by Lynn Landes
“Why do you torture me so?” she asks shivering from the heat and longing for his mouth on hers. Simeon jumps back from her, and watches as she rolls over to cover her body with a sheet.
“Forgive me, but you should have called for me” Simeon states.
Unable to look at him, afraid of the revulsion she will see, she whispers, “You left me, Simeon.” Leaving the bed she grabs her clothes and pulls them on quickly.
“I had no choice, Elsbeth! I would have healed you, took away your pain.”
She spins around fully dressed now; she advances on him seated on the bed. She pokes him in the chest. “The pain he inflicted is nothing compared to what your leaving me did! Feel what I feel, Simeon! Or are you afraid?”
Simeon places his large hands on her face and cups it gently, he looks deep and his soul screams in rage! She is broken, calling for him. Alone in the darkness, the demon comes for her again and again, in her dreams. With a shutter, he sees there is no escape from the pain, not even in her dreams. It replays repeatedly in her mind. Simeon weeps for her. In his own fear; afraid he would fall, he failed her. He should have known she was marked but he stayed away to avoid temptation. Opening his chocolate eyes, he feels the tears roll down his cheeks. “Forgive me Elsbeth, I didn’t know.”
She reaches out and wipes his tears, raining kisses all over his face. Finally stopping a hair from his mouth, she whispers, “I forgive you, Simeon, kiss me, please,” she begs.
Grabbing her head by her hair, he jerks her head back telling her, “I will not! Elsbeth, I would not be able to stop.”
In a moment, they are standing outside near the waterfall. She wears a beautiful pink dress that drapes to her ankles. Smiling at her joy in such a simple garment he says, “You are so beautiful, Elsbeth, you should not hide it. Will you fly with me?” He asks still holding her in his arms.
Her body trembles with fear and she tells him, “I can’t. He used my fear of heights, Simeon…” trying to push away, she says to him, “They would take me to the top of a boiling volcano and push me off. The marks are from him catching me. The pain of the tentacles sinking in was nothing compared to the fall!!” Shaking, she begins to sob in shame. “He left me nothing, not even the hope of death. I wanted to die, so why didn’t you let me?” she screams at him, beating on his chest. Encircling them with his wings, he slides her up and holds her against his heart. Shielding her from all sight, she is cocooned in his heat.
“I am lost, Elsbeth, without you. I could not let you die because I am fallen.” He says the words that he hides in his heart. Pushing back, she looks into his humiliated face.
“No! You are not! Simeon, you are kindness and light. You took my pain as your own. Even now, you are doing it. You are not fallen!” I won’t let you fall because of me, she thinks.
The rumbling in his chest tells her he is laughing at her as he says, “Elsbeth, you are amazing; you think you can save me?” With her head resting on his chest, she is distracted by the strength of his arms and hard body. Running her hands over his shoulders, down his arms and back again, she feels his sharp intake of breath. With a flick of her tongue, she searches for his pulse, and she presses her open mouth to it feeling the rhythm. She bites it and sucks gently, and smiles when his large hands clutch her tightly. He holds her against him with steel strength and he knows that if she asks again, he will not have the strength to say no.
“Really, just because I am smaller than you does not mean I have no options left to me.” Fascinated by her mouth, Simeon watches her soft pink tongue darts out over her lips, causing his mouth salivate.
Growling deep in his throat, he whispers, “You should not tempt me so, Elsbeth. I am so close and my need for you is intolerable!” Snapping his wings out, all the heat is gone in an instant. “I need to cleanse you, but I understand your fear. I promise to take you only a few feet off the ground.”
“You can remove the marks from the demon Simeon, but what of the marks from you?”
As he looks at her he states, “I did not mark you Elsbeth.”
Smiling a sad smile, she looks at him with hollow eyes, “We are both marked Simeon. I fear I will never be free of my need for you. I will fly with you, just don’t let me fall.”
“Never, Elsbeth, never,” he responds smiling softly. Holding on tightly around his neck with his muscular arms around her tiny waist, he leaps straight up. Soaring through the night sky, he slowly flaps his beautiful wings and in that moment, Simeon finds a moment to rejoice. With her face buried in his neck, Elsbeth holds on tightly with her eyes squeezed shut. The heat from his body warms her.
“Open your eyes, Elsbeth, look at me.” Looking at him, she sees he has kept his promise. They are hovering over the water near the falls.
She smiles at the absurdity. Feeling embarrassed, she says, “I am sorry I am such a coward.”
“Never say that again!” he tells her angrily. “You have more courage than most angels I know.” He tells her, “Flying with an archangel is forbidden for good reason. The act of flight is intimate and it is difficult to maintain a clear mind because it is so exhilarating. I am a strong healer. It is during flight that angel dust is transferred. Sometimes humans see it as shooting stars.” Slowly starting to spin, he tells her, “You will feel heat, warmth and peace. It will not hurt. Let it flow through you and fill your damaged soul.” Elsbeth is lifted up hair streaming free, spiraling. Simeon rains his golden dust over her body and sinking deep into her soul. She feels the warmth of his gilded touch healing the chasm in her soul. With his wings around them, he seals them inside and lifts his head, calling on his gifts. They are illuminated in a soft golden light. A slow mist showers down over them, golden dust saturating every inch of her hair, face and body. Like a snowflake melting on her hot skin, the dust is deep heating her from the inside out, she sighs. It feels so good, clean and right to be in his arms, and she smiles looking up at him. Seeing Elsbeth covered in his dust, Malach thinks, “Mine” maybe even says it aloud. Slowly he lowers her body, dragging it down the length of his.
When her body begins to tremble, he does what he has longed to do. He leans forward, kisses her soft, pink lips, and tastes his dust on her mouth. It is not the kiss of an angel, but of a man desperate not to lose the one he longs for. He wants to feel and never forget the taste of her in his arms. Her lips part, her tongue darts out touching the heat of his, and she kisses him with the same desperation. No longer aware of where they are or what they are doing, they are lost in each other. His hands slide her dress up, and she feels his large strong hands cupping her bare skin and clasping her closer to him.
“More!” he demands and he slowly lowers the straps to her pink dress, baring her breasts to his mouth. With more dust on her body, he leans down tasting her and she throws her head back moaning in desire. The taste of his dust on her body drives him over the edge. Desperately she clutches his head and drags his hot mouth to her. She screams his name as he suckles her breast, sliding it into his boiling heat.
“Simeon…” she whispers and when he looks up her heart stops. His beautiful eyes once light brown, are now completely black, the whites are gone. They are no longer illuminated from above and his wings have stopped moving. In anguish, he screams as he throws his head back and they spiral out of control falling straight into the water below.
Tangled underneath the weight of his body, she does not struggle. He surfaces desperately searching for her and dives beneath to find her. He grabs her, and bursts from the water landing on the soft green grass below. Coughing, he turns her on her side as she expels the water.
“I can help, Elsbeth,” he says reaching for her. He stops when she backs away in fear, screaming and coughing.
“NO!” Retreating as if slapped, he looks at her and she sees the whites of his eyes have returned. She stands on trembling legs and attempts to cover her body. “I need to get warm.” Helping her to the cavern, he lights a fire and retreats outside to give her privacy. Ashamed of his beh
avior he paces under the stars not sure how she will trust him again.
Elsbeth removes her soaked dress. She drops it into the fire and watches it turn to dust. Jumping into the cold water in the tub, she washes the remaining dust from her body. “I deserve this” she says to herself; “Maybe it will remind me to keep my distance.” As fast, as she can, she towel dries and dresses in a large sweater and jeans, pulling on boots and putting her hair into a French braid. Hearing him behind her, she spins and faces him.
“I am sorry, Elsbeth. I have failed you. You gave me your trust and I violated it. Will you forgive me?” he asks unable to look at her.
“Simeon, I have dreamed of how you would taste and feel for so long, what you gave me was a gift,” she tells him sighing deeply. “I refuse to dirty it by throwing shame on it.” Looking at the human before him, he smiles a little as she walks toward him saying, “I think it’s best if we do not try that again, though.”
“I have to return you to your people, but first I need to see if I healed you.” Licking her lips nervously, she backs away from him.
“No, that’s a bad idea. I will have Elina check me when we get back.” Stopping his advance, he knows she is right.
“Are you ready?” he asks solemnly. No she thinks, I would stay here forever with you if I could, lost in our own Eden. Instead, she shakes her head yes and softly follows him from the room.
“Slow, Simeon, go slowly. I want always to remember this moment with you.” She whispers as she steps into his arms. Afraid to speak, he pulls her against him and lifts gently off the ground. She wraps her arms around his neck and leans her head on his shoulder as she weeps, knowing this is goodbye. He lands in the clearing below; Elsbeth clutches tightly to his neck and sees her family waiting.
“I would have been yours, Simeon,” she whispers as her feet touch the grass below. She looks at Jake and sees his smile falter at the sight of her tears.
“You are mine,” Simeon says and he snaps out his wings to their full glory. Inhaling sharply, Elsbeth looks into the eyes of her savior and the whites are gone once more.
“You cannot save him, Elsbeth only he can do it now,” Malach tells her from behind. Turning to look over her shoulder, she watches as two more Archangels land beside Malach drawing their weapons.
“No,” she says in horror.
Jake and Elina hurry forward and before they reach her, Simeon cracks the earth beneath their feet creating a barrier between them and her.
“Come to me, Elsbeth!” He orders, holding out his hand to her. No, she thinks not like this. She drops to her knees and begins to pray softly.
“Have mercy on me. Oh God. Wash these thoughts from my soul and make me whole again so that I may do your bidding.” The sound of her prayer hits Simeon, driving him to his knees. Malach uses the opportunity to snatch Elsbeth and pull her back behind the archangels and away from Simeon.
On his knees, Simeon knows the moment Malach touches her and screams in rage. The angels form a wall shoulder to shoulder and they advance on Simeon.
“Are you Shadow or Are you Light Brother?!” Gabriel asks. The golden light that surrounds Simeon has begun to fade. His beautiful, golden tipped wings begin to turn black at the arches fading to ebony at the tips, and the golden blades turn to rusty black!
“He is lost,” Uriel says, defeated, for they have seen this before.
“NO!” comes a determined sound. Marching around the Fist of God, Elsbeth yells at Simeon saying, "You are the head and not the tail!” He jerks as though struck by a mighty fist, falling to the ground.
“You are over and not under! Above and not beneath! This will not rule you!” screaming now. “You answer to the one, true God! Get up!” she yells, pulling him up to his knees.
Lifting his chin she looks at his now completely black eyes and she says, softening her voice, "Simeon, when you don't know what to say, just say Jesus. There is power in the name." Cupping his strong beautiful face in her hands she says, "He is your strength and your shield! Say it with me,” she demands “Louder this time.”
“Jesus," he says, weakly joining her voice.
“Again!" she says louder.
"Jesus," he says stronger and the whites of his eyes slowly return.
"Again!" she yells fighting for his soul.
"Jesus!" He shouts with her.
Dropping his face, she watches Malach step up behind Simeon and he orders,
"Again!" his voice joins the chorus as they say together, "Jesus!"
Uriel steps to his right and Gabriel to his left, "Jesus!" they roar together and wings flare. Elsbeth slowly backs away and watches in awe as wing tips touch, creating a shield and blocking the Archangel Simeon from view.
Faces lifted to heaven, "Jesus!!" All of heaven’s angels sing and the earth trembles with the power of the name. A golden light shoots up from the sanctuary of the wings and Elsbeth weeps with joy. Redeemed she thinks, he is free.
Elina weeps and takes her hand; Jake takes her other hand. Hunter, Polly, Ruby and Ronnie all stand together as a family. Unified, the Children of the Light wait and pray.
The three archangels make room for Simeon. Rising from his knees, he stands with his wings spread and searches for his savior. He finds her standing with the other humans and advances on them slowly.
"I never understood the power of humanity until you. When I was lost he sent me you. His love never gives up and never falls short. In death and life it is steadfast.” Reaching a shaking hand out, he stops himself from touching her.
“The moment you draw your last breath, Elsbeth, I will be waiting, and no amount of strength in heaven or hell will keep me from you.” Exploding to the heavens, Simeon leaves while he can.
“Today you opened my eyes to the miracle of humanity,” Gabriel says reverently. “In saving you, we save ourselves. We are connected and stronger because of our bond. I am humbled to be in your presence.” In reverence, he drops to his knees and bows his head.
“I am honored to be at your service,” Uriel says, and he follows his brother to his knees.
Malach speaks “Call when you have need, and we will come.”
Looking to the sky, Elsbeth asks, “Will he be okay, is the danger passed now?”
“Simeon is redeemed but he will never be free of his need for you,” Uriel states. One by one, they bow to the humans and take flight.
Elsbeth drops to her knees and sobs great heaving sobs! Jake wraps his arms around her and they stay like that for a long time. Hunter starts to go to her, but is stopped by Polly and slowly they go inside. After the tears finally stop, Polly comes out and replaces Jake. Looking over at her, she sees Polly eyes mirror the pain in hers.
“How did I do, Polly?”
Taking her hand, she says through tears, “You did good girl.” Elsbeth takes the handkerchief she offers and wipes her face.
“Now what?” Elsbeth asks her eyes looking up at the stars.
“Now you take one breath at a time. I fill my moments with people that count” Polly tells her. Slowly Elsbeth rises and pulls Polly up, and they walk inside, unaware of the owl who watches from the tree outside.
Sixteen
Floating on an endless sea, Elina sees a molten glow in the distance. The rhythm of the boat changes and picks up speed heading toward the light. As the boat speeds up the sea becomes more turbulent and the glow becomes clear, it is a large volcano! The rocks, steam, and lava erupting from the top indicate it is active. She searches the boat for oars, and finding none desperately begins to paddle with her hands trying to turn the boat, to no avail.
At breakneck speed, she is headed straight for a large mass of rocks. Elina screams as the boat explodes against the rocks throwing her into the depths of the sea. She surfaces only to realize she is near shore, swimming desperately, she pulls herself onto the black sandy shores as she coughs. Despondent, she crawls away from the waves and collapses looking over at the volcano. Is this how it ends, she thinks, burned to death or crushe
d by rocks? A sound to her left has her turning her head as a tiny, jewel colored hummingbird zips around her. Elina sits up and watches as it zips around flashing its multi colored breast. It stops in front of Elina and hovers at eye level as if to say, “Get up!”
"Right, I should get moving. Thank you little Jewel, Have you come to help me?" Zipping around Elina's head, the bird heads off towards the volcano. Elina runs to keep up with her. As they near the volcano, Jewel stops, and zips up the face behind some large, blackened boulders. Elina follows, sure her little friend can show her the way inside. A rumble has rocks tumbling down the side and throws her from her feet. Elina dives under a cliff and waits for the beast to calm, only to jump when Jewel zips back in front of her.
"Teuuuu," her friend whistles softly, and Elina climbs out to follow her once more. Careful of where she is walking, Elina avoids steam vents that release some of the pressure, only to stop as she sees a larger steam vent ahead of her. Jewel is resting on a rock next to it, and stares at her. After few minutes, Elina sees a pattern emerge in the pocket of steam.
"Thank you, little friend, you should go now.” Taking a deep breath and sending a prayer for guidance, Elina waits for the next pressure release and dashes through the opening. She knows that she will have only twenty eight seconds left, so she runs, timing the release in her mind. Frantic she dives headlong into the crack behind the vent. Now inside the mountain she finds the transparent walls provide and ember glow for her to see and her eyes quickly adjust. Desperate now, she looks for a direction and finds a worn path in the floor. She follows the path in the tunnel and feels the pressure around her begin to build. She sees a large doorway and heads towards it. Shaking, with terror, Elina can’t believe she is in the Mountain of Death. The heat is so intense she feels her skin blistering. Her sweat evaporates, bringing little relief, and her eyes feel heavy with sand and grit. “What I wouldn't give for some water now,” Elina thinks. She stops short as she hears a new sound. It sounds like chanting with many voices raised in harmony. She heads towards the growing noise, and stops outside a small crack in the wall to look through.