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tavern, or shop from one end of Samaria to another, so that the merchant knew which hold to charge for his goods and services. But Obadiah’s expenses would fall to Cedar Hills now. He supposed he must, after all, have a new bracelet fashioned to mark him for his new place in life.
    He did not allow himself a moment to feel saddened by this realization but headed immediately out the door. He must fly down to Velora and hire someone to cart his belongings to Jordana. It was clear he had accumulated way too much to be able to carry everything himself.
    â€œWhen do you leave?” Rachel asked.
    â€œTomorrow.”
    â€œTomorrow! And you’re just telling me now?”
    â€œI thought Gabriel might have—”
    â€œHe did, of course, Gabriel tells me everything, but he didn’t say you were leaving so soon.”
    Despite the really quite sizable lump of grief that was causing his heart to labor hard, Obadiah grinned at her. The angelica was an expressive, combative, stubborn, outspoken, and dangerous woman who really did not need the additional enhancement of masses of golden hair to make her wholly irresistible. Well, irresistible to Obadiah. There were plenty of people, at the Eyrie and elsewhere, who were not so fond of the Archangel’s unpredictable wife.
    â€œEverything in my room is packed up and on its way across the Galilee River,” Obadiah said. “I don’t even have a sheet to sleep on except what I’ve borrowed from Hannah. I think I’d rather be at Cedar Hills awaiting my possessions than here, simply missing them.”
    â€œThat’s not the point,” Rachel said coldly. “The point is, you could have let me know yesterday or the day before that today would be your last day here.”
    â€œWell, perhaps I put it off because I did not want to say good-bye. I never like sad things, you know.”
    â€œNo, you’re a delightful man who scatters happiness all around him, and it’s really not fair that Cedar Hills gets to have you. We need a little joy at the Eyrie, too.”
    â€œBut the Eyrie has you,” he could not resist saying, the note in his voice teasing. “How much more joy could it endure?”
    She gave him an exasperated look, and then both of them laughed. They were best friends, in a way. They understood each other as well as if they had known each other forever, instead of only for a couple of years. Obadiah could always charm her from a sullen mood, and she could always cast him into despair; he supposed that was the definition of a close relationship.
    â€œYou want to go, don’t you?” she asked suddenly.
    â€œAngela?” he said carefully. “Why would that be?”
    She shook her head impatiently. “Because it is difficult here for you. I know that. Although I can’t deny that sometimes I like to think it is difficult for you, because I know why.” A quick mischievous look, and then she was pouting again. “But it’s still not fair. You’ll go to Cedar Hills and cheer up Magdalena when she’s gloomy and help Nathan when he’s overwhelmed, and be best friend to all those Monteverde angels, and everyone will love you, and who are we left with? Eva and Ishi. I think if you come back to visit you’ll find us all depressed. I think we need you more than Nathan does.”
    This speech, remarkably, made Obadiah feel better than he had in three days. She would miss him, at any rate. He had known she would, but it was good to hear her say it. “I wish my ability to spread joy was as great as you imply, angela,” he said. “But I actually think my presence at Cedar Hills won’t really change anybody’s attitude very much.”
    â€œBut you want to go,” she said again.
    He hesitated, then shrugged. “I think it might be good for me,” he said lightly. “I have lived at the Eyrie most of my life. They say that change improves everyone.