Lore rubbed his thumb over her hand. “No, you didn’t. You’ve never hurt anyone. But for me, the pain he’s caused me, it is fully deserved, that and more. I deserved it. But to punish you — it was completely uncalled for.”
They sat in silence for a few moments before she asked him another question. “What of your daughter?”
“They punished her, too. She was reborn again and again to heartbreaking circumstances. Her mate never within her reach. Until now. Now, I believe she finally has a good start. She’s born to people who adore her and only want her happiness.” He looked up at her, his heart in his eyes. “They even accepted me, allowed me to be a part of her life. Me!” he said, as though he couldn't believe it.
“Then perhaps you’re forgiven, too, finally.”
“I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I am sorry, sweet. My actions resulted in your suffering.”
“You didn’t cause my suffering.”
“Oh, but didn’t he?” an aged, tired voice echoed around the room.
Lore jumped to his feet, shoving Evangeline behind him on the couch.
Silver light permeated the room, bouncing from item to item, before finally coming to a standstill and swirling into form right before Lore. A male, who looked much like Lore, but with silver hair and eyes stood before them. “Tell her, dear brother, how well you protected her. Tell her just how well you treated her whilst she was in your care.”
“I’ve told her! She knows I was not a good male. I was not worthy of her.”
“And does she know that rather than bring yourself up to her level, you thought to bring her down to yours?”
“What is he talking about, Lore?” Evangeline whispered from behind him, her hands resting against his back and shoulder.
“Acaelo,” Lore said, venom dripping from his voice.
“Dolas, Anansi, Pan, which name is it you go by now?”
“You know very well that I am Lore. I have always been Lore. The other names were heaped upon me by mortals who didn’t know me for who I was.”
“I know you are a betrayer! I know you have no regard for any other than yourself.”
“You lie! You know that I have taken responsibility for all my wrongs. I have tried to ensure that all I do is for good.”
“Really? By bargaining with those less powerful than you to perform the actions they’re unable to? By forcing those that would ask your favor to indebt themselves to you?”
“I have not broken word to any of them. They all have that which they asked for.”
“And you have that which you bargained for.”
“Perhaps. Still, I’ve done nothing that was not deserved. I have harmed no innocent.”
“Really? Would you care to rethink that claim?”
“Who is he, Lore?” Evangeline whispered, peeking over his shoulder.
“My brother, sweet. Do not peer too long at him. He is the one responsible for your imprisonment.”
Evangeline’s eyes widened, moving up and down the silver shimmering form of her love’s brother. When they returned to his face, they were angry, tiny pinpoints of sky blue aimed directly at Acaelo. “You had no right!” she hissed at him.
Acaelo laughed. “I have every right. I am Acaelo. I am all. I rule all.”
“You had no right to punish me! I did nothing wrong!”
Acaelo had been glaring at Lore. He turned his attention to Evangeline. “You are merely a casualty. You should have chosen better.”
“Do not speak to my female. Do not look on my female. In fact, do not even share the same air. Leave us at once!”
“Or what? You’ll shout at me? You, brother dear, are for all rhyme and reason, human, now. I’ve grown stronger, absorbed all your power into myself for safekeeping. There is no need for anyone to fear you. Your words are just that, words.”
“Do not underestimate me,” Lore growled, his eyes beginning to reflect a bit of the insanity he’d become known for.
“No. Do not underestimate me. You see I’m not finished yet. Your female should know exactly what she’s dealing with. I think perhaps she should live it again. I know that you certainly should. Perhaps I’ll just stay right here, and let her watch all you allowed her to be subjected to.”
“No! She has suffered enough!” Lore shouted.
“No one has suffered more than I. And still the people sing stories of your life. Not mine! Yours!” Acaelo bellowed, his face a twisted mass of resentment. But quickly he composed himself and offered a smile filled with disdain. “I feel it my duty to be sure she is fully informed.”
Acaelo lifted his arms, and the fading sunlight streaming through the windows changed. It was giving off a pink glow, causing everything inside and out to appear otherworldly.
“No!” Lore screamed as silver mists slowly began to envelope him. “Please, Acaelo! Please, let her suffer no more!”
“Oh, you both shall suffer. You will relive each and every memory that brought you to this point. You will watch them all unfold below you, a helpless spectator, as she endures all you subjected her to. Then all she’s endured as a result of your betrayals.”
“No! Do what you will to me, but leave her in peace!” Lore begged.
“But that wouldn’t be any fun at all. Her suffering is all that seems to reach you,” Acaelo said conversationally.
Lore’s image was still screaming, reaching toward Acaelo as he finally faded away.
“Lore!” Evangeline screeched! “Lore!” Evangeline floundered, reaching for Lore as he slowly disappeared from view.
Evangeline was terrified. But even more than that, she was angry. “What have you done, you horrid, bitter, male?!”
Acaelo raised an eyebrow. “Horrid? Bitter? I can’t say I’ve often been accused of being horrid and bitter. More often it’s beauteous, majestic, all powerful.”
“Then, certainly none ever truly knew you!”
“Are you so foolish that you believe he loves you? That he loves any?”
“He does. He ventured into Hell for me.”
“I’m aware,” he said, bored and examining the wispy nails on the ends of his wispy fingers.
“He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t care. And, and…” her mind began to wander. She knew she was angry, but she couldn’t remember why.
“What was that, sweet? That is what he calls you, isn’t it? Sweet? Have you forgotten again?”
“Someone calls me sweet,” she mumbled. Her mind racing, trying desperately to remember. “I… I need to… Someone made me angry…”
“Would you like to remember?”
“Yes! Please, can you help me remember? I’d be ever so grateful.”
“Of course, sweet.” He said sweet with a heavy dose of sarcasm. Acaelo waved his hand in the air, silver mist began to swirl, then suddenly there he was, her love. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel him. She knew he was on his way to her. He was coming quickly, directly at her through a meadow. She didn’t remember coming to this meadow. She looked around and found others like her — smiling, laughing, enjoying the day, communing with nature. Evangeline raised her head to the sunshine and sighed, taking in the warmth it always offered. She smiled, opened her eyes and looked back across the meadow. She watched the tops of the tall, pale-green grasses moving gracefully in the wind as he moved toward her. She lowered her eyes and blushed, knowing full well the whole reason she came back today was in the hopes that her love would come for another visit. She raised her eyes again and waited. Lore was here.
Acaelo looked around the small, stone cottage that now stood empty. “What a hovel this is.” He looked around himself disgustedly before his shimmering, silvery self finally dissipated and was gone.
Chapter 11
Lore found himself awash in a world of murky haze. Just a white tinged fog with hardly any color, no feel, and no sound. He was alone, surrounded by nothingness. He waved his arms around himself and managed to just barely move the fog about. Then, he noticed it swirling in the distance,
and it appeared to be clearing, providing a path for him to follow. He hurried toward that spot, his eyes not leaving his target for fear he’d lose his bearings. When finally he got there, he was surprised to find a space completely cleared of the haze surrounding him. But only below his feet. He couldn’t see above himself or around himself any better, but below was a perfect view of the day that he convinced Evangeline to take a chance on him. The day that he promised to be all she needed forever.
He couldn’t look away — this day was a happy memory. And if forced to witness all his memories and Evangeline’s, this one was harmless. It was, in fact, one of the happiest days of his life. He dropped to his knees, leaning on his hands, and smiled with tears in his eyes as he watched the memory unfold beneath him and watched from far above as the man he once was wooed the female he’d gladly give his life for.
He watched, unseen, unheard and unable to participate in any way from above, as it was all set into motion all over again. He watched himself below, as of yet undetected as he stalked his Angel. It was another time, another place, another world as of yet unspoiled as it was today. There was an innocence about that moment in time. True most of the evils, the chaos he’d caused in his boredom had already taken place, but the evils that befell Evangeline, the pain that befell his Danae, they had yet to happen. Lore settled in to watch his past replay below him. This was a safe day, filled with happiness.
~Lore hovered silently at the edge of the meadow, watching his female. He knew what would happen this day. He knew well his own mindset, as well as that of his beloved Evangeline. He’d watched her for days, approached her, retreated, approached again and retreated. Each time becoming a little more bold. Speaking with her a little longer, and little longer at each new meeting. Making her laugh, making her think. Her mind was quick and sharp. She was very intelligent, curious about all around her and why it was as it was. He loved that about her. She was quick to verbally spar with him. She was given to independent thought and had an adventurous spirit. Her only weakness was her innocence and her gullibility. Angels were far too sheltered. They had no knowledge of those who may take advantage of them, or how to deal with them. They had soft hearts, wanting to heal the hurts of any who suffered. And they saw all as they were themselves — guileless, no hidden motives, just a desire to be happy and make others happy. He had no problem seeing all for who they really were. He’d tired of so much ugliness in his life. He’d grown jaded and tired of his own machinations which were borne out of boredom and loneliness. Then he’d happened upon the Angels frolicking in the field. Only one of them had stolen his attention. He’d realized after his initial confusion why. She was his. She was his heart, his soul. And that’s why he’d been empty and searching fruitlessly for so long. He’d needed his mate. He’d not even known what it was he was missing, trying desperately to find anything to fill his emptiness. Until he’d found her quite by accident. Then, he’d been diligent in his visits, making her at ease with him.
And now, this day, this was his first attempt to make her his. He smiled as he heard her laughter on the wind. There was a group of Angels frolicking in a field. His Angel was among them. He’d been sure that she’d return again today to make herself accessible to him. And he was right. Lore began to move toward her, brushing the tops of the grasses as he picked up speed and directed himself to her very person. The closer he got, the more he allowed himself to be seen. The others she was with began to scatter, moving away from him, but staying close enough to watch. His Angel, though — she was not afraid of him. She was brave, and strong, and bold. She stood her ground, a slight smile on her face as she watched him rushing toward her over the tops of the swaying grasses.
When finally he reached her, his purple mists surrounded her, touching, feeling, scenting, tasting every bit of her essence he could manage to take in as this form.
Still, she stayed planted firmly in the same place as the pretty purple fog seemed to caress her skin.
Lore allowed himself to take shape. His body warm, solid, breathing before her. “Hello, my sweet. Have you missed me?”
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” she teased, a beautiful smile in place, knowing full well they knew each other.
He grasped his chest, feigning great pain. “You wound me, sweet. Surely you know me! I am your love, come to take you away.”
“Take me away to what?” she asked, beginning to walk slowly away from him and from the prying eyes of her sisters. She reached down and plucked a blade of the tall grass from the earth and began tying small knots up and down the length of it, pretending to be in deep concentration on her blade of grass rather than on him.
“To a life of love, adoration, pleasure and adventure. Surely the happiness of those things is enough to tempt you into accepting me.”
“Do you know what I am?” she asked coyly.
“A female?” he teased. “Please tell me I didn’t get that part wrong. You are female, right?” Lore asked.
“Of course, I’m female. I’m an Angel. I’m not meant to carouse with males. Especially those I know nothing of.”
“But, you know me. We’ve walked together. We’ve talked together. We’ve laughed together.”
“We have?” she asked.
“We have,” he confirmed.
“You know, I’ve heard of you,” she said, her countenance becoming serious.
“I’m flattered. You’ve heard of my magnificence?”
“No, but I’ve heard of your arrogance. And I’ve heard of your promiscuity as well.”
Lore sobered suddenly. “I was. It is true. But,” he raised his hands in the air palms up, “since you, I am saved.”
“Saved? From what?” she asked.
“From myself. I was lost. But now, I’m quite sure, with you beside me, I am not only forgiven, I am loved.”
Evangeline stopped strolling through the field and turned to face him. “If I were to love you, you’d have to stand beside me forever. I’d never be allowed back in our sanctuary.”
Lore stepped up beside her, looking intently into her eyes. “But you already love me, sweet. And I am already yours forever.”
“You sound very sure of yourself.”
“I am. You are meant for greater things than lifelong innocence and obedience, sweet.”
“Would I not be just obeying you, should I choose you?” Evangeline asked.
“Never. I want a partner, not a servant.”
“Ohhh, I see.”
“And I find it interesting that you’ve not brought up innocence, or the lack thereof should you leave here.”
“I’m not sure a lifetime of innocence is a lifetime to be proud of.”
Lore looked at her, truly surprised by her comment. “Tell me, then. What can I offer to have you beside me. The world is yours, you need only ask.”
Evangeline stepped toward Lore, her face intent, her eyes focused and clear. “I want to live. I want to experience life. I don’t want to live a forever sheltered and cloistered existence.”
Lore smiled. He reached out his hand. “Take my hand, Evangeline. I am yours if you will have me. We will live a glorious life. I shall show you everything. You will never be sorry that you’ve chosen me.”
Evangeline stared at Lore’s hand. He held it there, waiting for her to take it, place hers in his. She raised her eyes to his.
“What if you tire of me?” she whispered.
“Evangeline, you hold my soul. You are of me, as I am of you. We will thrive together and be more than we ever could be alone. Come away with me. Let me show you life.” He held his hand out again, waiting patiently, for her to claim him. If she did, then he knew he was worthy. He’d be good enough, and it would be proven by the mere fact that his mate had accepted him. Having a mate didn’t mean one would be mated, not all were accepted. And his mate… she was an Angel. A true Angel, which meant only those worthy of her could ever possibly hold her. If she chose him, then, surely he was forgiven for all his former escapades.
/> Evangeline glanced back over her shoulder at her friends, the other Angels like her who loved to frolic in the sunshine. Then she turned back to Lore. Her wings quivered behind her with anticipation or maybe it was excitement. Evangeline slowly raised her hand. Her heartbeat increased, and her wings began to tremble. Suddenly, as though she didn’t want to consider it any longer, she thrust her hand into Lore’s and looked up into his eyes. “Take me away from here,” she rushed out, a huge smile on her lips, her eyes shining. She tied her future to his. “I am yours.”
Lore wasted no time. He swirled his mists around her, swept her up into his arms, and they faded from view. He kissed her temple as their bodies were carried from one place to another. “Close your eyes, sweet. Not everything we’ll pass is pleasant.”
“Okay,” she’d whispered, resting her head on his chest as he triumphantly carried her away.
Lore felt worthy for the first time in a long time. He was good. He was worthy. His female had chosen him, and that was all the proof he needed.~
Lore smiled to himself as he watched his past below him, as though he was a spectator watching a play. His Angel had accepted him. She was light and hope and life, and all the things that he needed. Then he realized how long it had been since he’d seen her like she was in that field. She’d been happy and her mind sharp. She’d been confident and adventurous. His heart broke a little more, realizing that had he stayed away from her altogether, she’d still be the bright, curious young woman she’d been that day. He looked down at his hands and wondered how a love so pure as his for his Angel had become such a harbinger of pain and delusion to the object of his love.
“I’ll never understand how you were given an Angel.”
Lore spun on his heel, startled to hear a voice behind him. He’d almost forgotten his brother had condemned him to watch his past and his betrayal of Evangeline.
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