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“And do you have any suggestions for how we can spend these last few precious hours together, Windstriker?” I said with a coy smile, wrapping my arms around him.

“Of course I do.”

I leaned in closer to kiss him…but a loud, throat-clearing rumble sliced through our private moment. I turned my head to look. The front door was still open, and General Silverstar was standing just outside. His stance was particularly rigid, even for him.

“Why, hello there, General!” I said, removing my hands from Nero’s butt. “So nice of you to stop by. Please, come in, come in!” I stepped aside to give him a clear path.

“Leda Pandora,” he replied with a dignified dip of his chin.

He was totally ignoring the aroused golden glow in my eyes. I knew it was there. I could feel my eyes burning with magic and lust.

Mostly just the lust.

“General Windstriker,” he said, nodding to Nero next.

General Silverstar really was the perfect angel. He never let anything distract him from procedure.

Nero returned his grandfather’s formal nod with one of his own. “General Silverstar.”

I closed the front door.

“I heard reports that you had some trouble in the West,” General Silverstar said to Nero as they crossed the front lounge, heading for the dining room.

“Just some unruly shifter packs,” replied Nero. “Nothing we couldn’t handle.”

General Silverstar nodded. “I look forward to reading your report in the next update.”

I followed them into the dining room. The table was set for fifteen, but since it wasn’t actually big enough to fit that many people, Calli had had to get a little creative. Still, despite the tightsqueeze, the table settings were elegant. A pretty printed card marked each dinner guest’s place.

Cadence and Damiel were already waiting in the dining room, standing in front of a bouquet of preserved flowers set atop an antique sideboard. They each held a wine glass.

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Rhydian,” Damiel said as Cadence hugged her father.

“General Silverstar,” he corrected Damiel in a chiding tone. “Let us uphold at least a minimum of decorum.”

Damiel took a piece of cheese from the platter on the sideboard. “Let’s not. I left decorum behind when I retired from the Legion. Maybe you should give it a try too?” His brows lifted with the suggestion.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” General Silverstar said stiffly. “An angel’s duty is never complete.”

“Yeah, you should paint that tagline over the hearth of your fortress,” Damiel laughed, then popped the cheese casually into his mouth. “As for us, I’m picturing a cozy castle with lots of trees outside, fluffy throw rugs, and a big kitchen.” He wrapped his arm around Cadence.

“We’re still searching for the right place,” Cadence added, her eyes twinkling with the excitement of an adventurer. “We’re taking a little ‘roadtrip’ across worlds, searching for the perfect, peaceful spot for our retirement.”

“You should have stayed, Cadence,” her father told her. “The Legion needs angels, right now more than ever before. It was irresponsible for you two to leave.”

“We’re so glad to see you, Dad. Are you here to see little Eira before we head out again?” Cadence deflected. “Let me go find her. She has to be around here somewhere.”

“Yes, likely planning a raid on the kitchen with Sierra,” I commented.

“I would be very pleased to see my granddaughter,” General Silverstar told Cadence with a dip of his chin.

“But that’s not why you’re here, is it?” Damiel’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

He’d once been the Legion’s Master Interrogator, an expert at seeing right to the truth in any situation. And he clearly hadn’t lost his touch.

“You aren’t here for Eira or Cadence,” Damiel continued. “There’s something else. Something that makes you…nervous.” He snapped his fingers when he honed in on the exact emotion. “But what would make the legendary General Rhydian Silverstar feel nervous? And…excited?” He snapped his fingers again.

“Stop doing that,” General Silverstar barked.