by Summer Lee
*
It was dark when Sammael reappeared. “Greetings, my love.”
“Where did you come from?”
“The sky. The far sky, so far that it is always dark there.”
“You should tell me before you go.”
“I’m sorry. I want to spend more time with you, so I was looking for a replacement for my job on the other planet.”
“Did you find one?”
“Not yet.”
“I will forgive you, because I believe you. But I need you to tell me when you are leaving.” Rachael clasped his hand and led him to a bench. “Is that so hard?”
“No. We’ll resolve this issue.”
“You are so right that we will resolve this issue,” she said as she was seated.
“You act like you are still angry.”
She felt the rage. “This was a gorgeous day. We could have shared it.”
“Yes, it was beautiful.”
She patted the bench beside her. “Sit by me,” she said. “Talk to me. Tell me about your star—your subjects, yourself. Do you have a dark past? I need to know your secrets. I want to know you better.”
Otherwise it is over, she thought.
“You need to relax.” Instead of sitting, Sammael walked around behind her and leaned over her shoulder, pointing his finger up in front of her face, guiding her to look up. “That is my star, right there. I control the demons there. One good part of being out here on the sea is that it gives you a good view of the star where my other home is. I have wanted you to experience its radiance. This is the best place to view it.”
“It is beautiful from here.”
She could feel his warmth. No, it was more than warmth. She could feel his energy; he was radiating heat like the sun. She felt overpowered.
“Now look to the northern sky,” said Sammael, pointing in the other direction. Rachael followed his slender finger to a place where streaks of light crossed the heavens, flaring briefly and then dying completely. He said, “Those are burning fragments of stars.”
Sleepily, Rachael nodded. “They look like falling stars.”
“In a way, they are.”
His hands squeezed her breasts and then dropped to her waist. With one hand supporting her back and the other under her thighs, he pulled her to him. She allowed herself to be lifted and embraced by this amazing angel-man, her new husband. His breath was hot on her neck. She felt the passion as her own breathing became heavy. She sighed. “Oh-h.”
He pulled her so tight against his body that she could hardly breathe. “In a way they are,” he said again, repeating himself.
“Are what?”
“Are falling.”
“What are falling?”
“Stars.”
“Oh, yes,” she said with a deep sigh. “For a moment, I thought I was falling in love all over again.”
“Tell me something, my dear. Is my love better than what any human can give you?” he asked. He kissed her earlobe, blowing his breath into her ear.
Gooseflesh prickled along her arms and legs. She shivered and nodded. “I have been sheltered all my life. I have not known love from another man. Your love is all that I know.”
“Keep it that way. Stay out of Captain Cruz’s cabin.”
“You have no worries. I love you and only you so very much,” she said, turning into him.
“As I love you.”
Carrying her, he made his way to the small cubicle where they shared a cot. He lay down with her still in his arms.
“I will be gone again tomorrow visiting other planets. Once I find an angel willing to check on my heavenly subjects, and do one of my duties that takes me away from you a lot, I can spend more time with you.” Rachael had no idea if he was telling the truth or not. But the sprinkle of angel dust convinced her.
*
Rachael awakened to an empty bed and an empty soul before dawn. She needed to talk to someone. What she really needed was a friend. She wrapped a coverlet around her shoulders and went up to the top deck.
Rachael saw an oil lamp burning in the galley. She went to see if the cook was there and found him cleaning fish. He grinned a toothless grin and said, “Look at that sky. Did you ever see anything like that?”
She looked up. “Never.”
The sky was so black that it looked purple. At first, it had been peppered with silver stars. Now it just looked purple. “That is unusual,” Rachael said.
“Sure is.”
“What does it mean?”
“Not sure. I think it has a spiritual meaning, though. Angels often appear during this kind of weather. Let me ask you this. Are you an angel?” the young cook asked.
She shook her head. “No, not me.”
“Is your husband?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’ve seen him appear and disappear.”
“How?”
“He flies.”
“Hmm. What do you think?”
“I think he is supernatural. I also think he is the cause of the strange happenings on this boat.”
“Why is that?”
“He attracts demons.”
“That can’t be true,” she said, knowing she was lying.
“It is possible,” he said.
“How so?” She acted like she knew nothing.
“I think demons followed him on board because he had separated himself from God.”
“An interesting thought,” she said casually.
“I think he should live in the same Heaven where God lives, not on Earth with you.”
“You just might be right.”
“I know I’m right.” He slapped his knife across a large fish, cutting off its head. “Angels who disobey God and leave their home in the Third Heaven are in danger of losing eternal life.”
“How do you know that?”
“Women had never been part of eternity until God made Eve. Ever since then, angels have been curious about human women. It never turns out well for women who marry them either.”
“You make a good point.”
“Yes, I do.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sammael land on deck. He seemed sneaky. He was supposed to find an overseer for his star. Rachael’s guess was that he did not find one and did not want to face her with the complete truth. She had caught Sammael in a lie before, and it broke her heart. This cook had given her much to think about.
She excused herself and followed her husband. He was standing at the foot of the steps. Rachael’s gaze traveled from the steps going to the lower deck, and then to Sammael. Slowly, she descended the steps. “Tell me this. Are you of a high order of heavenly beings?” she asked, walking up to him.
“Yes,” he said. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m still trying to figure you out.” She clasped his arm. “Tell me your duties. What does God expect from you?”
“Angels of higher order are Angelos. They are wise and bring messages to prophets. They are assigned planets to watch over. Some call them Watchers. They have simple duties, like caring for babies and crying children.”
“Since they are called Watchers, who do they watch?”
“Girls like you.” He put his arm around her, and Rachael leaned back on him. “But I am in charge of you.”
“I’ll accept that.”
“I may have a replacement soon for one of my most trying tasks, so I can watch over you more carefully.” His shoulders gave a soothing lift.
“Sounds wonderful,” she said cheerfully.
“You will need to be cautious to keep out evil, though.” His dark eyebrows lifted above his eyes.
“Oh, really!” Rachael’s shoulders slumped. “How do demons fit in to this plan?”
“They need to be held at bay.” He was blunt.
“What about you? Can’t you control them?” Just as she thought her life was finally in control, he threw her a curve ball.
He shifted forward. “They will have a new boss.”
; She felt the shock waves. “Oh!”
“Are you satisfied with that answer?” He had finality in his tone.
Her emotions drained. “I suppose.”
He gave her a tight hug. “Are you enjoying yourself as much as you thought you would?”
“No, not really,” she said, feeling fear. “Frankly, I would like to get off this boat, but I don’t know how.”
“I know how,” he said cheerfully. “I’ll carry you off.”
“Wait.” Rachael held up a hand of caution. “Won’t that create havoc for others?”
“Who cares?” He laughed. “A lot of people fall overboard. The sailors are used to it. They will think that is what happened to us.”
“Well then, let’s go.” She burst out in laughter.
He led her behind a canvas curtain made of black sackcloth, picked her up and flew off. “I know of an inn that you will love.”
Chapter Eighteen
The inn, set back from the harbor, was largely constructed of sun-baked adobe and old wood tinted gray from eons of salt-tainted winds. After landing behind a barn, they walked over to the establishment. Inside the dwelling, Sammael found the proprietor and paid for the room. Sammael said something to the man in a voice that was so low that Rachael could not tell what it was.
As they walked toward the room, she asked, “What did you say to that man?”
“I asked to have a bronze tub set up for you in the room, and have it filled with warm water and carnations, so you can take a lingering bath.”
“You are so sweet. Maybe it will help my sunburn.”
“I did not realize your arms were so red. I’ll take care of it for you.” Sammael picked some aloe stalks and put them in his pocket. He beamed fondly as he carried Rachael across the threshold and placed her on the sofa. When he sat down, Rachael scooted beside him, and placed her head on his lap.
He broke open the aloe vera stalk to release its healing salve. He touched her cheeks with balm, massaging the gel over the reddened skin. Speaking soft words of love, he gently touched her searing skin. After putting it on her face, he rubbed it onto her arms. Meanwhile, she reached up and touched his cheek. “Thank you.”
After resting, Rachael brushed her hair and slipped into a fresh tunic. “I’m hungry for some real food.”
“I know where we can go get something to eat.”
“Great.”
They walked down the road into the main part of town. There were several round tables in front of small house. A table was covered with fresh vegetables and fruit. She saw someone cooking food over an open flame. They were seated, and the woman who lived there brought them their meal.
After they ate, Sammael said, “They should have the tub in the room by now.”
“I can feel the warm water flowing over my flesh right now.”
The two returned and stayed in their room the rest of the evening. Rachael enjoyed being alone with her new husband in a spacious room. She slipped off her cloak, placing it on a stool. Rachael dropped her tunic to the floor, she then settled down to take a long bath in the tub of scented water. Sammael washed her back and kissed her neck. Right now, he seemed so normal, so human. But then he said, “I am going to step outside into the fresh air while you bathe.”
Why?
She doubted he was just going outside. As he walked through the door, she did not ask where he was going. Right now, she did not care. She needed time alone.
She plunged under the water and sighed. As she relaxed, she thought of her past. She thought of her childhood dreams. She thought about her father being a Goel, one who would go for El. When she was little, he gave her messages directly from God. No one else could do that for her. Not the good angel, Aurora, nor Sammael, who was only good about half the time.
Her father was so wise. He often said, “Hearts completely surrendered to God are trustworthy. Women who do not surrender their hearts to God cannot make good wives.”
Rachael wanted to surrender to God’s will. That was all she really wanted in her heart. Living happily ever after did not seem out of reach. God often surpassed her dreams when she reached out to him in faith. She found that going past her personal ambitions put her in position to walk the path God had designed for her. It could be amazing.
She was not certain if marrying Sammael was in God’s will or not, but she was thankful for the freedom God had given her up until now. I’ve never heard of a bride being carried by an angel from one spot to another, she thought. It is so fun.
She soaked until the water was cold. She stepped out of the tub, wrapped herself in a towel, and looked out the window. He was sitting out there, so she went out to her husband. The moonlight touched his fine features, and once again, Rachael was struck by Sammael’s regal beauty.
Rachael was surprised. “I thought you had left me.”
He shook his head. “I did not go far. I sensed my substitute was coming, but I did not see him.”
“That’s odd.”
He pulled her towel off her nude body. Rachael stood still as Sammael used the large towel to blot her dry. Dropping the towel to the ground, he picked her up and carried her back inside. He gently placed her on the bed. While whispering softly in her ear, his hand wandered over her torso.
“This is how I had always dreamed my married life would be like,” she whispered. His lovemaking style always penetrated her at the deepest part of her soul. She felt contentment this time that she had never felt before. When she finally collapsed in sleep, she was totally satisfied.
*
The next thing Rachael knew, it was morning. Of course, Sammael was gone. She dressed and stepped out into the morning sunlight herself, hoping to find him, like yesterday. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. She was surprised to see Sammael’s Babylonian right-hand man, Aaron, walking over to the main building. Aaron, the servant? Why would he be here? How could he get here?
Then she saw Sammael.
Aaron walked up to Sammael, and they stepped behind a shed. She slipped around back to the other side of the shed, hiding behind the corner. Out of sight, she heard the conversation clearly. She cupped her hand by her ear and listened carefully. The voices drifted to her ears.
Sammael asked, “Why have you come?”
“We need to protect the princess.”
“What is the problem?”
“She is in trouble,” he said. “I got word yesterday.”
“How did you get here so fast?”
“We traveled through the back wilderness on horseback,” answered Aaron.
“You say, ‘we.’” There was an urgent note in Sammael’s voice. “How many men did you bring?”
“Fifty,” said Aaron.
“What is the necessity?”
“We received news concerning the safety of your wife,” said Aaron.
Sammael’s voice showed anger. “What have you heard?”
“I had put spies on the ship you were on. They heard some disturbing information about Rachael.”
“What information?” persisted Sammael.
“There was to be a group of pirates on standby at the port in Zion waiting for her. They are there now, planning to kidnap Princess Rachael.”
“Why would they do that?”
“They hope to cause heartache for her parents.”
“Will they demand a large ransom?”
“No! Some citizens of Mesopotamia do not agree with the way King Asher and Queen Kenana are ruling the land. They think the King will abide by their demands if they have his daughter as a prisoner.”
Rachael saw that her husband was thinking for a moment, Sammael looked at Aaron. “I will keep my bride safe, and you can handle those thieving Mesopotamians.”
“What about the pirates?”
“Slay them.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Rachael quickly backed away from the shed, straightened her tunic, and sprinted swiftly back the way she had come. Fearfully, beads of sweat broke out all over her bod
y as she moved closer to her bedchamber and ran inside.
Rachael was glad that she had gone outside and heard Sammael talking to Aaron. He said that he would keep her safe. That made her feel good.
He was well-traveled and an adventurer at heart and. Rachael could have no better protector or traveling companion. Sammael would hide her. The men who wished to take her as prisoner would have a hard time finding her. She and Sammael would be traveling to parts unknown.
There was no need for fear. Wasn’t she getting what she most wanted in life? Time alone with Sammael? Didn’t this give her the friend she longed for all of her life? He was the prince she had always longed for. Yes, she was blessed. She smiled and whispered into the air. “Thank you, God, for caring for me.”
The door opened and Sammael came into the room. Noticing that he seemed upset, she asked, “Are you all right?”
“I have strong reasons to be concerned for your safety.”
Sammael picked up a jar and filled it with some fermented juice. He retold the story she had heard while hiding behind the shed. His tale of those scruffy-bearded pirates frightened her.
“I already knew about it,” she said. “I saw Aaron talking to you and I went to the side of the shed and overheard what he told you about the thieves.”
“You are not one to be fooled.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t be afraid, my love. You know that I will always protect you.”
“Not when you are in the deep sky.”
“Remember this. I travel faster than a beam of sunlight.”
She thought about that for a moment while he stroked her hair. “I don’t understand what that means, but if you say so.”
“I do.” He changed the subject. “Tell me more about your mother, Queen Kenana. Why would she be so hated by these bandits?”
Rachael shrugged and said, “There are things I do not know about my mother. She is mostly a mystery to me, as well.”
“I would not have guessed her to be a mystery.” Sammael looked shocked. “Sneaky and controlling, perhaps, but not mysterious. And your father is such a righteous man.”
“That doesn’t add up to my being in danger, does it?”
“Not at all. Apparently, their subjects don’t agree with the way your parents rule the land. I am sure that it must have something to do with their considerable wealth, as well.”