Page 162 of Princess of Bael

He’d made it clear that this was only the beginning. But the balance felt at peace now, Kayla’s control over the Divinity resolute.

Was it only temporary? Would there be a threat to her in the near future?

“Ashmedai will handle imprisoning Morax.” Bael sounded sure of it as he headed toward Kayla.

I almost stepped in between them, but Zerak’s groan divided my attention. Scion’s sword appeared in a blink, the tip pressing to the Archangel’s neck as I bent to retrieve the bloody holy blade Ashmedai had tossed at my feet.

If Zerak so much as fluttered a feather, I’d stab him.

A sentiment Scion clearly stated as he said, “Do not move.”

Mietek joined him, his expression cold. “Well, this is even more disappointing than the Dariel development.”

“Dariel development?” I echoed, my brow furrowed. I knew about his involvement because of Raziel, but we hadn’t reached that point in the conversation yet.

“Xai just killed him in Alastor’s realm,” Mietek explained without looking at me. “He also ascended into a new role as the Archangel of Shadows.”

He uttered that last line like it was a throwaway statement.

“Xai?” I asked, clarifying.

“Yes.”

I cocked a brow. “Archangel of Shadows?” That was a new title.

Mietek hummed in confirmation and squatted to look at Zerak. “I’m very disappointed in this development, old friend.”

“It was only a matter of time,” the Archangel replied, his voice giving nothing away. No remorse. No shock. No disappointment. Just a stoic phrase that seemed to matter little to him.

I’d worry about him in a second.

“We were attacked by shadows again in this realm,” I said, returning to Mietek’s comments on Xai. “Is that all related to Xai?” I wasn’t asking if the Archangel had sent the shadows, just wondering if it was related to his fresh ascension.

“No, he was always destined to become the Archangel of Shadows, much like Kayla was always destined to become the Archdemoness of Divinity—your perfect counter.” His midnight eyes met mine. “You both just needed a little push in the right direction.”

Mietek was shifting topics too quickly for me to keep up. But his comment on Kayla momentarily pulled my attention away from the shadow beings and toward his cryptic comment about pushing my mate and me in the right direction.

“Meaning?” I pressed.

“You know what it means.” He held my gaze in direct challenge, his black-brown feathers ruffling behind him as he stood.

It took me a moment to understand the challenge in his expression. “The cuff.”

Mietek shrugged. “It was a hindrance.”

“You let us think someone else had altered it.” Not a question, but a statement. Because I’d specifically asked him about it, and he’d feigned surprise and innocence. Then he’d made a suggestion that had me questioning Yaz’s loyalty to Kayla.

Another lift and fall of the shoulder from the ancient being. “You weren’t ready to embrace the truth, and we didn’t have time to waste with your righteous anger. Your mate is fine. More than fine. She’s finally coming into her element. You’re welcome.”

My jaw clenched, my desire to punch the smug bastard in the face driving me forward two steps before my mind caught up with the action. “You nearly got us killed.” I uttered the words through a tightened jaw. “You put my mate at unnecessary risk.”

He scoffed at that. “Youput her at risk when you left her in Hell. And you nearly got yourselves killed by not mating properly,” he retorted, his wings flaring with power.

A warning, I realized, my eyes narrowing. His energy signature might suggest a waning of energy on his part, but he was still entirely capable of giving me a good fight.

Which would be a waste of time since we were on the same side.

However, that didn’t stop me from imagining his death on repeat in my mind.