Page 159 of Alastair

My gaze returned to my brother. He looked so damn happy it made my heart leap into my throat. “Elasus chose this?”

“Yes,” Uriel answered. “I gave him the choice. He needed no time to decide. His answer was instantaneous. Anything to be reunited with his mate.”

“Thank you,” I told him.

Disgust clouded his expression. “I didn’t do this to earn your thanks, Nephilim. A debt was owed. I paid it. Consider us even.”

“Admit it, Uri,” Raphael said, sliding his arms around Uriel. “You have a soft spot for these boys. You’re just too proud to say it.”

“I despise them a little less now than I did prior to the battle, yet I still find them repulsive.” Uriel stepped away from the other archangel and looked at Lazarus. “Much needs to be discussed, but I will give you time to recover from the battle. I expect you in the council’s chamber in three days’ time.”

“I’ll be there,” Lazarus responded.

“See to it that you are.” Uriel turned his back to us and shot up into the sky without another word.

Raphael waved at us before flying after him. Selaphiel politely nodded before leaving as well.

With Lazarus’ help, I stood up, swaying a little. I was still trying to process being back in my body. He allowed me to lean on him though. Just as he always did. My pillar of strength.

Oliver stepped forward. “What are your orders, Commander?”

Lazarus straightened up a bit, going into commander mode. “Those who fell in battle deserve to be honored.” He glanced at Konnar, then at Bane, who had reverted to human form. “All of them. Angels, dragons, vampires, and wolves. Gather the dead and build them burial pyres.”

“Yes, sir.” Oliver turned and was stopped by Daichi.

The earth dragon had scrapes and a few cuts but stood strong. “I’ll help you.”

The soft smile that bloomed on Oliver’s face rang of his unspoken affection. And he wouldn’t speak of it. Doing so would potentially tear apart a loving family. So he buried those feelings as best as he could. “I’d appreciate that.”

The two then left together. Other angels joined them. Bane and his pack helped too. Pyres were built, and bodies were placed on top. As they were torched and the flames rose into the sky, I silently prayed that all would find peace in the afterlife—even those who’d fought against us.

I stepped over to Lucifer, my throat suddenly tight as I crouched down. Carefully, I removed the swords that still protruded from his body and smoothed down his long black hair. Wiped the blood from his mouth.

With his eyes closed, he could’ve been sleeping. But I sensed no life from him. His skin was ice-cold, just like the bed of snow he lay upon.

“Is it wrong for me to grieve him?” I asked, my voice like broken glass.

“No.” Lazarus knelt beside me. “Despite his wickedness, we both loved him once. It’s that version of him we grieve.”

“Where do angel souls go after death?” I remembered Lucifer’s last words. My father’s name had been on his lips.

“Paradise in the celestial realm,” he answered. “Though, fallen angels are sent to Sheol in the underworld. A realm for the dead.”

“Is that where Lucifer went?”

“I imagine so.”

I hated the burning in the backs of my eyes. “I don’t want to shed tears for him, Lazarus. My memories of him were built on lies. He never cared for me. I was a weapon to him. He used and manipulated me. So why do I feel so…” A small cry left me before I stifled it.

Lazarus rested his hand on the back of my head, patting it once. He then pulled me to him as another cry left me. “Let it out,” he murmured softly. “You’ve been strong for so long. Grieving doesn’t make you any less of a warrior.”

That made me cry harder. Once I had nothing more to give, I stayed against him, letting his scent soothe me. Like it always did.

“I believe you’re wrong about one thing,” he said.

“Yeah?” I wiped at my eyes and cleared my throat. “And what might that be?”

His light blue eyes lingered on Lucifer. “A part of him did love you. He had several opportunities to kill you during this war, but he spared you instead. Some might wager it was due to his hope you’d join his side and become the commander of his army like he’d seen in a vision. But I believe it’s because all those moments that you grieve right now were real to him too.”