Elder Sam probably knew all about it. I regretted that he hadn’t been the one to tell me.
“Did my mother have it?” I asked.
“No, but my grandmother did,” the king said. “She was one of the most impressive seraphim in our annals.”
“The blue fire is sometimes referred to as the Flames of Judgment,” the queen said. “They deem the object worthy or unworthy. If they’re worthy, they might suffer a scalding, enough to defend yourself in battle.”
“And if they’re unworthy?” I asked.
The king studied me. “I suspect you already know the answer to that.”
“It is the mightiest weapon a seraph can wield,” the queen said. “You must use it wisely.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” I said. “I save it for special occasions.”
“I cannot begin to tell you how shocked we were by the news of your existence,” the king said. “I wouldn’t have believed it had the information come from anywhere but the coven’s Tree of Knowledge. Truly remarkable.”
The queen’s expression grew serious. “You must tell us everything we’ve missed. I understand you were raised in the mortal realm.”
“Sort of,” I said. I wasn’t willing to offer those details right now, if ever.
The queen brightened as she glanced over my shoulder. “Ah, and here is the seraph responsible for the discovery. We owe him a great debt.”
I turned and was greeted by a nondescript seraph with a soft face and flat eyes. He wore a tunic of silver silk and brocade.
“Dearest Cassia,” the queen said, “I’d like for you to meet one of our most trusted advisors, August.”
Bile rose in my throat. It was showtime.
Chapter Fifteen
My heart pounded with every step August took toward me.
“What a wondrous blessing to be united at long last,” he said, and joined our small party.
“Nice to meet you.” I was careful to maintain a neutral expression and not let my emotions betray me.
The seraph bowed his head. “An honor to finally meet you, Your Highness.”
“This is my companion, Rafe.”
“How marvelous. Two halflings,” August said, pumping Rafe’s hand with unnecessary vigor. “Let us support the change we hope to see in the world, eh?”
“This entire affair was August’s idea,” the queen said. “The moment we learned of your existence, he suggested that we spare no expense and bring you home to introduce you to the realm. Naturally, we agreed.”
August’s lips parted, revealing a set of white and even teeth. “Princess Cassia is your granddaughter. What better way to welcome her into the royal family?”
“Thank you, all,” I said. “You can’t imagine how surprised I was to receive the invitation. I’d only just found out the truth myself. It’s been overwhelming.” To say the least.
“I proposed that we send for you immediately and enjoy a private first meeting,” the queen said, “but August insisted that pomp and circumstance was the way to go to show the realm our unwavering support for you.”
“We didn’t want to risk any backlash,” the king chimed in. “August knows how to handle these delicate matters.”
“I’ll bet,” I said. No private meeting meant no chance for my grandparents to grow fond of me before August’s inevitable suggestion that I fulfill the prophecy before the Nether king sets his sights on Dominion. This ball—this ceremonial introduction to Dominion—ensured that I was viewed by them as more of an object. A tool. I cannot risk it, my mother had said. There are those with unchecked ambition in Dominion. My daughter would be too tempting for them. August was clever, I’d give him that. Then again, there was always a chance that one or both of my grandparents were aware and supportive of his plan but wanted plausible deniability. I really wished I knew.
“Have you heard the most recent dreadful news from the mortal realm?” August asked.
The queen rolled her eyes. “It seems every time I turn around, there is some catastrophe befalling them. Makes me grateful to be a seraph.” She looped her arm through mine. “Come, Cassia. Let’s leave this talk of gloom and doom and discuss more pleasant matters.”
Well, that was disappointing. I was interested to hear what August intended to say. At least Rafe was there to listen.
The queen steered me to a quiet corner. “And how serious are you with this young Rafe?” She smiled. “He is exceedingly handsome for one of the nephilim. I expect he favors his seraph side. Humans tend to be so bland. I don’t know what seraphim ever see in them.”
I ignored the bigoted remark. “I’m really not sure.”
“If it isn’t serious, I should like to discuss the possibility of a match,” the queen whispered.
“I’m only eighteen,” I objected.
The queen frowned. “Yes, my darling. The perfect age for a betrothal. Not that your mother saw it that way, of course. She had her own ideas and you see where they got her.”
The knot in my stomach tightened. “From what I hear, she and my father were very much in love.”
The queen made a dismissive gesture. “Oh, I doubt that. I suspect she saw him as an oddity. That was surely the attraction.”
“Am I any less of an oddity?”
She gave my hand a gentle pat. “You mustn’t worry. You’re a princess with noble seraph blood. There are plenty of worthy seraphim willing to overlook the rest.”
I tugged my hand away. “I’m not worried. Truthfully, I have more important things on my mind than an arranged marriage with a seraph.”
The queen’s laughter tinkled. “Fine, my darling. Have your fun, but don’t you dare make serious plans without discussing them with your grandfather and I first.” She tapped me on the nose with her index finger. “You’re one of us now and we have standards to uphold.”
My heart sank. It wasn’t like I expected them to be warm and loving—they were a king and queen of Dominion. They’d ruled for centuries and allowed the perception that seraphim were elite to continue unchecked. Still, part of me had hoped…
“Yes, your standards do seem quite unrealistic,” I said.
“Standards already? Dearie me, could you at least wait until after the toast?” A seraph with a square jaw and a sheen of glitter sauntered toward us with a half empty drink in his hand. His wings seemed brighter and wider than anyone else’s and his air of sophistication was tempered by the warmth of his smile.
“Allow me to introduce my sister’s grandson and your cousin, Zadkiel,” the queen said.
The seraph bowed. “I must admit, I was overjoyed to hear the news about you.”
“You’ll be pleased to know that Zadkiel has an affinity for the mortal realm,” the queen said. “He even studied at a university…somewhere.” Her disinterest was evident.
“London,” Zadkiel said, suppressing a smile.
“You were allowed to live outside of Dominion even though you’re a full seraph?” I asked, thinking of Ana.
“Allowances are often made for nobles,” Zadkiel said.
“And for the silver-tongued,” the queen added. She patted his cheek. “We can’t seem to refuse him anything.”
Zadkiel seemed slightly embarrassed by the admission. “I sound terribly spoiled, don’t I? I would completely understand if you suddenly find the cheese tray of great interest.”
I glanced inadvertently at a passing tray. “I think it’s a good idea to leave your comfort zone. I wish everyone would do it on occasion.” I thought of all the misunderstandings about other species that could be resolved by spending time together, maybe even walking the same paths they walk. In a world where that was the norm, the academy wouldn’t need to exist.
“You see, Your Majesty?” Zadkiel said, clearly delighted. “I’m not the only one.” His gestures crackled with energy. “I’ve been trying to convince them to permit more seraphim to engage with other realms. I met some lovely fae in London and they hosted the most fabulous parties with bounders and eve
n a few demons. I’d love to invite them to the palace, but aunty and uncle draw the line at Dominion’s border.”
The queen offered a doting smile. “Yes, yes, Zad. Your pleas for more interaction between species have been noted. Again.”
I was relieved to find a seraph with a more open-minded view of the realms. It gave me hope that there were others like him.
“Perhaps if you’d been more willing to entertain such notions years ago, there’d be no need for this ball,” Zadkiel said pointedly.
To my surprise, the queen didn’t seem affronted. “The young seraphim have such progressive ideas these days. My dear Helena would have fit right in.” She appeared momentarily lost in thought.
The music changed and couples migrated to the center of the ballroom.
“I think you’ll find this song is the opposite of progressive,” Zadkiel said with a rueful smile.
“You should find your handsome companion for this one, my darling,” the queen said. “It’s an ancient custom. Even one of the nephilim could do the steps in his sleep.”
“I don’t know about in my sleep,” Rafe interrupted, “but I think I can manage not to embarrass us.”
The king took the queen by the elbow. “You know this is one of my favorites.”
“Can’t say that surprises me.” Zadkiel bowed again. “I shall go in search of my dance partner.”
Rafe took my hand and escorted me to the center of the ballroom.
“Your palm’s sweating,” he noted.
I dropped my voice. “Should we be dancing right now? Maybe we should find August now and get it over with.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to avoid the dance?” His eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I’m not,” I said, a little too forcefully.
“Relax, Cassia,” he said. “You’ve got this.” His wings widened and I noticed that the others had widened theirs as well. Apparently wing movements were part of the dance. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Wings were as much a part of us as arms and legs.
I let Rafe lead and tried to follow without letting the other dancers distract me. Half the dance took place in midair. We spun around the room in time to the music, our wings catching the light. Mine looked dipped in darkness compared to everyone else’s, but no one seemed to stare—or care. For all the talk of superiority, they were treating me well. Of course, it could all be part of August’s master plan to win me over to their team.
Rafe switched arms in unison with the other males on the dance floor and I folded into his embrace. We continued our steps around the room, laughing along the way as we—okay, I—made a litany of mistakes. My heart fluttered and my cheek muscles ached from smiling. Eventually, the realization struck me.
I was having fun.
Guilt seized me. What right did I have to enjoy myself? Innocent lives had been destroyed. More were at stake. And here I was dancing gaily in the arms of the Watcher I loved as though nothing else mattered. As though the universe was compromised of only the two of us.
Rafe’s lips tickled my ear as he whispered, “Cassia? Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” I replied, because right now, in this precise moment, everything was.
A glimpse of a seraph in a tunic of silver silk and brocade brought the rest of the world back into focus. August lurked along the perimeter of the ballroom, watching us intently. I could practically see the gears of his sharp, murderous mind clicking away.
I slipped out of Rafe’s arms. “He’s alone.”
“I’ll come with you.” He started to follow.
I turned and placed a firm hand against his chest. “No. Stay here in case things get out of control. Make sure we have a clear path out of here.”
“On it.” His lips grazed my cheek. “Good luck.”
I tilted my head. “You’re not going to insist? Tell me I’m not ready to handle this alone?”
He touched my chin lightly. “I told you. You’ve got this.”
As I sauntered toward August, the king slipped between us. “Dearest Cassia, if I may have this dance.” He clasped my hands in his and we rose from the floor. “There is something quite pressing I need to say. Ever since August told us about you, I’ve been scarcely able to sleep.”
I cocked my head. “And why is that?” I half expected him to tell me that he was afraid of what a demonspawn granddaughter would look like.
“Guilt,” he said. “Regret.” We twirled above the other dancers. The guests seemed to be giving us a wide berth. “I handled your birth very badly. I’m ashamed now when I dare to think of it. I reacted in the heat of the moment. What I did to her trusted bodyguard…I know now that he was only trying to protect both of you.”
“His name was Sam,” I said. “He helped raise me.”
“Yes, Sam.” The king’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “I sent seraphim to search for you, you know. I felt awful afterward, wished I could take it all back. Of course, I thought we were looking for a full seraph, not a halfling.”
“Would you have wanted me then if you’d known I was half demon?”
He paused, considering the question. “Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is how much I miss my beloved Helena.” A single tear splashed onto his cheek. “She seemed to waste away in the years that followed. Losing her broke my heart.”
“I understand she became ill,” I said.
He sniffed and nodded. “I was with her in her final moments. Her fever had spiked and she was calling for him…Prince Tarquin. And for you.” We returned to the floor and continued the dance there. “I dismissed it at the time as a delusion. That she was simply reliving old memories.”
“I wish I could have known her,” I said.
The king lowered his head. “I wasn’t a very good father to her, Cassia. Our relationship was never the same afterward, but I’d like to make it up to her—to both of you. I’d be eternally grateful for a second chance with you.”
A lump formed in my throat. “I was fortunate to have a father figure in my life.” I smiled. “Three, in fact, but I’d be happy to get to know you.” Baby steps.
The king released my hands. “No pressure, my dear. We shall embark on this new relationship on your terms. I’ve said as much to the queen and she agrees.”
My heart felt very full. I hadn’t expected this. I hovered a few inches off the ground to kiss my grandfather on the cheek and spotted August watching us.
“I’d like to have a word with August, to thank him personally for everything he’s done,” I said.
“Yes, of course,” the king said. “None of this was possible without him.”
I worked hard to keep the smile plastered across my face as I crossed the ballroom. I hoped to give him a false sense of security.
“An excellent dance, Your Highness,” August said. “You were born for these steps.”
“My grandparents speak very highly of you,” I said. “I’d love to ask you a few questions about Dominion, if you don’t mind. I feel so out of my depth here. Is there somewhere we can talk privately?”
He pressed his fingertips together. “By all means, the northern gallery is around the corner. I suspect it will be vacant. No one is interested in admiring portraits when there’s dancing to be had.” He offered his arm and I forced myself to accept it with a smile.
We passed two massive corridors before arriving at the gallery. August was right. The area was deserted. As I opened my mouth to speak, I caught sight of the portrait behind him and the words dissolved on my tongue. Her portrait was every bit as beautiful as the seraph I saw in the memory bubbles.
August noticed my trance and cast a glance over his shoulder. “Of course. Someone should have shown you sooner. Exquisite, wasn’t she? There was something infectious about her smile.”
“I wish I could have known her.” I forced my attention back to August. I couldn’t let myself become distracted, not when lives were hanging in the balance.
“How are you finding the
ball?” he asked. “I hope it’s to your liking. It was so difficult to know how to appeal to a teenaged…” He tripped over his words. “Princess.”
“Princess, or demonspawn?” I asked.
“I was told you prefer the term cambion, although that’s technically incorrect,” he said. “Cambions are the offspring of demons and humans.”
I leveled him with a look. “Does it really matter what I prefer?”
To his credit, he didn’t even flinch. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness?”
“Did you really think a nice party would be enough to win me over?” I asked.
He smoothed back his hair. “Well, I’d hoped it would start off relations on the right foot. The king and queen hope that, in time, you’ll come to see the Silver City as your home.”
I increased the intensity of my stare, invoking the one Elder Alastor used on me countless times over the years. I’d always cracked under the weight of that stare. “Why?”
“Because you’re a member of the royal family, of course,” August said. “Why else?”
“Drop the act, August,” I said. “Did you think I’d be stupid enough to fall for this?”
His pleasant mask fell away, leaving a sharpness that made me uneasy. “I would think the time was right for you to find a new family in light of recent events.” His tongue darted out and swept across his upper lip. “Poor Sam. So devoted to you and the cambions from what I understand. His death must have been terrible for you.”
I mentally cursed Rafe for encouraging me to leave my daggers behind. Right now, I really wanted to press one against the seraph’s neck. Or directly in his eye. “His death is a loss to many.”
He scratched the mole on his cheek. “Two Whistlers, I believe. They should have known better than to fight a seraph. It’s a breach of their covenant.”
My body burned with hatred. “Well, they’re dead now, so I guess their license to murder innocents has been revoked.”
“Murder innocents?” August said. He clucked his tongue. “No, that isn’t Dominion policy. We simply make an effort to keep the mortal realm safe from supernatural influence. The humans are so very vulnerable.”
Demonspawn Academy: Trial Three Page 15