Page 189 of Wicked Bonds

Which meant they all had to be on the same page to provide a united front to the Hydraians.

It would be temporary. Just long enough for Luc to regain confidence in his own mind.

Balthazar respected him for recognizing the need to take control of his emotions but wished his old friend would let him help.

However, that wasn’t Luc’s way.

He had to own his pain to be able to truly heal from it.

“So it’s safe to assume Leek has returned to the council,” Luc said, his position at the head of the room near his fireplace. It was purposeful, giving him a view of everyone and the door. “Do you think they’ll send more Seraphim to attack us?”

“Not until they understand what happened here,” Vera replied. “And that could take them a while.”

Stark dipped his chin in agreement. “Time works differently for Seraphim. A few weeks is the same as a few months or even years to them. Which makes it difficult to predict their return.”

“Skye will help with that,” Caro murmured. “And from what Ezekiel said, she’s finally calm now.”

“Didn’t he say something about death coming, though?” Alik replied. “That she kept chanting it right before Stas imploded?”

“Maybe she meant the Seraphim here were about to die and be reborn?” Sethios suggested. “Or she was predicting the Hydraian deaths.”

“Or she meant the literal Seraphim of Death and Destruction,” Alik countered. “Since he’s clearly obsessed with B’s…” He blinked, glancing at Balthazar. “Do I call her a mate? A girlfriend? A wife? I’m honestly curious as to how I address this new addition of yours, asconquestapplies to far too many others.”

“She’s not my anything,” Balthazar replied. “She’s Leela, a fertility Seraphim and the most sensual woman in existence. She’s her own person and will always be her own person.”

Her lips curled. “A person who chooses to be mated to Balthazar.”

“Exactly.” He grinned. “A challenge I have to please and worship for eternity.”

“A very difficult job,” Leela added.

“I would never desire an easy one,” he countered seriously.

Leela leaned in to kiss him, her mind full of warm thoughts as her tongue traced his bottom lip.I’m looking forward to breakfast, B.

As am I, sweetheart.He returned her embrace, his tongue touching hers in a soft caress meant to tease for the morning ahead. It was almost dawn, and he highly doubted they’d be sleeping anytime soon.

How fortuitous that we don’t require sleep,he thought.

Yes, she agreed.We can go days without.

Days,he repeated.A challenge I—

“I regret my question,” Alik deadpanned, interrupting his thoughts. “My point was that Skye’s prophecy might be about the Seraphim obsessed withLeela. Which makes your exit poorly timed.” The words were for Luc. “But I understand the need.”

“I won’t be gone long,” Luc promised. “I just need… to dismantle my grief.”

“You need to accept it,” Balthazar countered, pulling away from Leela’s mouth to pin his old friend with a look. “Pain and grief are meant to be embraced, not pushed away.”

Luc blinked at him, his mind not committing to the task and instead shifting focus to the days ahead. “The Hydraians will need to be told the truth about my absence. To lie or cover it up will only inspire distrust and confusion, two emotions we cannot afford right now.”

Balthazar nodded, agreeing.

“They don’t need the details. Just tell them I’ve gone to mourn and seek renewed purpose.” Luc cleared his throat. “They’ll need the three of you for emotional support.”

Alik snorted. “Not exactly my forte.”

“But he’ll work on it,” Balthazar added before Luc could reply to that. “They’ll have me and Jay as well. And Stas.” It was important to include her. She’d defeated the Seraphim. That would grant her a certain status amongst the Hydraians that they could use to help put them at ease.