Court of Sunder (Age of Angels #2) - Milana Jacks Page 0,25

over. Be grateful for your very existence. I am.”

I didn’t want the two archangels to war. I feared what would happen to Raphael, to my mom, to my brothers at the Veil, to everyone. “The commander always wins,” I said.

“That’s because he never warred with me. He wins because he has me by his side. He’s not the all-powerful. When we are together, we win. Apart, he loses.”

I shook my head. “The Court of Command trains the finest soldiers. When they come, Raphael, they will destroy everything. You must mend your differences. As a sign of good will, send me back so that the commander can punish me for betraying his orders. My brothers from the Veil say Gabriel can even tame Lucifer with his kind words and gentle approach. Call on him, let him unite with you. Do something, anything, but not war. War will weaken the Restraining Veil. Evil will spill out.”

Raphael stepped back. “I will forgive Michael when he kneels and begs for forgiveness. Not before. Not for you or his mate or anyone else. He took my wings and imprisoned me with no regard for the Veil, the mortals, or this entire realm. Why should I forgive him?”

“Oh no, he was overcome with sadness and acted out of anger… I’m sure he regrets it.”

“Nevaeh.” He stroked my cheek. “I’m sure Michael regrets nothing. Hence, I have to teach him a lesson. It is what it is.” He walked toward the waterfall, and it parted for him. “Clothes will be brought to you. Dress well for this evening.”

Chapter 10

In my many years of existence in the heavens, I’d made many enemies as Michael and I tore through the fallen and unfallen ranks, leaving bloodied immortals either dismembered, forever living with no bodies, or imprisoned somewhere where they’d spend an eternity starving but never able to starve to death.

To say the battle for my territory was heating up while I sat in Michael’s prison was an understatement. Michael knew exactly what was happening in my Court, and he let it happen, didn’t bother standing in for me while he kept me in there, all because of a mortal girl. I didn’t care that she was immortal now or how she’d gone from mortal to immortal. He shouldn’t have left a power vacuum in my Court. Ripped wings I could handle. Imprisonment that would cost me a territory in the mortal realm, I would avenge.

I emerged from my quarters, feathers ruffled and looking unkempt. Richard handed me a new brush, and I tamed the feathers. This absentminded motion erased the buzzing of the bodies around me, their energies and movement that I constantly felt in the forefront of my mind. I did not groom myself for narcissistic reasons, though I was plenty fond of myself. I groomed to tune out the noise of blood rushing through mortal and immortal bodies. Blood I could control. Bones I could shatter with a flick of my wrist. All temptations I fought to curb every second of my infinite life.

Especially when I was near my soul’s mate. I felt her heart beat, the flush of blood igniting her arousal when I neared her. In answer, my body responded, urging me to seed her womb. Seeing as she disagreed with my making of the undead, she would not welcome my advances, even if her body would.

She resisted the impulse, but that wouldn’t last. The pleasure of my touch would tear through her mental walls once she experienced it in the near future. Maybe even tonight. If she was willing, of course, and I would ensure her willingness. “Richard,” I said, “we shall host a party tonight.” Cayen, who’d escaped the Court of Command with two of my angels, landed in the gardens. I proceeded toward them, then turned when Richard didn’t answer me. “Did you hear me?”

“Yes, my lord.” He pointed his long stick fingers toward the pile of mortals. “What do I do with them?”

“Nothing.”

His eyes widened. “But my lord, who will want to party with a pile of dead mortals on the premises?”

“They will rise. That’s what the party is for. We’re celebrating the coming of our lady and our new army.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will. As will everyone else. Especially Michael. I can hardly wait for his mortal soldiers to descend upon my Court and bleed on my land.”

Richard bowed his head. To hide his defiance, I was sure. He was fond of Michael. Richard had raised us all.

I rolled my eyes.