Chapter 79

Flame needed all the members of the council to attend the meeting. 

All of them.

And so she had asked Nuriel to ensure that he told all of them to meet them in the council room at exactly eleven, and they had arrived there some minutes earlier to wait. She had stood by his side at the end of the table but then he had held her hand and gestured to the other end where another seat had been placed. 

She looked at him with a mixture of complex emotions, that seat hadn't been there before. Which meant that he truly was learning to let her be her own person. She kissed him before making her way towards the chair and sitting down. It was an alluring red, exquisitely designed to suit her own taste. There was nothing masculine about it, which made it quite clear that it was hers. 

One by one the angels walked in, greeting them before they proceeded to take their rightful seats. Aziel was the closest on her right while Bastian occupied the usually vacant seat on her left. She hadn't actually expected him to show up. And while all the others greeted each one of them,he had simply said, " Sure, My queen," in acknowledgement and sat down. 

" You seem vibrant, " Aziel told Flame, a wide grin on his immaculately handsome features,she shot him a serious look, a layer of aggression remaining in the space between them. Since the last council meeting, she still harboured some slight rage towards the reckless angel who seemed to sense it but didn't quite care.

Kael was the last one to arrive, a trey of food in his hand and a charming smile on his face. He said hello to everyone then went ahead to sit down. 

" Before any of you attempts to tell me that this is neither the time nor place for food,I'll have you all know that your opinions bear no significance while I'm starving, " he said before anyone commented and proceeded to take a bite. Then he turned towards Flame and winked. 

" Nice chair Flame. Could you get me one in gold?" He asked and she shot him a very subtle smile, knowing quite well that none of them would ever take her seriously unless she made them. She was naturally a fun person, and she liked to talk and joke,but she had to learn how to put a thick line between work and play. And currently it was time for the former. 

" You're all here, good, " she stated, then she stood, looking onto Nuriel who was studying her intently. Giving her courage despite the distance. She cleared her throat and looked around the room, her eyes landing on everyone that was present. So many scents clashing with each other in beautiful chaos. But she recognized one above all else. Nuriel's 

" First I want to thank you all for everything you've been doing to catch Phoenix, " She began. 

" It's our duty, no need to thank us, " Victor said and she nodded,then she went ahead to apologize for not having told them about Phoenix sooner. She knew that some of them still believed she had delayed in relaying the information.

" You have my forgiveness milady, " Aziel cunningly said, leaning towards her with a smirk on his face. She kept her eyes on the rest of the group, his main aim in life was to get her riled up and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Kael picked a bowl of fruits from the trey and stood, slowly walking around the room as he ate. Flame gave him a moment to do so before she went on, still wondering how come the angel never stayed still. 

" I want to inform you all that I'm immediately putting an end to the search..until further notice that is, "

Most of them looked at her like she was a madwoman, while the others seemed plainly confused, with an exception of Nuriel who had locked his fingers together and placed his elbows on the tables surface. Listening on keenly with a look of utter focus.

" May we know why?"Kalen asked and she went ahead to explain. She told them that she had found a way to reach the goddess at any time she pleased, but as they had discussed with Nuriel, she wouldn't rush into things. 

" We need a strategy first,and I also need to practice more, "

" I politely beg to differ, " Rylan said afterwards. According to him, she ought to just lead them to the goddess and let them deal with her. 

" You had your chance to do so and you saw how it went, " she said. But the words were spoken with nothing but consideration,she wasn't trying to degrade anyone's abilities and she hoped that they understood.

" I'm sure that if we take time to plan things then we'll no doubt defeat her, "she added. Studying their expressions to try and figure out what they were thinking.

" How long do you think the preparations will take?" Drexel asked and she told them the truth,that she wasn't sure how long. 

" The beings grow more restless with each day that passes. They're fed up of being locked indoors, " Phelan told her and Kael supported him.

" That's true. Some were threatening to just leave their homes and find other places to go,"

Flame slowly walked to the back of her chair and placed her hands on the backrest, then she huffed out a breath.

" We can't leave them in the dark I suppose, they have to be informed of the progress we've made so that they don't think we're doing nothing, " she said. 

" We'll ensure that they receive the message, " Drexel said. Seated next to Bastian who seemed more into listening than giving his own opinions,but she wasn't going to force anyone to talk. She knew that all the angels were different and none of them could act how she wanted them to, the simple truth was that some were more withdrawn and didn't seem to want to change.

" And tell whoever still threatens to leave that the choice is exclusively theirs. If they meet their death out there we shall not be to blame, " Nuriel finally spoke. A hard edge to his sure voice. Drexel nodded. 

That wasn't exactly something Flame would have said, it would make her seem a bit heartless. But when Nuriel said it it sounded more like an official ruling that still made sense. 

" Last time we went to deliver food to the beings, there were some families with sick members. They requested for a healer and we had to fly him to them. But he said he was in need of some resources, he gets them from the forest and Greyden as well. " Kael said, then he waited for Flame to give her opinion on what they would do. 

She had nothing, she thought about it but fell out short. 

" May I suggest something?" Barin asked and she told him to go ahead.

" It would be easier to tend to them if they're in one place. There's an inn in town, we could take them there, that way they'll have food and a place to sleep. Whatever resources the healer requires, we'll get to him. "

She told him she thought the idea was brilliant. 

" I'll put you in charge of that, great thinking Barin, " she told him and he smiled a genuine smile. He had just saved her from looking completely clueless in front of them all. 

" I know a thing or two about wild herbs. I'll help search for whatever the healer requires, "Quillon commented and Kalen said he'd help. Flame thanked them despite not having to. 

" And I'll go fetch whatever is required from Greyden. Make sure it gets here on time, " Zarek added and Rylan lowly grunted under his breath. She asked him whether there was anything he wanted to say but he shook his head and faked a smile that seemed odd on his gruff features.

" Don't tell me you still can't stand to hear the name Greyden. It's been ages, " Zarek mentioned, understanding the angel's reaction. Rylan warned him to let it be and he put his hands up in a gesture of peace and did just that. Flame recalled Nuriel telling her about Rylan's hatred towards their neighbouring kingdom with the beings that remained a mystery to her. 

" Proud fools!" Rylan muttered and they turned to him, but he ignored them all.

" Okay, does anyone else have anything to say before we end this? " She asked and Aziel raised his hand. She so desperately wanted to pretend that she hadn't seen it but she looked at him and arched her brows.

" Authority suits you, you wear it well, " 

Not what she had been expecting. She smiled despite not wanting to and thanked him, but then he ruined it all by adding, " Nuriel, if you don't mark this one soon, someone else will. " She glared at him and caught a flash of Nuriel's silver eyes as they glowed. 

" Thought you made it clear you didn't want a mate, " Kalen asked him and he ran a hand through his sandy brown hair. Chartreuse eyes glinting with laughter.

" I don't, Kael seems rather taken with her though--" A piece of fruit landed on the back of his head before he could continue with the crazy remark. 

" Burn with the gods you bastard!" Kael said afterwards and Aziel laughed. A few of them struggled not to laugh out of respect for her. 

Flame blew out a breath and dismissed them all, then she made her way around the table towards Nuriel who immediately pulled her down to sit on his lap. 

" How was I? Give it to me straight angel, " she spoked into his chest and he dug his fingers into her hair and told her she'd done great.

" I got turned on just listening to you, " he whispered the words to her ear and she chuckled. 

" Get a room already, Goodness Nuri! I'm trying to eat here, " Kael complained he went back to his seat and continued with his meal. Having heard what was said, just like everyone else who was still in there. Rehan was the closest to Nuriel, he smiled, then he briefly thanked Flame for her help earlier on.

" Was the problem fixed?" She asked and he shrugged.

" Left a note saying there hadn't been one to begin with. But it's back to normal now, " She frowned then nodded and watched as Rehan stood to leave. 

Placing both palms on the table's surface for support.

" Bloody dungeons!" Kael cursed. Kalen and Drexel, the only angels left in the room apart from Rehan and Nuriel turned to him. His glass of water had tipped over and the liquid was currently drenching his leather clad form. 

He parted his lips to complain but only ended up shaking his head. Then he proceeded with his meal as if nothing had happened. 

Everyone laughed, and it felt like they hadn't done so in ages.