Archangel's Enigma

Seven months Naasir had been hunting. Seven months since he'd told Ashwini he was ready to find a mate. Seven months and still his mate hadn't made herself known to him. Didn't she know he was looking for her?

Why would you say I shouldn’t wait for you?” It was a snarl. “If you’re mine, you’re mine. And I’m yours. Today, tomorrow, always.

When he'd been younger and first starting to feel the urge to rut with females - and before he'd grown up to the point where many of the opposite sex found him irresistible - he'd tried to court girls by bringing them meat and shiny things. It turned out he'd scared them. "Most women and girls," Dmitri had told him, "don't know what to do when a man drops a hunk of raw meat in their hands.

His voice had fallen into the guttural range. “She is not you. No one will ever be what you are to me.” Her heart broke. Into a million tiny pieces.

I am the alpha. You follow." His extraordinary eyes held Andromeda's. "Not for always. For this." Andromeda was oddly pleased that he'd clarified his statement. "Until we escape," she agreed

A woman who knows me, understands what I am, and who wants to have secret rules with me.

I’ve heard the women in the Refuge talk about how sensual it is when you feed from them.” Naasir shrugged. "Cooperative food is better than noncooperative food" [...] “But the Refuge food is too cooperative,” he grumbled. “How much blood do they think I can drink?

How did you notice that?” “Because I notice you.

If blood alone is what defines us, no child born is born in freedom.

Hello,” he said, on his best behavior now. “I just wanted to smell you.” “Oh.” Lines between her eyebrows, the tone of her voice making him want to close his eyes and just listen. “Do you sniff everyone you meet?

Not according to your definition. It appears Andromeda has taken a vow of celibacy.” Naasir groaned. “I think I should jump off into traffic. It’d be less painful than such torture.

while she respected all of the Seven, her relationship with Illium was different. He’d been the first one she’d truly come to know, his humor and wit critical in helping her adjust to this new life. Even among the Seven, he seemed to hold a special place: no one was ever angry at Bluebell. The idea that power might change him, chill that joyous heart was even worse than the thought of losing him to it.

You are a symbol—even if I am missed, so long as people can see you in the air, they’ll feel safe.” Because everyone knows I would not leave my consort in a city I didn’t feel was protected against all harm. “Shit,” Elena muttered. “I hate it when you make sense.

I’ll follow you,” she whispered against his lips. “No matter where you go, I’ll be right beside you.

None of these doe-eyed beauties, she reminded herself, would last an hour with him in his real skin. He was too wild, too strong, too demanding, and too aggravating. He was perfect.

When Naasir was yet a child, Dmitri had told him he must learn as many languages as possible, so no one could keep secrets from him. This wasn’t the first time that advice had held Naasir in good stead.

Andromeda said a quick good-bye to Lailah and Cato, was startled when her mother hugged her close and whispered, “Fly free, my daughter. Be what I could never be and leave the cage forever.

Then there was Lijuan. The Archangel of China had a nasty habit of coming back from the dead.

-I'm not ready to leave your seven Sire.-Illium said from the bed. -I'm not ready for you to leave either.- Raphael answered

Naasir was strong and fast and highly intelligent, but he was currently trapped in the heart of enemy territory, and that enemy did not fight according to any known rules of war.

A vow of celibacy was easy to hold when there was no temptation.

Perhaps the storm will do the world a favor and burn Lijuan from existence.

Your father will wake at reckless speed to avenge you.

You’ll take her with you.” Nassir looked up at Raphael. Blinked. Then snarled. “I can’t be dragging around a historian. They break.

Focus on the squadron, Naasir. I will take care of Lijuan.

He has little use for scholars, but you are his sole grandchild, and as such, he is willing to overlook your failings as long as you conduct yourself as a princess of the court during your time of service. Do not disappoint him, Andromeda. Your grandfather’s mercy is not endless.