“Bones,” I whispered.
I dug my fingers into the plush bedcloud, searching for my cinderwolf. Fluffy clouds the color of deep obsidian swayed beneath me as I rocked the bed while looking for my wolf. It wasstrange to wake up and find him gone. Usually, he was the one who had to drag me out of bed.
“Bones,” I called again.
Looking around, I slipped my legs off the bedcloud and shoved my feet into my slippers. My toes crammed into a plush rug, bending backward as they pressed hard into the marble floor beneath instead. I yelped at the sudden rush of pain into my feet. Leaning down to rub them, I looked around once more.
“Bones Octavius! Stop this nonsense. Where are you?”
I tapped my foot, irritated. What in the stars was happening? I blinked down at the floor, looking for my slippers so I could go find the cinderwolf. A wide, long rug of pearlescent ivory met my confused gaze. I stared at the rug for a long time. I blinked at it once. Twice.
I blinkedagain.
I didn’t own any ivory rugs.
A raspy chuckle danced around my shoulders. The sound tickled my ears, making the winged tips twitch. I breathed hard, aware that I wasn’t alone.
“Phantimèssa, won’t you bleed for us?”
Absolutely the hèlsno,I would not.
Shifting uncomfortably in my seat on the edge of the bedcloud, I looked around. Poignant terror spiked through my blood. I gripped the duvet as I registered my surroundings. A canopy of ivory, velvet drapes tumbled around the corners of the gigantic, four-poster bedcloud I sat on. I lifted my gaze to the vaulted, gilded ceiling. An endless pattern of lush florals had been painted into the tapestry, while translucent pillars upheld the lofty ceiling.
Beyond the bedcloud was a pond filled with jewel-toned, colorful fish with gleaming scales that rippled beneath the watery surface. Iridescent pearls filled the bottom of the pond, while the sides were framed by velvet settees and tumblinggolden flowers. Ethèrlamps hung throughout the suite of a bedchamber, as endless candles burned bright, illuminating the space. Floor to ceiling windows lined the walls as the sunlight peeked through, letting in warmth and coziness.
“Well, well.” I marveled at the ostentatious beauty all around me. “This isnotNahomie Manor.”
And Bones was nowhere to be found.
Stars. Just where in the skies was my cinderwolf?
I looked down at myself, ready to go look for him. A sparkly and slightly sheer, crimson gown of silk delicately clung to my curvaceous physique. The small straps securely gripped my shoulders while the lacy trim of the hem hugged my thighs. Faded deep in mahogany, I traced the pattern of stars and thorns beneath my skin that branded me as an angel of the Seraphim rank. A matching robe for my gown was folded across the back of a settee, perched by the head of the bedcloud.
Where wasmygown?
Who had dressed me in this?
“Wings high, Madame. It’s good to see you back to yourself.”
The warm voice drew my attention, pulling me to the right, close to the inner doors of the bedchamber. By the threshold floated an angel. Her shimmery skin, colorful eyes, and four feathered wing pairs branded her a Raephim. I’d always been fond of the healers from the Ninth Rank. They were quite rare in Edenael, only appearing when extreme medical assistance was needed. Raephim were king, gentle, and patient. It was in their healing nature to be the best of most angels throughout the Twelve Ranks.
What a shame I didn’t give a rot about any of that right now. The last thing I remembered was Obsidian flying with Bones and me to Mortevain Island. Everything after that was a blur. And I didn’t like that one bit.
“Where in the Six Hèls am I?”
The Raephim blinked at my blunt language.
She cleared her throat twice before responding.
“You’ve had a long journey, and an even longer recovery, Madame. You’ve been resting for the past week. All twelve dawns.” She gave me a pretty smile. The gesture only ticked me off. “How are you fee?—”
“Where am I?”
“Please, Madame, I’d like to know if you’ve progressed so I can report?—”
“I’m going to ask you one. Last. Time.”
I clipped every word, my voice dropping three octaves.
