“Why?” Obsidian’s voice cracked. “Why must I take her life?”
“To prove your faith, warrior. To prove your worth, not only to God but to your mate. I will watch over her at all times,” Michael promised. “I will ensure she makes it back to you.”
Though the promise should’ve consoled him, it did nothing to ease the constriction in his chest. Not even when Michael vanished, leaving Obsidian alone.
Dropping to his knees once more, Obsidian felt the coldness seep through him as the tears fell unbidden.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
“RELAX,” ACADIA URGED AS SHE BRUSHED OUT Penelope’s hair.
Penelope barked a mirthless laugh. “Easy for you to say.”
The Fae met Penelope’s eyes in the mirror. “You’re right. I apologize.”
She huffed. “Don’t apologize.”
While Penelope dealt with the anxiety twisting in her gut, Acadia had spent the past half hour preparing her for this ritual. After dressing her in a gauzy white gown that looked as though it should be worn by a virgin sacrifice, the fairy had dolled up her face with makeup even as Penelope wondered why she bothered, why Acadia was going through all the trouble considering she was about to die, other than it offered her a distraction she desperately needed.
“Leave it down,” she said when Acadia reached for a pin. “Obsidian likes my hair down.”
Acadia smiled at her in the mirror. “You’re right. He does.”
The Fae dragged her slender fingers through Penelope’s hair once more, settling it over her shoulders.
“I know you’re stalling,” Penelope told her. “It won’t do any of us any good for you to do that.”
Penelope’s belly fluttered with nerves, which seemed a bit awkward for a woman who was about to walk to her own death. She should’ve been terrified, cowering in the corner, pleading for her life. Only, there was a sense of peace inside her that both shocked and confused.
“Not stalling, per se. More like passing time. I saw Obsidian’s face. I know he’s dreading this. Rightfully so.”
She heard the pain in Acadia’s voice, felt it echoing inside her. Penelope couldn’t imagine what he must be feeling. Nothing in this world could ever give her the strength to take his life. Even the thought made her chest ache.
“How does anyone do this?” she mused, staring at her reflection.
“Love is powerful,” Acadia said softly. “Makes us do things we’d never imagined we would do. Gives us strength when it feels futile, gives us hope when everything seems hopeless. It’s the one thing so many take for granted.”
Penelope’s gaze flipped to the Fae. “You’ve found love before, haven’t you?”
Acadia swallowed. “I have, yes. But it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Who is it? The male you’re in love with?”
Acadia’s amethyst eyes lowered. “Kaj.”
“The vampire?”
“Yes.”
“Is he your amsouelot?”
Acadia shook her head. “Fortunately, no.”
“Fortunately?” Penelope didn’t understand. “Why wouldn’t you want him to be?”
“It’s not about want,” Acadia said softly. “We all must make sacrifices.” Acadia’s back straightened. “Speaking of sacrifices, we must go now.”
Taking a deep breath, Penelope gave her reflection one last glance, then nodded.
Acadia took her hand, helped her to her feet. It was then she realized her knees were trembling, her muscles weak. Was she really going to do this?
The answer came in the form of her legs moving as she followed Acadia to the door, out into the hallway, through the living room. She’d been this route a hundred times over the past few weeks, but it all seemed different now.
When they reached the second floor landing, Zeus and Aphrodite were there, sitting patiently as though waiting for her.
Unable to resist, she took a moment to pet their soft heads.
Acadia cleared her throat, clearly paying attention to the time.
Forcing one foot in front of the other, Penelope followed the Fae down the next flight of stairs, surprised to see the dogs were walking alongside her, as though protecting her.
Penelope came up short in the kitchen when she saw Oliver setting a jug of orange juice on the counter.
His shrewd gaze ran over her quickly. “Where’re you going?”
“I’ll be back soon,” she assured him, not wanting to get into the details. Despite their issues, she wasn’t sure Oliver would allow her to go if he knew she was about to die.
As she continued her trek, she was grateful she hadn’t encountered Winnie. No way could she look at her best friend and not spill the beans. That was the last thing any of them needed.
“Where are you taking me?” she said conversationally as Acadia led the way to the stairs leading beneath the mansion.
“It’s known as the mating chamber. They built it for this purpose. Because amsouelots are out of commission during the lintamair, they wanted a safe place where no one could bother them. It’s the best-kept secret in the mansion. No one sees it unless they’re going into it.”
“What’s in there?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
Penelope took a deep breath, exhaled slowly as Acadia opened a door. There was a dark stairwell that led deeper underground. Zeus and Aphrodite waltzed in before them, scurrying down the narrow steps.
“How many levels does this place have?”
“This is the lowest. It’s the most protected.”
Once they’d descended about forty steps, they came upon another door.
“Protected from what?”
Acadia opened the door and Penelope’s breath hitched.
“Everything,” she said simply. “We will all remain here until the two of you emerge. At no time will either of you be left undefended.”
Down on one knee, heads bowed, were all of the angels she’d met since she had arrived, as well as many she hadn’t. The line of them curved in both directions, disappearing around the circular hallway surrounding what she assumed was a room in the center.
Acadia took her hand, holding it as she led the way around.
When they stopped in front of a closed door, Penelope’s breath locked in her throat. Clearly sensing her unease, Acadia turned to face her, took her other hand.
“When you and Obsidian emerge, you’ll be forever united with the male you love, Penelope. And stronger because of the love that binds you.”
Penelope swallowed hard, nodded.
“Remember, Obsidian needs your strength as much as you need his. It’s the reason you were chosen for him. Only your soul is strong enough to protect his.”
Her head bounced with jerky movements, mostly agreement, understanding, mixed in with more than a little trepidation.
Stygian stepped to the side, allowed Acadia to open the door. Aphrodite and Zeus sat on either side of the door, staring up at her as though they knew what was about to happen.
As soon as the door opened, there was a flutter of sound from the hallway. Penelope peered down, noticed the angels’ wings had appeared, spread wide, overlapping one another. A protective shield guarding what was behind them.
It sent a reassuring chill across her skin to know they were there even though her nerves jangled loudly.
She forced her heart to slow as she turned her attention to her destination. Just inside the room, she saw Obsidian on his knees, head hanging down. His wings were out, hanging limply behind him, shoulders slumped as though defeated.
In that moment, nothing else mattered except going to him, easing his pain however she could.
The door closed firmly behind her, sealing them inside as Penelope rushed over to Obsidian. His head lifted, eyes glowing bright. He reached for her but didn’t get to his feet, as though his weight was more than his legs could handle.
“Ayreme,” he whispered, his voice ragged and torn.
She s
tepped in close, cradled his head when he pressed his face against her stomach, arms circling her waist. He remained like that for the longest time, until Penelope began to worry that their time was running out.
She scanned the room, looking for a clock. There, on a small table was a vintage alarm clock. The short hand was just past the six, the long hand just past the four, which meant they were down to mere minutes. From what she’d gathered, the full moon was at 6:29 a.m. tomorrow. As it was, she was to be taking her last human breaths in the very near future.
“Obsidian. It’s almost time.” Her voice trembled, her anxiety level rising. It took everything in her not to run for the door, escape. The only thing that kept her firmly rooted in place was her love for the angel before her. She knew deep in her heart that he would keep her safe, even now. Even as he took her life to give her another.
He cleared his throat, then pushed to his feet. His wings fluttered and moved, a perfect extension of him.
Towering over her, larger than life, was the most amazing man she’d ever had the pleasure of meeting. Oddly, Penelope didn’t fear her own death. Even if she never woke, she knew the time she’d had with him—although far too short—had been worth every second. She wouldn’t have traded it for a lifetime with anyone else.
Obsidian was breathing hard, short, raspy breaths that seemed to punch out of him. His eyes raked over her face, as though he was converting it to memory.
Taking his hand, Penelope lifted it to her lips. “I love you, Obsidian. I’m not scared, and I don’t want you to be, either.”
His eyes met hers, the silver swirling, glowing brightly.
“We’ll get through this,” she promised him. “Together. When I wake, you’ll be waiting for me.”
She had no idea where her strength came from, but she got the feeling it was directly linked to this man, the one she loved with her whole heart.
A single tear fell down his cheek, making her chest burn.
She reached up, wiped it away. “This is our destiny. Remember that.”
Penelope glanced at the clock. Two minutes, which meant he needed to take that vicious knife in his hand or this would’ve all been for naught. She wasn’t keen on the idea of going through it all again next month.
Lifting the long, flowing skirt on her gown, she hurried over to the table, retrieved the knife. It was heavier than she expected it to be, but she managed to keep it in her trembling hand. The light bounced off the swirling deadly blade, and she faltered but only briefly.
“Penelope…” She could hear the plea in Obsidian’s tone. He didn’t want to do this any more than she did.
Sucking in air, she passed the knife over to him.
He gripped the handle in one big fist, eyes lifting to her face.
“I love you, Obsidian.”
Resigned to her fate, Penelope squared her shoulders, steeled herself for the blade to pierce her heart. She managed to keep her eyes open despite the fact she was now trembling uncontrollably.
He stood there, unmoving, a pleading look in this eyes that broke her heart.
Penelope could hear the seconds ticking away.
“You have to do this,” she said more firmly, needing him to pull himself together.
His silver gaze began to glow even more until the room was awash in a brilliant light. The enormous wings at his back spread wide, as though he needed the power they would provide him.
She drew on her internal strength, her love, because she knew she had to show it to him, to allow him to know this was what was necessary for them to be happy, to be safe, to live an eternity together. It was no longer about her fear, it was about her love for him. Her need to protect him.
“Obsidian,” Penelope snapped, eyes darting over to the clock, then back to his.
He held still, eyes boring into hers. Another tear fell, triggering a few of her own. She hated that they fell, but she couldn’t stop them.
“Obsidian!” she screamed.
His trembling hand lifted, his voice a rough rasp when he said, “Close your eyes, ayreme.”
She did.
Aware of his deep inhale, she braced for impact, but nothing prepared her for the blade as it pierced through skin and bone. Her breath escaped as searing pain ignited in her chest cavity, blinding. She forced her eyes open, wanting to see his beautiful face once more. Just in case.
She was vaguely aware of Obsidian holding her, tears pouring down his face, ragged sobs escaping as he gently lowered her to the floor. Those enormous wings curled around them, shielding her. She gasped for air, and even that hurt. Her lungs no longer worked to send oxygen where it needed to go. This wasn’t pain, it was white-hot agony scorching her. Penelope couldn’t stop the tears, though she tried as hard as she could. She didn’t want Obsidian to hurt any more than he already was.
“I love you,” she rasped, her vision going white as she struggled for the air that never filled her lungs.
Then finally, after what seemed an eternity, the pain eased, a strange warmth overcoming her. It was almost pleasant, erasing the torment her body had endured.
She stared up at Obsidian, smiled.
The last thing she saw before her vision faded completely was his beautiful, tormented face.
The last sound she heard was Obsidian’s ferocious sobs and the thunderous growl of him calling her name.
Just when Penelope thought the moment would never end, everything went black.
But only for a second.
In the next instant, she was surrounded by a sea of endless white. Blinding yet soothing as it chased away the cold that had filled her bones.
“There you are, my blessed child.”
It took a moment to orient herself, but Penelope realized she was lying on a bed, a feather-soft pillow beneath her head, sheer curtains swaying softly in the soft, comforting breeze.
“Who’s there?” she asked, glancing around, trying to find the source of the words.
The curtains were drawn back slowly, moving of their own accord, and the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen appeared, the light shimmering around her as though she was the source of it. Probably not a woman, she thought. An angel.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Penelope Jane Calazans.”
“We?”
Two more angels appeared, equally beguiling, almost too perfect to be real.
“Are you the Fates?” she asked.
A pleased smile formed on each of their faces, their iridescent silver eyes shining brightly.
“I’m Nevaeh,” the one who had greeted her first said. “And these are my sisters. Adorah and Karma.”
“You’re a very brave female,” Adorah said softly.
Suddenly panic set in. “Wait. If I’m… I can’t be in Heaven. I can’t. I need to be with Obsidian.”
Nevaeh’s soft fingers settled reassuringly over her hand. “This is Heaven, sweet child, but don’t worry, you’re only here temporarily. I assure you, Obsidian’s waiting for your return. Trust us.”
Penelope nodded, somewhat relieved. If you couldn’t trust an angel, who could you trust?
“Come, Penelope. Let’s have some tea.”
When they moved away, almost as one, Penelope followed, climbing down from the bed, her bare feet securely planted on the white marble floor. Though absent of all color, the room was serene and beautiful. Exactly what one would imagine being in Heaven would be like.
Nevaeh opened a set of French doors before stepping out into a courtyard. Overhead was a crystal-clear blue sky, fluffy white clouds moving by, far closer than they should’ve been.
The structure built up around the serene space resembled something out of Greek mythology. Marble columns loomed high above, disappearing into the clouds. In the center was a beautiful fountain, water cascading over the thick-edged bowl it was contained in. Penelope was urged toward a small white bistro table while two more women—or rather, angels—came over, one carrying a teapot, the other a plate with what appeared to be cookies.
For whatever reason, that delighted her. The thought of the angels sharing tea and cookies made Penelope smile.
Nevaeh chuckled, a lyrical sound that was like the softest of lullabies, so sweet and gentle it made her wonder if she’d actually heard it.
“I can certainly see why Obsidian’s so enthralled with you.”
“You can?”
The angel nodded, then lifted the delicate teacup to her lips, blew on the liquid before sipping.
“Well, the feeling’s quite mutual,” Penelope assured her. “I love him.”
Nevaeh smiled warmly. “There’s no need to convince us. It’s in your eyes, Penelope. Your strength is your most powerful feature.”
Penelope dropped her gaze to the table. “I’ve never considered myself strong.”
“Oh, but you are,” Karma said, the soft intonation of her voice soothing. “Think about the things you’ve endured. Your mother leaving, your father’s denial. You supported the men in your life without receiving their kindness in return. Yet they’ve always known you were their rock, their strongest support. And you’ve persevered, shown Obsidian a love beyond all expectation.”
“It all seemed to happen so fast,” Penelope admitted.
“In the grand scheme of things, time is irrelevant, Penelope,” Adorah said. “Humans have irresponsibly learned to measure the depth of their emotions based on the passing of time. In truth, love knows no bounds. Not time, not distance. It merely is. You knew you loved Obsidian the moment you set your eyes on him, and he you. That’s true love. The kind not steeped in measurement of any kind.”
“It’s true,” Penelope admitted, perhaps finally accepting it. “The moment I saw him, I knew he was important to me.” She studied each of their faces. “But I thought that was your doing. You selected me for him.”
Nevaeh smiled, set her cup down. “That’s a misconception, sweet child. We have no say in the matter. We don’t select one’s mate. Your soul connects with the one meant to make you the strongest. And when it does, we simply seal your fate, guide you toward one another. From there, we guard your souls.”
“But I’m human,” she countered. “How did my soul seek Obsidian’s?”
Protected in Darkness (Misplaced Halos, 1) Page 36