“Seraphiel’s feathers—where are they?” Imriel’s eyes gleamed.
“In the Maker Hall,” I said, wondering where he was going with this. “I keep them in a box sealed with a word of power.”
His answering smile was literally blinding; Righteous cursed and covered his eyes. “Then there’s hope for him as well.”
My heart leaped as I understood what he meant. As a Maker, I’d be able to use a small part of Rafe’s original physical essence to help purify his existing form. From what I’d seen in Feather’s thoughts of her own remaking, it would be a heck of a job.
“Growly Bear?” She tugged at my shirt. “What are you thinking?”
Apologizing mentally, I showed her my thoughts and walked her through the process of purification. “It’s mostly theoretical,” I explained as her eyes grew huge. “But I made a new wing from the Well of Souls once, long ago, for a lovely Angelus who became corrupted in battle. I should be able to help Rafe get started on the path back to himself.”
Righteous interrupted. “I’m glad for Seraphiel. But what about Feather? She’sdying.” His voice cracked on the last word.
Imriel turned back to her. “Indeed. By coming here, your soul was torn wide open. The psychic wound will not heal until you and Gavriel are reunited as beloved mates.” He looked shocked when Feather burst into laughter.
“Beloved mates? Gavriel couldn’t stand me. He literally cut me up with a soul knife the first time we met.”
The clouds around us suddenly turned dark, lightning flashing between them. “He didwhat?” Imriel snarled.
Feather shrank back. “Hey, what’s a little torture between mates? I mean, he got better. He apologized. Eventually.” The lightning flashed even brighter. Righteous and I both spread our wings, prepared to protect her if Imriel’s storm of anger threatened her. “He swore on his wings never to hurt me again. To be my friend.”
The thundering ceased. “You’re… friends now?”
“More or less. We’re on speaking terms.” She chewed at her lip. “Even though I may have sort of renamed him my nemesis.”
Comprehending at once, Imriel sighed heavily. “That’s unfortunate.”
“Look, I make mistakes. Sue me,” she complained, sitting up and straightening her t-shirt. Her hand slipped inside the loose neckline, and she rubbed unconsciously at the feather there. “Anyway, I am a mistake, so that’s pretty much on brand for me.”
Imriel smiled gently, though if he leered at her again, I was going to punch him right in that too-pretty face. He winked at me—hearing the thought loud and clear—before looking back down at Feather. “You are not a mistake, little sister. By some, I suppose you might be called a divine error.”
Feather rolled her eyes so hard it had to hurt. “What’s the difference?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Divine errors are Her mistakes. She likes to call them miracles. And they usually turn out.”
Suddenly, the air around us hummed with ethereal music as Imriel… prayed? Yes, I was sure of it. His thoughts were a music that transcended time and space. I closed my eyes and prayed as well, for my mate’s health, and Gavriel, and Seraphiel.
Next to me, I felt Feather’s energy drifting away from her, one particle at a time. Her essence, growing weaker. I pulled at the blue healing power all around me and fed it through our bond into her. For a moment, she grew stronger. Righteous felt what I was doing, and he mirrored my actions, funneling the realm’s power into our mate. I felt her energy stabilize for a moment, as the outrush of her soulfire slowed.
Gavriel must be dying as well,she thought.I have to go back. Not just for me, but for him.
You can’t, my love. There is no way back there. No way to return.
I’ll find a way.Her voice was resigned.
I raged at the injustice of it. She’d never had the chance to say no to an impossible task. She’d saved countless innocents, while lost and alone, and then returned to Sanctuary to do the same for an entire realm who had never loved her as they should.
And now she would fight to leave what she called Heaven to save a soulmate who she believed never even wanted her, though I knew better.
Sweet soul, I love you more than my own life, and more than this place. If it means we leave here forever, so be it. Heaven for me is wherever you are.I opened my heart and allowed her to merge mentally with me. Our souls sang together beautifully, my own song deep and rich, hers bright and swift-moving.
We stayed there for a moment. Then Righteous’s song joined ours, and I felt his soul next to mine, supporting our mate as sherested in the notes we spun together. His voice was golden and pure. Strong for one his age, and full of belief in impossibility.
We would need that.
We must save Gavriel. Soon, before she weakens further,I thought to Imriel, clearly enough that we could all hear.We must go back.
He answered, his thread of mental communication so strong it was almost painful,No one who leaves here can return. At least, no one ever has.
