Free Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh Page A

of her wine.
I’m not going to go for your throat—not until after dessert anyway.
Montgomery took over the kitchen with Sivya’s permission andmade some kind of thing called a pavlova that looks like a cloud with strawberries on it and I really want to eat it.
    Shoulders unknotting and the strain easing from wing muscles tensed in readiness for a private battle, Raphael leaned back against his chair, his wingtips lying against the thick carpet.
So, if you understand the need, then why did you assault me with baked goods?
    Can I have that back, by the way? I really like Sivya’s rolls.
    Lobbing it over to her, Raphael watched her catch it with effortless ease.
Thanks.
She made a stern face at Illium when her Bluebell said, “Have you two finished your discussion?”
    â€œShh, the grownups are talking.”
    The blue-winged angel grinned. “Can you finish before dessert? I don’t want a side dish of anxiety with my dessert.”
    â€œEat your entrée,” Elena ordered before looking back at Raphael, her eyes luminous.
Here’s the thing, Raphael. Past couple of years, while we all waited for the shit to hit the fan, things have been fairly peaceful—this is the first time we’re going back into danger.
    Raphael inclined his head in a silent agreement.
    That’s why I’m cutting you some slack.
She took another sip of her wine, her slender throat moving as she swallowed.
You’ve lacked positive reinforcement on how to thrash out such issues with your consort.
    Raphael drank some of his own wine.
I believe my consort is now amused.
    Just a little.
Her smile deepened.
Remember our first disagreement? It involved my blood in case you’ve forgotten.
    It involved a woman with endless courage.
    Putting down her wineglass, that same woman locked gazes with him once more, as courageous and as fearless as ever.
You default to thinking me weak and in need of protection. Instead of recognizing that I’m not mortal now. I was never a normal mortal anyway.
    No, she was hunter-born. Stronger, faster, deadlier. Putting down his own wine, he offered her a blade he carried on himself because Elena had given it to him after a fight months ago.
Your consort accepts his mistake, Guild Hunter. I should not have stated things as I did—I shouldn’t, in fact, have thought in such a pattern.
    Elena took his peace offering, slid it away with a smile.
Don’t sweat it. You are kind of old.
    Very funny, Elena.
In immortal terms, he was young, the youngest angel ever to become an archangel.
    Come on, you set yourself up for it
, she said with a laugh.
    And that laugh, it was wildfire in his blood. Was life. “Aodhan, you will be with Elena during the Cadre meetings. I’ll leave it to the two of you to decide how best to utilize your resources.”
    Elena’s eyes widened. Placing her hand on his thigh under the table, she said,
Hey, I didn’t want a public statement. I know it’s important the Seven see you as their sire.
    Yes, his hunter still had that mortal heart that loved him when it wasn’t the least bit to her advantage. She’d be far safer had she never met him. But Elena had never lived a safe life.
That won’t change if they see me accepting my consort’s point. I’d be a stupid archangel if I didn’t value my greatest treasure.
    Expression soft in a way that was for him alone, Elena lifted her wineglass.
Knhebek, Archangel.

7
    E lena spoke the words of love in her grandmother’s language, felt Raphael’s response in the look he gave her. It was blue fire and it was furious tenderness.
    When she turned back to face Illium and Aodhan, she caught the sorrow in Illium’s eyes. It was old, that sorrow, came from the loss of the mortal he’d once loved, a woman for whom he’d lost his feathers in punishment and whom he mourned to this day.
    Then Aodhan leaned in to murmur something against his ear. Face