Archangel's Heart

“Guild Hunter,” Michaela responded.

The other woman probably thought she was delivering a subtle put-down by referring to Elena’s occupation rather than her status as Raphael’s consort, but Elena would never be insulted by being referred to as a hunter.

And Raphael would never be insulted on her behalf.

“Your markings are astonishing, Raphael,” Michaela said in a much warmer tone, her sultry voice pitched just right. “I confess I had no idea of their impact from seeing the images broadcast by the media.”

Leaving Raphael to handle Michaela, well aware her archangel would never have the extreme bad taste to be seduced by that viper, Elena focused on Titus. “I was looking forward to seeing your own markings, Titus.”

The Archangel of Southern Africa had developed gold markings across his massive chest, but tonight, those marks were covered by a gold breastplate, the designs etched into the breastplate almost as intricate as the carvings that decorated the hallways and walls of this complex. As with Alexander, the back of the piece was made of thick but pliable leather.

“Ellie, for you, anything.” Titus was back to using the softer tone he consciously adopted in social situations. “I hope we will not always be in meetings.” His scowl made his opinion of meetings clear. “If so, I will spar with Raphael. You may watch.”

Before, Elena might’ve taken that permission as condescension. Now she understood that Titus would spar with her, too—if he wasn’t so sure he’d rip off her arms when fired up by battle fever. “I’ll take you up on that,” she said. “Galen still speaks of all that he learned in your armies.”

Even as Titus beamed at the mention of Raphael’s weapons-master, there was movement near the entrance. Caliane walked in, a woman with haunting blue eyes and raven hair, the template from which Raphael had been cast. Her hair flowing down her back and adorned by the thinnest of diamond tiaras, the gems glittering like ice on fire, she wore a gown in glacial white that turned her into a queen of frost and flame.

However, it wasn’t her mother-in-law who caught and held Elena’s attention.

Tasha had walked in behind Caliane, now took position among the escorts.

Scarlet haired and with slanted eyes of a vivid green, her wings a rich copper, the scholar and warrior looked out over the crowd. Her lips curved when they landed on Raphael, the archangel who’d once been her playmate, then her lover.

Regardless of the fact that Raphael and Tasha’s relationship hadn’t lasted, Elena wasn’t immune to a twinge of irritation. Why the hell did Raphael have such great taste in exes?

“Ellie.”

Turning at the sound of that lyrical female voice, Elena smiled. “Hannah.” She hugged the other woman with open warmth.

She and Hannah had first made contact because they were the only two consorts in the Cadre, but their bond had transformed into a true friendship over time: two very different women who’d found common ground.

Drawing back from the embrace after a long moment, Hannah said, “You look lovely and fierce.”

“Montgomery,” Elena said, admiring how Hannah had woven a fine string of iridescent black pearls through the elegant bun in which she wore her hair. “He’s my fashion consultant.”

Hannah’s laugh was throaty. “I would steal your butler, Elena, except that he is so passionately devoted to you and to his sire.”

“You don’t need Montgomery’s help—you always look gorgeous.” That was no exaggeration. Hannah had an artist’s eye and knew the colors that looked good against the ebony of her skin. Which, honestly, was pretty much every shade under the sun.

Today, she’d gone for a shimmering copper that made her glow and set off the peach accents in her wings. The dress had a high neck and no sleeves, swept down her body in a column with a slit down one side. Stylish yet simple—but for the touch at the top of the slit: the palm-sized image of a crouching puma picked out in gemstones that ranged from the hard clarity of diamonds to the smoky browns of topaz.

Elena approved of the subtle reminder of Elijah’s Cascade-given gift—the ability to command both birds of prey and large jungle cats. “How are the pumas?”

“They know not to invade my studio unless I invite them in,” Hannah said in a very stern tone. “In all honesty, I have come to care for the creatures—how could I not when my favorites wait outside the studio for me, then curl up in the sun and watch as I go about my work.” She shook her head. “Elijah keeps telling me I’m spoiling them, that they need to be ferocious beasts, not pets, but I know they would protect me to the death should it come down to it.”

Elena had to agree—she’d seen recordings of the pumas and they were definitely wild animals. That they adored Hannah was a reflection of Elijah’s love for her. “So you’re not interested in learning to throw paint knives now that you have a guard of pumas? I told Raphael we’d get up to mayhem.”

Hannah’s smile turned into a grin, an expression Elena had never thought she’d see on the elegant consort’s face when they’d first met. That was before she’d realized that while Hannah’s private face included her elegant side, the other woman also had a wicked playfulness to her.

It made Elena wonder what she didn’t know about Elijah.

Because the man who’d won Hannah’s heart would have to have a touch of playfulness in him, too. And that was a fact that simply didn’t mesh with her view of Elijah—he was more like a stable older brother, if that older brother was a brutally powerful archangel.