by JK Ensley
She blinked twice and shook her head a little. Yet the smiling man with the golden eyes remained… more regal than any Prince, surrounded by a pure white light, elegant and ethereal at but a glance.
“I thought I was dreaming,” she whispered. “Yet a nightmare is my reality.”
The man’s eyes smiled when his lips turned up. His hair wasn’t short and it wasn’t long. As golden as hers once was, it fell lightly, airily down over one eye. He casually tossed his head and ran his long slender fingers through it. She watched as his hand glided gracefully through the soft strands now falling gently back down over his right eye.
“Are you friends with Jophiel?” The words had barely formed in her mind before they spilled out of her dazed mouth.
His lips quirked up again. “Are you friends with Jophiel?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. I like him not.” Jenevier didn’t mean to answer quite so quickly. Her words came forth, unbidden.
“Then, no,” the man said. “I am not friends with Jophiel.”
She tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes. “Are you teasing me?”
“Perhaps.” He smiled again, it was mesmerizing, brilliant. “Do you mind being teased?”
“Not really, I don’t suppose. I mean, it doesn’t bother me when you do it. But I’m not extremely fond of being teased by mean people,” she grumbled.
“Well, I’m glad you don’t mind it from me. I rather enjoy it. You make me smile too much. Tell me. Did Jophiel tease you?”
Her brows furrowed. “Yes. He is horrible. I don’t like him.” She thought for a moment. “Near the end of his disturbing visit, he was quite tender and kind. But it didn’t last long.”
He chuckled. “Why did you ask me if I knew him?”
“Your eyes. They’re the same as his and Uriel’s. Yet yours are kind and beautiful. How is that? How can his look so cold and hard… while yours radiate tenderness and warmth?”
“Perception, I believe. Some people prefer me. Others prefer him or one of my other brothers,” he said warmly. “Naga, we need to talk about some extremely important things. Will you come sit with me?”
“But… where’s Daichi?”
“He yet sleeps.” The man motioned with his head to the spot behind her.
She casually turned to where her angelic healer and Blessing had fallen asleep as he held her. His perfect face was glowing in the early dawn. She couldn’t help but smile. He looked so peaceful, so happy.
“I love him,” she whispered absently.
“I know you do. He knows it as well.” The deep baritone voice startled her.
How did I not see him sitting there, nor feel his presence in any way? A stranger at my side, yet I knew it not, she thought.
His rich, brown shoulder-length hair fell across his back as he turned to face her. He didn’t look anything like the man on her side of the bed. His eyes were the same color, yes, but that was all. The dark-haired baritone man with the chiseled jaw line wore a stern expression as he stared down at her sleeping Blessing.
She followed his cold glare to Daichi’s beautiful face. But when her gaze came back up to meet the stranger’s, her claws slowly extended, unbidden.
“What have you done to Daichi?” she demanded.
Confusion clouded the stranger’s golden eyes.
“You hate him,” she said. “I smell it on you, taste it in the air about you. You will give answer, Angel. What have you done to my Daichi?”
“I have done nothing to him,” he hissed, his rare eyes flashing with the terrifying fire of the Otherworld.
Jenevier’s mind disengaged and her body took over, almost like she blacked out. When her vision returned, she was on the opposite side of the room from the darker Angel still sitting beside her Daichi.
The warm voice that had pulled her from sleep now whispered in her ear. “Be calm, little sister. I do not wish to hurt you. Strife is not the intent of our visit. I fear you may be bruising in my embrace, for I must hold you too tight as it is. Apologies, little one. Restraint is not my purpose.”
“Please,” she pleaded. “Don’t let him hurt Daichi.” Tears burned the backs of her eyes. “I will do whatever you say, Golden Boy. I will gladly submit to your torture—hold my tongue or scream for your pleasure—whatever you wish. Just, please,” she cried. “Hurt him not.”
His lips were against her ear. “Naga, can you feel my heart? Be still and listen. Blend yours with mine, little sister. Let me be your strength, just for today.”
She listened. She trusted him—a natural, comfortable kind of trust. His strong heartbeat echoed against her back, vibrating and humming. Slowly, her chest rose and fell in tandem with his. Calm and steady.
“Naga, my rare little sister, do you think you’re in control now? Are you now master of your actions? If I sit you down, will you stay at my side or will you try to tear our brother’s throat out?”
“He is my brother?”
“As am I.”
“Will he promise not to do anything to harm Daichi?”
“I promise,” the warm voice whispered.
“No.” She leveled a cold glare at the other man. “He has to promise. I want to hear the words from his mouth.”
The baritone whisper came, “Very well.”
The unyielding arms holding her in a vise-like grip relaxed. When her feet touched the floor, she turned and bowed in her Dragon manner to her captor, who inclined his head in return.
Jenevier turned as she spoke. “Very well, what?”
The other man narrowed his golden glare. The hard set of his jaw twitched, yet he spoke not.
She took one step in his direction. A strong hand clamped down upon her shoulder.
She continued to hold the dark-haired man’s gaze. “Very… well… what?”
A lethal threat, although not spoken, was evident in his response. “Very well. I vow not to harm the mirror image of my serpent brother.” His low growl remained once his words had ceased.
“Serpent brother?” she asked, confused. “Who are you?”
“Who do you think we are, little Naga?” the gentle one answered. “Does your heart not sing out our names?”
“My mind calls you Golden Boy and Cold One,” she said. “You are named thusly in my heart as well.”
“Those are painful words, little sister. They tear at our souls. Especially his.” Her golden brother pointed to the man beside Daichi. “He has proclaimed your birth name throughout the heavens since before you were marked. It was hardest of all of us for him to start calling you Kagi Naga when Father changed it. But I can read his heart, as he can mine. You are still his lovely little Jenevier.”
“Do not fill her head with nonsense,” the other man snapped. “If you insist on teasing her, use someone else as fodder. I will not abide it.”
“Why does Daichi not wake with our words?” she asked, ignoring their play.
“Naga, Daichi sleeps because we will him to sleep. Only harm can come with his waking. He loves you too much. We do not wish to destroy him. Let Raphael extend Daichi’s dreams until you and I have finished speaking.”
She turned back to the golden-haired one. “Raphael? So… you’re both Archs. Did you come to force me with the same matter Uriel and Jophiel failed in?”
“We cannot force you in anything, Kagi Naga. You were not made such as that.” He smiled at her again, throwing her off guard with his tender warmth.
“Who are you?” she asked, mesmerized.
“Ahh, now we shall see to our chat, Milady.” He bowed low, extending his hand toward the balcony.
*****
She numbly sat in the same soft chair she had once used when she held her precious babies. She inhaled deeply; nervously awaiting the storm she knew was coming.
He took the seat beside her as he sighed. “I never tire of drinking in the lovely dawn. Jinn’s is one of the rarest… so beautiful. You have the perfect view from where you rest your head at night. I am jealous. Yo
u only have to open your eyes to receive such a glorious miracle.” He cast a sideways glance at her profile and smiled. “And now because of my forced vow, we can do this daily, Little Fire.”
“Hmm? Do what daily?” she asked absently.
“Stop playing out unknown horrors in your mind. Things are not always bad. Are they? Turn your thoughts to me, little sister. Surprises don’t always leave scars, now, do they?”
She snorted out a sardonic chuckle. “Hello? I’m the little girl turned Death Angel turned Princess of Hell. My priceless wings are irrecoverably stained with the foulest of blood and I slaughter demons on my days off. I thought you knew. Nice to meet you, Golden Boy. I’ll be expecting an invitation to your next dinner party. Nothing gets a party started like having the Queen of the Nether cross your threshold.”
He reached over and took her hand as he continued to stare at the horizon, smiling. “You are my brand new favorite. I never wish to be parted from you. No wonder Jophiel was beyond consoling when he returned. You outplayed the player, didn’t you, little Naga? Will you come with me and tease him further? I would never tire of it. You are the very breath of life we tired old Archs have been needing.”
“Gratitude for the invitation, but I must happily decline. I have no desire to see your kind on a regular basis, especially Jophiel.”
He squeezed her hand, still smiling. “Do you no longer wish me to speak you awake every morning until time is no more?”
“When I said that… I thought you were a dream,” she whispered.
“And when you beheld me, you no longer felt my warmth?” He chuckled softly. “I cannot break a vow, Little Fire. It’s not in me. I do not make them lightly. Will you hold me to it? Will you demand Gabriel come to you daily, whisper in your lovely ear and raise you with the sun?”
“Gabriel?” Her stomach turned in knots, her captive hand trembled. “Why would Gabriel and Raphael be in my bedchambers? Did you come to cease me? I know I am unpolished and vile most of the time, but have I sinned past grace? Have I pushed my temper too far with the celestial blessed?” Silent tears burned her eyes. “Will you grant me but one favor? Will you give me but one hour with my only son? And… will you let me bid a final farewell to my undeserved Blessing?”
“Naga, why do you tremble at but a name? Did you act thusly with Uriel and Jophiel?”
“No… but—”
“We are the same. Yet you cry over me when you swore to deliver death unto them.”
She swallowed hard, unable to meet his adoring gaze. “I saw a movie about you once, on layer eight,” she whispered.
He chuckled lightly. “They don’t even believe in me on layer eight, not anymore.”
“You were terrifying,” she continued. “Scary beyond imagining.”
“And now, as we sit here holding hands, bathed in the glorious light of a new day, what’s your opinion of me now? Do I seem a monster to you?”
“Nay,” she said, casting him a sideways glance. “But I’m not certain. Perhaps you are. The scariest monsters are usually the ones who don’t look it. The ones you never see coming.”
“Ah, yes, ΄tis true. And you should know this best of us all, lovely Naga. You were wed to the father of monsters, were you not?” He sighed and closed his eyes. “Never have I seen a bond so strong, the severing of which nearly destroyed two mighty titans. The story will be told throughout all time, Little Fire—an epically tragic tale of two fragile hearts… and the ferocious Angels who owned them.”
“I am a foolish creature, to be sure. Blind, naïve, childish and volatile at my best, and… well, you already know me at my worst.” She gave his hand a tiny squeeze. “Will you please excuse me for just one moment?” She stood without waiting for his reply.
Jenevier knew he heard her coming, could hear her approaching steps. He turned his head slightly. She could barely see the sharp point of his nose peeking out behind that thick brown wall of tresses.
“Raphael?” she said timidly.
He did not respond.
She knelt down on her knees beside him. She couldn’t muster the courage to face him properly. “Forgive me. I am stubborn, capricious, and obstinate. I rarely think before I act, and never before I speak. Please do not hold my many flaws against me. I once found favor in your eyes, this I’ve been told.” Cold tears streaked down her bowed face. “Now, I only wish to find forgiveness in your heart concerning my poor treatment of you this day.”
She felt him twirling one of her dull silver curls in his hand.
“You were only defending the one you love,” he said. “No apologies should be made for courage and selflessness. Go in peace, little Naga. All is forgiven.”
“Gratitude,” she whispered.
Unable to raise her head to meet his gaze for fear of what she might find there, Jenevier stood to leave when she felt his soft tug upon her hand. Turning back, she was met with a gentle, beautiful smile.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, little sister. I know you have been told I favor you. Jophiel has a big mouth. Alas, it was much more than simple favor. I have been your fierce defender, Milady. Even when you didn’t truly deserve it.” He blushed slightly and turned from her. “I have watched you grow, been there for every blessed moment. Still, it’s hard to believe you’re a grown woman already,” he whispered. “I was listening to you yesterday… when you were visited by my brothers.” He squeezed the tip of her captive finger and met her gaze once more. “Don’t tell Jophiel I said this.” His deep voice lowered to a mischievous whisper. “But, you startled him. Your blade was at his throat before he even sensed you moving. Good girl.” He softly chuckled. “He’ll not be able to live that down for centuries. We have teased him mercilessly.” He winked at her then. “Between you and me, your blade would have definitely scarred his lovely flesh.”
“Do you really think he is lovely?” Without thinking, she reached out, tucking his dark hair behind his ear to better see his face. “I find him rather common. I mean, look at you. You are breathtaking. Women would kill to have hair as thick as yours. And all those long lashes… the loveliest I’ve ever seen, to be sure. Not only can Jophiel never match your beauty, his actions are vile and unrefined. He lacks the grace and elegance that effortlessly flows from you and Gabriel. He is roughhewn, where you are pure silk.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled it from his hair, jerking her forward. “Do you play with me, Kagi Naga? Do I seem as a gullible child to you? I am not your plaything. I will not melt from your words or your smile. Touch me again, and I will personally escort your tainted soul through the Nether.”
His terrifying growl shook her very soul. She felt it tremble within her. His face was so close she could smell his lily scented breath, feel its warmth upon her cheek. Fire burned in his heavenly eyes and ceased her lungs, freezing them in her tightening chest. Utter fear, the likes of which she had never known, paralyzed her. She collapsed upon him.
“Raphael, release her!”
She faintly heard Gabriel’s words, they seemed so far away.
“Why did you treat her thusly? Could you not clearly see within her mind, within her heart? She is as a babe, with no ill or harmful intent. She came seeking forgiveness and showered admiration and praise upon you. Look for yourself. Lower your defenses, Brother. She spoke to you the truth in her heart. She is not the Deceiver.”
Raphael looked down at the tiny girl lying limp across his knee. “She is blended, Gabriel. How can you be so at ease with her?”
“Just look, Brother. Open your eyes. She is not Apollyon.”
“You had to restrain her yourself,” Raphael said. “She was as an animal only a few moments ago.”
“She was protecting someone she loved. She could sense the hate boiling within you. She only thought you meant Daichi harm. It wasn’t for herself. Surely you sensed that.”
“There is no hate boiling within me,” Raphael grumbled.
Gabriel raised a single golden eyebrow and sent his brother a knowin
g glance.
“Well, there’s no hate boiling within me for Daichi… only the one he was made to replace. I mean, look at him, Gabriel. It’s uncanny, is it not? And she…” He nodded toward her limp form. “She blended with him. She is part of him. And part of that old blue devil lives within her. Why do you refuse to acknowledge that?” Raphael closed his eyes, painful memories creased lines across his brow. “I know the Deceiver well, Brother. Better than any other Angel. Do not speak down to me concerning him. He says what he knows you want to hear. He reads your heart and sings it to your waiting ears.” He looked back down at Jenevier and gently stroked her hair. “This she does as well.”
“I see.” Gabriel smiled knowingly.
“What do you see?” Raphael snapped, turning to look at him.
“Your noble heart wanted to hear her sweet words. You wanted her loving admiration to spill from those enchanting lips, just as it did.”
“What are you talking about?” Raphael growled.
“When she spoke true the words you had always wanted to hear, you named her Deceiver,” Gabriel said.
“Yes. So? That’s what he does.”
Gabriel only smiled again.
“Stop acting as if you know something you obviously do not,” Raphael hissed. “Your smugness is revolting.”
“Very well, Brother. As you wish,” Gabriel said, turning from him. “When she can walk once more, tell her I am waiting.”
Raphael glared at his retreating back. “She is of him. I know she is,” he grumbled. “Get up, Naga.”
She didn’t move.
He placed his hand upon her back and shook her. “Gabriel’s waiting for you. Get up.”
Still, she did not respond.
“Why do you try my patience?” He grabbed her curls, jerking her head back.
Her limp body slid to the floor.
“Naga?”