Page 136 of Gates of Rapture
Thorne had come to her suite a few hours ago to report that obsidian flame had successfully stopped the torching of the colonies.His account had been extraordinary.Adding to the fact that shortly afterward the triad had healed Casimir after Julianna blasted open his stomach, and Endelle couldn’t believe her fucking ears.
Grace’s return had done this, had created some kind of magical effect on Second Earth.She didn’t know how else to think of such a wonderful string of wins for her side.
And now this.James wanted to get Leto ascended within the next couple of hours, because soon afterward Alison would open the portal to Third as had been prophesied from the beginning of her ascension.
“But we have to act quickly,” James said.“Greaves is getting very discouraged by all his setbacks, and he’s spoiling for war.Wake your people up, then let’s get both Alison and Leto over to White Lake.It’s time to move things along.”
She rose to her feet and called out, “Carla?”
A slight pause, then the security audio system came on.“Yes, Madame Endelle?”
“I need all the WhatBees here to my palace, ceremonial dress, theirbrehsincluded.Make sure that Alison wears flight gear and obsidian flame as well.Got it?”
“Yes, Madame Endelle.”
***
Leto slung his purple cape over his shoulder.Warrior formality demanded that he wear a traditional brass breastplate over a short black leather tunic.On the breastplate was the emblem of the Warriors of the Blood—a silver sword crowned with a green laurel wreath.He had always thought the emblem simple and quite beautiful, even powerful.
He sat down in the chair near his twig bed and buckled on a sleeker, more formal version of battle sandals.
“You show a lot of thigh in that tunic,” Grace said, but she was smiling.
He worked on the last buckle, looking up at her as he gave a final tug.She stood near the entrance to the bathroom, brushing a long curl around her finger, then letting it fall.
“You like?”he asked.
“Can’t you tell?”
“Oh, I can tell.Your scent has this room clouded, and I’m not blocking any of your physical sensations.”He could feel her nipples pushing against her bra.He took a couple of deep breaths because he was so close to throwing her back on the bed and taking care of business… again.But with five minutes left before they were both expected at the palace, he’d run out of time.“You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you.”She glanced down at her flight suit.“But I feel underdressed for the occasion.”
“Carla was adamant,” he said, rising to his feet and turning toward her.“Endelle wanted Alison and obsidian flame ready to mount wings if necessary.”
“I know, but still.This is your ascension ceremony.”
“Sort of an ascension.I wouldn’t worry about it.”He put his hands on her arms.“And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not complaining about the flight suit at all.It fits your curves perfectly.”He drew her close, then ran his hands from her waist over the curve of her bottom.
She laughed.“Now your scent is filling the room.”
He released her because he was feeling way too much.“Are you ready to go?”
She folded her brush away and nodded.
He put his hands on her arms once more and thought the thought.
***
Grace arrived at the landing platform in the palace and was immediately overwhelmed by the sight of all the warriors dressed in the same garb as Leto.They were gathered in small knots, just talking, but they were a massive physical presence given their height and general physique.
She had known these men for a long time, some of them her entire life—like Marcus and of course Leto.Others had come later: Kerrick, Luken, Santiago, Medichi, and Zacharius.Jean-Pierre was the youngest, having ascended out of France during the revolution years.
And Thorne was one of the men as well.
They looked magnificent, all powerful, muscular warriors, the shortest six-five.
James appeared in the doorway and called out, “Ah, the man of the hour.Leto.”
