Raphael hadn’t known that rule—but then, he’d never needed to know it. Are you certain he’ll be safe?

Not answering, Alexander came to flank Elena, maintaining a respectable three feet of distance between their primaries. The Ancient was nothing if not traditional. “Consort,” he said in greeting.

“Archangel Alexander,” Elena replied, since she and Alexander didn’t have a relationship of informality, as she now did with Titus. “No offense, but why did you bring that gorgeous kid?” She nodded at the young male, who’d dropped to fly low over the landscape.

Alexander could’ve pointed out that Xander was two hundred years old, give or take a year or two, while Elena had barely passed the three decade mark, but they all knew immortals didn’t age as mortals did. Xander wasn’t actually the kid Elena had named him, but neither was he considered full grown. He was a stripling—around twenty, maybe twenty-one years of age in human terms.

For angels, their third century of life tended to be the defining moment between childhood and adulthood. Some angels were considered true adults after two centuries and a quarter, others required a little more seasoning. From what he knew of Alexander’s bloodline, Raphael wagered the stripling would transition to adulthood in a quicksilver heartbeat. Mere decades at most.

But today, in this moment, he remained a youth.

* * *

“It heartens me that you and your consort both ask after the safety of my grandson,” Alexander said. “Perhaps there is hope for the Cadre.”

You know I will not betray you unless you do the same first, Raphael said, connecting Elena into the conversation through his own mind. You are the reason one of my Seven is currently able to live freely with his mate.

Ah, the wild creature. Alexander’s lips curved. As for Xander, I can see to the safety of my grandson better than anyone else—and when I’m not there, Valerius will be. Xander will be better protected than if he was at home.

Raphael wasn’t so certain. The world has changed since you were last awake, Alexander. Laws have been broken, lines crossed. You know this better than anyone.

Eyes of pure silver met Raphael’s, the lines of Alexander’s face brutal in their hardness. Anyone who touches him will die by my hand, Raphael. I will then annihilate their lands and lines until no trace remains of their blood. This is a promise of which everyone will soon become aware.

Elena glanced at Raphael but didn’t speak, not until he said, We are private now, Guild Hunter.

He won’t change his mind, she said. And I don’t think it’s arrogance—he lost his son, wants his grandson in his sight so he can protect him.

Raphael understood, but he also understood that Alexander couldn’t always be with Xander. Are you available for babysitting?

Elena smiled. Ah, what the heck. It’ll keep me from missing Izzy.

The youngest member of his consort’s Guard was closer to one hundred than two hundred, but it wasn’t that big of a gap when it came to angelic growth. The difference between a young mortal of eighteen or nineteen and one of twenty, twenty-one.

“Your grandson is welcome to keep company with my consort and Aodhan,” Raphael said aloud. “He will, of course, fall further in love with Elena, but the boy will have to risk a broken heart if he wishes to learn to dance with a warrior consort. She may even shoot bolts at him to keep herself amused.”

Alexander’s laughter was unexpected, a warm, full-blooded sound that had his grandson sweeping around and up toward his grandfather. “Raphael, I envy you.” With that, he dropped to meet his grandson, and the two of them angled toward Lumia.

He did not take offense at the offer, Raphael said to Elena. So you may well find yourself with a young pup at your side. Valerius is an ancient general, a little rigid personally, but brilliant with strategy. Where Xander goes, he’s apt to be close.

Elena frowned. Is Aodhan okay with Valerius?

I will ask.

When Aodhan came down to join them, in their slow sweep toward a landing, he said, “I have only had minor contact with Valerius through the centuries, but he has always struck me as honorable. I don’t foresee any problems.”

Then they were landing in what appeared to be a central courtyard, the pavings of a lighter stone than the walls of Lumia, the plantings around the courtyard simple grasses kept ruthlessly in control.

Alexander and Xander were already down; Valerius landed beside Aodhan. When the general held out his forearm in the way of warriors, Raphael felt Elena tense, touched her gently on the back. It is no attempt at one-upmanship or insult, but rather the opposite, he said to her. Given the gap in their ages, Valerius likely isn’t aware of Aodhan’s abhorrence for touch.

Aodhan didn’t hesitate. He responded by clasping his hand over the gauntlet that covered the general’s forearm, while the general did the same, his hand closing over Aodhan’s leather gauntlet. Only someone who knew Aodhan really well would’ve caught the stiffness of his wings, the relief that colored his eyes when the contact ended.

“Consort.” Alexander came over just as Elena finished unzipping the sides of the bottom half of her dress enough to permit her free movement. “Allow me to officially introduce my grandson. Xander, this is Elena.”

The young male’s smile was shy and it did put Raphael in mind of Izak, or Izzy as Elena called him.

“Consort.” Xander bowed his head low as befit a youth of his age in the presence of an archangelic consort; the fact he was an Ancient’s grandson made no difference. Warriors earned their own standing and Raphael knew Alexander well enough to understand that the Ancient would expect nothing less from his blood.