and she couldn’t imagine what Bartol intended with all this.
She reached the stage. Lucas met her at the steps and took her hand as she climbed them. Great. Everyone thought she was an invalid. She stopped in front of Bartol, whose hands shook as stood in front of her.
“What is this about?” she hissed.
He cleared his throat, casting an anxious glance at the audience before focusing on her. A myriad of emotions crossed his eyes—love, regret, and hope being the strongest. “Cori, I know I haven’t been the best mate you could have hoped for, or even close to it. But I want you to know that you mean the world to me. You have my heart and soul, and there’s no other woman I’d want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Bartol bent to take a knee, and her eyes rounded as he pulled out a little black box.
“You’re not…”
He swallowed hard, and his hands trembled even more. “Would you please be with me forever and marry me?”
“Really?” She wanted to get on her knees and take him into her arms to console him. He was breathing as if he’d just run a marathon and might hyperventilate at any moment. Still, he held himself there and waited for her answer. “I mean, this is what you really want?”
“If you say ‘yes,’ I’ll move in with you tonight,” he said, vulnerability written all over him. This was a man who hated being around crowds, much less speaking in front of one. He’d proposed to her here to show he was trying hard to change and that he did want her.
She cracked a smile, her heart melting for him. “Yes, Bartol. I’ll marry you.”
“And you’ll let me make you immortal when the time is right?” he asked, peeking up at her with hope in his gaze.
It was a sticking point with him, but she understood that, and she wanted to be around a long time for him and their child. “After the baby is weaned, yes.”
He grinned like a man who’d just won the lottery and stood to pull her into a hug. It was just one more sign of how he was trying to overcome his troubles. He was still stiff, and his fingers dug into her back a little more than necessary, but the embrace was heartfelt and warm. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe he’d finally taken this big of a step.
Bartol pulled away and took her hand, sliding a golden ring on her finger. It had a huge diamond with smaller diamonds set around it. “Soon we’ll make our relationship official to the world.”
“You are amazing.” She put a light hand on his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. More than you can imagine.” He leaned down and kissed her sweetly.
Rounds of applause rose from the audience and the people standing on the stage. At that moment, Cori couldn’t have been happier. She was finally getting everything she wanted.
