Beautiful Salvation Read Free Page B

demon has a point.” Patricio’s feathers ruffled as he crossed his arms, mirroring Etienne across from him in a disapproving father stance. “So far, none of our mates have been human. If this girl has magic in her, it might be her lack of consent that’s keeping you from ‘being worthy.’”
     
    Eurydice’s eyebrows met her hairline at the astute observation as Kirill’s quill exploded in another flurry of furious writing. She’d never considered that. Could she have sped up Saamal’s mating process if she’d tried earlier to get to Aiyana’s spirit?
     
    “And what do you propose I do about that, hmmm?”
     
    Saamal’s voice lashed out at the angel like a whip, tearing Eurydice from her thoughts. Saamal aimed the full force of his frustration at the angel, those miasmic charcoal eyes twin swirling pools of shadow, darker than Charybdis on a moonless night. Eurydice put a hand to her throat, unease rolling through her at the sharp spike of aggression in the clearing. Patricio bristled at Saamal’s tone, wings rising and his hand drifting down to the hilt of his heavy broadsword.
     
    “She is asleep, under a curse. Do you think I wouldn’t talk to her if I could?”
     
    “Well, she’s not exactly sleeping. ” Adonis stood and approached the god, apparently oblivious to the skin tingling ire between Saamal and Patricio. He faced the god with a contemplative wrinkle between his brows. “If she’s under a spell that’s kept her unconscious for a hundred years, then you’re talking about displacing her consciousness, holding it trapped in another dimension.”
     
    Saamal gaped at Adonis, whether for his intriguing suggestion or his audacity to step between him and the angel, Eurydice wasn’t certain. He recovered quickly, brows lowering as he smoothed the emotion from his face.
     
    “Making her sleep was not the curse, the curse was for her to die. It was through my power and the balam’s intervention that death was mitigated to sleep.”
     
    Adonis waved a hand, brushing off the distinction. “Same principle applies. No one sleeps that long, the consciousness is too powerful. Trust me, the lovely Aiyana’s mind is not in stasis—it’s on the astral plane.”
     
    Eurydice leaned forward as far as the trunk of her lower body would allow her, excitement flowing through her veins and making her muscles twitch with anticipation. “What are you saying, Adonis?”
     
    “I’m saying, that Saamal’s lady fair is probably existing—spiritually speaking—on the astral plane.” He grinned at Saamal. “And I can help you get there.”
     
    For a split second, Saamal’s eyes brightened, more like polished obsidian than dark pits, revealing a glimpse of true hope. Then, like clouds passing over a full moon, they grew dark again. “No. It would not work. I am a god of the earth, bound to the land. I could not travel to the astral plane.”
     
    The demon’s wings rose in indignation. “I don’t offer help I can’t provide.” Adonis stood up, brushing himself off as if to rid himself of the insult. “Being an earth god only means you’ll need help from the earth to get to the astral plane. There’s a plant called sinicuichi—”
     
    “I’m familiar with that plant,” Saamal interrupted. “It is used to brew the elixir of the sun. It is known for allowing a man—or god—access to the Dreamworld, but it also renders the body weak and vulnerable.”
     
    Adonis rolled his eyes. “Do you want to talk with Aiyana or not?”
     
    “Of course I do.” Saamal shoved a hand through his dark hair, his perpetual composure seeming to crack. “But I must remain alert. I have enemies, enemies more powerful than you could imagine, who would be on me in an instant if they sensed such weakness. If I were to weaken…”
     
    “Do you have any treaties with other creatures that will allow you to call upon them for aid?” Kirill queried, no doubt thinking of his own fierce negotiations with the