There was a woman standing in the doorway, but calling her a woman was such a pale word for her that Rose hated that she couldn’t think of a better one. Calling her a vision of perfection would be a better term.
The woman wasn’t tall, standing barely over five and a half feet, and she had a heart-shaped, beautiful face with features better than any sculptor could carve. She had a petite but full figure that felt like utter perfection to watch as she moved, and Rose’s eyes were drawn to the clothing she wore. The bodice was more a couple of lengths of glittering royal blue fabric attached to a collar of sapphires and mithral, almost a halter top, while she wore a similar sarong topped by a belt from which hung a beautifully crafted rapier in its sheath. Mithral and blue leather sandals adorned her feet, and matching earrings dangled from her ears, each of them pointed almost like an elf’s, but closer to horizontal than an elf’s might be. She had midnight blue hair that was long and straight, held back in a single ponytail behind her head by a mithral clasp, and it fell to her ankles.
Her skin was a pale blue, almost as brilliant as the sapphires in her jewelry, and a luminous glow radiated from beneath it, making her shine like a star in the room, from the tips of her fingers or toes to the end of her tail, while her bat-like wings shone more like a deeper blue velvet. There was even a mithral and diamond piercing in her navel that glowed brightly, drawing the eye. Delicate horns rose only a few inches from her brow, swept back and shimmering like jewels themselves in the light, almost touching the crown floating above her head, itself a circle with five equally spaced points and accompanying inset sapphires. But it was her eyes that caught Rose’s gaze and held it. The woman’s deep blue eyes felt enormous, and it was like they could swallow Rose entirely, as though she was ignoring everything else in the world and was only paying attention to Rose. Looking into her eyes, at such a vision of beauty, Rose couldn’t help but yearn for the woman, as a part of her heart she’d thought locked away began to wake, and the voice of caution in her mind weakened.
Rose’s lungs almost felt like they were burning, and it took a few moments before she remembered to breathe again, exhaling suddenly, then drawing a breath and gasping. “W-who…?”
“Who am I? I’m Estalia,” the woman replied gently, still focused on Rose as she stepped into the room. “The realm you’re in bears my name, and Anna and the others here are among my most trusted friends. Have they been treating you well?”
“Yes, of course they have, but… but you’re the queen?” Rose began, floundering under that all-consuming gaze. “I thought you’d be… be…”
“Yes, I’m queen of these lands, Rose… may I call you that? Anna said you preferred it,” Estalia said, approaching at a slow, almost delicate pace as she smiled warmly, a smile that could have melted a heart of stone. “Still, you are not one of my subjects, so you need not speak to me as such. Unless you wish to be one of my subjects, but even so, it would be a shame to have one so beautiful be formal with me.”
“Of course you may,” Rose replied, flushing bright red under the demon queen’s regard, and feeling some of her panic ease. “I just… I expected more formality to your visit. I didn’t expect you here, not now.”
“Formality is good for keeping your distance, but that isn’t what I want. I want to get to know you, Rose, not the legendary Flame of Ember,” Estalia said, the sincerity in her voice soothing beyond measure, and Rose felt herself relaxing still more, blushing at the idea that such a beautiful woman wanted to get to know her. Estalia offered her arm and asked, “Would you walk with me? I’d enjoy your company.”
“I… I suppose so. I’m just…” Rose paused, then slipped her hand through Estalia’s arm and followed her sedate pace toward the door. Finally, she managed to continue. “I’m just startled, I suppose. I thought you’d be more distant, or maybe even cruel. I had my doubts about that, as kind as Anna and the others have been, but my background…”
“Cruelty and distance can be useful tools for some things, but those who wield them drive others away,” Estalia said, her voice almost sad as she pushed the door open, holding it for Rose and stepping out, looking at Rose as she spoke sincerely. “If one wishes for true allies and friends, they must take other approaches. I have chosen to take those paths, and thus my realm is different. Not as different as I’d like, but the hells are a dangerous place. Some days there is no path to avoid conflict, and still other times it is necessary to fight.”
“I see. That sounds accurate… and I think some angels could learn from you,” Rose murmured, thinking back to the many situations which she thought could have been solved with a little kindness or sympathy from those in more powerful positions. No matter what, she couldn’t quite pull her attention away from Estalia, though, and the woman continued down the hall sedately.
“Perhaps so. However, with that in mind, how has your time here been? I do hope it’s been restful for you, Rose,” Estalia asked, trailing a couple of fingers over Rose’s arm, sending a thrill of happiness through her, and Rose felt her heartbeat quickening.
“It’s been wonderful. I never realized just how tired I was getting, and how much I wanted to just rest. Anna has been amazing at helping me come to terms with everything, while Coral and Tina have been lovely at showing me how to use the magical tools here,” Rose said, then flushed as she realized something, and cleared her throat before continuing. “I suppose I should thank you for this, though. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to rest or to meet them to begin with.”
“You’re most welcome, Rose. It’s the least I can do for you,” Estalia replied, her smile warming Rose’s heart still more.
Rose didn’t know what else to say, and they were just passing the doors that Rose knew went to the baths when Estalia spoke again. This time her voice had a bit more concern to it. “Rose… Anna sent me word that you’d been separated from an old lover of yours, a younger angel named Isalla. She vanished, and you were concerned about her, is that correct?”
“That’s right,” Rose agreed, her mood darkening at the reminder of her missing friend. “I was trying to gather information about what might have happened to her when I was ambushed, I think. My memory is fuzzy, unfortunately. I worry about her immensely, as I never told her how I really felt.”
“I understand, Rose, truly. My daughter has been missing for years, and I worry for her even now,” Estalia quickly assured Rose, her gaze helping ease the angel’s unhappiness. “I was asking because I’ve received information that may be about your Isalla.”
“Really?” Rose asked, her eyes brightening again. “What sort of information?”
“It isn’t anything certain, I’ll warn, and the reason I’ve heard word isn’t good,” Estalia said, but she was smiling as she said it, warming Rose’s heart again. “Apparently a bounty was presented to Hragon’s Assassin Guild, one for a blonde woman with delicate features and who is named Isalla. I’ve gathered a few more details that claim that she’s an angelic spy who lost her wings, but no more than that.”
“She’s lost her wings?” Rose asked, her stomach clenching hard at the thought, bile rising in her throat as well. “And she has a bounty on her head? It… it sounds like her, even if it isn’t much of a description, but—”
“Calmly, Rose, calmly,” Estalia quickly said, reaching up to place a warm finger against Rose’s lips to silence her. “They’ve put a bounty on her head, but that means she’s alive. The assassins have also come into the hells, which means that they believe that she’s in Estalia or one of its neighbors. No matter what information they might have, their ability to gather information here cannot match mine.”
“But…” Rose began, only to fall silent as Estalia smiled warmly, taking Rose’s breath away as she spoke.
“I’ll find her, Rose. I’ll find your Isalla, and the magic available to my priesthood is more than enough to heal her of any harm that has been inflicted upon her,” Estalia said gently, her mesmerizing gaze meeting Rose’s own. “I promise t
o rescue her, even from the gates of death itself. Then, once that is done… you can choose, whether to leave or to stay here in Estalia. You have my word.”
The promise took Rose’s breath away, because the sincerity in Estalia’s voice was impossible for her to doubt. For a long moment, Rose couldn’t reply and couldn’t think. And then she felt the hot tears begin to spill down her cheeks as she murmured, “Thank you… thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, Rose,” Estalia replied, her voice gentle and her smile warm.
Then, ever so slowly, Estalia drew Rose downward toward her. Warm, silky lips met Rose’s, and the angel melted into the gentle, passionate kiss. All thought slowly melted away, and as it did, the tiny, resistant voice went quiet for the first time in weeks.
Rose didn’t care, though, instead wrapping her arms and wings around Estalia.
She was warm and comfortable when she woke, and Rose couldn’t remember the last time she was so relaxed. She’d slept deeply, and she couldn’t remember any dreams. It was so peaceful, and she didn’t really want to get up.
It took a minute before she realized just why she was so warm, though, and the realization that something soft and warm was behind her, and another was in front of her made Rose start emerging from the depths of her slumber. She stirred and slowly let her eyes crack open, confused as she realized that her bedroom was illuminated by an additional soft radiance rather than the usual dim red light. That was unusual, and she blinked as she began sitting up, then looked down at the soft murmur of protest, freezing in place.
Cradled in her arms was Estalia, her hair like a dark wave over her luminous body, and her naked figure was breathtaking. More startling was how the succubus queen slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Rose, blinking slowly as she did so.
“Mm… awake already?” Anna’s voice came from behind Rose, and it was only then that Rose realized that the other angel’s arms and wings were wrapped around her and Estalia like a comfortable cocoon.
“I… I just woke up…” Rose said, her pulse quickening, and Estalia smiled warmly, meeting Rose’s gaze.
“Is that so? Did you want to get up, or…” Estalia began, and leaned up to give Rose a long, deep kiss, a hand running down her side gently before she broke it off and asked, her voice breathy, “Or would you like more time together?”
The warm kiss and touch against her brought back Rose’s memories of how things had developed the previous night, and she blushed slowly as she remembered them. The idea of what had happened… well, it would have mortified her even a week before. Even now it was embarrassing, but that was alright. Estalia and Anna had both accepted Rose as she was and wouldn’t criticize her.
“More time, please,” Rose said shyly.
Estalia laughed, her voice music in the angel’s ears, and then she kissed Rose again, pulling her close. It was somewhat astounding to Rose how strong Estalia was, considering her size.
“Will I see you again?” Rose asked, managing not to blush as she asked the question, despite how desperately she hoped that the answer was yes.
“Not here, I’m afraid,” Estalia said gently, adjusting her belt as she looked at Rose with a smile that improved the angel’s mood and blunted her disappointment, then continued. “If I travel here too often, it will make others wonder what is so important here, and it might draw undue attention down on everyone.”
“I see. I wouldn’t want that to happen, even if I’d love to see you again,” Rose agreed, looking to the side as her cheeks warmed. She couldn’t say just how much she’d enjoyed the previous night, and it was terribly embarrassing.
“I never said we wouldn’t meet. I said we couldn’t meet here, Rose,” Estalia corrected her, drawing Rose’s gaze back to hers again as she smiled.
“Really?” Rose asked, her heartbeat quickening. “When, then?”
“Once Anna and the others are sure that you’ve fully recovered, you can come meet me in the capital,” Estalia said, smiling. “I’ll be taking your armor to have it refitted to fit your new figure, and you’ll have an escort to make it safely. Then you’ll be able to decide what you want to do.”
Rose’s hopes surged, then were checked as she frowned and shook her head. “I… I don’t know that I want to have my armor back. Fighting… I’m just so tired of that, especially after getting to know you, Coral, and Tina. It’s been so restful here, and I’m not sure I want to go back to that.”
“If that’s what you decide, so be it. However, remember what I said, Rose. Sometimes conflict can’t be avoided, and sometimes it’s necessary. Better to have weapons and armor should it be necessary than not to be able to defend yourself or those you love,” Estalia replied, smiling as she gestured to the rapier at her side. “I do the same, after all. As to your choices, though… if you choose to rejoin the heavens, that’s one choice, or you could choose to remain here with me, or to try something else. Regardless, I promised to find your Isalla, and I’ll do so.”
“Thank you, Estalia. I can’t say how much that means to me,” Rose replied, tears forming in her eyes, and she brushed them away quickly, sniffling. “And… I’ll think about what I want, I promise. Now, before I start to cry… I’ll see you again. Hopefully soon.”
“Of course. I’ll see you soon, Rose,” Estalia agreed, and she rose on the tips of her toes to give Rose a brief, passionate kiss. Then, leaving the taste of her lips on Rose’s, she turned to leave.
Rose watched the door close behind Estalia, and her hand slowly rose to her lips. As she tried to fix the memory of the queen in her mind, Rose began to cry. She’d spent less than a day with the demon queen, yet why did she feel so hollow with her gone?
She never noticed how that voice of caution that she’d had before had vanished entirely.
“I’m always amazed at how easily you can put others at ease, Milady,” Anna said, admiration in her tone as she glanced toward the scrying mirror, where Rose was slowly dancing with a blue dress. “Even if your power assists you, you’re truly skilled.”
Anna’s goddess was putting on her armor, a suit of plate that glittered like sapphires and diamonds, ranging between dark and light blues and with intricate silver runes and patterns carved into its surface. Estalia looked up from a greave and smiled in return.
“That’s because far too many people underestimate how much good a little sincerity can do,” Estalia replied gently, nodding to the mirror. “I didn’t lie to Rose. I had no need to do so, after all. I believe the chances of her returning to the heavens are about as close to nonexistent as can be, especially if I find Isalla.”
“That was true, then? I’m startled by the idea of a bounty being put on the head of an angel, or that one could survive in the hells without protection,” Anna said, her smile fading slightly. “If she has, she might not be in the best situation.”
“I’m well aware of that, but I did not lie. I will find her if it’s possible, and if she’s been injured in such a way… well, I will send her to you to be healed,” Estalia said, her smile fading slightly and her gaze hardening. “I am beginning to worry about the motives of those who sent Rose here, but shall bide my time. Should they overstep themselves, though…”
“If they attempt to violate the sanctity of the spire, they will not succeed. On that you have my word, Milady,” Anna replied, her voice turning steely as her back straightened. “And should that come to pass, I will bring them to Your Light. Then they will tell us everything.”
“Of course they won’t succeed. You’re here,” Estalia said simply, standing again and smiling warmly at Anna. “You’re the only reason I can trust that the spire will hold, my dear, and I cannot thank you enough for what you do.”
“As you say, Milady,” Anna said, leaning down to exchange kisses with her goddess again, warmth flooding her at Estalia’s reassurance. As she pulled away, she smiled broadly and added, “I believe that Rose will be ready in no more than three weeks.”
“Excellent. That will give plenty
of time for not only her armor to be adjusted, but for a new suit to be forged, one more appropriate for her if she joins us,” Estalia said, smiling warmly. “I think I have an idea in mind. She truly has chosen a beautiful form, hasn’t she?”
Anna nodded in agreement, then curtseyed deeply. “We are glad for your visit, Milady, and I wish you safe travels back to the palace.”
“Thank you, dear,” Estalia replied gently, and then she turned to leave.
Anna sighed as she did so, as Estalia’s departure left the spire feeling, as always, just a little bit darker and colder.
Chapter 29
“Are you sure you’re going to leave for a while, lovely Kanae? We could always just not tell any other visitors about your guest, or could tell them that you’re gone,” Manog said, sounding quite anxious as he looked around the room. “With you gone, we’re not going to be nearly as comfortable. What if someone gets hurt? We need you!”
“That’s why I’ve been teaching you the basics for years,” Kanae replied calmly, stirring the pot of soup. “I’ve told you plenty of times that I’m not going to be here forever. Yes, I’ve settled down for several centuries, but you can’t count on that being the case forever.”
“The woman who attacked Isalla is dead, though,” Manog protested weakly, pacing back and forth quickly. “Sure, the other human who was with her vanished, but that doesn’t mean that he knew what she was up to.”
“And I’m an archangel in disguise,” Kanae replied tartly, looking up at Manog, putting a hand on her hip as she scowled at him. “You know as well as I do that him vanishing makes it all but certain that he’s involved, especially since the caravan master said the two of them joined together. I’m not going to risk Isalla’s safety so readily, not right now.”
“She’ll be back in a few weeks anyway, right?” Isalla chimed in, feeling a little uncomfortable about the situation. She hated to take away the town’s healer, but she didn’t trust that she could make her way across Estalia safely on her own, not yet. Besides, she didn’t want to be separated from Kanae. “It isn’t like she’s going to be gone for good.”
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