Aodhan’s heart beat too fast. “Is Eh-ma all right?”
A sadness to Jessamy’s smile. “She’s had a big shock, and she needs time to rest.” Leaning in, she kissed Aodhan on the forehead. “I’ll tell her you came by, I promise.”
Teacher Jessamy never lied to them, so Aodhan knew she’d keep her promise. Digging inside his pocket, he pulled out the stone. “This is for her.”
Light filled the warm brown of his teacher’s eyes. “Oh, how lovely. I’m sure this will brighten her day.”
“Can I see Illium?”
“Oh, of course—I think that would be very good for him.” Jessamy touched his cheek. She’d asked on the first day of school if he minded if she hugged him or touched him in such small ways, and he’d told her he didn’t. He liked her. She was warm inside like Eh-ma. “He’s with Raphael. You know where Raphael’s Refuge stronghold is?”
When Aodhan nodded hard, Jessamy said, “I’m sure he’ll be very glad to see you. But Aodhan, if he’s mad at you, or doesn’t act like himself, please know it has nothing to do with you. He’s had a bad shock, too.”
Aodhan’s best friend was never mean to him, but he nodded again. “Is he hurt inside?” It was something Eh-ma had taught him, that sometimes, the hurts weren’t ones you could see.
Jessamy gave him a solemn look. “Yes, sweet boy. He’s hurt inside.”
“I’ll go see him now.” He couldn’t leave his friend alone when he was hurting.
Jessamy stood and watched as he walked to the edge of the drop-off beside Eh-ma’s home, and flew off it. He couldn’t do vertical takeoffs like the big boys yet, but he could fly good enough to get to Raphael’s stronghold.
Still, he was puffed by the time he reached it, his wings drooping as he came in to land on the big flat balcony that Raphael had said he and Illium were allowed to use.
Raphael was already on that balcony. “There you are, Aodhan,” he murmured.
“Did Jason see me?” Aodhan huffed, gulping in the cold air.
“No, Jason is in my territory. Another sentry spotted you.” Raphael held out a small glass of water. “Drink this first, then we’ll talk.”
Thirsty after his long flight and wanting to see Illium, Aodhan gulped down the drink, gave Raphael the glass, then took the hand Raphael held out. They walked together into a big room that had lots of sitting places. Putting the glass on a nearby table, Raphael lifted Aodhan up onto a bench seat by a window.
The archangel then sat down next to him, his huge wings taking up all the space behind Aodhan. His face was more serious than Aodhan had ever seen it.
Scared, he said, “It’s something really bad, isn’t it, Rafa?”
“Yes, Aodhan, it is.” Raphael met his eyes. “I’ve spoken with your parents, and they’ve agreed with me that you need to be told. You’re too important to Illium for it to be otherwise.”
Aodhan bit his lower lip. “Did you make my parents?” Because they’d been patting him on the head and telling him he didn’t need to know.
“Perhaps I applied a little pressure.” Raphael’s tone was . . . different. Hard. “But there are times to protect a child, and there are times to trust a child’s heart and strength. I think you have plenty of both.”
Aodhan swallowed, squeezing the edges of the bench on which they sat. “What happened? Did Aegaeon do a mean thing?”
Going as still as one of the snow leopards that Naasir had shown Aodhan, Raphael murmured, “Now, why would you say that?”
Aodhan shrugged. “I don’t like him.” He flicked up his eyes to see if he was in trouble for saying that.
“Neither do I.” Raphael’s voice was even harder. “And the answer is yes, he did.” Swiveling so he was straddling the bench, Raphael helped Aodhan get into the same position, so they were face-to-face. “Aegaeon went into Sleep. He didn’t warn Lady Sharine or Illium. He just went into Sleep without warning.”
Aodhan knew about Sleep. His grandmother who was his father’s mother had gone into Sleep before he was born. It meant she was resting because she didn’t want to live in the world anymore. One day, she’d wake up, but it might be a long time from now. Maybe even after Aodhan was a grown-up.
“But Aegaeon’s a papa.” He scrunched up his face. “Mamas and papas don’t go to Sleep.” Not until their children weren’t little angels anymore.