Angel's Honor by Erin M. Leaf Read Free Book Online Page A

out of his
shoulders. “I will,” he replied, wings ruffling in the light breeze. “Stop
worrying.” They’d flown to Archangel Castle from Raphael’s cabin after spending
the day together. They’d gone to sleep late and woken late. He hadn’t wanted to
leave, especially not for this. He felt like they’d barely had time to settle
into their mating.
    “Yeah, well, watch your back.
Samael is not an honorable angel,” Raphael said, hand lightly touching Gabriel’s
arm for a moment.
    Gabriel stopped. The woods around
the clearing in front of the castle were quiet. Above them, the full moon shone
bright and strong, lighting the dark sky and ground below. The landscape looked
like something out of a dream. “I know he hasn’t been a good leader, but saying
he is not honorable is a different thing entirely,” he said.
    Raphael nodded. “I know what I’m
saying.” He looked away briefly, then met Gabriel’s
eyes steadily. “He didn’t want me to come here. He didn’t want me to study the
People’s histories. He tried to have me expelled.”
    “Excommunication?” Gabriel sucked in a
hard breath. “That’s insane.”
    “Yes. He’s not rational. My mother was
not amused. I came anyway, despite his threats and given how unfounded they
were, Samael had to back down or risk losing influence over some of the younger
angels, and if that happened, well. You understand.”
    Gabriel did. If Samael lost too
many of the younger ones, he risked an uprising. Ironically, his desperation to
hold onto power had him facing a challenge where he could lose not just his
position, but also his life.
    Raphael continued. “I’m a teacher. A historian. We’ve been raised to respect those of us with
the skill to impart knowledge.” He pressed his lips together for a moment. “That’s
partly why I am so careful to avoid him. I don’t think I’ve set eyes on our
esteemed leader since I first arrived,” he said quietly. “Samael’s eyes tell
the story of his empty soul, and reflect the absence of empathy. He is evil.”
    Gabriel considered what his Omega
said. “You are a healer, and know what you see, but even if you weren’t, I’d
still believe you.”
    Raphael frowned. “I am no healer.”
    Gabriel smiled and started walking
again. “You, of all angels, know what the myths say.”
    “Not every story is rooted in
truth, Gabriel.” Raphael sounded nervous.
    “This one is.” Gabriel was sure of
it. He ignored Raphael’s small huff of annoyance and headed up the stone steps.
It was nearly ten. They had no more time to spare.
    ****
    “Oh my God, you cut it close,
brother. I was worried,” Ariel said, walking with them through the castle. They
were in the main hallway that ran the length of the building, front to back.
The grand staircase loomed over their heads as they headed toward the private
grounds at the rear of the castle. They’d shifted back to full human when they’d
entered as they usually did when going inside a house, though this particular
structure was more than large enough to hold them, wings and all.
    Custom and habit. How they rule our lives, Gabriel mused, walking a little faster. The dim lighting made it hard to
see, but he’d been here a thousand times growing up, though admittedly not
often since his father died. He’d always loved this place. Samael didn’t
deserve such a grand home. But it’s not just his home, it’s the home of the
People, he told himself, running a finger down the wall as they walked. The
wood paneling was as smooth and lovely as ever. At least their leader hadn’t
trashed the castle as he had their honor. Of course, he needs it to look
grand for all those photo ops he’s so fond of. Samael had a thing for human magazine articles and other publicity
stunts.
    “Mom didn’t come, by the way,”
Ariel said suddenly.
    Gabriel hadn’t expected her to.
Castle Archangel was where his father had died. “I know.”
    His sister shot him a sharp look, then seemed to