The Forsaken(52)

Forcing her mind back to the present, Meredith prayed Shea was up to the feast. Shea kept to the shadows more but at least she was now joining them for food. At the moment, the Cherub stood to the side closest to the door. She looked like she could bolt any moment but pride held her in place. She kept fidgeting with the sash she wore around her middle, but formal dress was anything but comforting. Like she knew Meredith was thinking of her, Shea turned her head and attempted a smile. It was fleeting and sad, but the attempt was all that mattered, thought Meredith. What had happened to her she couldn’t even think about, but Shea, like Izzy, donned a mask. Meredith had seen that mask slip, and what she’d glimpsed made her question Shea—something she didn’t like at all. Maybe this is her coping mechanism.

Immediately, Meredith’s mind went to Gareth. Of all the times to wonder about him, now is not it. He hadn’t shown up last night. Highly unusual. Meredith feared for his health. The effects of his withdrawal were lessening but she liked to think, blindly, he had need of her.

When all her sisters joined her, including Shea holding the significant black candle, Meredith addressed them. “You have all done a blessed job. Tonight is a true celebration. Now we must await their presence.”

“No need. I am here.”

Izzy’s voice didn’t sound happy. Meredith wondered about that but before she could approach, Nathanael walked in. Dressed in a purple robe with a red sash draped across his chest, he looked as unhappy as Izzy.

So much for making this night special.

*

Nervous, Nathanael tried to push the feeling away. He tried to reason this as fate, but a subtle poke kept returning to nudge him it was now or never. He was young to claim his mate but according to Isabella, the Mistress had agreed to their joining. He might have uttered the binding words to keep Isabella tied to him, but with the Mistress’s blessing, he’d be able to join the Seraphim Warrior Council and become a full-fledged Sera.

Isabella approached him. Her complexion looked even paler and he delighted in how she fidgeted with her sash around her waist. She’s as nervous as a newly trained Pegasus. The thought charged through him. He was Seraphim, his burden to alleviate and wash way her fears.

“I think we should wait.”

Her words, said as low as possible, spoke volumes.

“Too late.”

“Let me petition her again to find you another.”

Nathanael grasped Isabella to him. “Isabella, I want no other. I like everything about you. We will be fine.” He fought the urge to flee. Everything he’d worked hard to achieve would be within reach once the Mistress blessed their union. Isabella would adapt to life in the heavenly realm again. He wasn’t blind to the fact that she’d miss her sisters, but her penance served allowed her to enter the heavenly gates. She had also been the one to deliver the dark angel’s message to the Mistress, so that counted for something.

“Meredith, you may lead the chant,” ordered Nathanael. Dragging along a reluctant Isabella, they moved to the front, knelt down with the other sisters and bowed their heads in prayer. Again, Nat fought to clear his mind and purify his soul. Isabella kept fidgeting and he hoped they didn’t have long to wait for an audience with the Mistress.

“Rise and stand before me Nathanael, First Born of the House of Raphael and Isabella, my Cherub daughter.”

Nat felt Isabella rise. He kept his head bowed hoping Isabella followed proper decorum.

“Thou may look upon me now for this blessed joining honors traditions and pleases the Almighty.”

Nathanael rose to look at the Mistress. He noticed she was covered entirely in white, instead of her usual black. The veil covered even her eyes. Not one speck of flesh as usual could be seen. Around her neck she wore seven separate necklaces, each with a round wooden circle. In his robe pocket, Nathanael held the eighth penance circle, which belonged to Isabella. He’d tried to give it to her when he’d first arrived but she had not accepted it. Tonight, he prayed she did.

“Thou art granted union but Nathanael and Isabella, before you agree to the blessed union, you must willingly agree to the terms.”

Terms? Nat, pretty certain this did not follow protocol, felt his stomach tighten in dread. He didn’t dare dart a look at Isabella, but felt more than saw her form go rigid.

“You honor us, Mistress.” Nat kept his tone respectful, shoving aside the fear clawing at his insides.

“So be it.”

A blinding, golden light filled the space and when Nathanael blinked, he knew he was back in the heavenly realm. The warm, loving caress of the wind told him home was close by.

“Kneel, Sere, and hear thy terms of joining.”

Not one ounce of warmth filled her voice. Nat immediately prostrated himself as instructed, bowed his head and prayed. Without doubt, he knew whatever terms she offered tested his strength in faith. He swallowed, feeling parched and worried of what might be offered to Isabella. I am Seraphim, warrior-ready to face this test. He kept chanting that mantra inside his head, even when the Mistress started listing the terms. His heart thundered to a cold stop when the harsh reality of her words penetrated his shivering body.

*

“I beg thee, Mistress, do not ask him,” said Isabella. Tears slid unchecked down her cheeks. She didn’t care.

“Thou overstep thy boundaries, Cherub. Careful how thou approaches.”