“I don't know.” I jiggled Miri when she started to fuss.
“Don't wanna go,” Miri said.
We all looked at her.
“Shoot,” Kill muttered. “We forget how much she understands now.”
“Miri, it will only be for a little while,” Sever said, holding out his arms.
“No, Daddy!” Miri clung to me. “Not going!”
I stared at Sever.
“Damn it, Seren. This isn't easy for me. I'm trying to do the right thing. I can hide her. Don't you trust me?”
“Of course, I trust you, but she's my daughter.”
“Yes, and that has put her in danger.”
I gaped at him.
“Dude!” Killian growled. “Take that back!”
“I can't. It's the truth.” Sever stroked Miri's dark curls. “That doesn't mean you don't love her, Seren. And it's not just you. It's who she is. It's us. We made a child whom Anu blessed.” His lips twisted bitterly. “Being favored by a god is not always a good thing.”
“Why would they take her?” I snapped. “She's just a little girl.”
“Who may become Queen of Heaven. If an Angel raises her, she'll be under their influence.”
“Anu wouldn't allow that.”
“Wouldn't he? With us, she is more likely to reject the Throne of Heaven. But if she were raised in Heaven, she would grow up expecting to rule. Wanting it.”
“Fudge,” Killian whispered and then looked at me.
I looked at Miri.
Miri put her little hands on my face, one on each cheek. “Mommy, don't make me go.”
I burst into tears.
“Mama!” Miri screamed and hugged my neck, my tears sending her into desperate wailing. “Mama!”
Weeping so hard I could barely see, I kissed and hugged my daughter. “It will just be for a little while, baby.”
“No!” Miri shrieked as I unwound her tiny arms from my neck. Her wings thrashed so hard that Sever had to restrain them in one hand before he took her.
“Stop now, my feisty girl.” Sever lifted his head to avoid Miri's punches. “It will be all right. Shh.”
“No, Daddy! Bad Daddy!” She fought him, kicking and punching.
“Miri, shh.” I stroked her hair. “It won't be that long. You're going on an adventure with Daddy. You'll be home soon with lots of things to tell us about. I love you so much. Be a good girl for Daddy.”
“Mama!”
His face set into broken but hard lines, Sever clutched our daughter to his chest and laruked away. Her cries echoed in my ears long after the wind of their passing settled.
Chapter Twenty-Five
