Archangel's Light (Guild Hunter #14)(78)

He put the panicked boy down by the huge wall of windows that overlooked the front courtyard where they’d landed. “You’re not trapped underground.” He kept his hands on those bony shoulders. “You can get out at any time.” That wasn’t quite true, not given what they suspected he’d done, but it was true enough in that this place was no coffin cut off from light.

Illium was already unlatching one of the windows.

The child shot a suspicious look Aodhan’s way before darting over to the window and sticking his hand outside. He jerked it back after a few seconds, stared at the snow on his palm. Did the same thing three more times before he exhaled.

With the breath went the primal fear in his expression.

And when Aodhan asked him his name, he answered in a sweet, clear voice. “Zhou Jinhai.”



* * *




*

Illium ducked into the kitchen while Aodhan stood beside the boy and spoke in a calm tone that seemed to near-hypnotize Jinhai.

Kai beamed at him from behind the large stone bench on which she was putting together a tray. “I haven’t had a chance to make a more substantial meal,” she began, but Illium shook his head.

“This is fine for now.” His neck prickled at the idea of leaving Aodhan out there alone with the boy. Because, though a child Jinhai might be—and while Illium wanted to find him innocent—he had to accept that there was a high chance of him being a deadly threat.

After picking up the tray, he said, “You can head back to the rest of the staff.” It’d be easier if he and Aodhan didn’t have to worry about her. “Smoke?”

“I left her with Li Wei.” A smile in her eyes, Kai touched the knot of her apron. “I don’t mind staying here.”

“Thank you, but we really need to focus on the situation.” His entire body strained to be back beside Aodhan. “It could be dangerous for you to be nearby—we’ll have to divide our attention.”

It seemed to take her forever to remove her apron. “Perhaps after we are at the coastal citadel,” she said, putting it on the counter, “you will have time to share a mug of mead with me?” There it was, that sweet boldness that reminded him so much of Kaia.

But where such an invitation from his long-dead lover would’ve caused him to blush and acquiesce, all he felt today was a wave of irritation. He’d given her a clear overview of the security situation, yet she continued to try to flirt. That didn’t, however, give him leave to be harsh with her—not when she’d only made the invitation because he’d flirted with her first. Not much. But enough.

He was sorry for that now. He hadn’t had any ill-intent and he’d done nothing to be accused of leading her on, for he’d flirted far more with others with no bruised feelings on either side, but Illium didn’t like to hurt women even a touch. He could’ve responded with a playful comment that would’ve kept her happy until he figured out what he felt for this woman who was an echo of the past . . . but he knew already.

He’d known from the first. Had felt it from the first: a sweet, sharp nostalgia intermingled with affection. No roar of need, of wrenching love. Just a thing old and weathered and of a different time in his life.

Take away his initial shock at her appearance, and that was all that remained.

Frowning inwardly at the quiet knowledge he’d been refusing to face, for to face it was to alter the shape of him, he nonetheless managed to keep his expression warm as he said, “I think we must all lift a glass together. After journeying to the coast together, we will be fast friends.”

A fading of her smile, but as with Kaia, bold and determined, she wasn’t a woman to give up on what she wanted. “Please do call me if you need any help, Illium—I’ll respond at once.”

Only after she’d headed safely up the stairs did he move out into the living area. He didn’t realize he’d been mentally holding his breath until he saw Aodhan safe and sound.





40


Aodhan had finished lighting the fire already set out on the hearth when Illium reappeared with a tray full of food. His stomach muscles unclenched. That hadn’t taken long at all, not considering the fact Illium had been with Kai.

Stopping by where Aodhan stood near the fireplace—while Jinhai was pressed up against the windows—Illium kept his voice low as he said, “He say anything else?”

Aodhan fought the urge to stroke his hand over Illium’s wing, the possessive need making his face flush. It was stupid to be irritated about Kai; she wasn’t Kaia, who’d treated Illium with such a lack of care. And it wasn’t like the young mortal could take Illium from Aodhan. The two of them had been friends too long, the tie between them a thing unbreakable.

“Jinhai,” he told his friend, “was the name of his grandfather—Lijuan’s father.”

Aodhan nodded when Illium raised an eyebrow in a silent question. “It’s truth. Suyin mentioned the name once when we were talking about their wider family. The elder Jinhai has been Sleeping an eon.”

Nodding, Illium went to put the tray on a table near the windows that Aodhan had noticed already held a fresh pitcher of water and three glasses. Kai’s handiwork no doubt. Since she’d had no idea they’d be returning with Jinhai, she must’ve been expecting an invitation to join them for the meal.