Splendor and Darkness

by Cyndi Friberg

  “I’m not an angel.” He bent to one knee, bringing his face closer to her eye level. “Have you really seen angels in the sky above the castle?”

  Anna looked at her mother, uncertainty clouding her gaze. She reached out and poked him in the chest. “You’re not a ghost. So what are you?”

  “Anna, go lie down. I’ll come tuck you in after I’ve spoken with Daniel.”

  “But the bells didn’t ring yet. I don’t lie down until the bells ring.”

  “Perhaps Father Roland forgot to ring the bells. Do as I say and do it now.”

  With a lingering look at Daniel, the child nodded and disappeared into an adjoining room.

  “Is she always so composed?”

  Judith fiddled with the skirt of her cotehardie. She’d removed the sweeping houpeland with its elaborate, trailing sleeves as well as her headdress. The simple garment molded to her curvaceous form. Daniel had no objection to her choice.

  “How dare you invade my privacy? You have no right to—”

  “I promised I would protect you.” He took a step forward. She held her ground but discouraged his advance with a glare. “I had no idea Anna would be able to see me in my angelic form.”

  “There is nothing about you that is angelic.”

  He grinned.

  “What do you want?” She cocked one eyebrow, keeping her voice even and low.

  “Let’s start with how long Anna has been able to see angels and work our way around to why you didn’t feel the fact important enough to mention this morning.”

  “You accused me of murdering her father! Why would I tell you anything?”

  His hands itched to touch her again, but he kept his distance—for the time being. “Without accurate information I cannot protect you or your children. The demon horde searches for the Empowered One. That person is not necessarily Nate.”

  “Anna is a child! What could demons want with her?” Multiple blue-black braids extended beyond her simple veil. With her dark eyes flashing and her cheeks deeply flushed, her Romani heritage was especially apparent.

  “Start at the beginning. How many of your tribe have the sight?”

  She lifted her chin and glanced toward the door through which her daughter had departed.

  “When I was still officially sanctioned, I was a Guardian. Even as twisted as my nature has become, I would never harm a child.”

  Her gaze locked with his, her expression demanding. “What if her abilities are not angelic? Will this Council you speak of order her destruction?”

  “The Council already knows she is likely to have abilities that are not angelic. That’s why they expect the Empowered One to be so influential.”

  She crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Her expression turned thoughtful. “You believe Anna is the Empowered One?”

  “It is much too early to draw any conclusion.” He motioned to the chairs arranged before the fire. “May we sit? This doesn’t need to be an argument.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, she joined him at the hearth.

  “Tell me about your people.”

  “I don’t remember much before we arrived at the gates of Paris.” Her tone grew hushed and distant. Was she lost in memory, or separating herself from the pain? “I was no older than Anna is now, but I remember the cruelty, the utter disdain with which we were met.”

  Daniel waited for her to continue as she stared into the fire.

  “Many headed for Pontoise. The elders of our tribe thought we would be better off on our own. We never stayed in one place for long. The Gadje wouldn’t allow it. Papa worked as a blacksmith as often as he was able while Mama…”

  “What happened to your mother?” Daniel prompted after a long pause.

  Judith pulled off her veil and dropped the thin gold circlet to the floor. She twisted the fabric between her hands as the words flowed. “Mama was the most powerful drabardi anyone had ever known. Not only could she interpret dreams, she was able to lapse into a trance and summon visions. She did her best to conceal the true scope of her abilities. Still, they destroyed her in the end.”

  Had her abilities destroyed Judith’s mother or had she been destroyed because of her abilities? Judith had barely grazed the surface of the tragedy, but Daniel didn’t push her. “Did you inherit your mother’s gift?”

  “Within our tribe, drabardis appear every other generation.”

  He nodded. “At what age do Roma gifts generally manifest?”

  “About the same age when girls become women.”

  “Then Anna’s abilities—”

  “Anna may be a drabardi, but forces are at work in her that I don’t understand.” Tossing the crumpled veil aside, she stood and moved in front of him. “Last night you asked if I was willing to do anything to protect my children. If Anna is about to be subjected to the sort of persecution my mother endured, I will do anything to see her spared.” Gazing into his eyes, she placed her hand on his knee and eased it upward. “Anything.”

  Anger twisted around desire, propelling him to his feet. He framed her face with his hands, his gaze boring into hers. “When I join with you, it will be because you want me and not before.” He released her face as if her skin scalded him then stepped away, his scowl deepening. “I already vowed to protect you and your children, even if it means forfeiting my life. But know this, I have seen angels Fall. If the demon within Anna takes control, you will beg me to end her life.”

  * * * * *

  Nate couldn’t stop smiling. Not since before the tragedy had he felt this alive. Lailah soaked in a bath in his bedchamber, flushed and exhausted after their second bout of carnal pleasure. He’d returned to the library and sat by the window, staring out at the sun-drenched garden. The stone bench was barely visible from his vantage point, but brazen images swam through his mind.

  Splendor. How could he help Lailah rediscover life’s splendor? A specific plan eluded him, but he was determined to find a way.

  “Where is Lailah?” Daniel appeared beside Nate without warning, causing him to start.

  “Must you do that? Announce yourself or something.”

  “I must speak with her. Where is she?”

  Scooting to the edge of his chair, Nate dragged his mind away from the morning’s activities and focused on Lailah’s friend. “What’s so urgent? She’s rather…indisposed at the moment.”

  Daniel’s brow furrowed. “Is she in bed?” He sounded both confused and impatient.

  “She’s taking a bath, if you must know. What is amiss?”

  Understanding suddenly lit Daniel’s gaze. “Is she in her bedchamber or yours?”

  “What do you want with her?”

  Daniel took the chair beside Nate’s and glanced out the window. “I just spoke with the captain of the angelic guard. Their assignment is not to protect Monthamn Castle, but to guard Gadrayel’s progeny.”

  “Is there any reason for the demons to attack anyone else?”

  Daniel crossed his legs then uncrossed them, his anxiety palpable. “I honestly thought the horde hunted you.”

  “Thought? This is no longer what you believe?”

  “You’re not the only Monthamn who can see angels.”

  Nate’s heart lurched within his chest. The Rebel Angels had given Judith every opportunity to volunteer the information, and Judith had refused. So how had Daniel learned about Anna? “What are you talking about?”

  Daniel laughed. “This is going to be a very long process if we don’t start trusting each other. I was in the solar guarding Judith and her children. I thought my presence concealed. Will chopped away with his wooden sword while Anna looked right at me and asked her mother if I was going to watch them all day.”

  “Why were you spying on them?”

  “Lailah seemed to think her ability to see Anna was significant. After what little I’ve learned about the girl, I must agree.”

  “She has barely seen five winters. How can she be a threat to anyone?”

  Daniel raked h
is fingers through his dark hair. “What do you know about her Roma grandmother? Judith indicated she was unusually gifted, even for a Roma.”

  Nate shook his head. Daniel was a sly one. By listing what little information Judith had been willing to share, he had obviously hoped Nate would provide the details. “Judith’s stories are hers to tell. You’ll get no answers from me.”

  With a lackadaisical shrug that didn’t match the cunning gleam in his eyes, Daniel asked, “And William’s stories? Are you able to tell me about your brother?”

  “What is your interest in Judith?” Nate folded his arms across his chest, trying hard not to laugh at Daniel’s persistence.

  “She…vexes me.”

  He sincerely doubted vexation was the only emotion Judith elicited, but Nate understood the reaction. “William was the youngest. We lost our older brother when William was twelve. William fell into deep melancholy. My father thought a change of scenery might help him overcome the loss. He was sent to our kin in France and trained to be a soldier. William met Judith while he was there and fell passionately in love with her. I had married well and had a child on the way so my parents allowed William his love match. Imagine their surprise when he arrived home with his new bride.”

  “Your parents didn’t accept her?”

  “Begrudgingly at first, but Judith won them over. I think you’ve already experienced Judith’s unique charm.”

  Daniel only nodded. “Lailah is safest when she is with you. The Guardians are assigned to intervene on your behalf.”

  “What about you? You’re not Gadrayel’s progeny.”

  Daniel grinned. “I’ll just stay near Judith.”

  * * * * *

  With a reluctant sigh Lailah stood and let the warm water run off her naked body. Regardless of how tempting she found the idea, she couldn’t languish in the bath all day.

  “Stunning. You’re just as beautiful as I remember.”

  Lailah gulped air into her lungs, preparing to scream. A hand clamped over her mouth, and a strong arm dragged her from the wooden tub. Enos! How had he gotten in here? Weren’t Guardian Angels patrolling the castle?

  “They don’t seem to care if I dally with you. They just won’t let me near those Monthamn brats.”

  He responded verbally to her frantic mental questions. This was Sariel’s brother. Of course he could hear her thoughts. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears and her mouth tasted of ash.

  “We don’t have much time, so listen closely.” One of her arms was trapped against his body. He dragged the other behind her back and held both her wrists in one large hand. “You were supposed to be mine. Paimon promised I could defile you if I found Alyssa for her.”

  Lailah twisted and jerked, desperate to free her mouth from beneath his hand. Daniel! Help! Somebody help me! The frantic thoughts slammed into an intangible barrier and echoed though her mind.

  “Don’t do that again or I’ll punish you.” He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “I’ll probably punish you anyway, but we don’t have time for that right now. Paimon destroyed your sight and all your angelic friends couldn’t figure out the secret. Demonic energy did the damage. What you need is more of the same.”

  Before Lailah could guess what he intended, his hand moved from her mouth to her eyes. Tingles became prickles and the prickles exploded into searing pain. His hand returned to her mouth, capturing her scream.

  Lights flashed, colors danced and hazy shapes formed. Trembling in the enemy’s arms, she blinked repeatedly. Nay! Not like this. If it comes from you, I don’t want it.

  “Are you sure about that?” He forced her face up as her vision cleared.

  They faced a mirror. He stood nearly a head taller than she, his golden hair mixed with her silvery strands. Their gazes locked in the mirror and Lailah clenched her teeth. Perfectly chiseled features, full-lipped, sensual mouth—if it weren’t for his soulless black eyes, he would look just like Sariel.

  “Your God left you alone in the darkness. I gave you back the light.” He whispered the taunt above her ear. “As you lie beneath your mortal lover, finally able to see his face, think about what life will be like at my side.”

  Lailah’s legs collapsed beneath her as Enos dematerialized. As she trembled on her hands and knees, the world paused around her. She couldn’t think beyond the roaring in her ears, and her heartbeat threatened to hurtle her into unconsciousness.

  She could see!

  Blinking past the tears gathering on her eyelashes, she drank in the vivid colors surrounding her. A moment after her muddled brain accepted what she was seeing, her thoughts spun out of control. Possible ramifications crashed down upon her. She pushed to her feet and snatched her dressing gown from the foot of the bed. Slipping into the garment as she rushed across the room, she threw open the door and collided with Nate.

  “Are you so eager for—”

  “Enos was just here.” She continued blinking, overwhelmed by the visual stimulation. “Am I the only one he contacted?”

  “The demon was—God’s blood, your eyes are blue.” His hands clutched her upper arms as his gaze stared into hers. “What happened?”

  “Are the children safe? Where is Daniel?”

  “What did he do to you?”

  Protectiveness made his expression fierce. Lailah touched his face, easing the frown lines, absorbing the glorious details of his chiseled features. Green, like midsummer leaves, his eyes were framed by thick, dark lashes. Warm golden tones played through his wavy brown hair. She wanted to comb her fingers through the thickness and explore all the other parts of him she had yet to see.

  “He restored my sight.” She used a calm, matter-of-fact tone. “We must make sure that’s all he did.”

  Taking her by the hand, Nate led her through the castle. She resisted the urge to stop and stare at each tapestry, each painting, each window. For nearly a century she had gone without sight. Why had it taken a demon to restore it to her?

  They reached the solar and Nate knocked on the wooden door. A moment passed before Judith slid the bolt and opened the door far enough to see into the corridor. “Is something amiss?”

  “Are the children with you?”

  “Anna is sleeping. I just looked in on her. Will is with Hamill. What’s wrong?”

  “Likely nothing, but an unwanted visitor just appeared to Lailah.”

  Judith’s gaze shot to Lailah and she gasped. “What happened to your eyes?”

  “I’m being tempted.” Lailah swept the other woman with a curious glance. Judith’s exotic beauty was sure to attract Daniel like a bee to honey. She would have to watch for signs of— Her heart fluttered within her breast. It had been so long since she had been able to watch for anything.

  “I’ll go check on Will,” Nate said. “Get dressed and I’ll meet you below.”

  By the time Lailah reached the great hall, Nate had returned with the boy. Will didn’t comment on her eyes, but his startled expression made it apparent he’d noticed the transformation.

  Daniel entered a few moments later. His boot heels rang against the floor as he rushed across the room. “I was in the stables, watching over Will,” he said in response to Nate’s confused expression. Daniel’s eyes gleamed with cautious enthusiasm. Lailah had forgotten how expressive they were. “How did this happen?”

  “Enos.”

  “Why was a demon able to restore your sight when angels could not?” Nate hesitated over the question.

  A servant swept the floor on the far side of the massive room. Lailah lowered her voice and stepped closer to Nate. “He told me demonic energy had done the damage, so demonic energy was needed to reverse it.”

  “This is a vile temptation.” Daniel shook his head, his expression troubled. “He wants you to Fall.”

  “Vile?” Nate snapped. “How can you call this vile? Why has she been allowed to remain blind if it was possible for her to be healed?”

  Lailah laid her hand on his arm. “Daniel’s right.
Anything that comes from Enos is tainted and—”

  “That’s not what I asked.” He pulled her toward him, his hands firm upon her shoulders, his eyes gleaming with a poignant mixture of anger and compassion. “Why were you allowed to remain so long in darkness if it was not necessary?”

  Emotion clogged her throat and tears stung her eyes. Why indeed? “I…”

  “Perhaps it was necessary,” Daniel said quietly. “Perhaps it was only in darkness that she was able to focus on what—”

  Nate’s vicious uppercut ended Daniel’s sentence. Daniel staggered backward. Nate drew back for another punch, but Lailah grabbed his arm. “Stop it!”

  “A demon blinded her while she fought to help her friend win redemption.” He shook off her restraining hold. “You explain to me how that was necessary.”

  Daniel rubbed his jaw, glaring at Nate. “And I was just starting to like you.”

  “There was a child in our village born with distorted features,” Nate continued his angry defense. “Her mother hid her from the parish priest for fear of his reaction. According to the church, physical deformities are outward manifestations of inward evil. That child was not evil and Lailah did not deserve to be blind!”

  He was shouting by the time he finished and tears trailed down Lailah’s cheeks. His anger twisted around her heart, pleased her and soothed her despite his volatility. “Daniel wasn’t saying I deserved to be blind. Were it not for his support, especially in the early years, I may have lost hope altogether. The angels were unable to restore my sight, but it has always been within God’s power. There was a reason he chose not to heal me.”

  “And a reason for the child’s misshapen face?”

  “I don’t know the mind of God. But—”

  “Do not!” Nate clenched his fists, his nostrils flaring. “I have heard people tell me that everything happens for a reason my entire life. I do not believe it anymore. There was no reason for that child’s suffering. There was no reason for my daughter’s death. No one will ever convince me otherwise.” He turned on the ball of his foot and stormed from the hall.

  Lailah rubbed her temples, afraid to close her eyes, afraid her sight would vanish as cruelly as it had been restored. “How can I make him understand what I don’t understand myself? He speaks doubts that have clouded my mind since the onset of my blindness.”